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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 treats does Fofo Kpee give to the children?

2. What do the twins drink until they get sick?

3. Which one of the children does NOT escape from the hut?

4. What does Fofo do one night that frightens the children?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Mama and Papa encourage their children to sniff glue and drink alcohol?

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

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

4. What is the true extent of Mama's gratitude toward Maisha when she gets on her knees to thank her daughter?

5. Who are Kotchikpa and Yewa?

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

7. Why does Mama try to break into Maisha's trunk?

8. What real life issue in Africa does this story address?

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

10. What is Baba's fantasy about Maisha's life and how does the rundown taxi actually symbolize the life Maisha will have?

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

Explain why Akpan decided to tell these stories from the point of view of children. Are the events in the stories especially horrifying because the innocence of children is involved?

Essay Topic 3

Loss seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of loss? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

(see the answer keys)

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