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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. In Chapter 1, how is Uncle Sanya cured of his spirit possession?

2. What do Osiki and Wole initially have in common?

3. Why does Essay punish a teacher at school in Chapter 5?

4. Who saves Wole from a savage beating at the end of Chapter 5?

5. What trick does Essay play on Wole with a light bulb in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the episode in which a teacher commits a sin against Essay's rose bush in Chapter 5.

2. Describe Chapter 1's account of who Essay is.

3. What dangerous accident does Wole cause in Chapter 5 while looking for presents? What is Wole's reaction?

4. Describe the family's reaction when Wole returns home from his journey through Ake in Chapter 3.

5. How is Wild Christian and Uncle Sanya's trouble with a ghommid resolved?

6. Who is Paa Adatan? Describe him.

7. Describe the solution accomplished for ridding Uncle Sanya of his oro spirit?

8. Describe the incident in which Wole is hurt by a scythe at the end of Chapter 2.

9. Describe the changes that happen in the household when the new baby is on its way in Chapter 7.

10. What is unusual about Bukola? What does Wole think about her behavior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the tone Wole Soyinka uses throughout Ake. What is his attitude toward the events of his childhood? How might tone reveal his intent in relaying his biography to readers? Use specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

British colonial rule is a rarely mentioned but important subtext of Ake. Discuss how colonial rule affects the people of Egbaland, and use examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 1, Wole speaks of his immediate family and home life. By the end of the book, Wole speaks of much wider issues at the community and national levels. Describe this progression. Is this a conscious choice on the part of the author, or just a natural byproduct of biography? How does this narrative "widening" reflect upon Wole's own maturation?

(see the answer keys)

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