View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Waiyaki watching at the beginning of Chapter Thirteen?

2. What do the Gikuyu people see as the white man's "magic"?

3. With whom does Nyambura long to discuss Muthoni's death?

4. Who saw Waiyaki in Mukuyu late at night?

5. Who leads the first split within the ridge people?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene Waiyaki walks into in Chapter Fifteen.

2. Why does Waiyaki feel badly for Njeri?

3. What vision of the future does Waiyaki see after leaving Joshua's church?

4. Why does Waiyaki not feel warm toward Kamau?

5. What is the subject of the songs sung by the children?

6. What is it that people most admire in Joshua?

7. What arguments does Kabonyi use against Waiyaki at the meeting?

8. What images come to Waiyaki while he is trying to sleep?

9. Describe the new school.

10. How does Joshua react to the news of his daughter's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much is said in "The River Between" about what a religion needs to be and should be. Explain what Ngugi's idea of how a religion can work for and with the culture it is part of. Please be specific.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the concepts of "good" and "bad" as Ngugi addresses them in "The River Between." Use at least three specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the idea that knowledge is power and how Ngugi addresses it in his novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 861 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample