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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the profession of the murdered white man?
(a) He is a mining executive.
(b) He is a doctor.
(c) He is a university professor.
(d) He is an engineer.

2. What is the primary emotional reaction of everyone Kumalo asks about Absalom?
(a) They all seem proud of Absalom.
(b) They all seem fond of Absalom.
(c) They all seem disgusted with Absalom.
(d) They all seem afraid of Absalom.

3. What is the name of the taxi driver who is friends with Absalom?
(a) Matthew.
(b) Pafuri.
(c) Dubula.
(d) Hlabeni.

4. What is John Kumalo’s profession?
(a) He is a preacher.
(b) He is a liquor bootlegger.
(c) He is a mine worker.
(d) He is a carpenter.

5. Who promises to help Kumalo find his sister and his son?
(a) Msimangu.
(b) Dubula.
(c) Mrs. Lithebe.
(d) His brother John.

6. Which of the following is NOT an excuse Absalom gives for shooting Jarvis?
(a) He claims he was drunk at the time of the murder and not responsible for his actions.
(b) He claims he just got scared and did not intend to shoot the gun.
(c) He claims he was simply spending time with bad companions.
(d) He claims the devil made him do it.

7. How does Kumalo torture Absalom’s girl at first out of his disgust for her previous lifestyle?
(a) He tells her she must give the baby to him to raise with his wife while she remains in Johannesburg.
(b) He tells her Absalom has refused to marry her.
(c) He tells her he knows Absalom is not the baby’s father and they bear no responsibility for it.
(d) He tells her she must sleep with him if she wants to be looked after.

8. Why does Kumalo go to see his brother before visiting Absalom in jail?
(a) Because John is Absalom’s godfather and will want to visit Absalom as well.
(b) Because John’s own son was an accomplice in the murder.
(c) Because John is a powerful man and might be able to help Absalom get bail.
(d) Because John’s rousing oratory has been implicated in the justification for murder.

9. What is the name of the lawyer who agrees to represent Absalom?
(a) Mr. Johannes.
(b) Mr. Christie.
(c) Mr. Smith.
(d) Mr. Carmichael.

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

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

12. What major family news did John fail to reveal to his family back in Ndotsheni?
(a) He never told them his son was in jail.
(b) He never told them he was terminally ill.
(c) He never told them he had given his daughter up for adoption.
(d) He never told them he divorced his wife.

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

14. Who apologizes to Kumalo for behaving badly towards him and refusing to help him get a lawyer for Absalom?
(a) His brother John.
(b) Father Vincent.
(c) Msimangu.
(d) The reformatory worker.

15. Which of the following best describes the theme of Msimangu’s preaching?
(a) He urges his followers to practice passive protest for justice.
(b) He urges his followers to accept their role as inferior to whites.
(c) He urges his followers to stand up for their rights by any means necessary.
(d) He urges his followers to rely on God to relieve their suffering.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long has it been since the Kumalos heard from their son?

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

3. What is the phrase used to describe why the lawyer takes the case without payment?

4. What country does Father Vincent come from?

5. Where was the white man murdered?

(see the answer keys)

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