View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What animal has special significance to the villagers?

2. Where do the oil company laborers live?

3. What carries mystical power in Kosawa?

4. What does Bongo notice about Thula's attitude towards babies?

5. How many people does Thula's father tell her live in America, approximately?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the significance of the leopard to the Kosawans?

3. What happens to Juba in Part I?

4. Why do people always avoid touching Konga?

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

6. What does Bongo think of his brother Malabo?

7. What was Big Papa like?

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

9. Why does The Sick One want to go home so badly?

10. What does Konga do that begins to change everything for Kosawa in Part I?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Mbue explores dark and serious themes in this novel, she also employs humor at different points. Write an essay analyzing Mbue's use of humor in this novel, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How do the villagers view Woja Beki in Part I, and how does both their perception of Woja Beki and Woja Beki's character change over the course of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Mbue incorporate supernatural themes/characters into the plot? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 511 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample