View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wishes s/he had been told of Muthoni's illness earlier?

2. Who is Njeri?

3. What starts off the meeting of the parents?

4. About whom is Waiyaki warned near the end of Chapter Sixteen?

5. What is a Kiama?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Waiyaki feel about his mother?

2. What vision of the future does Waiyaki see after leaving Joshua's church?

3. Before meeting him at Mukuyu, what is Nyambura's opinion of Waiyaki?

4. What is the history of Marioshoni?

5. What does Waiyaki plan to speak about at the meeting of the parents?

6. How does Waiyaki wait for the "surgeon" at the beginning of Chapter Ten?

7. Why does Waiyaki not feel warm toward Kamau?

8. Why does Muthoni think no one from her family comes to see her?

9. Why were parents proud when their child came home with a tear-stained face?

10. What news does Waiyaki hear from the Siriana Mission near the end of Chapter Twelve?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much is said in "The River Between" about what a religion needs to be and should be. Explain what Ngugi's idea of how a religion can work for and with the culture it is part of. Please be specific.

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 important is Waiyaki's "yearning for something more" in the development of his character? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 836 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample