View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Ralph is out prospecting with the man who will plan the development and extraction of the minerals, what does Ralph liken the continent of Africa to?

2. How long do the indunas wait in the village before the Umlimo comes down from the cavern?

3. When the three men find the area they are looking for, how many shafts does Zouga remember?

4. When Cathy's sisters finally arrive at the camp, who does Victoria greet first?

5. How long does Ralph predict that it will take Cecil Rhodes to leave their camp after Cathy's sisters arrive?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How did Ralph originally find the ancients ruins the first time he had ever visited the area?

3. 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?

4. Even though Gandang does not like Robyn, he does respect her. Why?

5. When Bazo returns to Gandang's kraal, he hears gunfire in the distance. Why are guns being fired?

6. When Ralph, Jan Cheroot, and Zouga are searching the land between the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers, why is Ralph bored?

7. As Jan Cheroot and Zouga debate how many days Zouga had originally marched east from the ruins, why do the two men disagree on what the actual number of days is?

8. To Ralph and Zouga, what is the worst kind of vermin found on the African plains and why?

9. According to what Bazo tells Ralph, why are some of Bazo's men not coming to work the mines as Bazo originally promised to Ralph?

10. Why does Wankie want a wagon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The character of Samson Kumalo goes from a likable character to a murderous thug and is somewhat redeemed in the end. Identify the events that caused these transitions. What other choices, if any, did Samson have when confronted with these transitional situations? Was Samson's transition to his Tungata persona avoidable? Was Samson's transition to his Tungata persona his only way to survive? Provide examples from the story that support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Ralph Ballantyne wears different masks in the story. Identify, then compare and contrast the different sides of Ralph Ballantyne. How would the entire plot have been affected if Ralph had not been successful at deceiving those around him, especially Bazo? Why is it necessary for Ralph to wear different masks? Explain your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 913 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample