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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. After dinner and a smoke, who does Pieter wait for in the dark in Chapter 19?

2. In Chapter 14, what does Sophie remember being afraid Pieter would fall from when he was a sick boy in her care?

3. Who does Pieter cancel visiting with after having drinks at the hotel?

4. Where did Pieter put the note he found pinned to his house door?

5. Jokingly, what does Japie promise one night to seek out Pieter's advice on?

Short Essay Questions

1. After being with Stephanie a second time, the lieutenant is even more upset with himself. How does he respond to being asked to be a diaken?

2. What does Pieter's mom do after Jakob dies?

3. Why does Pieter get so upset about Nella's response to his letter?

4. Who went on the van Vlaanderen family picnic and who went bird watching during this picnic?

5. Why does Pieter cancel his visit with Kappie after seeing Anna home, and where does he go instead?

6. What is ironic about Japie telling Pieter he may come to him for marriage advice?

7. According to Chapter 6, who is Smith?

8. Why does Pieter go to the park and what are his thoughts while there?

9. Why does Stephanie have power now over the young man that chased her into the shadows of the trees?

10. What is going on at Jakob's birthday party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nella has a definitive opinion about black and white relationships as indicated in the beginning of the story. Describe this opinion. How does her perspective change by the time we get to the end of the story involving her husband, Pieter? Support all responses with story details.

Essay Topic 2

Paton uses this story to convey a disdain for the apartheid in South Africa. Cite specific details from the story that demonstrate this disdain, an indictment of such hatred and bigotry, as well as providing how such affected the story and its characters' "realness."

Essay Topic 3

What was Pieter and Jakob's relationship like when Pieter was a child? How did this relationship change? How did Pieter and Jakob get along after Pieter gave him the bird book? How and why did this relationship change?

(see the answer keys)

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