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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why are Absalom’s accomplices angry with him?
(a) Because he lied to the police about which of them shot Arthur Jarvis.
(b) Because he refuses to lie and take all the blame for the crime upon himself.
(c) Because he is collecting false witnesses who saw them at the crime scene.
(d) Because he faked illness to get a better prison cell than them.

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

3. What is Stephen Kumalo’s profession?
(a) He is a farmer.
(b) He is a teacher.
(c) He is a tribal chief.
(d) He is a reverend.

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

5. After a visit from Mrs. Ndlela, what does Msimangu decide to do?
(a) He decides to consult with the police on their investigation.
(b) He decides to offer consolation to the murdered man’s widow.
(c) He decides to go visit Mrs. Mkize without Kumalo.
(d) He decides to immediately hire a lawyer for Absalom.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Kumalo torture Absalom’s girl at first out of his disgust for her previous lifestyle?

2. Which of the following best describes the theme of Msimangu’s preaching?

3. What hardship did Absalom’s girl suffer as a child?

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

5. What language does John prefer to speak?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kumalo tell Father Vincent worries or saddens him about the way Absalom is handling his arrest?

2. Briefly describe the life of the woman who is the protagonist of Chapter 9, living in Orlando’s Shanty Town.

3. Describe Kumalo’s initial physical reaction when the white reformatory worker comes to apologize. Why does Kumalo behave this way? What effect does it have on the white reformer?

4. Describe three excuses Absalom gives to his father for why he killed Arthur Jarvis.

5. Describe some ways John Kumalo has changed since he moved to Johannesburg from Ndotsheni.

6. Why does the government like Msimangu as a preacher? How is he like John Kumalo in his oratory?

7. How does the first chapter describe the land of the Umzimkulu valley? How does this reflect on the state of the people who live there?

8. How does Gertrude react to seeing Kumalo in Johannesburg? How does she feel about her own behavior, and the prospect of returning to Ndotsheni?

9. What additional errand does a friend of Kumalo’s ask him to run while he is in the city? How does this reflect the themes of the novel?

10. Why is Kumalo upset that John Kumalo decides to get a lawyer to defend his own son in the trial about the murder?

(see the answer keys)

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