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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. Why does Bessie believe that the artist Gladys Mgudlandlu is so successful?

2. In Serowe, what grazes the earth to a shred?

3. What animal was involved in the story that the American woman told Bessie regarding a vision?

4. What race was Bessie's mother?

5. How did Bessie define culture?

Short Essay Questions

1. In 1966, what changes were made regarding refugees in Botswana?

2. In "preface to Witchcraft," why is Bessie angry with South Africa?

3. How was African Independence celebrated in Botswana?

4. What more compassionate details concerning her mother did Bessie learn over time?

5. In 1982, Bessie writes about her reaction when people discussed her writing. Why did she get so frustrated?

6. In "An Unspeakable Crime," why does Bessie feel discouraged by the South African blacks?

7. How did Bessie react when she was forbidden to visit her adoptive family on school holidays?

8. How does Bessie describe Botswana in 1964?

9. In "Village People," how does Bessie describe the black African people?

10. What does Bessie say about refugees and friendship in "Letter from South Africa"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Atteridgeville in 1964 was a community full of poverty and desolation. What was the main reason for unemployment here? How far did people have to go just to work? Because of the high rate of unemployment, how were many of the young men looked upon? How did illegitimate births fit into this scenario? Why weren't young people getting married? What agency owned almost everything in Atteridgeville? Do you think that the young men of this town stood a chance of bettering themselves professionally or personally?

Essay Topic 2

Bessie thinks that friendship is very important in South Africa. What kind of country is South Africa, according to her? What do you find yourself doing if you have friends? What are you left alone to face if your friends flee the country? What do friends allow you to do that Bessie feels is essential to not becoming passive? Describe the good friend that Bessie had in South Africa and what effect his fleeing the country had on her.

Essay Topic 3

The Natives Land Act of 1913 deeply affected the lives of the South African blacks. What was the purpose of the Act? What did the shortage of labor at the mines have to do with the passing of the Act? What were the consequences for whites, who allowed the blacks access to water or grazing land? What, do you think, was the main effect on the psyche of the one million black people affected by the passing of this Act?

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