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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 does July want to ask Maureen about in private in Section 7?

2. Why does July send Daniel away in Section 7?

3. What does Bam wonder about, in terms of what July will do if the Smalls are evicted?

4. What do Maureen and Bam listen to instead of their regular radio broadcast in Section 7?

5. What does Bam say about July in Section 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is July’s mother’s primary objection to the white people?

2. Describe what Bam’s feeding of the children shows, in terms of his role in the household, compared to his previous life?

3. Explain why Maureen thinks they need to leave in Section 9.

4. Explain why Maureen drowns the kittens and what this implies about her?

5. What is missing when the Smalls arrive back at the hut in Section 9, and what does this likely mean for the family?

6. Explain how July sees his chief.

7. Describe the birth of animals in the Smalls’ hut, and how that relates to the accusation of theft.

8. Describe the shared moment of mockery between Martha and Maureen.

9. Why does Maureen give a final belittling speech to July, and what does she say?

10. Why is Martha resentful toward Maureen when she asks where July has gone in Section 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maureen at one point in the novel mentions being afraid of July, not in a physical sense, but in the sense that she realizes her “consideration” for him became “humiliation” to him. What does this mean? How did Maureen’s treatment of him humiliate him now that they are in his world? What does this say about the whole of Maureen’s life previously? Why does this frighten her?

Essay Topic 2

The photograph of Maureen and Lydia is a focal point for Maureen in the novel. Explain what that photograph would mean in apartheid South Africa. Why was this so important for Maureen as an adult? What did the photograph imply, to her, as she noted her ignorance? Do you think she has changed? How?

Essay Topic 3

One theme of the novel is that of the complete role reversal between whites and blacks in the book, as shown through both the riots in town and the relationship between Maureen and July. Explain, in detail, this role reversal. Why does it happen, what is the result, and how does this change the world as July and Maureen know it?

(see the answer keys)

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