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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What reminds Obi of his first day at school when he shows up at work on his first day in the civil service?
(a) How the headmaster Mr. Jones insulted Mr. Nduka.
(b) How Mr. Nduka, the headmaster, reamed out the senior students in the hall.
(c) How Mr. Jones, the feared Inspector of Schools, reamed out Headmaster Simeon Nduka in English.
(d) How his headmaster Mr. Nduka reamed out Mr. Jones in front of the class.

2. How do the older kinsmen respond after hearing Obi's stories about being at sea?
(a) They declare that it is unfortunate that young men have to travel so far to get a good education.
(b) They declare that Obi has been to the "land of the spirits."
(c) They declare that it is good for a man to return home.
(d) They declare that Obi is lucky to have been to hell and back.

3. How does Obi try to help with the family's situation?
(a) He promises to send money each month to help his parents and to pay his brother's school fees.
(b) He promises to send money for food and medicine.
(c) He promises to send a lump sum each month to cover their big expenses.
(d) He promises to send monthly sums to pay Charity's fees.

4. Why does the Umuofia Progressive Union meet again to discuss Obi's case on the morning of the trial?
(a) Obi owes the UPU a lot of money for loans taken while he is studying.
(b) Obi is a prominent member of the UPU.
(c) Obi is indebted to the UPU because of their funding of his education.
(d) The UPU is co-defendant in the case.

5. As the celebration continues, how does the author use an argument about kola nuts to reveal the clash between Christian beliefs and folklore?
(a) Isaac declares that although kola nuts are eaten in his Christian house, they are not sacrificed to idols.
(b) Ibo refuses to partake in the superstitious practices involving kola nuts.
(c) Isaac objects when the elders want to sprinkle kola nut oil in the house.
(d) Isaac refuses to partake in the breaking of Kola nuts on Ibo's head.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Obi's description of the streets and market in the Lagos slum ironic?

2. What moves Obi even though he has little religion left while on the boat looking out to sea?

3. What is Christopher's usual response to Obi's comments about the civil service?

4. What comment do the elders make about Christianity when Isaac refuses to placate the rainmaker to prevent the rain threatening Obi's homecoming?

5. Who is the judge at the trial of Obi Okonkwo as the novel opens?

Short Essay Questions

1. What immediate effect does Obi's new job have on his financial status and on Clara?

2. What complaints does Obi make about an encounter with the police after buying the ring and returning home to Joseph?

3. What contact has there been between Clara and Obi before being together in the Lagos slum where Clara has a dressmaker?

4. How does Obi first disappoint the Umuofian progressive Union and the poor Umuofians who tax themselves heavily to send Obi to England to become a lawyer?

5. What turn does the relationship between Obi and Clara take shortly after getting his new job?

6. How is Joseph proven wrong about his assumption that the owner of the Palm Grove is a Syrian?

7. How does the incident with the police and the lorry driver on the way to Umuofia affect Obi's views about getting rid of bribery?

8. What mixed feelings do members of the Umuofian Progressive Union have about Obi's situation at the beginning of the novel?

9. What theory has he developed about ending corruption in Nigeria Before Obi begins to work? How has it evolved and why is it ironic?

10. After arguing with Joseph, how does Obi first demonstrate the seriousness of his intentions to marry Clara?

(see the answer keys)

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