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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 term do the slaves on the plantation use to refer to the white man in Book Two, Chapter 6?

2. In what year does Meena say a smallpox epidemic swept through her region, killing over 200 people, in Book Two, Chapter 10?

3. What is the title of Book Two, Chapter 10?

4. Sullivan’s Island is located off the coast of what U.S. state?

5. How does one of the captives commit suicide after his daughter has been killed by a wild animal in Book One, Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. How many captives are traveling with Aminata’s group in the beginning of Book One, Chapter 3? Who arrives that is from Aminata’s village?

2. How is Aminata’s new situation described in the beginning of Book Two, Chapter 9?

3. When and where does the narrator say she was born in Book One, Chapter 1? What does she say should happen if she should die before completing her life story?

4. How does Meena describe the devastation of the smallpox plague of 1774 in Book Two, Chapter 10?

5. Who oversees the slaves at Appleby’s plantation in Book Two, Chapter 7? How many slaves does Meena describe there?

6. Who are the visitors that Appleby brings to the plantation in Book Two, Chapter 8? What encounter does Meena have with them?

7. How is the character of Dolly described in Book Two, Chapter 9?

8. Whose deaths does Meena describe hearing about through the fishnet in the beginning of Book Two, Chapter 10?

9. What setting is described in the opening of Book One, Chapter 2? How is the setting described?

10. Why is Aminata given the name “Meena” by the other slaves on the plantation in Book Two, Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of the Medicine Man on the slave-ship. How old is this character? How would you describe the Medicine Man’s demeanor and behavior toward the slaves? Why does the Medicine Man take Aminata as an assistant?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the history and customs of Islam in Africa and on the setting of Bayo in 1745. In what region of Africa is Bayo said to be located? Near what city is Bayo? How many residents of this region were Muslim in 1745? How far away is the next village from Bayo?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characters of Fanta and Chekura in the narrative. How old are Chekura and Fanta? How did Chekura come to work for the slave-traders? How does Fanta stand apart among the captives? How does the relationship between Chekura and Aminata develop?

(see the answer keys)

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