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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. Which of the following nations supported Biafra against Nigeria?

2. Whom of the following is among Olanna’s students?

3. Which of the following cities reportedly sees demonstrations in response to starvation in Biafra?

4. Which of the following foods has Harrison cooked when Richard confesses his perfidy to Kainene?

5. To which of the following does Okeoma compare Olanna?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason is given for the lack of supplies at the relief center?

2. What reasons does Olanna note for her anger at Odenigbo for his infidelity?

3. What reasons does Ugwu note for thinking Muokelu is a poor teacher?

4. For what does Olanna upbraid her father at her mother’s request?

5. What, ultimately, is the obunigwe?

6. What are Olanna’s initial clues about Odenigbo’s infidelity to her?

7. Why does Richard confess his perfidy to Kainene?

8. What reasons does Olanna posit that Odenigbo is not frightened by how little they have?

9. For what in her past does Olanna grieve?

10. What reasons does Madu give for wanting Richard to document conditions in Biafra?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the often-repeated phrase “May another do for you.”

Essay Topic 2

Consider Richard’s attitudes toward being a writer expressed at the beginning of Chapter 3. How do they shift throughout the novel? What effect do the shifts have? How are the shifts indicated? How do they generate their effects?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout Half of A Yellow Sun, there are glosses presented of sections of other books that are mentioned in the novel as being composed by characters within the novel. What effect do the presentations have, and how is that effect achieved?

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