View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Fattening for Gabon starts with the line, "Selling your child or nephew could be more difficult than selling ________________________."

2. Even though Kotchikpa no longer wants to travel to Gabon with Mama and Papa, Yewa is still allured by Western food and ___________________.

3. What does Mama suggest giving the neighbors for Christmas?

4. What does Baba use to fan the chemicals out of the house?

5. Why does the person in #61 begin to shake Fofo and yell at him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jigana get special treatment in the family?

2. How does Fofo Kpee explain the delivery of the new motorcycle to the children?

3. How does Maisha's physical appearance symbolize her stolen innocence derived from her beauty?

4. What are the reasons that Jigana tears up his school items and runs away from the family?

5. Why does Mama give her children glue to sniff on Christmas morning?

6. What treats does Fofo Kpee give to the children and what do they think is the occasion for the goodies?

7. Where are the parents of the children and why do they live with Fofo Kpee?

8. Who is Big Guy and what is he looking for at Fofo Kpee's house?

9. What is the importance of "the bad night" when Fofo masturbates in front of the children?

10. How do Jigana and his siblings get money from people on the streets?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who are two of Akpan's characters in this book who appeal to you the most? What is it about these characters that you like? What are their weaknesses? How about redeeming qualities? Are Akpan's characters believable in your opinion? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the role of the family in Akpan's stories.. What does it mean for some of the characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How are some of the families fractured? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in Africa in the late-20th century when the women in the stories are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,152 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample