View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Stephen Kumalo receive a letter from in the opening pages of the novel?
(a) John.
(b) Gertrude.
(c) Absalom.
(d) Msimangu.

2. How do Kumalo and Msimangu travel to Alexandra?
(a) They walk eleven miles.
(b) They accept a ride from a white man.
(c) They take a bus.
(d) They take a taxi.

3. Which character shows the most disgust toward the Absalom’s girl’s behavior?
(a) Msimangu.
(b) Absalom.
(c) Kumalo.
(d) The reformatory worker.

4. How long does it take to erect Shanty Town?
(a) One month.
(b) One night.
(c) One year.
(d) One week.

5. What tragedy does the black woman suffer?
(a) Her child dies because she cannot access a doctor.
(b) She is forced to give her child to relatives to care for.
(c) She miscarries an unborn child.
(d) Her child is disfigured when their house burns down.

6. What was the murdered man most well-known for?
(a) He spoke and wrote publicly for equal rights for blacks.
(b) He advocated for a separate nation for blacks.
(c) He had married a black woman.
(d) He was a rising local politician.

7. Which of the following is NOT one of the places the police seeks Absalom?
(a) Mrs. Mkize’s house.
(b) Mrs. Ndlela’s house.
(c) Mrs. Hlayshwayo’s house.
(d) Mrs. Lithebe’s house.

8. Which of the following is NOT something Kumalo and his wife were saving money for?
(a) A vacation.
(b) To send their son to school.
(c) New clothes.
(d) A stove.

9. Who does the letter at the beginning of the novel claim is sick?
(a) Kumalo’s nephew.
(b) Kumalo’s son.
(c) Kumalo’s sister.
(d) Kumalo’s brother.

10. What was the motive for Absalom and his accomplices to break into the Jarvis house?
(a) They wanted to steal goods to sell.
(b) They sought retribution for being fired from the Jarvis household.
(c) They were involved in a grudge match with one of Jarvis’ servants.
(d) They were going to kidnap one of Jarvis’ children and hold it for ransom.

11. What is the name of the murdered white man that Kumalo and Msimangu hear about upon returning to the mission?
(a) Michael Seme.
(b) Johannes Pafuri.
(c) Arthur Jarvis.
(d) Father Vincent.

12. What country does Father Vincent come from?
(a) America.
(b) England.
(c) Ireland.
(d) Italy.

13. What is the name of the village where Kumalo lives?
(a) Carisbrooke.
(b) Ndotsheni.
(c) Sophiatown.
(d) Umzimkulu.

14. How does Kumalo travel to the city?
(a) He travels by plane.
(b) He travels by ferry.
(c) He travels by bus.
(d) He travels by train.

15. What kind of protest affects Kumalo and Msimangu’s attempts to locate Absalom?
(a) A voting rally.
(b) A mining strike.
(c) A labor march.
(d) A bus boycott.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the woman who rents a room to Kumalo?

2. In Chapter 12, which of the following is NOT a suggestion among whites on how to deal with "native crime”?

3. What is the primary emotional reaction of everyone Kumalo asks about Absalom?

4. Which of the following is John’s main political agenda?

5. Which word(s) best describes John’s feelings toward tribal chiefs and the Church?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 579 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample