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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. Mama and Papa bring new siblings named _________________________.

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

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

4. What does Mama do for her children when they are hungry on Christmas morning?

5. What does Fofo tell Kotchikpa about Mama and Papa?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Maisha a prostitute at the age of twelve?

2. What is the premise of "Fattening for Gabon"?

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Who is Fofo Kpee?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of the narrator in "What Language is That? (Ethiopia)". What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about the little narrator?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast one of Akpan's characters to someone you know in your life. Which qualities do they share? What makes them so alike? Do you like the characteristics of the two? Do they have any qualities you would like to emulate? Do you respect them? How do they differ? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Uwem Akpan is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony. Briefly describe each and identify the technique which they embody.

(see the answer keys)

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