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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. Why does Yewa not want to go to school?

2. Maisha snaps at Jinga for ______________________.

3. How old is Yewa?

4. Why have the children not seen their parents for two years?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Fofo store his acquired goods and why are they really useless?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Who are the members of Jigana's family?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Jubril in "Luxurious Hearses (Nigeria)". What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Jubril?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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