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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. In Tanase's vision, how does Bazo die?

2. How long after Cathy's sisters arrive at the camp does Cecil decide to leave the camp?

3. What is the name of the plague that strikes the with a vengeance and kills oxen and cattle?

4. Who cuts the telegraph lines to prevent word of the plague reaching Cecil Rhodes?

5. What dis the meaning of the praise name that the Matabele have given to Zouga Ballantyne?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ralph think to himself when Zouga's rifle shot does not find its target, but goes low and left?

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

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

4. Ralph is told a story about why there is smoke rising. The story is a lie. What is the real reason for the smoke?

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

6. 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?

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

8. When Ralph returns home to find his wife upset by Cecil Rhodes, what does Cathy complain that Cecil Rhodes has taken over?

9. Why does Wankie want a wagon?

10. When Tanase greets Bazo as he is returning to Gandang's kraal, she calls Bazo a name that makes Bazo uncomfortable. Why does the name make Bazo uncomfortable?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the second half of the novel, Janine is involved with two very different men. Compare and contrast the relationship Janine has with Craig and the relationship Janine has with Roland. Then, compare and contrast these two men. How do these relationships influence not only Janine, but also the other people that are in her life?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Ralph Ballantyne and Craig Mellow - the survivors of each section of the novel.

a. How are the two characters similar in terms of their professional lives? How are they different?

b. How are the two characters similar in their personality characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses? How are they different?

c. If these two characters were not separated by almost one hundred years, how would you expect them to interact with each other? Would they get along? Be friends? Be enemies? Be supportive?

d. Each of these men loses the woman they love, were the men similarly affected or not? Explain your answers and your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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