View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The word “omalicha” carries which of the following meanings in the text?

2. Which of the following is interred in place of the slain customs officer Richard had met on his way back from Martin’s wedding?

3. To which of the following is Odenigbo assigned?

4. Which of the following novels does Ugwu attempt to study on the night of the initial coup in Nigeria?

5. Which of the following does Odenigbo’s friend Dr. Patel drink?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are those named as enemies by the Revolutionary Council?

2. In what way does Richard disappoint the Igbo elder with whom he discusses ancient bronze pots?

3. Explain the meaning of “Better be late than THE late” (32).

4. What things does Olanna note having left behind in Nsukka when she evacuates to Abba?

5. Why does Richard note wanting Kainene to accompany him to Martin’s wedding in London?

6. What virtue does Ugwu ascribe to the arigbe herb?

7. What differences does Uguw mark between himself and other houseboys?

8. What reasons does Olanna have for not accompanying Odenigbo to his conference in Ibadan?

9. How are Olanna’s eyes depicted as she flees back to Nsukka after the second coup?

10. What reasons does Olanna give for preferring train travel to plane travel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the irony of the heavyset reporter Charles saying, “I wish I could do more,” while eating from a candy bar (464).

Essay Topic 2

Consider the poem Ugwu notes having memorized in Chapter 4:

I can’t forget that I’m bereft
Of all the pleasant sights they see,
Which the Piper also promised me.
For he led us, he said, to a joyous land,
Joining the town and just at hand,
Where waters rushed and fruit trees grew,
And flowers put forth a fairer hue,
And everything was strange and new. (105-06)

Conduct a close reading of the poem. That is, analyze its structure and internal references to explicate its meaning.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the poem Ugwu notes having memorized in Chapter 4:

I can’t forget that I’m bereft
Of all the pleasant sights they see,
Which the Piper also promised me.
For he led us, he said, to a joyous land,
Joining the town and just at hand,
Where waters rushed and fruit trees grew,
And flowers put forth a fairer hue,
And everything was strange and new. (105-06)

What resonance does the poem have in its context in the novel? How does that resonance emerge?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 734 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample