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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. What major family news did John fail to reveal to his family back in Ndotsheni?

2. How does Absalom’s girl react when Kumalo tells her she will have to leave Johannesburg if she marries Absalom?

3. Which of the following does the black woman NOT lament?

4. What tragedy does the black woman suffer?

5. What does Kumalo do with Gertrude and her son after she has apologized for her sinful ways?

Short Essay Questions

1. What additional errand does a friend of Kumalo’s ask him to run while he is in the city? How does this reflect the themes of the novel?

2. Why does the government like Msimangu as a preacher? How is he like John Kumalo in his oratory?

3. How does Gertrude react to seeing Kumalo in Johannesburg? How does she feel about her own behavior, and the prospect of returning to Ndotsheni?

4. Describe three excuses Absalom gives to his father for why he killed Arthur Jarvis.

5. How does the white reformatory worker’s attitude toward Absalom differ from all the other people who have interacted with Absalom that Kumalo meets?

6. What does Kumalo fear when he hears of Arthur Jarvis’ murder?

7. Describe some ways John Kumalo has changed since he moved to Johannesburg from Ndotsheni.

8. Why does Mrs. Lithebe warn the pregnant girl about spending time with Gertrude?

9. Briefly discuss John’s hypocritical attitude towards both the church and tribal chiefs.

10. Briefly describe the life of the woman who is the protagonist of Chapter 9, living in Orlando’s Shanty Town.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss various adaptations of Cry, the Beloved Country and their relationship to the novel. What films have been made based upon the novel? What are the complications that a screenwriter might have in adapting this novel to the screen?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Msimangu in Cry, the Beloved Country. Where does Msimangu live? What is his relationship to Kumalo? How would you describe Msimangu's perspective on life and the events in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast how city life and rural life are presented in the novel. Which is given precedence, and how? Do you think this is a fair and accurate assessment of the virtues and vices of each lifestyle? Why or why not? Be sure to support your argument with examples from the text.

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