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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. What does Chief Nanga say a man ought to do if someone offers to make him a minister?

2. What used to be Odili's father's profession?

3. What does Chief Nanga do to Principal Nwege after the speech?

4. According to Mrs. Nanga, embassy events are how many pence talk and how many pence food?

5. What does Jean interpret as a sign of lust?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the media portrayed by Odili?

2. Upon what does Odili reflect while lying in the bed of his guest suite at Chief Nanga's house?

3. Why does Chief Nanga scorn his old nickname, "M.A. Minus Opportunity"?

4. What odd contrast is revealed in Chapter 4 by Chief Nanga's interactions with Chief Kobino and the young man applying to be a chef?

5. Why is Odili's father hated?

6. What is significant about the languages spoken in the Nanga home?

7. On what does Odili focus during Chief Nanga's speech in Chapter 6?

8. Why is Mrs. Nanga concerned over her children losing their heritage?

9. How does Odili's father treat his family?

10. How did Odili deal with his previous encounters with bucket latrines?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story, it is unveiled that starting a democracy is a difficult process. Analyze these difficulties as they are presented in the text. Are they due largely to a lack of education? Of what kind of education? Are there any good suggestions as to how to fix the problems in the country?

Essay Topic 2

A subtle theme in "A Man of the People" is the disparity in sexual equality throughout Nigerian society. How are women portrayed as less important throughout the story? How is this status quo challenged? What female character embodies resignation to this standard, and what character challenges it? How is this shown in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Alone of all the political characters in the story, Odili rejects every sort of political corruption. Explicate and analyze this severe contrast between the absolute idealism of Odili, the absolute corruption and self-interest of Chief Nanga, and the practical abuse of corrupt individuals by Maxwell. Who is the most morally persuasive of the characters, and why?

(see the answer keys)

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