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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 do Thula and her family live?

2. What do the villagers do with the oil company men in Part I?

3. Who was the first to suggest that it might be the water that was killing and making villagers sick?

4. What is Woja Beki's excuse for not going to Bezam with The Six?

5. What kind of house does the village leader live in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bongo think of his brother Malabo?

2. What does Bongo ask the Spirit for every morning?

3. What has broken Bongo's heart in Part II?

4. What happens to Malabo and the others when they go to the capital to meet with Pexton?

5. What does The Sick One eventually tell the Kosawans in Part II?

6. What was Big Papa like?

7. Why do people always avoid touching Konga?

8. Why is Thula afraid to go to school the day after Konga takes the Pexton driver's key?

9. Why did many people try to dissuade Malabo from traveling to the capital to appeal to Pexton?

10. What happens when the soldiers do actually come to Kosawa in Part I?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of Thula's "Liberation Day," and what happens on this occasion? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think Mbue chooses to write the book partially from the first-person plural perspective, and what effect does this choice have on the reader's experience? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing the nature and significance of Thula's and Austin's romantic relationship.

(see the answer keys)

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