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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Absalom’s girl react when Kumalo tells her she will have to leave Johannesburg if she marries Absalom?
(a) She wants to put her baby up for adoption instead.
(b) She is pleased at the idea of a quiet, rural life.
(c) She demands financial compensation for the inconvenience.
(d) She sulks and wishes to break off the engagement.

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the places the police seeks Absalom?
(a) Mrs. Mkize’s house.
(b) Mrs. Ndlela’s house.
(c) Mrs. Lithebe’s house.
(d) Mrs. Hlayshwayo’s house.

3. What does the author indicate is the primary emotion that motivates how whites interact with blacks?
(a) resentment.
(b) Fear.
(c) Pity.
(d) Compassion.

4. Who apologizes to Kumalo for behaving badly towards him and refusing to help him get a lawyer for Absalom?
(a) The reformatory worker.
(b) His brother John.
(c) Msimangu.
(d) Father Vincent.

5. What is Stephen Kumalo’s profession?
(a) He is a tribal chief.
(b) He is a farmer.
(c) He is a teacher.
(d) He is a reverend.

6. What strategy does the lawyer intend to use in Absalom’s case?
(a) He intends to center the argument around the testimony of the beaten house servant.
(b) He plans to hire false witnesses to claim they saw one of the other defendants fire the gun.
(c) He believes the truth of Absalom’s testimony and will center the case on it.
(d) He believes there is no way to win because Absalom has already confessed and is sure to hang.

7. Kumalo is described as moving _______, in the same rhythm as the tribal life. What is the adjective that best describes both tribal life and Kumalo’s movements?
(a) Cheerfully.
(b) Deliberately.
(c) Slowly.
(d) Confidently.

8. What tribe does Kumalo belong to?
(a) Zulu.
(b) Sotho.
(c) Xhosa.
(d) Bantu.

9. Mrs. Lithebe is afraid which character will be a bad influence on Absalom’s girl?
(a) Mrs. Mkize.
(b) Gertrude.
(c) Mr. Carmichael.
(d) Absalom.

10. How does Kumalo travel to the city?
(a) He travels by plane.
(b) He travels by bus.
(c) He travels by train.
(d) He travels by ferry.

11. Which of the following reactions are black leaders NOT hoping to elicit from whites with the decrepit conditions of Shanty Town?
(a) Shock.
(b) Anger.
(c) Pity.
(d) A need for immediate action.

12. What title of respect do most people address Kumalo with?
(a) Sawubona baba.
(b) Amakhosi.
(c) Umlungu.
(d) Umfundisi.

13. What neighborhood of the city does Msimangu live in?
(a) Orlando.
(b) Claremont.
(c) Alexandra.
(d) Sophiatown.

14. Which word(s) best describes John’s feelings toward tribal chiefs and the Church?
(a) Absolute reverence.
(b) Amusement.
(c) A philosophical respect.
(d) Contempt.

15. Which character is angriest that Absalom has disappeared?
(a) The girl.
(b) The reformatory worker.
(c) Msimangu.
(d) Kumalo.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the reformatory worker’s main concern about Absalom’s involvement in the murder?

2. Which of the following is NOT an excuse Absalom gives for shooting Jarvis?

3. When Kumalo et al. visit Absalom’s girl, how long has it been since she last saw Absalom?

4. What is the phrase used to describe why the lawyer takes the case without payment?

5. Who does Stephen Kumalo receive a letter from in the opening pages of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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