Cry, the Beloved Country Study Guide

1. Which of the following is the best translation of the word umfundisi?

• Master
• Pastor
• Servant
• God

2. Which of the following characters is also given a proper name through the course of the novel?

• The pregnant girl
• The young man from the reformatory
• The wife of Stephen Kumalo
• The wife of James Jarvis

3. What reason does Msimangu give for Kumalo to come to Johannesburg to help Gertrude?

• Gertrude is very ill.
• Gertrude is living in abject poverty.
• Gertrude has been in jail.
• Gertrude is working as a prostitute.

4. For what purpose was the money that Kumalo takes on his journey to be used?

• Emergencies in case of drought.
• Schooling for Absalom.
• Retirement for Stephen and his wife.
• Building a new roof for the church.

5. What is the former occupation of John Kumalo?

• Pastor
• Carpenter
• Mine worker
• Thief

6. With whom does Stephen Kumalo stay when he arrives in Johannesburg?

• Theophilus Msimangu
• Mrs. Lithebe
• Mr. Mafolo
• Gertrude Kumalo

7. Which of the following does not give Kumalo and Msimangu information concerning Absalom?

• Mrs. Ndlela
• Hlabeni
• Mrs. Mkize
• Johannes Pafuri

8. At which place does Kumalo not search for his son?

• Alexandra
• Ezenzeleni
• Shanty Town
• Pimville

9. To which event does Msimangu respond "it beats me"?

• Seeing the blind at Ezenzeleni.
• A white man driving blacks during the strike.
• The white man from the reformatory exiting court with the blacks.
• Reading the article about the murder of Arthur Jarvis.

10. Which of the following is not a major black political leader in Johannesburg?

• Dubula
• Tomlinson
• John Kumalo
• Napoleon Letsitsi