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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 is in the box that arrives for Tengo?

2. How old is Tengo?

3. Where does Frikkie go when he reluctantly leaves the farm?

4. What does Tengo's mother ask Joseph's mother to send?

5. What does Frikkie give the girls to assure that they don't tell anyone about Tengo's outburst?

Short Essay Questions

1. How easily does Tengo pick up the skill of reading?

2. How does Tengo feel as he learns more and more about how his ancestors were treated?

3. How are the differences between blacks and whites exhibited in the characters of Frikkie and Tengo?

4. Why is it frustrating for Tengo to read the textbooks given to him by his aunt's employer?

5. Who is Joseph?

6. Why is Tengo not permitted to attend school and how does he feel about that?

7. What do Dr. and Mrs. Miller agree to give to Tengo for his education?

8. Why can Tengo not defend his people to the oubaas regarding the story of the Great Trek?

9. What are some of the things that Tengo learns about city life for black people from Joseph?

10. Why is Frikkie given so much respect on his uncle's farm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hatred seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of hatred? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Frikkie. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Frikkie?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in South Africa in the late-20th century when the women in the book are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 925 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample