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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. What steps does Obi try to implement at home in order to curtail his expenses?

2. What does Obi consider doing in order to meet his mounting debts after speaking with Charles Ibe?

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

4. Which girl does Christopher consider marrying except for the fact that she is going away to study?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When Obi reaches home, how does the author use descriptions of the rooms of Obi's parents to portray their characters?

3. 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?

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

5. What happens When Obi and Clara visit the first doctor about her pregnancy?

6. As Obi and Marie Tomlinson become more cordial to each other, how does the author use these two characters to vary the portrayal of Mr. Green?

7. What is Christopher's reaction When Obi tells Christopher about Elsie Mark's visit ho his home and his decision to turn her down?

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

9. After Obi returns from his visit home, how does Christopher react to Obi's news about the response of his parents to his plan to marry Clara?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An outstanding feature of this story is the author's ability to illustrate the importance of stories, songs, and dreams in the lives of traditional Nigerians. Provide detailed references to stories songs and dreams in the novel, and use them to demonstrate the validity of this assertion.

Essay Topic 2

An important aspect of the novel's impact lies in the ability of the author to portray character effectively. Justifying your answer with reference to specific examples, discuss the methods used by the author to portray two major and two minor characters in the story.

Essay Topic 3

Referring to Obi's relationship with Christopher, Clara and his parents, discuss the role of conflict in the novel.

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