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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 does Tambu's letter to Nyasha say in Chapter 6?

2. What does Tambu put in her tea in very large quantities in Chapter 3?

3. What does Tambu tell the stranger on the bus she does for a living in Chapter 2?

4. What do Tambu's students nickname her?

5. What is Christine's nickname?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tambu take to helping herself to that belongs to Mai Manyanga in Chapter 5?

2. Who is Tambu shocked to see again at the mental health institution?

3. Why does Christine come to Mai Manyanga's in Chapter 5?

4. What plan does Tambu hatch concerning Mai Manyanga's sons when she sees them visit the widow in Chapter 4?

5. What does Nyasha urge Tambu to do for her own good towards the end of Chapter 11?

6. What does Tambu offer to do to help Nyasha with the children at the end of Chapter 12, and how is the offer received?

7. What happens when the two men find Tambu passed out at the bus stop in Chapter 8?

8. Why does Tambu's respect for Aunt Lucia grow in Chapter 12?

9. What is Tambu's reaction to Mako's distress in Chapter 5?

10. What does Tambu's cousin Nyasha do for work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing why you think Dangarembga chooses to narrate the novel in the second-person, and what effect this choice has on the reader's understanding of Tambu's character.

Essay Topic 2

Early on in the novel, Tambu not only fails to help an acquaintance of hers as a situation in the street quickly escalates towards violence; she actually considers participating in carrying out violence against this woman, Gertrude (21). Write an essay analyzing the possible reasons and motivations behind Tambu's callousness, citing specific references to the text in your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Tambu seem to idolize European fashion, people, and customs? Write an essay explaining your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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