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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. Where is Aunty Uju sent to give birth in Chapter 6?

2. Who leaves the braiding shop to pick up food in Chapter 3?

3. Who is Obinze's cousin that he lives with when he comes to England in Chapter 23?

4. How is Curt related to Kimberly?

5. How does Ifemelu perceive her physique in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do bananas and peanuts symbolize for Ifemelu? How are they perceived by Dike in Part 2?

3. How is the relationship between accent and identity illustrated in Chapter 17?

4. How would you describe Ifemelu's mother's relationship with religion?

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

6. How are Obinze's cousin in London and Aunty Uju in America similar in the novel?

7. How would you describe Obinze in the beginning of the novel? What objects symbolize Obinze's character?

8. What symbolism and themes are explored when Ifemelu cuts off her hair in the narrative?

9. What does Aisha solicit Ifemelu to do in Chapter 1? Why?

10. What discussion emerges in Ifemelu's history class regarding the film Roots in Part 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Ifemelu’s blog and discuss its subject and themes. What inspires Ifemelu to begin writing a blog? How is Ifemelu’s blog received by the public? What does Ifemelu gain from writing in her blog?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the character of Shan in the novel. How is Shan similar to and different from Ifemelu? What are Ifemelu’s first impressions of Shan? How does their relationship develop in the course of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of isolation and conformity. How do Ifemelu and other Nigerian immigrants go about assimilating into American culture in the narrative? What do you think they lose along the way toward conformity? How is Ifemelu affected by her assimilation into American culture?

(see the answer keys)

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