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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. At the end of Chapter 8, what does Chris say he won't do?

2. What does Chris say the modern leaders of Africa must be like in order to build up their nations?

3. In the hymn composed by Ikem, who is found dead in the marketplace?

4. What is the crime of Dr. Ofe, the target of another of Ikem's editorial crusades?

5. What does Beatrice criticize about Ikem's philosophy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why, according to Chris, is it so difficult to resolve the conflicts between Ikem and himself?

2. Describe Mr. So Therefore and how he got his nickname. What seems to be the attitude toward spousal abuse in Kangan?

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

4. Whom does Okong warn the President about?

5. What is Ikem's attitude toward women, according to Chris?

6. What is the subject of Ikem's editorial "Hymn to the Sun"? What point is he trying to make with it?

7. In what ways is the naming ceremony untraditional?

8. Who is Idemili and what does the folk tale about her convey about female power?

9. Why is Beatrice unhappy about the dinner invitation from the President?

10. What does Beatrice help Ikem to realize about women?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ikem says at one point that the President is well meaning and will do the right thing if he is told what the right thing is. To what extent is this true?

1) The people around the President fear him and tell him what they think he wants to hear. Does this make them equally guilty for making him into a tyrant? Would he be less of a tyrant if people would stand up to him?

2) Chris says that Ikem's editorials accomplish nothing but aggravating people. Is he right? When, if ever, has the President taken action based on Ikem's urgings?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The President, Sam, is not presented as a one-dimensional tyrant. Rather, he is a complex character with many positive and negative qualities. Write an essay exploring the development of this complex character.

1) What picture do we get of the President in Chapter 1? What are the negative traits of the President? What does Chris admit is a positive trait?

2) What insight do we gain about the President from his point of view in Chapter 2?

3) What is Sam like as a younger man, according to Mad Medico?

4) How, according to Ikem, does Sam change after coming to power? In what sense is he like an actor playing a part?

(see the answer keys)

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