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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 kasada?

2. What is the immediate inspiration for a march upon the Alake in Chapter 14?

3. What is the name of the market Wole travels through on the way to choir practice?

4. What unfortunate event happens during the first week of Wole's grammar school education?

5. What secret promise does Beere make with Wole at the end of the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Wole's first experience with Daodu? What is the outcome?

2. Describe Wild Christian's women's group. Who are its members? What do they discuss?

3. How does the Alake respond to the women's march?

4. Describe the process of Sorowanke finding and creating a home in Chapter 10.

5. What problems exist in Wole's community? What are the social issues of the day?

6. How does Wild Christian react to the chaos and violence that erupts at the Alake's compound?

7. Per Chapter 10, describe what Wole and Edun would do every Sunday morning prior to choir practice.

8. Overall, what is Wole's view about getting an education?

9. What is the general dynamic between Wole, Essay, and Wild Christian? What is the nature of their relationship?

10. What sage advice does Broda Pupa give Wole in Chapter 9? How is Wole later able to use that advice to his advantage?

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

What is the nature of Wole's relationship to his community? How close are members of the community to one another? Can it be said the community is tribal? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Particular attention is paid to certain "coming of age" moments, such as when Wole's Jonah rock loses its power, or when his baby sister dies. Reflect on those two events. What is learned by Wole? What is lost to him after these moments? What has he gained?

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