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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. Who effectively saves Kumalo from being sent away by the Bishop?
(a) The tribal chief.
(b) James Jarvis.
(c) Arthur Jarvis’ son.
(d) His congregation.

2. What is the name of the Jarvis farm?
(a) High Place.
(b) Cloud High.
(c) Rainbow Valley.
(d) Sky Farm.

3. Which sacrament is performed immediately following the sentencing in the prison?
(a) Matrimony.
(b) Communion.
(c) Last Rites.
(d) Reconciliation.

4. What ceremony does the Bishop come to Ndotsheni to celebrate?
(a) A confirmation.
(b) A wedding.
(c) A planting/fertility ritual.
(d) A funeral.

5. What is the name of the agricultural demonstrator Jarvis hires for Ndotsheni?
(a) Washington.
(b) Cromwell.
(c) Napoleon.
(d) Lincoln.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which adjectives does Mrs. Lithebe use to describe the people she thinks Gertrude should not spend time with?

2. How does Kumalo’s wife react to the addition of Absalom’s wife and Gertrude’s child to the family?

3. What word for God does Kumalo use when praying?

4. What is the name of the town in which the Jarvises reside?

5. What vocation does Gertrude think she would like to try?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the village chief’s interaction with the magistrate and James Jarvis support John Kumalo’s earlier statement about chiefs, “He is a trick, a trick to hold together something that the white man desires to hold together.”

2. How does the focus of the novel shift at the beginning of Book Two? Who becomes a secondary protagonist and when does their story start?

3. Compare and contrast Napoleon’s and Kumalo’s attitudes towards James Jarvis.

4. What is the Judge’s ruling in the cases against Absalom and his two accomplices, Johannes and Matthew, and what are the Judge’s reasons for his verdicts?

5. Compare and contrast James Jarvis and John Harrison, Sr.’s attitudes towards blacks before James starts reading Arthur’s papers.

6. Describe Barbara Smith’s response to Kumalo’s question about her servant, and explain the significance of James’ translation of this answer to Kumalo.

7. What happens to Gertrude at a church meeting at Msimangu’s mission? What does she do afterward?

8. Describe the final meeting between Stephen and John Kumalo.

9. How does James Jarvis react when Kumalo tries to thank him for all the good work he is doing in Ndotsheni? Why does he likely react this way?

10. Describe the villagers’ reaction to Kumalo’s return to Ndotsheni, from the time he gets off the train until he reaches the church.

(see the answer keys)

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