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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. Where does Obinze work for Roy Snell in Chapter 26?

2. Who is Obinze arranged to marry in Chapter 23?

3. What is the name of Obinze's wife in Chapter 2?

4. How does Ifemelu perceive her physique in Chapter 1?

5. What does the narrator describe Princeton as smelling like in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What attracts Ifemelu to becoming a blogger?

4. What can be discerned about Obinze's character based on his treatment of Cleotilde?

5. Why does Ifemelu begin relaxing her hair in Part 2? What effect does it have?

6. What influence does Ifemelu's father have on her choices and actions in the narrative?

7. How would you describe Obinze in the beginning of the novel? What objects symbolize Obinze's character?

8. How does Ifemelu perceive the differences between the news in America and Nigeria when she first arrives in the U.S.?

9. What does Aisha solicit Ifemelu to do in Chapter 1? Why?

10. What differences stand out the most to Ifemelu between Nigeria and America after she's first arrived in the U.S. in Part 2?

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

Describe Ifemelu’s blog and discuss its subject and themes. What inspires Ifemelu to begin writing a blog? How is Ifemelu’s blog received by the public? What does Ifemelu gain from writing in her blog?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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