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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. This story is about the divide between ____________________________.
(a) Catholics and Baptists.
(b) Democrats and Republicans.
(c) Muslims and Christians.
(d) men and women.

2. What had a girl named Hadiya told Selam at school one day?
(a) She could tutor her.
(b) She should join the choir.
(c) A certain boy liked her.
(d) Hamburger is pork.

3. What is the setting of the story?
(a) Nigeria.
(b) Nairobi.
(c) Ethiopia.
(d) Sardinia.

4. How many days does the narrator watch Selam's apartment building?
(a) 5.
(b) 7.
(c) 2.
(d) 3.

5. What does the soldier carry onto the bus?
(a) A dog.
(b) A set of golf clubs.
(c) A machete.
(d) A Bible.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the narrator see Selam doing at her apartment one night?

2. Who saves Jubril after he has passed out in a field?

3. In what country does the story take place?

4. What does the narrator do when she first sees Selam at her apartment?

5. Two people who share a close bond are able to _________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Hadiya and how does she impact the relationship between the narrator and Selam?

2. What is at the base of all the trivial conflicts in the story?

3. Why are the passengers on the bus infused with a sense of urgency?

4. What elements of Western life are uncomfortable for Jubril while on the bus?

5. Who are the narrator and Selam and what is their relationship?

6. Why does Akpan choose second person narration for the story?

7. What ban by the Nigerian government takes place just prior to the opening of the story, "Luxurious Hearses"?

8. Who is Jubril and why must he disguise his religious identity aboard a bus headed out of the city?i

9. How do the narrator and Selam find a way to communicate with each other when they are not allowed to play together?

10. What does the Chief signify in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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