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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. What does the narrator do when she first sees Selam at her apartment?

2. Who is Yusuf?

3. What does the chief drop into Jubril's lap?

4. Emeka points out Jubril as being a ______________.

5. The narrator and her best friend vacation with ___________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jubril disguise his being a Muslim while on the bus?

2. How had Jubril lost his right hand and why is it important for him to hide that fact while on the bus?

3. What is the narrator's father's advice to Selam regarding eating pork?

4. Who are the narrator and Selam and what is their relationship?

5. Why are the narrator and Selam no longer allowed to play together?

6. How is the story, "What Language is That"? different from the other stories in this book?

7. How does Akpan's choice of second person narration affect the reader?

8. What does the Chief signify in the story?

9. What is notable about the story "What Language is That?"

10. What is the unifying thread of the conflicts in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Jubril in "Luxurious Hearses (Nigeria)". What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Jubril?

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

Who are two of Akpan's characters in this book who appeal to you the most? What is it about these characters that you like? What are their weaknesses? How about redeeming qualities? Are Akpan's characters believable in your opinion? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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