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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. Jubril was baptized into which religion?

2. What does the chief drop into Jubril's lap?

3. What differences do the two friends have?

4. Why do two policeman enter the Luxurious Bus?

5. Why is Jubril uncomfortable around the women 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. What is notable about the story "What Language is That?"

3. How had Jubril lost his right hand and why is it important for him to hide that fact while on the bus?

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

5. Why are the narrator and Selam no longer allowed to play together?

6. What does the narrator do during the days after being restricted from playing with Selam?

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

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

9. What is the message of the story at the end?

10. Why are the passengers on the bus infused with a sense of urgency?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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

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)

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