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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Obi goes to visit Clara in hospital, what comments by the doctor foreshadow what will happen between Clara and Obi?
(a) The doctor says Clara might not want to see Obi.
(b) The doctor says Clara has given up on Obi.
(c) The doctor says there is not much hope for Clara.
(d) The doctor says Clara is too angry to speak to Obi.

2. What causes Obi's failure to repay Clara's money?
(a) He gets news of his mother's death.
(b) He gets news of his father's death.
(c) He gets news of taxes he owes.
(d) Mr. Green demands that he repay the salary advance immediately.

3. What cynical feeling does Obi have about seeing how insistent the Marks family is on doing whatever it takes for Elsie to get a scholarship?
(a) A degree can turn a clerk into a senior civil servant at £570 plus amenities--the next best thing to being a white man.
(b) A degree can make a clerk into what all Nigerians dream of becoming--more like the white man.
(c) A degree can turn a clerk into a European.
(d) A degree can turn a clerk into a senior civil servant with a high salary--the next best thing to being European.

4. Where does Obi try to get money from to pay back Clara's loan?
(a) He calls Okoli about another loan.
(b) He asks Mr. Omo about a salary advance.
(c) He asks Miss Tomlinson to lend him some money.
(d) He asks Mr. Green about a staff loan.

5. What are Obi's early responses to the death of his mother?
(a) He is too overcome by all his troubles to feel anything for his mother.
(b) He cries like a child and feels guilty about not keeping vigil for his mother.
(c) He believes maybe now he can marry Clara.
(d) He is relieved although it is too late to save the situation with Clara.

6. For what kind of leave does Obi apply when he has to go home to deal with the news he receives?
(a) Local leave.
(b) Personal leave.
(c) Departmental leave.
(d) Special leave.

7. What does the author reveal about a special aspect of Nigerian culture, when the two couples go out on a date?
(a) There are three sections of the club: European, Intimate and Ecstatic.
(b) There are three ways of dancing the "High-life": European, Intimate and Ecstatic.
(c) There are three ways of dressing to go dancing: European, Intimate and Ecstatic.
(d) There are three types of drinks at the bar: European, Intimate and Ecstatic.

8. What literary device does the author use in the reference to Pilate in describing Isaac's attitude to "the written word?"
(a) Biblical allusion.
(b) Historical allusion.
(c) Literary allusion.
(d) Mythological allusion.

9. What character traits does Christopher display in the incident when he and Obi discuss the possibility of Clara's pregnancy?
(a) He is sympathetic and caring.
(b) He is a pragmatic young man who understands the ways of his world.
(c) He is an idealistic and simple young man.
(d) He is a callous and greedy young man.

10. What are the contents of the letter from Obi that Clara later returns?
(a) His offer to make it all up to her and take her away from the problems.
(b) His apology and his admission that there is no hope for them.
(c) His admission that he has wronged Clara terribly and his plea for another chance.
(d) His offer to marry her no matter what.

11. What is Clara's response when she hears of Elsie's role in trying to secure a scholarship?
(a) Clara is angry that Obi allowed Miss Mark to come in.
(b) Clara warns Obi about getting himself into trouble.
(c) Clara believes offering money is better than offering one's body and laughs.
(d) Clara is angry that Miss Mark came to Obi's house.

12. How does the author make it clear that the association between Nora and Pat, and Obi and Christopher is affected by racial issues?
(a) Obi and Christopher are asked not to visit again to prevent the girls being sent back to Ireland for going around with African men.
(b) They are turned out after complaints from white nuns about colored boys on the courts.
(c) They are turned out after complaints from white tennis players.
(d) Nora's mother asks them to leave because she does not want her daughter disgraced.

13. On what assumption does Mr. Green find it necessary to warn Obi about paying his car insurance?
(a) He believes Obi will do a back door deal if Mr. Green does not watch carefully.
(b) He believes Obi is irresponsible.
(c) The educated rarely think about tomorrow.
(d) He knows Obi is careless with details.

14. What does Obi turn to for solace when at home in his distress after refusing dinner?
(a) Shakespeare's Sonnets.
(b) A.E. Houseman's poems about Nigeria.
(c) T. S. Eliot's poetry collection.
(d) A.E. Houseman's "Collected Poems."

15. What does Obi consider doing in order to meet his mounting debts after speaking with Charles Ibe?
(a) Obi contemplates an overdraft of £50 at his bank.
(b) Obi considers asking Mr. Green for a loan.
(c) Obi contemplates withholding payments from the UPU.
(d) Obi considers asking Mr. Omo for a salary advance.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the first report of Obi's involvement in bribery?

2. What is Christopher's reaction when Obi shares with him the outcomes of his talks with his parents about marrying Clara?

3. How does Obi eventually feel about his mother's death?

4. Despite coming to like Christopher, what does Clara fear about him?

5. Why is Clara upset with Obi when she hears about him contemplating a bank overdraft?

(see the answer keys)

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