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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 Nigeria against Biafra?

2. Which of the following helps Olanna at the relief center?

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

4. Which of the following supplies does Olanna offer to Alice?

5. Of which of the following is Olanna robbed as she departs a relief center?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reasons does Ugwu note for his soured opinion towards Eberichi?

2. Why does Ugwu note he has been forbidden from going outside?

3. How does Olanna describe Muokelu?

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

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

6. Why does Olanna note the upstairs living room in her parents’ house is called the ladies’ parlor?

7. How does Muokelu apologize to Olanna after commenting aspersively on Kainene?

8. What reasons does Ugwu give for wanting to see an Indian film after the festival with Richard?

9. What reasoning does the priest Olanna visits give her for forgiving Odenigbo?

10. What advice does Ifeka give Olanna after Odenigbo’s infidelity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

Repeatedly in Half of A Yellow Sun, Ugwu makes particular note of what he serves to whom at dinner and drinks. For one such character, explain the significance of the meal and drink service; that is, what does it indicate about that character that Ugwu focuses on the details of the table for him or her, and how does the text support the indication?

(see the answer keys)

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