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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 does Fofo do one night that frightens the children?

2. Fofo Kpee tells the congregation that his new riches come from ______________________.

3. What does Naema do to Baby while out begging to keep him dry?

4. Which sibling of Maisha's is the only one she will allow to hang out on the street with her?

5. Maisha snaps at Jinga for ______________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who is Fofo Kpee?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 2

Create a character study of Monique in "My Parents' Bedroom (Rwanda)". What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Monique?

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.

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This section contains 1,200 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample