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. In what country does the story take place?

2. What does Naema's boyfriend give her on Christmas?

3. Kotchikpa overhears Fofo saying that he will travel to Braffe soon to collect ____________________.

4. How does Maisha make money for the family?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why would Kotchikpa think that the motorcycle is a reward from God?

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

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

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

5. What role does Maisha play in the family and why do her parents resent her?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Create a character study of Maisha in "An Ex-Mas Feast (Kenya)". What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Maisha?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,218 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample