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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the process lead Obi to decide when he examines the "mainspring of his actions" for the first time in his life?
(a) He decides to confess his troubles to his father and ask for help.
(b) He decides to confess his troubles to Mr. Green and ask for help.
(c) He resolves to stop making payments to the UPU until it is convenient.
(d) He decides to confess his troubles to Clara's father and ask for help.

2. What destroys Obi's hope for support from his mother for marrying Clara?
(a) The argument between Obi and Hannah makes Hannah's condition worsen.
(b) Because Hannah curses Clara without hearing a word from Obi.
(c) Hannah becomes boisterous and sends him away.
(d) Hannah threatens to kill herself if he marries Clara.

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

4. What does Clara say about their engagement the night before Obi goes home on leave?
(a) She says it is in everyone's best interest to call it off.
(b) She says they should make it a long one so there is time for everyone to adjust.
(c) She suggests they postpone announcing it.
(d) She suggests they shorten the engagement and just get married.

5. What literary device does the author use in the reference to Pilate in describing Isaac's attitude to "the written word?"
(a) Mythological allusion.
(b) Biblical allusion.
(c) Literary allusion.
(d) Historical allusion.

6. Which girl does Christopher consider marrying except for the fact that she is going away to study?
(a) Bisi.
(b) Clara.
(c) Nora.
(d) Florence.

7. What is Obi's response when Clara goes off with the doctor?
(a) Fearing for Clara's life, he goes home and breaks down emotionally.
(b) Fearing losing Clara, he goes back to Christopher and breaks down emotionally.
(c) Fearing for Clara's life, he goes to work and breaks down emotionally.
(d) Fearing losing Clara, he tries to follow the doctor's car, but gets lost and is nearly killed.

8. What are Obi's early responses to the death of his mother?
(a) He is relieved although it is too late to save the situation with Clara.
(b) He is too overcome by all his troubles to feel anything for his mother.
(c) He cries like a child and feels guilty about not keeping vigil for his mother.
(d) He believes maybe now he can marry Clara.

9. What does Obi consider doing in order to meet his mounting debts after speaking with Charles Ibe?
(a) Obi considers asking Mr. Green for a loan.
(b) Obi considers asking Mr. Omo for a salary advance.
(c) Obi contemplates an overdraft of £50 at his bank.
(d) Obi contemplates withholding payments from the UPU.

10. How does the argument between Obi and Clara end on the night before he goes home?
(a) They part without any resolution.
(b) They kiss passionately and make up.
(c) They terminate the relationship.
(d) They end up in a physical fight.

11. What does the author reveal about a special aspect of Nigerian culture, when the two couples go out on a date?
(a) There are three types of drinks at the bar: European, Intimate and Ecstatic.
(b) There are three sections of the club: European, Intimate and Ecstatic.
(c) There are three ways of dancing the "High-life": European, Intimate and Ecstatic.
(d) There are three ways of dressing to go dancing: European, Intimate and Ecstatic.

12. 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) Mr. Green has a spy follow Obi home and sees him accepting money.
(c) Mr. Omo sees Obi accepting money from a scholarship applicant at the club.
(d) An undercover policeman pays him a bribe with marked bills.

13. How does the author use the conversation between Obi and Marie Tomlinson to broaden the portrayal of Mr. Green's character?
(a) He writes that both Miss Tomlinson and Obi find Mr. Green a good advisor.
(b) He writes that Tomlinson considers him a hypocrite and Obi believes that Green hates Africa.
(c) He writes that Miss Tomlinson finds a devout Christian and Obi believes Green has admirable qualities.
(d) He writes that Obi considers Green an oppressor and Miss Tomlinson admires Green's discipline.

14. How does Christopher react to Obi's news that Clara might be pregnant?
(a) He comments that this shouold not encourage Obi to marry her.
(b) He comments that Obi might not be the father.
(c) He comments that this is a new and serious turn of events.
(d) He immediately thinks of abortion.

15. What does Obi decide to do when he learns that he might have to pay back money from his travel allowance?
(a) He decides to say he lost his receipts.
(b) He decides to say he went to the Cameroons.
(c) He decides to say he was travelling on office business.
(d) He decides to pay Mr. Omo to keep quiet.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the first doctor respond when Clara and Obi visit him?

2. When Obi goes to visit Clara in hospital, what comments by the doctor foreshadow what will happen between Clara and Obi?

3. How does the second doctor that Clara and Obi visit differ from the first?

4. What is Obi's initial response when his father forbids him to marry Clara?

5. While Obi tries to concentrate on work despite bad news from home, what comment about a Nigerian student does Mr. Green make while dictating a letter to Marie Tomlinson?

(see the answer keys)

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