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. When does Thula's first letter from America arrive?

2. What great memory did Yaya's husband tell her about?

3. What did Sonni think of the overseer's house at the Gardens?

4. What does Thula urge her age-mates in Kosawa to do in her letters from America?

5. What did the Europeans tell the Kosawans that made the Kosawans laugh in Part IV?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Austin do in the aftermath of the massacre in Kosawa in Part III?

2. What does Sahel tell the Sweet One in Part IV when he tells her about Thula's activities?

3. How do the Koswans believe Jakani and Sakani "return" to them?

4. How does Yaya describe her own devotion to Big Papa?

5. Who becomes the new village head in Part III, and why is this contentious?

6. What does Sahel think of Malabo's choice to travel to Bezam in Part III?

7. What did Pexton tell the Kosawans about how long it would take for them to extract oil when they first arrived in the village?

8. Who do others in the village think Sahel sometimes flirts with in Part III?

9. What do the Kosawans think of Mr. Fish?

10. What has Yaya heard about the key to His Excellency's longevity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do Thula's childhood relationships with both her father, Malabo, and with Big Papa influence her actions as an adult? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How do Pexton's actions, over the course of generations, successfully and fully alienate Kosawans from their own land and traditions? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Although Mbue explores dark and serious themes in this novel, she also employs humor at different points. Write an essay analyzing Mbue's use of humor in this novel, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 725 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample