View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What percentage of Obinze's pay is demanded of him to continue using the false ID in Chapter 28?

2. Who is Blaine's ex-girlfriend that reads one of Ifemelu's blog posts at the party in Chapter 36?

3. Who returns from a medical mission in Nigeria to spend time with Dike in Chapter 43?

4. What colors does Ranyinudo describe the wedding as having been that she just attended in Chapter 44?

5. How many of her patients does Aunty Uju say have attempted suicide in Chapter 43?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are the concepts of race and class in England and America compared in the narrative?

2. How is Obinze affected by his conversation with the woman at the bookstore in Chapter 27?

3. How are Obinze's emotions revealed through his actions in Chapter 42?

4. How does Emenike respond when Obinze requests to see him in London? Why?

5. Why does the author employ flashbacks in Chapter 31? How do flashbacks enhance the reader's experience?

6. How is Esther described in the narrative? What other characters in the novel does Esther resemble?

7. What are Ifemelu's present circumstances like in Chapter 43? Where is she staying?

8. How are Ranyinudo's perceptions of gender roles demonstrated in Part 7?

9. What connection does Ifemelu reach with Aisha in Chapter 41? What does this foreshadow?

10. What does the bookstore symbolize in Chapter 27?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss gender roles and expectations in Nigeria and America. How do perceptions of women and men differ in America from in Nigeria? How are these perceptions illustrated through Ifemelu’s experiences in each country? Discuss examples of relationships between men and women in the novel and how these relationships are shaped by the culture and history where they develop.

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 862 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample