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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Obi send for Charles Ibe when he sees his financial situation worsening?
(a) Obi is holding a promissory note to repay money that Ibe borrowed.
(b) Obi wants to borrow money from Ibe.
(c) Ibe knows a source of cheaper insurance.
(d) Obi wants to collect a bribe that Ibe promised to pay him.

2. How does Obi feel after he resists the temptation to accept Mr. Mark's bribe?
(a) He feels wonderful because he resisted his first temptation to accept a bribe.
(b) He feels wonderful because he will get a good review.
(c) He feels wonderful because Clara sends a note agreeing to marry him.
(d) He feels wonderful because Marie says he did so well in the interview.

3. How does the first doctor respond when Clara and Obi visit him?
(a) He says they should go to the public clinic which is cheaper.
(b) He says Clara should get help in her own village for privacy's sake.
(c) He says they should go back to England where these prejudices do not exist.
(d) He says he cannot risk his reputation and practice over an abortion and that Obi should marry the pretty girl.

4. What feelings does Obi have when he sees his mother?
(a) He is frightened to see how much weight she has lost.
(b) He is full of grief over her emaciated condition.
(c) He is relieved that she is not as bad as he feared.
(d) He is encouraged to see her improvement.

5. What is the first report of Obi's involvement in bribery?
(a) Obi sleeps with a scholarship applicant and then recommends her for the scholarship.
(b) A prosperous Lagos businessman hands him money to get his son to England on scholarship one evening during scholarship season.
(c) Obi accepts a bribe from a colleague whose daughter needs a scholarship.
(d) He finally accepts money to make his payments to the UPU.

6. What is Obi's first impression of Marie Tomlinson, his co-worker at the office?
(a) That she is carrying tales to Mr. Omo.
(b) That she is having an affair with a black clerk.
(c) That she is having an affair with the boss.
(d) That she is a spy.

7. What character traits does Christopher display in the incident when he and Obi discuss the possibility of Clara's pregnancy?
(a) He is a pragmatic young man who understands the ways of his world.
(b) He is a callous and greedy young man.
(c) He is an idealistic and simple young man.
(d) He is sympathetic and caring.

8. How do the circumstances surrounding Clara's hospitalization contribute to Obi's eventual downfall?
(a) They lead to his mother's death and Obi's decision to return to England.
(b) They cause him to leave Clara and become more careless about money, finally accepting a bribe.
(c) They lead to Clara's death, more expenses, and his loss of hope.
(d) They lead to their break-up and the worsening of his financial situation.

9. What does Obi turn to for solace when at home in his distress after refusing dinner?
(a) A.E. Houseman's poems about Nigeria.
(b) A.E. Houseman's "Collected Poems."
(c) Shakespeare's Sonnets.
(d) T. S. Eliot's poetry collection.

10. How does the author make it clear that the association between Nora and Pat, and Obi and Christopher is affected by racial issues?
(a) Nora's mother asks them to leave because she does not want her daughter disgraced.
(b) They are turned out after complaints from white tennis players.
(c) They are turned out after complaints from white nuns about colored boys on the courts.
(d) Obi and Christopher are asked not to visit again to prevent the girls being sent back to Ireland for going around with African men.

11. What happens that makes Obi smile while reading that evening?
(a) Obi writes a poem that evening.
(b) Obi reads his poetry to remind him of the carefree days in London.
(c) Obi re-reads his first collection of poems written while he was studying.
(d) Obi finds an old paper on which he had written a poem about Nigeria.

12. What news from home necessitates Obi taking leave to visit his village?
(a) Obi's mother dies and his father needs support.
(b) One of Obi's siblings has died and the family needs him.
(c) Obi's father becomes seriously ill and his mother wants him home.
(d) His father writes to say Obi's mother has been hospitalized and that he needs to discuss an urgent matter with Obi.

13. How does Obi finally get caught for his involvement in bribery?
(a) A visitor returns with a stranger who finds Obi with marked bills after paying Obi money.
(b) An undercover policeman pays him a bribe with marked bills.
(c) Mr. Omo sees Obi accepting money from a scholarship applicant at the club.
(d) Mr. Green has a spy follow Obi home and sees him accepting money.

14. What foreshadows trouble for Obi when evening prayers are said on the first day of his visit home?
(a) The prayers are filled with references to the devil and Obi suspects his mother is dying.
(b) The prayers are filled with references to the devil and Obi believes something has happened to his sister.
(c) Obi believes references to the devil in the prayers are intended for Clara.
(d) The prayers contain references to evil women and Obi believes they are cursing Clara.

15. Why does Marie Tomlinson become suspicious when Mr. Mark asks to speak confidentially with Obi at the office?
(a) His mannerisms are secretive.
(b) He hands Obi a sealed envelope.
(c) Mr. Mark asks to talk confidentially to Obi and he speaks in Ibo.
(d) His clothing is suspicious.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Obi's response when Clara goes off with the doctor?

2. How does Christopher react to Obi's news that Clara might be pregnant?

3. What does the parcel that arrives from the general hospital while Obi is at work contain?

4. What is Christopher's reaction when Obi shares with him the outcomes of his talks with his parents about marrying Clara?

5. How does Obi respond to the assertions of Mr. Green and Miss Tomlinson about leave entitlements available to Africans?

(see the answer keys)

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