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. What does the director in Conakry give Camara before he leaves the country?

2. Who is Konden Diara?

3. Why does Camara get hospitalized during his first year in Conakry?

4. What is the long tunic that reaches to the heels but is split up the sides called?

5. What will most boys become in the future?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens on the way to and at the train station before fifteen year old Camara sets off to Conakry?

2. What does Camara receive from his parents before he leaves home for Conakry?

3. Who or what is Konden Diara? What does Camara's father tell him to do?

4. What happens when Camara and his father go to talk to Camara's mother again, hoping to convince her to let Camara finish his studies in Paris?

5. How has Camara's hut in Kouroussa changed when he comes home for vacation?

6. Describe the character of Marie.

7. Following their encounter with Konden Diara, the young boys face the real test of circumcision. How does the ceremony in Kouroussa proceed?

8. How do Camara's parents initially react to his news about going to Paris?

9. Camara does not like one of the behaviors his mother exhibits when he gets back home for vacation? Which behavior?

10. What happens during the first year Camara is supposed to attend school in Conakry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 2 of "The Dark Child" talks mainly about the gold work Camara's father performs. This gold work creates positive and negative reactions throughout the chapter. Compare/contrast the reactions of the chapter's characters in relation to the significance of the gold work. Use supporting evidence to discuss the different emotions towards the gold/gold work.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 3 Camara's school clothes are a theme worth discussing. Why? How do they look? Why does this cause friction for Camara. Why is this difference with his friends so important for the plot? Are these clothes an issue in Kouroussa? Why? Why not? Explore this theme with supporting evidence provided in this chapter.

Essay Topic 3

In the African culture, rituals are important. Describe the preparatory ritual of Camara's father before he does gold work. What does this ritual involve? Why is this ritual important? Compare this ritual to other rituals Camara's father performs throughout "The Dark Child."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,297 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample