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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. In “Cell One,” who stole from the narrator’s house the first time?

2. In “Cell One,” what occasion caused Nnamabia’s heart to turn, regarding his imprisonment?

3. In “On Monday of Last Week,” what does Kamara fault Neil for worrying about?

4. In “On Monday of Last Week,” what was Kamara studying when she met Tobechi at university?

5. In “On Monday of Last Week,” what amuses Kamara about the phrase “cooking dinner” in the U.S. (80)?

Short Essay Questions

1. In “A Private Experience,” what is the basis of the intimacy between Chika and the Hausa woman?

2. In “Imitation,” what signs are there that the story supports Nkem’s position at the end of the story?

3. Where is "Jumping Monkey Hill "set?

4. In “On Monday of Last Week,” what gaffe did Kamara make, that she thought would prevent her from getting the job babysitting Josh?

5. In “Ghosts,” what are the scandals in Nigeria that affect Professor Nwoye’s life?

6. In “Cell One,” how did time in prison change Nnamabia?

7. In “A Private Experience,” what are the two women doing in the market town where they meet?

8. What is the Ugandan’s role in "Jumping Monkey Hill"?

9. In “Cell One,” what is the difference between Nsukka and Enugu?

10. In “Cell One,” what happened when the narrator’s parents confronted the second thief?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the roles available to women in The Thing Around Your Neck? How are women portrayed? What kinds of choices do they get to make, and what is kept from them? How do they live within or rebel against these limits? How would you evaluate Adichie’s depiction of women in this collection of short stories? How are their roles and knowledge and behavior distinguished from the male characters?

Essay Topic 2

Evaluate the final story of The Thing Around Your Neck. Does it ring true to the other stories? Does it address the problems and tensions that preceded it? What are you left wishing for closure on, if anything?

Essay Topic 3

How does Adichie represent America in the stories of The Thing Around Your Neck? What does it stand for, in the lives of the Nigerians in her stories? What lessons do the Nigerians need to learn, to thrive there? How well do these lessons prepare people for the reality of America?

(see the answer keys)

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