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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. According to Ikem, which is the biggest single group of oppressed people in the world?

2. Why is Ikem Osodi's girlfriend, Elewa, angry with him in Chapter 4?

3. How does Beatrice feel about Ikem?

4. What natural disaster has occurred in Abazon province?

5. Who is the President warned may be plotting against him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the case of Mad Medico and Dr. Ofe. Why does the President's response to the crisis give Ikem hope?

2. Why is Elewa angry with Ikem? Do you think she has a right to be angry?

3. Why does Agatha refuse to serve Elewa? What does the incident suggest about class differences in their society?

4. Why must Chris leave the city?

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

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

7. What does their stay at Braimoh's house teach Chris and Beatrice about the way the poor live?

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

9. Who calls Beatrice with an anonymous tip about Chris, and what is the apparent purpose of the calls?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the idea of storytelling as a powerful tool.

1) Why, according to the Abazon elder, is the story of the battle more important than the battle itself?

2) Why, according to Ikem, are storytellers the enemies of tyrants?

3) How do Ikem's stories threaten the President? What change is he able to effect through them?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the use of proverbs and folk tales in the novel.

1) How do the proverbs and folk tales provide a counterpoint to "Western" knowledge?

2) Choose one or more of the proverbs or folk tales to analyze and show how it relates to a major theme of the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Examine Ikem's theory of "New Radicalism" as presented in his speech at the university.

1) What is the problem with the idea of a proletarian-led democracy?

2) Who needs to clean up their act before democracy can be achieved?

(see the answer keys)

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