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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 4, the reader first learns the name of the fictional African country in which this novel is set. What is it?

2. What does Chris's girlfriend study at the university?

3. What is Sam's great talent?

4. What is the meaning of the word nneka?

5. According to the African legend recounted by Ikem, what is once true about the Sky?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Chris's death ironic, considering the news the group has just heard?

2. What is happening outside the Presidential Palace in Chapter 1?

3. Explain what happens in the parking lot after Ikem meets with the Abazon delegation. What does this incident seem to foreshadow?

4. The Abazon elder asks what is most important in a war--the battle-drum, the waging of the war, or the story afterwards. Tell which he thinks is most important, and why. What is the point of his analogy?

5. Who are the cab drivers who come to see Ikem, and why have they come?

6. Describe Mad Medico's relationship to the President and his attitude toward him.

7. Interpret Chris's dying words, "the last green."

8. Explain the purpose of Mad Medico's graffiti.

9. Explain how the President came to power and why he needed Christopher Oriko's help.

10. Describe the relationship between the President and his ministers of government, as revealed in Chapter 1.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about lies and dishonesty in Anthills of the Savannah.

1) What lies are told to the Abazonians regarding the President's bid to become dictator-for-life, as told by the Abazon elder in Chapter 9?

2) What lies are told about Ikem and the circumstances surrounding his death?

3) What lies are told about the President's disappearance?

Essay Topic 2

Beatrice and Elewa are the two major female characters in Anthills of the Savannah.

1) Compare and contrast Beatrice and Elewa. How are they similar and different?

2) Is one of the women stronger than the other, or do they both have unique strengths?

3) Both women argue with Ikem over his treatment of women. Describe their arguments with Ikem. Which woman is better able to influence him?

4) How do these two women from very different backgrounds grow to become close friends?

Essay Topic 3

Ikem says that "Writers don't give prescriptions, they give headaches."

1) Discuss what he means by this statement and tell whether you agree. Should writers provide solutions to the social problems they see, or is it their duty to simply bring these problems to light?

2) How does Ikem create "headaches" throughout the novel?

3) Do Ikem's headaches ever lead to solutions? If so, how?

(see the answer keys)

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