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Ngugi wa Thiong'o Trivia Quiz

Ngugi wa Thiong'o is one of Africa's greatest living authors. Here are 10 Questions regarding him and his work.

A multiple-choice quiz by pericles34. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
pericles34

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
301,266

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
346

Last 3 plays: Guest 157 (9/10), Guest 47 (2/10), Guest 152 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was Ngugi wa Thiong'o's birth name? Hint

James Thiong'o

James Ngugi

Chinua Achebe

Fred Thompson

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was Ngugi wa Thiong'o's first play? Hint

This Time Tomorrow

The Wound in the Heart

The Devil on the Cross

The Black Hermit

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Question 3 of 10

3. Around what political movement is "Weep Not, Child" centered? Hint

Mau Mau Rebellion

Non-Aligned Nations Movement

Pan-African Movement

The Shifta Uprising

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who does Njoroge's father confess to killing in "Weep Not, Child"? Hint

Mr. Howlands, the District Commissioner

Jacobo, the Chief

Isaka, the Teacher

Okonikwo

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Question 5 of 10

5. What two languages have most of Ngugi wa Thiongo's works been written in? Hint

French and Igbo

English and Gikuyu

English and Igbo

French and Italian

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which Ngugi wa Thiong'o novel is based around the killing of three directors of a brewery? Hint

The Devil on the Cross

A Meeting in the Dark

Arrow of God

Petals of Blood

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Question 7 of 10

7. The deconstructionist novel "The Wizard of the Crow" is a criticism of which Kenyan ruler? Hint

Daniel arap Moi

Idi Amin

Jomo Kenyatta

Mwai Kibaki

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Question 8 of 10

8. In which non-fiction work does Ngugi wa Thiong'o argue that colonization destroyed native languages and literatures in Africa? Hint

Decolonizing the Mind

How Europe Underdeveloped Africa

The Curse of Colonization

King Leopold's Ghost

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Question 9 of 10

9. In which work does the protagonist, Waiyaki, try to bridge the divide between traditional Gikuyu and those who have converted to Christianity? Hint

Devil on the Cross

The River Between

A Grain of Wheat

Mother, Sing for Me

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of Ngugi wa Thiong'o's novels follows the life of Mugo through the Kenyan struggle for independence? Hint

The Trial of Dedan Kimathi

A Grain of Wheat

A Meeting in the Dark

Matigari ma Njiruungi

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 13 2024 : Guest 157: 9/10
Sep 25 2024 : Guest 47: 2/10
Sep 22 2024 : Guest 152: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Ngugi wa Thiong'o's birth name?

Answer: James Ngugi

Ngugi wa Thiong'o was born James Ngugi in Kenya in 1938.

2. What was Ngugi wa Thiong'o's first play?

Answer: The Black Hermit

"The Black Hermit" was written in 1963.

3. Around what political movement is "Weep Not, Child" centered?

Answer: Mau Mau Rebellion

"Weep Not, Child" follows the early life of Njoroge, whose schooling is thrown into havoc by the Mau Mau.

4. Who does Njoroge's father confess to killing in "Weep Not, Child"?

Answer: Jacobo, the Chief

Jacobo was a collaborating chief. He worked closely with Mr. Howlands.

5. What two languages have most of Ngugi wa Thiongo's works been written in?

Answer: English and Gikuyu

In the late 1960s Ngugi wa Thiong'o renounced the colonial origins of his life: changing his name, renouncing Christianity and refusing to write in English. Now he translates his own work into English.

6. Which Ngugi wa Thiong'o novel is based around the killing of three directors of a brewery?

Answer: Petals of Blood

The critique of African politics in "Petals of Blood" is so blistering Ngugi wa Thiongo was arrested and held without charges by the Kenyan government.

7. The deconstructionist novel "The Wizard of the Crow" is a criticism of which Kenyan ruler?

Answer: Daniel arap Moi

In the acknowledgments at the end of the novel Ngugi wa Thiong'o credits all those who stood up to the Moi regime.

8. In which non-fiction work does Ngugi wa Thiong'o argue that colonization destroyed native languages and literatures in Africa?

Answer: Decolonizing the Mind

Decolonizing the Mind was written in 1986. In the introduction he argues: "For these patriotic defenders of the fighting cultures of African people, imperialism is not a slogan." He further warns in the book against the process which has come to be called "globalization" as he believes it will further diminish native tongues.

9. In which work does the protagonist, Waiyaki, try to bridge the divide between traditional Gikuyu and those who have converted to Christianity?

Answer: The River Between

In "The River Between" Waiyaki tries to learn from both Christians and Traditionalists to become the bridge over the river that divides them metaphorically and geographically.

10. Which of Ngugi wa Thiong'o's novels follows the life of Mugo through the Kenyan struggle for independence?

Answer: A Grain of Wheat

His 1967 novel, "A Grain of Wheat," is considered Ngugi wa Thiong'o's most famous novel.

Source: Author pericles34

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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