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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. The chief offers some crackers to Jubril on what condition?

2. What is Jubril's adopted Christian name?

3. What does Madam Aniema do to the soldier to calm him down?

4. How many. pages is this short story?

5. Why does Jubril not watch the televisions on the bus?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the policemen who take the sick man off the bus represent the corruption that exists in the country?

2. How do the narrator and Selam find a way to communicate with each other when they are not allowed to play together?

3. Who are the narrator and Selam and what is their relationship?

4. How does Jubril disguise his being a Muslim while on the bus?

5. Who is Hadiya and how does she impact the relationship between the narrator and Selam?

6. What is the main point of the story, "What Language is That"?

7. What is the unifying thread of the conflicts in the story?

8. What elements of Western life are uncomfortable for Jubril while on the bus?

9. What is the core source of all the violence that takes place in the story?

10. How is the story, "What Language is That"? different from the other stories in this book?

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

Select an instance of symbolism from one of the stories and explain its significance.

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)

This section contains 913 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample