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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 was the first person to settle in Ilmorog?

2. Of what company are the three men directors?

3. What is the name of the Kenyan rebel group?

4. How does Wanja try to attract customers to the store?

5. Why are the children behaving the way they are?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Abdulla win the respect of the villagers?

2. Why does Wanja decide to leave Ilmorog?

3. Describe the second person who is arrested.

4. Briefly describe the history of Ilmorog.

5. How do things between Munira and Wanja get worse rather than better?

6. Describe Wanja's character and changing situation in Chapter 4.

7. How does Wanja cheer up Karega?

8. What good news does Munira receive in Chapter 5?

9. How does Munira react to Wanja and Karega's love affair?

10. What does Karega propose in an attempt to alleviate the villagers' dire situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Thiongo's life. In what way do you think his life and personality are reflected in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Thiongo was born in the same district as the novel was written in and his family was caught up in the Mau Mau rebellion, adhering to the rule that writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Thiongo knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Thiongo does not portray a character or setting so well? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Thiongo use character and dialogue to drive his narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character examine the way Thiongo uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

(see the answer keys)

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