Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Novella 1-Short Story

Reading Check

1. How old is Binti in Novella 1, at the start of the trilogy?

2. How many siblings does Binti have?

3. What is the name of Binti’s ancestral home?

4. Which professor forces Binti to see a medic after she has a panic attack during deep meditative exercises?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does it mean that Binti is considered a “master harmonizer” by her community, the Himba?

2. What is an “astrolabe”?

3. What is the primary reason why Haifa and Binti find kinship with each other? Describe the aspect of both characters’ personal histories that draws them together.

Paired Resource

“Otjize: The Red Beauty Miracle of the Himba People”

• The Himba people, an African tribe based in present-day Northern Namibia, are widely known for the otjize, which is the red beauty paste made from clay that is used by Himba women.
• In this article, learn about the origins of otjize paste, how it is used by Himba women, and what its purported benefits are.
• How does Binti’s use of otjize paste build and expand upon the traditional healing powers of the Himba’s iconic red clay?