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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Kupanya claim that Njombo was not one of his men?

2. How much money did Tilly's sister send her?

3. Where was the leopard tracked to?

4. How many goats did Tilly say the District Commissioner would fine Kupanya if the curse were not lifted?

5. What song did all of the settlers join in singing at the Palmers?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the Kikuyu deal with the suffering of animals?

2. Why did Hereward express a willingness to die in a violent storm?

3. Why did the District Commissioner find it difficult to keep locals out of the prison?

4. How did the adults try to comfort Elspeth when she could not go on the safari, and did it work?

5. In what ways did Elspeth find the siafu (warrior ants) the most frightening and mysterious of Africa's creatures?

6. How did Ian describe Ahmed's people (Somalis), whom he had lived among before coming to Africa?

7. How did the Europeans view the difference between a bribe and a tip?

8. Why did the Kikuyu distrust hyenas?

9. Why was Lettice convinced that she brought disaster on her loved ones?

10. How did the other Europeans and the Kikuyu feel about the Italian priests at the mission?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elspeth Huxley pointed out that the Kikuyu language did not have any words for "thank you" and that the Europeans therefore often accused them of ingratitude. Why did the Kikuyu lack the words to express gratitude? Were they truly lacking in gratitude? How important are words in expressing thanks? Did they seem to display gratitude toward one another? Was Elspeth perhaps right when she said the natives simply viewed the Europeans as different and therefore, not in need of thanks?

Essay Topic 2

There is a high-spirited debate between Hereward and Robin about the difference between a bribe and a tip. The Europeans were taught to reject bribery, while bribery was essential to running many African colonies. What are the essential differences between bribes and tips? Is it simply a matter of timing? Were the Europeans making it difficult for themselves by refusing bribes? Could they have made their lives easier by adopting the local customs and accepting the use of bribes instead of tips?

Essay Topic 3

Pioneer Mary was known as a wild woman who in many ways behaved more like a man in Africa. She was both feared and respected by both Europeans and Africans. How was her personality shaped by her personal family tragedy (the loss of both her husband and two young children)? In what ways did her personality allow her to survive and thrive in an environment that could be hostile to a European, especially a woman in that day and age? Did her wildness contribute to her ability to thrive? How did she differ from most of the women around her? Was she happier than the others?

(see the answer keys)

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