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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. With whom does Obi have breakfast on the first morning on the boat?

2. What new expense does Obi assume when he gets his new car that suggests another symbol of his status?

3. Where do Obi and Clara meet again eighteen months after their first meeting?

4. How does Joseph respond upon hearing that Obi has purchased a ring for Clara?

5. Why do Christopher and Obi eat with their fingers while at Obi's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Obi feel tears in his eyes at the judge's lecture even though he is prepared for the sentence at the beginning of the novel?

3. What happens at Obi's job interview with the Public Service Commission?

4. What makes Obi especially interested in a new arrival at the Pine Grove while he and Joseph are there?

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

6. How welcoming is Mr. Green when Obi is introduced on his first day at work in the civil service?

7. What sights does Obi observe and how does he respond When Obi returns to Lagos from England and visits a Lagos slum?

8. Why does Obi accuse Joseph of having a colonial mentality When Obi and Joseph discuss Obi's job interview with the Public service Commission?

9. What references to bribery show that the members are very familiar with corruption in Nigeria At the reception held to welcome Obi home?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Giving specific examples, discuss the author's use of literary, biblical and historical allusions in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

What are the major techniques used by Achebe to create an authentic Nigerian setting for the novel?

Essay Topic 3

To what extent do the experiences of Obi constitute a loss of innocence and idealism?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 930 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample