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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. Pieter vowed to give his life to God if there was no _____ in the dark.

2. Trying to find out if anyone in the black community knew what he had done, who did Pieter ask his house boy about?

3. Before the note, what did Pieter plan to do to cleanse his corruption?

4. Pieter's aunt and who else collect stamps for him during the forbidden years declared by his father?

5. Who always has big birthday celebrations and is having a party in Chapter 13?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Japie's revelation about the note that Pieter found pinned to his door cause Pieter relief?

2. What involvement do Pieter's mother and aunt have in the social welfare working in their town?

3. When Pieter finds Sophie in the pantry alone during the birthday party, what happens?

4. Who brought the charge against Pieter and how did he prove it was Pieter?

5. Who went on the van Vlaanderen family picnic and who went bird watching during this picnic?

6. Why does Stephanie have power now over the young man that chased her into the shadows of the trees?

7. Why does Pieter ask Johannes about Esther?

8. What did Sophie discover about the captain and Stephanie after they left Pieter at his house?

9. In Chapter 12, after evening church services Pieter tried to convey his need to his wife for more of her love and attention to keep him from temptation. What happens?

10. After Pieter saw his captain with Captain Jooste, he was called to the captain's office. What happened?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapters 9 and 31 Stephanie comes before the magistrate. Compare and contrast each appearance and how it affects her life and that of her child. (Include - what brings her into court each time; what happens in court; and immediately following each court appearance).

Essay Topic 2

Paton uses this story to convey a disdain for the apartheid in South Africa. Cite specific details from the story that demonstrate this disdain, an indictment of such hatred and bigotry, as well as providing how such affected the story and its characters' "realness."

Essay Topic 3

The new dominee in Chapter 10 delivers a sermon significantly impacting the congregation. What does he say? What is his demeanor when delivering the sermon? What impact do the words and/or the delivery have on Pieter and others of the congregation? Finally, how does the sermon parallel with the racist standards of their society?

(see the answer keys)

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