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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What neighborhood of the city does Msimangu live in?
(a) Alexandra.
(b) Sophiatown.
(c) Orlando.
(d) Claremont.

2. Chapter 12 steps out of the main plot to relate snippets of whites reacting to “native crime” via what platform?
(a) Private conversations.
(b) Public meetings.
(c) Newspaper articles.
(d) Radio addresses.

3. How many “husbands” did Absalom’s girl have before Absalom?
(a) Eight.
(b) Two.
(c) Six.
(d) Four.

4. Why did Kumalo’s sister originally go to the city?
(a) She went to search for Kumalo’s son.
(b) She went to pursue a job as a teacher.
(c) She went to find her husband who was working in the mines.
(d) She went as a servant to a white family.

5. What is the main industry that drives Kumalo’s village?
(a) Agriculture.
(b) Mining.
(c) Industrial factories.
(d) Fishing.

6. What language does John prefer to speak?
(a) Afrikaans.
(b) Portuguese.
(c) Zulu.
(d) English.

7. What does Mrs. Ndlela tell Kumalo and Msimangu about Absalom that concerns them?
(a) She tells them Absalom had a child out of wedlock.
(b) She tells them Absalom stole from her.
(c) She tells them Absalom was spending time with a bad crowd.
(d) She tells them Absalom had been in jail.

8. Which word(s) best describes John’s feelings toward tribal chiefs and the Church?
(a) Contempt.
(b) Absolute reverence.
(c) Amusement.
(d) A philosophical respect.

9. How does Absalom’s girl react when Kumalo tells her she will have to leave Johannesburg if she marries Absalom?
(a) She wants to put her baby up for adoption instead.
(b) She demands financial compensation for the inconvenience.
(c) She is pleased at the idea of a quiet, rural life.
(d) She sulks and wishes to break off the engagement.

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

11. What tribe does Kumalo belong to?
(a) Sotho.
(b) Xhosa.
(c) Zulu.
(d) Bantu.

12. Which of the following is John’s main political agenda?
(a) He wants complete equal rights for blacks.
(b) He wants blacks to have the right to vote.
(c) He wants blacks to separate and form their own country.
(d) He wants better wages for blacks working in the gold mines.

13. What year does the novel take place?
(a) 1936.
(b) 1966.
(c) 1956.
(d) 1946.

14. What is Gertrude’s main emotion when Kumalo discovers how she is living?
(a) Pride.
(b) Defiance.
(c) Shame.
(d) Amusement.

15. What weapon did Absalom use to kill Arthur Jarvis?
(a) An iron bar.
(b) A revolver.
(c) His bare hands.
(d) A knife.

Short Answer Questions

1. What city does the writer of the letter live in?

2. How many accomplices did Absalom have in the murder?

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

4. What is the reformatory worker’s main concern about Absalom’s involvement in the murder?

5. What is John Kumalo’s profession?

(see the answer keys)

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