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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Finish the sentence. The British involvement in this story is ______________.
(a) Problematic.
(b) Incidental.
(c) Contradictory.
(d) Destructive.

2. Where was the author educated?
(a) Africa.
(b) England.
(c) Ireland.
(d) France.

3. Where does Pilkings instruct Amusa to lock Elesin up in Act 1, Scene 2?
(a) A restricted cell.
(b) His study.
(c) Jail.
(d) His home.

4. Which literary medium does Soyinka's work fall under?
(a) Novella.
(b) Stream of consciousness.
(c) Drama.
(d) Short story.

5. As stated by the praise-singer in the play, what does a man forget when he approaches a brand new bride?
(a) The mother of his children.
(b) The Yoruban people.
(c) His children.
(d) Himself.

6. Finish the quotation by Elesin Oba from Act 1, Scene 1. "This market is my roost. When I come among the women I am a(n) ____________ with a hundred mothers."
(a) Rooster.
(b) Cockerel.
(c) Man.
(d) Chicken.

7. What does Elesin claim is the center of his life?
(a) The market.
(b) The palace.
(c) Olunde.
(d) His new wife.

8. What do the women of the market gain possession of in their fight with the British officers?
(a) Money.
(b) Weapons.
(c) Batons.
(d) Hats.

9. In regards to time, how should the play be performed?
(a) Following the Yoruban time schedule.
(b) Slowly.
(c) Without interval.
(d) Large breaks between scenes.

10. In what style is the dialogue of the play written?
(a) Villanelle.
(b) Iambic pentameter.
(c) Heroic couplets.
(d) Free verse.

11. Who is responsible if the Yoruban world were to fall off course?
(a) The praise-singer.
(b) The British.
(c) The mother of the market.
(d) The King's Horseman.

12. Which of the following actions is NOT being performed at the beginning of the play?
(a) Baskets being carried.
(b) Stalls being emptied.
(c) Cows being milked.
(d) Mats being folded.

13. How does Amusa give his report to Officer Pilkings?
(a) He sends another sergeant.
(b) He sends it in code.
(c) He writes it.
(d) He tells him.

14. The praise singer can be seen as a symbol of ________________.
(a) Contempt.
(b) Privilege.
(c) Happiness.
(d) Death.

15. What phrase do Elesin and the praise-singer use to describe the afterlife?
(a) The other side.
(b) The other world.
(c) The underworld.
(d) Heaven.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which year did the actual occurrence described in the play take place?

2. In Yoruban culture, which character must lead the king throughout the afterlife?

3. Jane influences Pilkings through ____________.

4. According to the praise-singer, what must happen for the fowl to know his true friends?

5. Which character acts as the voice of reason throughout the play?

(see the answer keys)

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