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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. Jokingly, Odili tells his houseboy, Peter, that the government passed a law saying people may only do what two times a day?

2. Odili finds Elsie's friend at the hospital -- intended for Chief Nanga -- to be:

3. How long is Nwege's speech in Chapter 1?

4. By what name do Jean and John greet Chief Nanga?

5. With whom did Odili live in Giligili?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Odili envy Peter?

2. What is Odili's perception of Chief Nanga's concerns?

3. How do Odili and Elsie meet?

4. What attitudes do the foreigners at the dinner conversation seem to have toward Africa, and how do they demonstrate such?

5. Why does Chief Nanga scorn his old nickname, "M.A. Minus Opportunity"?

6. What odd contrast is revealed in Chapter 4 by Chief Nanga's interactions with Chief Kobino and the young man applying to be a chef?

7. Why is Odili's next-door neighbor in college called "Irre"?

8. Why is Odili surprised to be awakened early by Chief Nanga after his first night at the Minister of Culture's house?

9. Describe Odili in his first encounter with Elsie in Chapter 6.

10. What is significant about the languages spoken in the Nanga home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A major theme that runs throughout "A Man of the People" is the importance and perception of education. Discuss how education factors into the plot of the story: How does it affect the characters' dispositions? Does it have an influence on their political ideologies? What is the overall tone of the book toward education?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the central importance of Edna to the story. Analyze how she helps change Odili, her struggle as a woman in a man's society, and how her personality traits influence her actions.

Essay Topic 3

The major theme of "A Man of the People" is the struggle of man against political corruption. Which characters embody corruption? Which characters embody the struggle against corruption? In what ways do the struggling characters fail, and how do the exemplars of corruption ultimately falter?

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