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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 does Ali feel the gift is inappropriate?

2. What are Ama and Aba doing at the opening of this section?

3. What does Ali ponder about New Year's Eve?

4. What does Esi do after she drops Ali off at Hotel Twentieth Century?

5. To what do Ali's relatives agree?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Esi finally make a break with Ali near the end of their third year of marriage?

2. What happens that makes Fusena give her consent to Ali marrying Esi?

3. How is Esi feeling after a year of marriage to Ali?

4. What is Esi's mother's hesitation about Esi marrying Ali and what does Esi think about this?

5. Describe Kubi and Oko's interaction.

6. What does Esi feel after leaving Opokuya's home?

7. What does Esi's father ask Ali concerning his intentions to marry Esi, and what is Ali's response?

8. Why is Opokuya feeling sorry for herself and what can she do about it?

9. What happens after the trip to Bamako?

10. What does Kubi relate when he returns from Esi's home and what do they conclude?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Changes: A Love Story. Questions that Aidoo most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Aidoo's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Aidoo's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Ama Ata Aidoo and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 2

Changes: A Love Story could be said to be a "bildungsroman" of Esi. Discuss the following:

1. Define the concepts "bildungsroman" and "coming of age."

2. Thoroughly trace and analyze Changes: A Love Story as a bildungsroman of Esi. Give specific examples. What does Esi learn? How has she changed? Is the change for the better?

3. Thoroughly trace and analyze Changes: A Love Story as a feminist story. Give specific examples. What does Eis learn? What does Opokuya learn? What would feminist say about Esi's actions? Opokuya's actions? Ali's actions? Oko's actions?

Essay Topic 3

The subject of marriage is woven throughout Changes: A Love Story. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the following exchange between Opokuya and Esi in Chapter 11: Esi claims monogamy is so stifling. Opokuya, correcting her, says that she probably means marriage. Do you think Esi does mean monogamy? Compare/contrast the difference in meaning depending upon whether Esi means monogamy or marriage.

2. In that same chapter, Opokuya expresses the thought that Esi is very brave for trying an alternative lifestyle. Do you think Esi is brave or unwise? Or both? Discuss thoroughly using examples from the text.

3. Is Esi a pioneer in her country? Discuss thoroughly using examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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