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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which woman has a reputation for being involved in illegal activity?

2. Where was the white man murdered?

3. What neighborhood did the murdered white man live in?

4. How does Absalom react to Kumalo’s news that he will be married?

5. What wealth-making industry has drawn so many young men to the city?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kumalo fear when he hears of Arthur Jarvis’ murder?

2. How does Kumalo treat the pregnant girl when she reveals she has had two other “husbands,” and why?

3. 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?

4. Why does Msimangu apologize to Kumalo after they have met the pregnant girl?

5. Compare and contrast Kumalo and Msimangu’s reaction to Absalom’s pregnant girl.

6. Why does Mrs. Lithebe warn the pregnant girl about spending time with Gertrude?

7. What unofficial title do most members of Ndotsheni bestow on Kumalo’s wife, and what does it signify?

8. Describe the white reformatory worker’s reaction to the news that Absalom killed Arthur Jarvis, and why he reacts this way.

9. What surprises Kumalo about the behavior of many whites regarding the bus boycott?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who or what serves as the antagonist in Cry, the Beloved Country? What are examples of ways that this antagonist acts as an obstacle to the protagonist's objectives? What symbolism and themes are connected with this antagonist?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of racial inequality in Cry, the Beloved Country. How does Alan Paton depict the racial inequality of South Africa through imagery related to the settings in the novel? How is racial inequality reflected in character development and the actions of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss examples of foreshadowing in Cry, the Beloved Country. What is foreshadowed at the train station when Kumalo departs? How does the author employ foreshadowing to increase tension in the story?

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This section contains 987 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample