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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. Where is the narrator from?

2. Where does Matha's mother work?

3. Who is Cookie?

4. Who is Matha's brother?

5. Who dies after Adriana moves her child out of her cabin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Isabella reluctant to have more children after the first one?

2. Who is Mrs. Zulu?

3. Why does Agnes get kicked out of the Reds?

4. Why is Ronald gone from Africa for five years while Agnes is there?

5. What business does Isabella start with her children?

6. Who was Matha's schoolteacher?

7. What does Matha realize after she gives birth?

8. Who kidnaps Sylvia?

9. Why does Cookie take in a child?

10. Who does Sibilla run away with?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing how the author uses characters and behaviors to develop and strengthen the theme of political fantasy. What are certain characters political fantasies, and how do they seek to bring them to fruition? Use evidence from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you examine the theme of money in the novel. What role does money play for families across generations? Choose one or two families or individuals in the novel and explore the function and significance of money in their lives. Use evidence from the text to explain your thoughts.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you examine the structure of the novel. What is the effect of writing this particular story this way? What does the presence of a third-person, omniscient narrator and chapter endings narrated by a swarm of mosquitoes do to propel the narrative forward, or emphasize important themes? Use evidence from the text to explain your thoughts.

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This section contains 532 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample