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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. What is the profession of Obinze's mother in Chapter 4?

2. Who is Obinze arranged to marry in Chapter 23?

3. What is the name of the man that lets Obinze use his NI number to gain work in Chapter 25?

4. What is the subject of Ifemelu's blog post in the end of Chapter 17?

5. How is Obinze's wife described in the narrative?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Obinze observe regarding Nigerians with English accents in Part 3?

2. How are Ifemelu's perceptions of Princeton, New Jersey, described in Chapter 1?

3. How is the theme of identity addressed through symbolism in Chapter 1?

4. Why does Ifemelu begin relaxing her hair in Part 2? What effect does it have?

5. What attracts Ifemelu to becoming a blogger?

6. How has Aunty Uju changed when Ifemelu first encounters her in America?

7. How have both Obinze and Ifemelu been forced to rely on others for help in their experiences abroad?

8. How is "American Tribalism" defined in the narrative?

9. Describe Aunty Uju in the narrative. What is Aunty Uju's role in Ifemelu's life?

10. How would you describe Ifemelu's character when she is first introduced? What are her circumstances?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the nonlinear nature of the narrative in Americanah. What storyline takes place in the present tense? How and why does the author employ flashbacks and flash-forwards in the telling of the story? How do you think the novel would differ if the events of the story were related in a linear timeline?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Ifemelu’s experiences in America and Obinze’s experiences in England. What struggles does each of these protagonists face in their new countries? What biases and prejudices do they face? How do the experiences of Ifemelu and Obinze differ? Why do their experiences differ?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the backdrop of the Obama Presidential campaign in the narrative. How does the campaign influence Ifemelu’s thoughts on race in America? How does the campaign affect Ifemelu’s relationship with Blaine? What does the Obama Presidency signify for the characters in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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