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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. What natural phenomenon did Tilly and Ian comment on at the end of Chapter 12?

2. To what kind of fish did Elspeth compare the men lounging in the shade in the middle of the day?

3. Where was the leopard tracked to?

4. What article of clothing did Mrs. Nimmo give to Elspeth?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Lettice elope with Hereward?

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

3. Why did the Kikuyu distrust hyenas?

4. How did Elspeth use the imagery of the kitchen beaters to convey the sense that Europeans and Africans were living in parallel worlds?

5. How did Lettice Palmer view Hereward's desperate attempts to impose discipline on his workers?

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

7. How did the Palmer's house differ from the Huxley's residence?

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

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

10. How did Ian justify the brutality of the Abyssinian leaders he encountered before coming to Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Despite his lack of success in a number of endeavors, Robin Huxley continued dreaming of fortune and moved his family to Africa in his latest attempt. At one point, Robin and Tilly have an interesting exchange about other settlers, debating whether they are romantics or fools. Based on Robin's behavior, which category did he belong in? Were his dreams realistic or was he pursuing a pipe dream? Is there in fact a big difference between a romantic and a fool?

Essay Topic 2

After Njombo killed a man in a fight, he had to pay a blood price to the victim's family in the form of goats. Write an essay discussing this method of justice. How did this system help keep the peace for the locals? How did the natives maintain peace and order (they were also known not to steal from one another) if there was no threat of arrest or prison? Why was Hereward Palmer determined to introduce Western-style justice to Africa? How would a trial and prison have affected both Njombo and the tribe as a whole? Can there be different cultural approaches to justice? Or is justice black and white?

Essay Topic 3

Lettice Palmer appeared to change in personality following the death of Ian. Write an essay describing how his death affected her. Why did she tell Elspeth that Africa was a cruel place and that nobody cared? What did her future appear to be?

(see the answer keys)

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