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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. Who does Nyambura quote as saying circumcision is sinful?

2. What is the name of the Creator who made the first people of the tribe?

3. What does Nyambura see as a bad omen?

4. What year is Waiyaki in at the Siriana school?

5. What kind of tree grows near the edge of the sacred hill?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nyambura feel about the river?

2. What do Waiyaki and his father talk about on their walk to the sacred grove?

3. Describe the festivities of initiation eve.

4. Describe the village where Joshua's family lives.

5. What does Chege tell Waiyaki he will have to do?

6. What are Sundays typically like for Joshua?

7. Why does Nyambura leave the village at the end of Chapter Eight?

8. What stops the boys' fight in Chapter Two?

9. How does Waiyaki feel about the initiation celebrations?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Muthoni's death set the tone for the rest of the story? How does it affect the other characters and the decisions they make?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the idea that knowledge is power and how Ngugi addresses it in his novel.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Chege and Joshua. Use at least three specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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