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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. To whose house did Wanja try to take a bus?

2. Where does Fat Stomach invite the villagers to drink tea?

3. What was the name of the school from which Munira was expelled?

4. What does the old woman do when Munira sneezes over her?

5. Whose arrival cheered up Abdulla?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is wrong with Wanja, and how long will it take for her to recover?

2. How does Munira respond to his parents' questions?

3. In what way has the visit to the city changed Karega?

4. What lead does Munira give Godfrey in Chapter 13?

5. What mistakes do the strikers make in this opening chapter?

6. How did Munira find God?

7. What good news does Munira receive in Chapter 5?

8. Describe Wanja's experience with a European man.

9. What does the newspaper say about the murder?

10. Describe Munira's meeting with the old woman in Chapter 2.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss Thiongo's life. In what way do you think his life and personality are reflected in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Thiongo use character and dialogue to drive his narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character examine the way Thiongo uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

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