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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. How were the three victims murdered?

2. What is a metal horse?

3. To what town does the newspaper article say the three men made a contribution?

4. What does Munira need at his school?

5. Who tells the story of Ndemi?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the second person who is arrested.

2. What realization does Munira come to when he goes back to the city?

3. Briefly describe the history of Ilmorog.

4. Why does Munira not like his father?

5. How do things between Munira and Wanja get worse rather than better?

6. Summarize the history of Ilorog as outlined at the beginning of Chapter 4.

7. How did Munira find God?

8. What does Karega mean to Wanja?

9. How does Karega's plan change the villagers' mindset?

10. How does the girl cheer up Karega in Chapter 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Use the following statement to write a 500-word essay: The novel addresses the problems in Kenya during the Seventies, but fails to address why they were happening and how they could be solved.

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. Why do you think these themes are so important to the story? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Thiongo was born in the same district as the novel was written in and his family was caught up in the Mau Mau rebellion, adhering to the rule that writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Thiongo knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Thiongo does not portray a character or setting so well? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample