View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Joseph show support for Obi after his mother dies?
(a) He stays and talks with him through the night.
(b) Joseph brings beer for delegations of UPU mourners who might drop by.
(c) He offers to go with him to the village even though it wil be after his mother's funeral.
(d) He offers to find Clara and bring her back.

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

3. Why is Clara upset with Obi when she hears about him contemplating a bank overdraft?
(a) Because he will not use money he set aside for the bride payment.
(b) Because he refuses the money offered by her parents.
(c) Because he refuses to return the engagement ring and get back the money.
(d) Because he did not ask her for money.

4. What brings Obi additional criticism when his mother dies?
(a) People criticize the paltry funeral held for the mother of a civil servant.
(b) He fails to turn up in time for his mother's funeral.
(c) They hear of him getting an osu woman pregnant.
(d) They hear of him forcing Clara to have an abortion.

5. 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) Obi and Christopher are asked not to visit again to prevent the girls being sent back to Ireland for going around with African men.
(d) They are turned out after complaints from white nuns about colored boys on the courts.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the first report of Obi's involvement in bribery?

2. What literary device does the author use in the reference to Pilate in describing Isaac's attitude to "the written word?"

3. What is Obi's financial situation like as he is on his way home?

4. How does Obi's distraction about the situation with his family affect his journey back to Lagos?

5. What feelings does Obi have when he sees his mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes about Obi's thoughts when Obi approaches Mr. Omo about a salary advance and learns that his financial situation is even worse than he imagines?

2. When Obi goes to Clara's after his visit home, how does the relationship between them take a turn for the worse?

3. After Obi visits Clara in hospital and she turns her face to the wall, how do events escalate development towards Obi's downfall?

4. When Obi leaves Clara to go off with the doctor who is going to perform the abortion, how does the author reveal the extent of Obi's distress?

5. As Obi returns to office while Clara is hospitalized, how do the issues discussed at work contrast with the serious problems facing Obi?

6. Why does the author place emphasis on describing Obi's deteriorating financial situation after the incidents with Mr. Mark and Elsie, his sister?

7. How do the incidents at the Roman Catholic convent in demonstrate limitations on social relationships in Lagos?

8. What event illustrates the seriousness with which those who want scholarships After Mr. Mark's visit to Obi's office treat applications?

9. What mixed reactions does Obi display in response to his mother's death?

10. After Clara and Obi quarrel about his failure to ask her for money to help his situation, how does Obi demonstrate his reliance on reading to find solace?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,471 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample