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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who sends and puts Kumalo in charge of distributing resources for the village children?
(a) John Kumalo.
(b) Msimangu.
(c) James Jarvis.
(d) The tribe’s chief.

2. At whose house did the police eventually find Absalom?
(a) Johannes Pafuri's house.
(b) Baby Mkize's house.
(c) Ndlela Germiston's house.
(d) Joseph Benghu's house.

3. What other action does Absalom claim he took after ridding himself of the weapon?
(a) He returned to the Jarvis house to try to revive Arthur.
(b) He prayed for forgiveness.
(c) He planned to run away from Johannesburg.
(d) He encouraged his accomplices to turn themselves in with him.

4. What does James have a hard time looking at each day upon entering Arthur’s house?
(a) An unfinished letter Arthur had started to his father.
(b) The bloodstain on the floor where Arthur died.
(c) A portrait of Arthur hanging in the parlor.
(d) A cigar left half-smoked in an ashtray on Arthur’s desk.

5. Where does Kumalo keep vigil during Absalom’s execution?
(a) Deep into the forest.
(b) The Jarvis fields.
(c) Up a mountain.
(d) By the sea.

6. Who does James Jarvis surprise with a large financial donation to further the cause of blacks?
(a) Stephen Kumalo.
(b) John Kumalo.
(c) Msimangu.
(d) John Harrison, Jr.

7. How many bullets were in the revolver at the time Absalom shot Arthur?
(a) Four.
(b) Two.
(c) Three.
(d) One.

8. Why is there little public interest in Absalom’s murder trial?
(a) Because a mining strike was causing violent outbreaks all over the city.
(b) Because newspapers did want to draw attention to black violence against whites.
(c) Because gold had been discovered in Odendaalsrust.
(d) Because a more prominent politician was recently murdered and his killer was still at large.

9. What time of day will Absalom be executed?
(a) Midnight.
(b) Noon.
(c) Dawn.
(d) Dusk.

10. What is the name of the town in which the Jarvises reside?
(a) Ixopo.
(b) Ndotsheni.
(c) Carisbrooke.
(d) Alexandra.

11. Who performs the sacrament that is performed immediately following the sentencing in the prison?
(a) Father Vincent.
(b) Kumalo.
(c) Msimangu.
(d) A prison chaplain.

12. Why does Kumalo also appear at the same house that Arther and Margaret are visiting as a respite from the trail?
(a) Because he was sent on an errand by Father Vincent.
(b) Because he wants to beg the Jarvises not to seek the death penalty against his son.
(c) Because he noticed Jarvis at the trial and wants to apologize to him.
(d) Because he is looking for a villager who supposedly lives there.

13. What made-up story does Kumalo tell his brother during their last meeting out of spite?
(a) Kumalo tells John that he should give up public speaking because he is bad at it.
(b) Kumalo tells John that there is a police spy who visits his shop pretending to be a friend.
(c) Kumalo tells John that his son Matthew is the real father of Absalom’s girl’s baby but wasn’t man enough to take responsibility.
(d) Kumalo tells John that local blacks whisper behind his back that John is a coward.

14. How do villagers respond to Kumalo’s return?
(a) They are overjoyed to have him back.
(b) They are disappointed to see his replacement leave the village.
(c) They demand his resignation because of his family’s immorality.
(d) They are indifferent and barely notice his return.

15. What natural phenomenon is afflicting Umzimkulu valley when Kumalo returns home?
(a) Monsoons.
(b) Locusts.
(c) Drought.
(d) Forest fires.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does the Jarvis boy tell Kumalo he will be leaving for Johannesburg?

2. What does the phrase Nkosi Skielel’ iAfrika mean?

3. Which character unexpectedly appears in Ndotsheni with the village chief and magistrate?

4. What is the rumored purpose of the ground markings left by Jarvis and the magistrate in Ndotsheni?

5. How many children did Arthur Jarvis have?

(see the answer keys)

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