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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 did Ifemelu's mother cut off her hair?

2. What does Dike say his camp counselor refused to give him because he didn't believe he needed it in Chapter 17?

3. For how long has Aunty Uju been in America in the beginning of Chapter 8?

4. At whose house is the party where Obinze and Ifemelu meet?

5. What is the name of the son Aunty Uju gives birth to in Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How are Obinze's and Ifemelu's struggles with employment in their new-found countries similar?

4. Discuss the symbolism of Ifelemu's mother's hair in the narrative. What is represented when she cuts her hair?

5. Who does Obinze work for at a warehouse in London? How is he treated at this job?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

What leads to Ifemelu’s dissatisfaction at working for the magazine Zoe in Lagos? Who are Ifemelu’s coworkers and employer? How does she relate to these characters? What does Ifemelu do after leaving her position?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss perceptions of race in America versus in England and in Nigeria. What does Ifemelu mean when she implies that she was not “black” until she came to America? How does Ginika describe perceptions of race in the U.S.? Do you agree or disagree with her observations? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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