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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. Which of the following do Selam and the narrator NOT do when they see each other from their apartments?

2. How many days does the narrator watch Selam's apartment building?

3. Why does the narrator scream at Selam?

4. Why is the bus unable to leave as scheduled?

5. One day, the narrator's parents inform her that she can no longer spend time with whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Akpan's choice of second person narration affect the reader?

2. What is notable about the story "What Language is That?"

3. What ban by the Nigerian government takes place just prior to the opening of the story, "Luxurious Hearses"?

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

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

6. Why does Akpan choose second person narration for the story?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Uwem Akpan's writing style. How does he deliver information? How does he develop characters? What is the general tone of his stories? What is the most appealing aspect of Akpan's writing for you? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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