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

2. Which character is MOST impressed by John Kumalo’s oratorical gifts?
(a) John Harrison, Sr.
(b) John Harrison, Jr.
(c) Stephen Kumalo.
(d) Msimangu.

3. How does Jarvis react when Kumalo admits it was his son who murdered James’?
(a) James breaks down sobbing.
(b) James lashes out violently against Kumalo.
(c) James is surprised by compassionate.
(d) James demands that Kumalo leave the property immediately.

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

5. What is the Jarvis boy excited to practice with Kumalo?
(a) Zulu.
(b) Basic accounting.
(c) Prayers.
(d) Afrikaans.

Short Answer Questions

1. What American president did Arthur Jarvis greatly admire?

2. What is James Jarvis’ main concern before learning of his son’s death?

3. Kumalo gets a packet of mail all at once. Which character does NOT send him a letter?

4. What final feeling does the novel have about the future of Africa?

5. How do the Jarvises travel to Johannesburg?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the relationship between James and Arthur Jarvis. How does it differ from Arthur’s relationship with his mother?

2. What anxiety does Kumalo have over the death of Margaret Jarvis, and how does James Jarvis ease it?

3. In Book Two, Chapter Five, who does the author make ultimately responsible for South African law, Judges or white South Africans, and why?

4. Describe how Kumalo reacts when the Bishop tells him he wants to remove Kumalo from Ndotsheni.

5. Summarize the main events of the meeting between James Jarvis and Kumalo at the house of Jarvis’ kinswoman Barbara Smith.

6. After reading more of his son’s papers, why does James Jarvis leave through the front of the house rather than walking past the blood-stained floor again?

7. 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?

8. Explain the metaphorical usage of the rainstorm that occurs in Book Three, Chapter 3.

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

10. Compare and contrast the ways the novel ends “happily” versus the way it ends “unhappily.”

(see the answer keys)

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