View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Frikkie have difficulty in accepting when he realizes that Tengo is gone?

2. What consumes most of Tengo's time at school?

3. Tengo must choose between his personal desire for an education and _____________________________.

4. When schools reopen, they are closed again soon afterward because __________________________.

5. What does Tengo think when Joseph is gone so often from home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the source of Tengo's angry moods?

2. Where is Tengo finally allowed to go to school and why does this make the oubaas angry?

3. What decision does Tengo struggle with after the school closes?

4. What are Frikkie and Tengo doin in their lives now that they are seventeen-years-old?

5. What does Tengo devote his time to when school starts again?

6. How does Tengo act when Frikke comes to the farm for another school vacation?

7. Why does Tengo have to ignore his mother's feelings before he departs for school?

8. What does Claire share with Tengo about an integrated community and what is Joseph's opinion of it?

9. How does Tengo get caught up in the protests at the school?

10. What do the protesters think the students should do and how does Tengo feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who are two of Gordon's characters in this book who appeal to you the most? What is it about these characters that you like? What are their weaknesses? How about redeeming qualities? Are Gordon's characters believable in your opinion? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Explain Sheila Gordon's writing style. How does she deliver information? How does she develop characters? What is the general tone of her work? What is the most appealing aspect of Gordon's writing for you? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 760 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample