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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. Why does Yewa not want to go to school?

2. What new name does Mama give to Kotchikpa?

3. Kotchikpa overhears Fofo saying that he will travel to Braffe soon to collect ____________________.

4. Why do the children take Baby to town with them?

5. The guard questions the children about ___________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What role does Maisha play in the family and why do her parents resent her?

2. What is the importance of "the bad night" when Fofo masturbates in front of the children?

3. What treats does Fofo Kpee give to the children and what do they think is the occasion for the goodies?

4. Where does Fofo store his acquired goods and why are they really useless?

5. How does Maisha's physical appearance symbolize her stolen innocence derived from her beauty?

6. How does Fofo Kpee explain the delivery of the new motorcycle to the children?

7. Who are Kotchikpa and Yewa?

8. Why does Jigana get special treatment in the family?

9. Who are the members of Jigana's family?

10. Why is Maisha a prostitute at the age of twelve?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book. List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

Essay Topic 2

Loss seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of loss? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

What is the overall setting for the stories in the book? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Akpan choose to use these places in the stories?

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This section contains 1,013 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample