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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. What sound rings through the sky after the money demand is made?

2. The thief finally tells Jonathan to bring the money "____!"

3. What money does Jonathan offer to the thief instead of the demanded amount?

4. What does the thief at the door tell the family he wants them to do?

5. What does Jonathan finally answer to the thief leader's suggestion to call someone else for help?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jonathan do or say to convince the thief he does not have the amount of the requested ransom?

2. What does the thief think civil peace is?

3. How does the leader of the theives exercise his authority with his men?

4. What is significant about Jonathan's eldest being up and about at first light?

5. What do the thieves ask for, and what do they say they will do if they don't get it?

6. How does the thief's concept of civil peace affect the Iwegbu family?

7. Why do the men with the thief leader disagree with him?

8. How do you know about what time it is when Jonathan falls asleep?

9. What happens once the Iwegbu family knows who is at their door?

10. Why is the Iwegbu family already in a normal routine instead of lamenting their loss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several one-dimensional characters are used in Civil Peace: man whose money is stolen, thief leader and his men, the neighbors, the Iwegbu kids. Which ones had the most significant impact on Jonathan? On the story? Support with story details.

Essay Topic 2

Jonathan's neighbors do not come to his aid against the thieves in the pre-dawn hours yet they are at his home at first light, watching. Why is Jonathan so accepting of his neighbors not coming to help against the thieves? What do his neighbors find him doing?

Essay Topic 3

Achebe advocated for the fallen Biafran Republic and eventually left Nigeria for Europe to keep from being imprisoned by the Nigerian government. In Civil Peace, during and beyond the war, there are hints of the Nigerian government doing what it can to stamp out the rebels, their money, and their authority. What are some instances of this from the story? Discuss these issues surrounding the instability of the Nigerian government and the Biafran Republic as told through Civil Peace.

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