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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of Bessie's novels is the only one that truly reflects a black South African viewpoint?
(a) Maru.
(b) When Rain Clouds Gather.
(c) None.
(d) A Question of Power.

2. Bessie states that one day all nations shall dwell under what shadow?
(a) The Pharaoh's.
(b) Global civilization.
(c) Total equality.
(d) Peace.

3. What does Bessie state was totally absent in her?
(a) Sense of belonging.
(b) Empathy.
(c) Sense of history.
(d) Political fervor.

4. Bessie says that people in Botswana lead very what lives?
(a) Quiet.
(b) Secure.
(c) Rebellious.
(d) Unassuming.

5. How did the British refer to Botswana in the early 1800's?
(a) Hell on earth.
(b) God-awful country to live in.
(c) Barren land of heathens.
(d) Desert full of blacks.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie feel that the African people need, for their civilization?

2. In Chapter 2, Bessie believes that God is embodied in whom?

3. Bessie states that the system in South Africa sees blacks as not what?

4. In "A Question of Power," Bessie states that what can lead a people or a nation into a terrible abyss of destruction?

5. In "Notes on novels," Bessie states that wealth and privilege are dependent on what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Makeba Music," how does Bessie describe the musician, Makeba?

2. In Chapter 2, what does Bessie think that the spirit of the Nigra Goddess has done for the blacks in America?

3. What was Bessie's first experience of racism in a black form?

4. How are Bessie and the American woman different?

5. Why was Bessie able to write in Botswana rather than South Africa?

6. In the conclusion of Chapter 2, how does Bessie summarize her life experiences?

7. In "Notes on Novels," why is Bessie having difficulty writing about her years in South Africa?

8. Why does Bessie think of the American woman as some sort of goddess?

9. In Chapter 2, why is the friendship between Bessie and the American woman painful?

10. Why according to Bessie has Botswana survived by "sheer luck and unexpected good fortune"?

(see the answer keys)

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