Question

Read the passage.

excerpt from Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

‘Men as old as you are doing it every day, umfundisi. And women, and some that are sick, and children. They start walking at four in the morning, and they do not get back till eight at night. They have a little food, and their eyes are hardly closed before they must stand up again, sometimes to start off again with nothing but hot water in their stomachs. I cannot stop you taking a bus, umfundisi, but this is a cause to fight for. If we lost it, then they will have to pay more in Sophiatown and other places.’

Part A

While searching for Absalom, Kumalo and Msimangu encounter a bus boycott. When describing the boycott to Kumalo, the speaker relies on vivid imagery.

Which statement best describes the effect of the imagery in this excerpt on Kumalo?


Adding imagery adds drama and suspense to the story.


The imagery emphasizes the racial divide between blacks and whites, increasing Kumalo’s hatred for those in power who oppress native Africans.


The imagery illustrates the desperate poverty and injustices in South Africa, increasing the sense that something terrible has happened to Absalom.


The use of imagery emphasizes how important the boycott is to the people of South Africa, persuading Kumalo to join the boycott.

Part B

During the boycott, Kumalo watches people, white and black, help each other.

Which statement best explains how Kumalo’s reaction develops the theme that racism can divide and destroy a society?


Kumalo’s disgust shows the growing divide between black people and white people in South Africa.


Kumalo’s tears at witnessing such cooperation indicates that he is not used to seeing people of different races work together.


Msimangu’s fear demonstrates the tension between black people and white people in South Africa and the coming civil war.


Kumalo’s comments on the police presence reveal that the government is the real enemy.

Answer 1

part A is C (the third statement) and part B is B (second statement)

Answer 2

PART A

Answer: The use of imagery emphasizes how important the boycott is to the people of South Africa, persuading Kumalo to join the boycott.

Explanation: The speaker expresses the importance of the boycott by using imagery - he describes women, children, and ill people fighting for a cause in terrible conditions. The imagery is meant to persuade Kumalo to join the boycott because the speaker states, "I cannot stop you taking a bus, umfundisi, but this is a cause to fight for".

PART B

Answer: Kumalo's tears at witnessing such cooperation indicates that he is not used to seeing people of different races work together.

Explanation: Kumalo was a political activist who fought against racial injustice. To see both races working together gave him hope for a more equitable society.