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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 is the name of the one other volunteer with Ngũgĩ in Chapter 47?

2. In Chapter 56, when Carey Francis gave Ngũgĩ his certificate, what did he tell Ngũgĩ not to become?

3. When Ngũgĩ and his friends met an old lady on their return home, what did Ngũgĩ tell her about his friends?

4. After pleading not guilty, what was the prosecution unable to produce in order for proceedings to begin?

5. What did Ngũgĩ say that Edward Carey Francis' final School Assembly speech represented?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Ngũgĩ find in common with Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights?

2. What is the “partnership in crime between criminals and crime busters” Ngũgĩ refers to on page 206?

3. What did Ngũgĩ and Johnny the Red have in common?

4. Describe Ngũgĩ’s first visit to the school library.

5. When Good Wallace and Kabae visited him at Thĩmbĩgwa, what did Ngũgĩ remember of his last meeting with Good Wallace?

6. What was the letter that John gave to Ngũgĩ, and what did it mean to him?

7. When Good Wallace visited Ngũgĩ on Sunday, alone this time, what did he tell him that made him feel hopeful? was it true?

8. What good news was Ngũgĩ bringing home to Limuru when he was stopped on the bus?

9. What does Ngũgĩ mean when he says that Alliance did not divide Africans across racial lines?

10. How did Ngũgĩ know the Akamba people prior to volunteering to build them a community center?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ngũgĩ’s English class was given a tour of a real “Englishmen’s house” (20). Describe the house and compare it to Ngũgĩ’s home. Why do you think this was one of the first things the teacher does with new students?

Essay Topic 2

What is Ngũgĩ ‘s tone when describing villagization? Use examples of word choice to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The Mugumo tree is a recurring symbol throughout the book. Consider its meaning and particularly what Ngũgĩ’s mother says of the tree on page 99. Write an essay on its significance.

(see the answer keys)

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