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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. Why does Odili hope Nwege gets an appointment with the POP?

2. How do the Ministers of Overseas Training and Culture cover up their fear in Chapter 3?

3. Where in the car does Elsie sit?

4. What does the statute Odili reads in the newspaper concern?

5. Whom do Chief Nanga and Odili visit in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Mrs. Nanga concerned over her children losing their heritage?

2. Why is Odili concerned when Chief Nanga voices his intention to go to the hospital with him?

3. On what does Odili focus during Chief Nanga's speech in Chapter 6?

4. Upon what does Odili reflect while lying in the bed of his guest suite at Chief Nanga's house?

5. What is ironic about Chief Koko's reaction to drinking OHMS?

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 does Chief Nanga remember Odili?

8. How do Odili and Elsie meet?

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

10. In what way does Jean primarily reveal her insensitivity towards Nigeria and Nigerians?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The CPC announces that it must avoid being branded communist. Why does it want to avoid such? What ideals does it nonetheless hold? What names are mentioned in members' conversations? Do such ideals seem a practical resolution to the problems facing Nigeria? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What start as separate, if related, threads in the story -- revenge, politics and love -- become entangled in Odili's life. Discuss the entanglement of these various threads and explain how an action toward any one goal ends up affecting the others.

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