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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is there little public interest in Absalom’s murder trial?
(a) Because a mining strike was causing violent outbreaks all over the city.
(b) Because gold had been discovered in Odendaalsrust.
(c) Because newspapers did want to draw attention to black violence against whites.
(d) Because a more prominent politician was recently murdered and his killer was still at large.

2. Which adjectives does Mrs. Lithebe use to describe the people she thinks Gertrude should not spend time with?
(a) Greedy and immoral.
(b) Promiscuous and vulgar.
(c) Brutal and mean.
(d) Idle and careless.

3. What natural phenomenon is afflicting Umzimkulu valley when Kumalo returns home?
(a) Drought.
(b) Forest fires.
(c) Locusts.
(d) Monsoons.

4. What was the name of the accomplice carrying this weapon?
(a) Richard Mpiring.
(b) Matthew Kumalo.
(c) Johannes Pafuri.
(d) Baby Mkize.

5. Which statement best describes John Harrison Sr. and Jr.’s relationship with blacks’ rights?
(a) Both John Sr. and Jr. were against equality for blacks.
(b) John Jr. was against equality for blacks while John Sr. supported it.
(c) John Sr. was against equality for blacks while John Jr. supported it.
(d) Both John Sr. and Jr. were supported of equality for blacks.

6. Which character is MOST impressed by John Kumalo’s oratorical gifts?
(a) Msimangu.
(b) John Harrison, Jr.
(c) Stephen Kumalo.
(d) John Harrison, Sr.

7. How does the agricultural demonstrator think the farming improvements will affect the future of Ndotsheni?
(a) He has a scientist’s experimental attitude and wants to wait and see what happens.
(b) He thinks they will allow blacks to be self-sufficient and raised out of poverty.
(c) He thinks young people will continue to go to the city because there will still not be enough work or food in the village.
(d) He thinks they will lead to the rebuilding of tribal life.

8. Why does Kumalo also appear at the same house that Arther and Margaret are visiting as a respite from the trail?
(a) Because he was sent on an errand by Father Vincent.
(b) Because he wants to beg the Jarvises not to seek the death penalty against his son.
(c) Because he noticed Jarvis at the trial and wants to apologize to him.
(d) Because he is looking for a villager who supposedly lives there.

9. What gesture of respect does Arthur Jarvis’ son show Kumalo because he does not know any better about his implied superiority?
(a) He genuflects before Kumalo.
(b) He bows to Kumalo.
(c) He doffs his hat to Kumalo.
(d) He shakes Kumalo’s hand.

10. What name does Absalom ask his father to name his child if it is boy?
(a) Peter.
(b) Paul.
(c) Arthur.
(d) Michael.

11. Which of the following is NOT a reason the Judge gives for not giving Absalom leniency?
(a) Because Absalom carried a weapon that implies an intention for violence.
(b) Because Absalom did use his weapon to a violent end.
(c) Because Absalom knowingly spent time with criminals who had prior convictions.
(d) Because Absalom entered a house with the intention of robbing it.

12. Kumalo gets a packet of mail all at once. Which character does NOT send him a letter?
(a) Absalom.
(b) Mr. Carmichael.
(c) Gertrude.
(d) Msimangu.

13. Which of the following does John Harrison, Sr. hope will happen when the murderer is caught?
(a) He hopes he is jailed for life without parole.
(b) He hopes he is sent to a forced labor camp in the mines.
(c) He hopes he is executed.
(d) He hopes he is sent to a religious reformatory for rehabilitation.

14. What event occurs a few days before Absalom’s sentencing which foreshadows he is unlikely to get judicial leniency?
(a) A massive plot by a black gang to rob prominent white merchants is preempted by police.
(b) A white police officer is killed during a mining strike.
(c) A new law is approved which requires the death penalty for all murderers.
(d) Another white man is murdered during a house burglary by blacks.

15. How does Jarvis react when Kumalo admits it was his son who murdered James’?
(a) James is surprised by compassionate.
(b) James lashes out violently against Kumalo.
(c) James demands that Kumalo leave the property immediately.
(d) James breaks down sobbing.

Short Answer Questions

1. What good news does the group at Mrs. Lithebe’s house celebrate on the night before Kumalo et al. leave for Ndotsheni?

2. Whose death devastates the villagers of Ndotsheni?

3. What does Kumalo eventually find out happened to Sibeko’s daughter?

4. What had James Jarvis hoped would be his son’s career?

5. What day is Absalom set to be executed?

(see the answer keys)

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