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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. What kind of animal does Waiyaki sit next to in the thingira at the beginning of Chapter Four?

2. What is the thingira?

3. Which of these is not used as an instrument during the initiation dances?

4. What animal makes Waiyaki want to touch their bodies?

5. Who were Demi na Mathathi?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Joshua's first response when he discovers Muthoni is missing?

2. How are the two ridges, Kameno and Makuyu, described?

3. What is the second birth ceremony?

4. What shocking information does Chege tell Waiyaki?

5. Describe the festivities of initiation eve.

6. Why is Nyambura so upset by Muthoni's confession by the river?

7. What is the significance of Kerinyaga?

8. How does Waiyaki feel toward Muthoni?

9. What are Sundays typically like for Joshua?

10. How does Joshua feel about the rite of circumcision?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose at least two of the female characters from "The River Between"--Muthoni, Nyambura, Waiyaki's mother, Miriamu-- and discuss in an essay how Ngugi portrays the role of women in the tribe using these characters.

Essay Topic 2

One of the concepts that is made much of throughout "The River Between" is purity. Discuss the meaning of purity and what it means to different characters.

Essay Topic 3

How is the importance of compromise addressed in "The River Between"? Please use at least three examples.

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