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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 the author liken the digging frenzy to?

2. At Jordan's luncheon, who presents Louise with a "perfect" diamond?

3. When Zouga loads the sculpture onto the cart to sell it, how old is Jordan?

4. When Zouga asks the nameless man what he's selling, how does the nameless man respond?

5. How many groups does Zouga divide the tribal warriors into for their "competition"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jordan's reaction when he learns about sex from Jan Cheroot after listening to Jan and Ralph talk?

2. How does Zouga react when the nameless man offers him an equal partnership in his scheme to gain profits by salting Zouga's claim?

3. What most surprises Zouga when he first arrives in Colesberg?

4. When Jordan accepts the job that is offered to him when he delivers the statue to its new owner, what is Jordan's first responsibility at his new job?

5. How does Zouga characterize Mungo St. John when he first shows up in Colesberg?

6. According to the descriptions given in the book, what are a monkey and a donkey?

7. What was Mungo St. John's reaction when the British navy tried to board his ship?

8. As Zouga approaches the location where he is meeting the nameless man, Zouga feels fear. Why does Zouga enjoy feeling fear?

9. As the two men fight, Ralph is filled with hatred for his father. What is the source of Ralph's hatred?

10. When the tribal warriors first reach the diamond claim, what does Jan Cheroot have to show them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: Zouga Ballantyne, Mungo St. John, King Lobengula, Boza, and Ralph Ballantyne.

Essay Topic 2

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness and draw the reader deeper into the story and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot, as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Cecil Rhodes and King Lobengula.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. How is each character affected by their perceived self-worth - both positively and negatively?

(see the answer keys)

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