NEW
Font size
WorksheetsCry, the Beloved Country-Entire Book Review
Total questions: 47
Worksheet time: 24mins
Which of the following men is not a priest?
Msimangu
Father Vincent
Mr. Carmichael
Kumalo
Whom does Kumalo bring from Johannesburg to Ndotsheni?
Msimangu and Mrs. Lithebe
Absalom’s wife and Gertrude’s son
Absalom and Gertrude
Jarvis and his grandson
What money does Kumalo use for his trip to Johannesburg?
The money he and his wife have been saving for Absalom’s schooling
The money he has been saving to build a new church
Money given to him by Msimangu
Money given to him by Jarvis
What happens to Gertrude at the end of the novel?
She becomes a nun
She returns to prostitution
She gets married
She disappears
Who is John Harrison?
Jarvis’s nephew
Mary’s husband
Arthur’s brother-in-law
Jarvis’s grandson
Why don’t black mine workers bring their families to Johannesburg?
Their families prefer to stay in the rural villages
The mine workers prefer to live alone
There is no housing for the families
Johannesburg is too dangerous for wives and children
What happens when the police catch Absalom?
He makes a desperate effort to escape
He confesses everything
He attempts to harm himself
He writes to his father
Who comes to visit Kumalo and practice his Zulu?
Arthur’s son
Jarvis’s son
John Harrison
Gertrude’s son
Who is pregnant when the novel ends?
Mary Jarvis
Gertrude
Mrs. Kumalo
Absalom’s wife
What happens in the church in Ndotsheni during the confirmation?
Part of the roof falls in
The roof leaks rain
A little girl runs out crying
Arthur’s son runs in screaming
Why are the village children dying?
They lack milk
They lack bread
They lack medicine
They lack juice
What is the topic of John’s speech, to which Kumalo and Jarvis listen?
The need for a violent uprising against the whites
The need for new schools for the children
The rights of black South Africans to vote
The need for higher wages for black miners
Who dies on confirmation day in Ndotsheni?
Absalom
Margaret Jarvis
The Bishop
Mrs. Kumalo
What does umfundisi mean?
“White person”
“Sir”
“Parson”
“Judge”
Why does Kumalo go up into the mountains?
To ponder how to help Ndotsheni
To await Absalom’s execution
To meet Jarvis
To exercise
What does the novel say is the basis of Johannesburg’s wealth?
Gold
Copper
Oil
Silver
Why was Absalom at the reformatory?
He had gotten a girl pregnant
He had attempted to kill a man
He was in trouble for his political views
He was in trouble for stealing
Where are Absalom and Kumalo finally reunited?
At the Mission House
At the prison
In the courtroom
In Shanty Town
What weapon does Johannes carry when the boys try to rob Arthur Jarvis?
A gun
A knife
An iron rod
A wooden stick
Other than his politics, how does John Kumalo make his living?
He is a lawyer
He is a farmer
He is a carpenter
He is a teacher
Why did Absalom’s wife run away from her home?
She fought with her brothers
Her mother drank too much and she did not get along with her stepfather
She was pregnant
She wanted to work
Who gives Msimangu and Kumalo a ride to Alexandra?
A white driver
A black driver
The police
John Kumalo
What is the chief’s role in building the dam?
He is the engineer
He is paying for it
He has no role
He is in charge of guarding the flags
Which priest marries Absalom and his girlfriend?
Kumalo
Msimangu
Johannes Pafuri
Father Vincent
Who orchestrates the building of Shanty Town?
John Kumalo
Tomlinson
Dubula
Arthur Jarvis
What is the central message of the novel?
Hope
Devastation
It has no message
Comedic joyfulness
In what decade is the novel set?
1960s
1920s
1980s
1940s
To which city is Kumalo summoned?
Cape Town
Johannesburg
Durban
Pretoria
Who does Kumalo hope to aid in the city?
His mother
His friend
His sister
His grandmother
What jobs does Kumalo’s brother John hold?
Teacher, politician
Pastor, Doctor
Businessman, painter
Businessman, politician
What crime is Absalom arrested for committing?
Arson
Murder
Grand robbery
Blackmail
What does James Jarvis first donate to the village where Kumalo lives?
Milk
Cattle
Farming equipment
Books
Who is the moral center of the novel?
Kumalo
James Jarvis
Gertrude
Msimangu
Msimangu eventually decides to ___, in a final testament to his faith and generosity.
Become a teacher
Run for office
Set up a charity
Enter a monastery
Absalom’s lack of ___ leads him into trouble.
Style
A moral compass
Financial expertise
A spirit of adventure
What was Arthur Jarvis’ job?
Politician
Pastor
Engineer
Farmer
How much younger is Gertrude than her brother Kumalo?
10 years
25 years
1 year
15 years
Which two words describe Kumalo?
Loud, brash
Violent, cruel
Humble, quiet
Sly, quiet
To what religion does Kumalo belong?
Buddhism
Islam
Anglicanism
Roman Catholicism
Which two words describe Kumalo’s experience of Johannesburg?
Fascinating, illuminating
Intimidating, overwhelming
Boring, uneventful
Friendless, ugly
What does James Jarvis lose after the murder of his son?
His emotional depth
His farm
His complacency
His money
Of all the characters in the novel, who has the clearest understanding of South Africa’s injustices?
Msimangu
Kumalo
James Jarvis
Absalom
What gives James Jarvis the most insight into the man his son Arthur became?
Talking with Arthur
Reports from Arthur’s colleagues
Arthur’s writings
Absalom’s testimony
What is a catalyst for Absalom’s troubles?
A difficult family life
Massive social inequality
Social revolution
Love
Where does Kumalo’s solace come from?
His faith in mankind
His faith in God
His faith in himself
His faith in science
How is the land of black farmers described in the novel?
Full of real beauty
Overgrown
Fruitful and lovely
Barren, dry, hostile
What can mend social relationships torn by anger?
Bitterness
Kindness
Lecherousness
Rationalism
