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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. Who is the Nigerian man that Aunty Uju has begun seeing in Chapter 11?

2. What is the name of Nicholas's wife?

3. What percentage of his wages must Obinze give in exchange for using another man's NI number in Chapter 25?

4. What does Mariama's customer say Nigerians are known for being in Chapter 18?

5. Who does the narrator describe Obinze running into at the mall and her fawning over him due to his new-found wealth in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How have both Obinze and Ifemelu been forced to rely on others for help in their experiences abroad?

2. What do bananas and peanuts symbolize for Ifemelu? How are they perceived by Dike in Part 2?

3. What does Obinze observe regarding Nigerians with English accents in Part 3?

4. How are Obinze's cousin in London and Aunty Uju in America similar in the novel?

5. How has Aunty Uju changed when Ifemelu first encounters her in America?

6. What is significant about Ginika's response to Ifemelu regarding the white and black salespeople at the dress shop in Part 2?

7. How is the relationship between accent and identity illustrated in Chapter 17?

8. Discuss the symbolism of Ifelemu's mother's hair in the narrative. What is represented when she cuts her hair?

9. Who does Obinze work for at a warehouse in London? How is he treated at this job?

10. How are Obinze's and Ifemelu's struggles with employment in their new-found countries similar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss gender roles and expectations in Nigeria and America. How do perceptions of women and men differ in America from in Nigeria? How are these perceptions illustrated through Ifemelu’s experiences in each country? Discuss examples of relationships between men and women in the novel and how these relationships are shaped by the culture and history where they develop.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Ifemelu’s relationships with Curt and with Blaine in the novel. How does each of these men treat Ifemelu? What are the backgrounds and circumstances of Curt and Blaine? How do these differ? Why do Ifemelu’s relationships with each of these men ultimately come to an end?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the title of Americanah. What does this term mean, and who uses it in the narrative? Do you think that Ifemelu is an Americanah? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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