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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. The barbarians stay away from the town during the winter months, dealing with the _____________.

2. Who is the one being tortured which causes the person from #16 to react in the way that he/she does?

3. What do the men think is associated with bad luck, so they have to perform a purification ritual before continuing on?

4. Who does the magistrate blame for all of the trouble that is happening among the people who are prisoners?

5. What kind of uprising is a part of the rumors which are being investigated in the area where the magistrate is?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the magistrate think that barbarians are always causing trouble, though they avoid fighting in the winter months?

2. Why does the blind girl leave the magistrate's house after he offers her a job in his home?

3. What are some of the hobbies that the magistrate decides to take up again even though he should be preparing for attacks?

4. What happens to the family that the Colonel wants to interrogate when they come into town?

5. What happens with the girl as they continue on their trip together through the mountains?

6. What does the magistrate decide to do as he feels frustrated with the relationship between him and he girl?

7. What does the boy admit to when he is being interrogated by the Colonel during the beginning of the book?

8. What happens when there is little food left after eight days of travel in the mountains?

9. Why was Colonel Joll send to the area where the Magistrate is in charge at the start of the story?

10. What happens when the group encounters a strong storm right before they reach the mountains?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Those in the military seem to be be paranoid about everyone and their intentions, no matter what side they seem to be on.

Part 1: Why do you think that military leaders are so suspicious of others?

Part 2: Do you think it's a good idea to be suspicious of everyone around you? Why or why not?

Part 3:How do you think that military leaders should treat each other during times of conflict?

Essay Topic 2

The magistrate decides that it would be best to not dwell in the past and to move on in the future.

Part 1: Why do you think the magistrate wants to avoid thinking about the past?

Part 2: Do you think it's a good idea to focus only on the present? Why or why not?

Part 3: How would your life change if you were only able to focus on the present? Or wouldn't it?

Essay Topic 3

Even children are being tortured during the atrocities in this African novel.

Part 1: Why do you think that even children are being tortured during this time?

Part 2: Do you think it's right to torture children during times of war? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think children should be treated in times of war? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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