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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 disease does Robyn study by giving it to herself?

2. What are Zouga, Ralph, and Jan Cheroot searching the land for?

3. When Juba comes to see Bazo, who is Juba upset with that Bazo insists must be killed?

4. Where do the Matabele seek refuge in times of trouble?

5. Who plans the development and extraction of the minerals at the mine?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Ralph returns to the mines and first sees Victoria, Harry confides to Ralph that Harry is amazed by Victoria. Why?

2. Why does Tanase not want to go to Ralph's camp for the night so that Ralph and Bazo can catch up?

3. When the lion pounces on Jan Cheroot and his horse, how does Jan Cheroot survive?

4. While Ralph and Wankie are talking Bazo comes up behind Ralph and accuses Ralph of lying to him. What reason did Ralph give Bazo for their trek?

5. Where is Wankie's country located?

6. How does Robyn explain to Juba her reasons for studying her chosen disease?

7. Why does Robyn eventually publish "Trooper Hackett of Matabeleland" with her own money?

8. When Ralph first sees the man who steps suddenly from the forest, what reason is Ralph given for the smoke he sees?

9. How does Ralph feel when he first sees the man who steps suddenly from the forest?

10. Why is Gandang so sure that the old times will come again even as his most senior wife tries to convince him that the Matabele has to change as the world has changed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wilbur Smith uses this story to examine revenge and the disastrous and horrific consequences that can result when one is driven by revenge. Examine the author's beliefs through his storytelling. Why would the author choose this story to overlay his demonstration of the consequences realized when revenge is a primary motive? What did you learn from the author's discussion on revenge? What other avenues, if any, could the author have used to express his beliefs? Would those avenues have been as effective as the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: Bazo, Ralph Ballantyne, Robyn St. John, Cecil Rhodes, and Jordan Ballantyne.

Essay Topic 3

In addition to revenge, jealousy is a central theme of this novel.

a. Identify three characters that are motivated by jealousy. Describe their reasons for being jealous. Is their jealousy founded? Why or why not?

b. How does jealousy affect these characters, their decisions, and their actions?

c. What is the outcome for these characters? Were they successful in their endeavors or would they have been more successful if they had not been jealous? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 806 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample