Question

reading skills: identifying political influences (10 points; 5 points each)on the line provided, write the letter of the best answer to each of the following items.13. why does hannetjie assume that the prisoners will call him \baas\?a hannetjie is a free man, and the prisoners are not.b white people are in control of apartheid south africa.c one of the rules of the prison is that all prisoners call the warders \baas.\d the prisoners look up to and respect hannetjie after he gives them tobacco.14. how did bessie heads own upbringing contribute to her understanding of the injustices of apartheid?f apartheid meant that the author could work only as a teacher.g apartheid meant that the author had to be raised by a white family.h apartheid cost heads mother her freedom and the chance to raise bessie.j apartheid taught the author to work for peaceful compromises in south africa.vocabulary development (20 points; 4 points each)on the line provided, write the vocabulary word that best completes the sentence. you will use one word twice.perpetrated bedlam ruefully pivot15. when a child broke open the piñata, ensued as a dozen children scrambled for the spilled treats.16. frequent exercise and good eating habits are the on which good health turns.17. \who this terrible crime?\ murmured the investigator as she sorted through the evidence.18. as the winning shot fell through the basket, the fans broke out in a of cheering.19. the sprinter looked at his sprained ankle and decided not to compete in the race.constructed response (20 points)20. brille wishes that he could send his children a message. what is that message, and how does it relate to the relationship he eventually has with hannetjie? how does the message help you understand the theme of the story?

Explanation:

1. Hannetjie assumes this due to apartheid's racial hierarchy where white warders held authority, so prisoners were expected to use the honorific "Baas".
2. Bessie Head was separated from her Black mother because of apartheid laws that restricted Black women's freedom, giving her direct experience of the system's injustices.
3. "Bedlam" means chaotic noise, matching the scene of children scrambling for treats.
4. "Pivot" refers to a central point, which fits as health depends on exercise and diet.
5. "Perpetrated" means to commit a crime, which aligns with the investigator's question about the crime.
6. "Bedlam" describes the chaotic, loud cheering of fans, and it is the word used twice.
7. "Ruefully" means with regret, matching the sprinter's reaction to his injury.
8. Brille's message to his children is to stand up against oppression and not let those in power break their spirit. His relationship with Hannetjie shifts from conflict to a fragile understanding where he uses his leverage to protect his fellow prisoners, mirroring the message: that resistance and solidarity can challenge unjust authority. This highlights the story's theme of overcoming systemic oppression through collective strength and refusing to be dehumanized.

Answer:

1. B. White people are in control of apartheid South Africa.
2. H. Apartheid cost Head's mother her freedom and the chance to raise Bessie.
3. bedlam
4. pivot
5. perpetrated
6. bedlam
7. ruefully
8. Brille's message to his children is to resist oppression and preserve their dignity instead of letting authority break them. This connects to his relationship with Hannetjie: after initially clashing, Brille uses his hold over Hannetjie to protect other prisoners, showing that standing up for oneself and others can challenge unjust power dynamics. This message illuminates the story's theme of resisting dehumanization under systemic oppression, proving that solidarity and quiet defiance can disrupt unfair hierarchies.