- 1. The Development of African Literature is a rich and multifaceted journey that reflects the continent's diverse cultures, languages, and histories. It began with oral traditions, where stories, proverbs, and folktales were passed down through generations, serving as both entertainment and a means of preserving cultural identity. The introduction of colonialism brought profound changes; European languages like English, French, and Portuguese began to dominate literary expression, often challenging indigenous languages and narratives. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the emergence of written literature, with pioneers such as Chinua Achebe and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o using their works to confront colonialism and articulate a post-colonial identity. The theme of resistance and the quest for authenticity became central, as writers sought to reclaim African voices amid global literary discourse. Today, African literature is dynamic and evolving, with contemporary authors exploring themes such as globalization, migration, gender, and technology while continuing to draw upon rich oral traditions. The vibrant literary landscape is characterized by a plethora of genres and styles, showcasing the continent's complexity and creativity in addressing both local and universal questions, thereby asserting its place on the global literary stage.
Who is considered the father of modern African literature?
A) Wole Soyinka
B) Bessie Head
C) Chinua Achebe
D) Nadine Gordimer
- 2. What is the title of Chinua Achebe's most famous novel?
A) Arrow of God
B) No Longer at Ease
C) The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born
D) Things Fall Apart
- 3. Which genre is most prominent in African literature?
A) Science fiction
B) Oral tradition
C) Mystery
D) Romance
- 4. What is the primary language of most early African literature?
A) Indigenous languages
B) German
C) Spanish
D) French
- 5. Who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986?
A) Chinua Achebe
B) Nadine Gordimer
C) Wole Soyinka
D) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
- 6. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is known for which book?
A) The River Between
B) A Grain of Wheat
C) The Devil on the Cross
D) Petals of Blood
- 7. Which novel by Mariama Ba discusses feminism?
A) The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born
B) So Long a Letter
C) The Joys of Womanhood
D) Death and the King's Horseman
- 8. What common themes are found in African literature?
A) Space exploration and technology
B) Fantasy and magic
C) Western romance
D) Colonialism and identity
- 9. Which country is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from?
A) Ghana
B) South Africa
C) Nigeria
D) Kenya
- 10. What is the title of Adichie's novel involving the themes of immigration and identity?
A) Americanah
B) Half of a Yellow Sun
C) Purple Hibiscus
D) The Thing Around Your Neck
- 11. Which literary form often addresses social and political issues in African countries?
A) Novels
B) Travel writing
C) Biographies
D) Self-help books
- 12. What notable quality is often found in African oral stories?
A) Political debate
B) Moral lessons
C) Historical accuracy
D) Complex scientific theories
- 13. What literary form uses proverbs, riddles, and folktales?
A) Novel
B) Essay
C) Sonnet
D) Oral literature
- 14. Who wrote 'So Long a Letter'?
A) Buchi Emecheta
B) Mariama Bâ
C) Chinua Achebe
D) Nadine Gordimer
- 15. Which author wrote about the experience of apartheid in South Africa?
A) Ben Okri
B) Nadine Gordimer
C) Chinua Achebe
D) Wole Soyinka
- 16. What was a major theme in Wole Soyinka's works?
A) Commercialism
B) Political oppression
C) Romantic love
D) Historical fiction
- 17. Which contemporary author wrote 'Americanah'?
A) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
B) Ben Okri
C) Marilynne Robinson
D) Toni Morrison
- 18. What is the genre of 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series?
A) Historical fiction
B) Detective fiction
C) Science fiction
D) Fantasy
- 19. What does 'oral tradition' encompass in African literature?
A) Storytelling through spoken word
B) Digital storytelling
C) Written narratives only
D) Graphic novels
- 20. Who wrote 'The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born'?
A) Chinua Achebe
B) Wole Soyinka
C) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
D) Ayi Kwei Armah
- 21. Which African writer is known for magical realism?
A) Chinua Achebe
B) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
C) Ben Okri
D) Bessie Head
- 22. What theme is explored in the novel 'Things Fall Apart'?
A) Political corruption
B) Cultural clash
C) Environmental issues
D) Love and betrayal
- 23. Which book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a critique of the Nigerian civil war?
A) Americanah
B) Purple Hibiscus
C) The Thing Around Your Neck
D) Half of a Yellow Sun
- 24. What is the central conflict in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Half of a Yellow Sun'?
A) Apartheid in South Africa
B) The Nigerian Civil War
C) The Rwandan Genocide
D) Colonial rule in Kenya
- 25. Who wrote 'Petals of Blood'?
A) Wole Soyinka
B) Chinua Achebe
C) Ayi Kwei Armah
D) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
- 26. Which genre blends storytelling and song in African culture?
A) Science fiction
B) Graphic novels
C) Epic poetry
D) Mystery novels
- 27. What literary device is commonly used in African folktales?
A) Personification
B) Alliteration
C) Oxymoron
D) Metaphor
- 28. In which country did the literary movement of 'ubuntu' originate?
A) Nigeria
B) South Africa
C) Kenya
D) Ghana
- 29. Which author is associated with the concept of 'afrofuturism'?
A) Nnedi Okorafor
B) Chinua Achebe
C) Wole Soyinka
D) Buchi Emecheta
- 30. Which literary movement sought to reclaim African culture and traditions?
A) Post-colonialism
B) Modernism
C) Futurism
D) Negritude
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