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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Obi respond to the assertions of Mr. Green and Miss Tomlinson about leave entitlements available to Africans?
(a) Obi says they know nothing about Nigerians.
(b) Obi says it is their country so they should have the same privileges as the British.
(c) Obi says Nigerians will show the Europeans what they are capable of.
(d) Obi says that the Europeans set the rules when no Nigerians were in the senior service.

2. What story does his father share when Obi announces he will leave early to return to Lagos?
(a) How he was taken by missionaries and his father put a curse on him.
(b) He tells the story of a boy who marries an outcast and never finds happiness.
(c) He tells the story of a woman who dies of heartbreak after her son marries an outcast.
(d) He tells the story of a boy who dies after hurting his family and running away.

3. How does Obi explain his physical appearance when Miss Tomlinson says he looks run down?
(a) He claims that he has not been sleeping well.
(b) He claims he was overworked on his leave at home.
(c) He claims a touch of malaria.
(d) He claims distress about his mother's illness.

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

5. How does the relationship between Obi and Marie Tomlinson develop after she witnesses Obi's distress about his finances?
(a) They have become intimate and share many activities.
(b) They have not recovered from the heated argument about Obi's unpaid debt.
(c) They have become distant and speak only about work.
(d) Obi and Marie Tomlinson are on a first-name basis and speak frankly about many things, including Mr. Green.

6. How does Obi finally get caught for his involvement in bribery?
(a) Mr. Omo sees Obi accepting money from a scholarship applicant at the club.
(b) A visitor returns with a stranger who finds Obi with marked bills after paying Obi money.
(c) Mr. Green has a spy follow Obi home and sees him accepting money.
(d) An undercover policeman pays him a bribe with marked bills.

7. 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.

8. Which girl does Christopher consider marrying except for the fact that she is going away to study?
(a) Florence.
(b) Nora.
(c) Clara.
(d) Bisi.

9. When Obi arrives home, what descriptions does the author give of his parents' rooms?
(a) Isaac's room is filled with printed materials, while Hannah's is full of mundane things.
(b) Both rooms are exactly as Obi remembers them from childhood.
(c) Isaac's room has been cleared for Hannah to get more space.
(d) Both are in a disheveled condition.

10. What does the incident with Clara's abortion reveal about this aspect of life in Lagos?
(a) Abortions are inexpensive but dangerous.
(b) Abortions are safe but expensive.
(c) Abortions are illegal and expensive.
(d) Everyone looks down on a girl who has an abortion.

11. How does the author use the conversation between Obi and Marie Tomlinson to broaden the portrayal of Mr. Green's character?
(a) He writes that Tomlinson considers him a hypocrite and Obi believes that Green hates Africa.
(b) He writes that Miss Tomlinson finds a devout Christian and Obi believes Green has admirable qualities.
(c) He writes that both Miss Tomlinson and Obi find Mr. Green a good advisor.
(d) He writes that Obi considers Green an oppressor and Miss Tomlinson admires Green's discipline.

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

13. How do the circumstances surrounding Clara's hospitalization contribute to Obi's eventual downfall?
(a) They lead to Clara's death, more expenses, and his loss of hope.
(b) They lead to their break-up and the worsening of his financial situation.
(c) They cause him to leave Clara and become more careless about money, finally accepting a bribe.
(d) They lead to his mother's death and Obi's decision to return to England.

14. Why does Obi send for Charles Ibe when he sees his financial situation worsening?
(a) Ibe knows a source of cheaper insurance.
(b) Obi wants to collect a bribe that Ibe promised to pay him.
(c) Obi wants to borrow money from Ibe.
(d) Obi is holding a promissory note to repay money that Ibe borrowed.

15. What destroys Obi's hope for support from his mother for marrying Clara?
(a) Because Hannah curses Clara without hearing a word from Obi.
(b) Hannah threatens to kill herself if he marries Clara.
(c) The argument between Obi and Hannah makes Hannah's condition worsen.
(d) Hannah becomes boisterous and sends him away.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Obi's financial situation like as he is on his way home?

2. What worries does Obi have about the expectations of the people at home as he makes his journey home?

3. How does Joseph show support for Obi after his mother dies?

4. According to Mr. Green, what characteristic of Nigerians would prevent the country from being able to manage independence?

5. What are the contents of the letter from Obi that Clara later returns?

(see the answer keys)

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