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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 1 (Parts VI-IX): "The Language of African Literature" .

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the name of the secret diary that Gakaara wa Wanjaũ kept while in political detention?
(a) Matigari ma Njiruungi.
(b) Ngaahika Ndeenda.
(c) Caitaani mũtharaba-Inĩ.
(d) Mwandĩki wa Mau Mau Ithaamĩrioinĩ.

2. About how many children did Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o's father have?
(a) 22.
(b) 16.
(c) 28.
(d) 13.

3. When was there a declaration of a state of emergency over Kenta that led to all schools being run by the colonial regime?
(a) 1952.
(b) 1965.
(c) 1949.
(d) 1959.

4. What statement largely sums up the author's central theme in Chapter 1, Part IV?
(a) Culture and communication are unnecessary.
(b) Culture creates communication, and communication is a means to culture.
(c) Communication creates culture, and culture is a means of communication.
(d) Culture reflects history and communication carries history.

5. Who declared in an article in Transition in 1963 that the acceptance of English and French as having no chance of advancing African literature and culture?
(a) Amos Tutuola.
(b) Martin Carter.
(c) Birago Diop.
(d) Obi Wali.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 1, Part IV the author states that language as communication has three aspects. The first of these is the language of real life, which he attributes to having been coined by whom?

2. With whom did Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o collaborate in the drafting of the playscript for Ngaahika Ndeenda?

3. The author states in his Introduction that he will look at the African realities as affected by the great struggle between two opposed forces in Africa today. These are an imperialist tradition and what?

4. Who wrote The Palm-wine Drunkard?

5. What does the word "vacillating" mean as used in Chapter 1, Part VI?

(see the answer key)

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