- 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) Nadine Gordimer
B) Bessie Head
C) Chinua Achebe
D) Wole Soyinka
- 2. What is the title of Chinua Achebe's most famous novel?
A) Arrow of God
B) Things Fall Apart
C) The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born
D) No Longer at Ease
- 3. Which genre is most prominent in African literature?
A) Romance
B) Mystery
C) Science fiction
D) Oral tradition
- 4. What is the primary language of most early African literature?
A) Indigenous languages
B) Spanish
C) French
D) German
- 5. Who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986?
A) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
B) Wole Soyinka
C) Nadine Gordimer
D) Chinua Achebe
- 6. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is known for which book?
A) A Grain of Wheat
B) The River Between
C) Petals of Blood
D) The Devil on the Cross
- 7. Which novel by Mariama Ba discusses feminism?
A) So Long a Letter
B) The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born
C) Death and the King's Horseman
D) The Joys of Womanhood
- 8. What common themes are found in African literature?
A) Space exploration and technology
B) Western romance
C) Fantasy and magic
D) Colonialism and identity
- 9. Which country is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from?
A) South Africa
B) Kenya
C) Nigeria
D) Ghana
- 10. What is the title of Adichie's novel involving the themes of immigration and identity?
A) The Thing Around Your Neck
B) Purple Hibiscus
C) Half of a Yellow Sun
D) Americanah
- 11. Which literary form often addresses social and political issues in African countries?
A) Novels
B) Biographies
C) Self-help books
D) Travel writing
- 12. What notable quality is often found in African oral stories?
A) Political debate
B) Complex scientific theories
C) Historical accuracy
D) Moral lessons
- 13. What literary form uses proverbs, riddles, and folktales?
A) Essay
B) Oral literature
C) Novel
D) Sonnet
- 14. Who wrote 'So Long a Letter'?
A) Mariama Bâ
B) Buchi Emecheta
C) Nadine Gordimer
D) Chinua Achebe
- 15. Which author wrote about the experience of apartheid in South Africa?
A) Ben Okri
B) Chinua Achebe
C) Wole Soyinka
D) Nadine Gordimer
- 16. What was a major theme in Wole Soyinka's works?
A) Historical fiction
B) Political oppression
C) Romantic love
D) Commercialism
- 17. Which contemporary author wrote 'Americanah'?
A) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
B) Toni Morrison
C) Ben Okri
D) Marilynne Robinson
- 18. What is the genre of 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series?
A) Fantasy
B) Historical fiction
C) Science fiction
D) Detective fiction
- 19. What does 'oral tradition' encompass in African literature?
A) Storytelling through spoken word
B) Graphic novels
C) Written narratives only
D) Digital storytelling
- 20. Who wrote 'The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born'?
A) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
B) Ayi Kwei Armah
C) Wole Soyinka
D) Chinua Achebe
- 21. Which African writer is known for magical realism?
A) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
B) Bessie Head
C) Ben Okri
D) Chinua Achebe
- 22. What theme is explored in the novel 'Things Fall Apart'?
A) Cultural clash
B) Political corruption
C) Love and betrayal
D) Environmental issues
- 23. Which book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a critique of the Nigerian civil war?
A) Half of a Yellow Sun
B) Purple Hibiscus
C) Americanah
D) The Thing Around Your Neck
- 24. What is the central conflict in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Half of a Yellow Sun'?
A) The Nigerian Civil War
B) Colonial rule in Kenya
C) The Rwandan Genocide
D) Apartheid in South Africa
- 25. Who wrote 'Petals of Blood'?
A) Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
B) Ayi Kwei Armah
C) Wole Soyinka
D) Chinua Achebe
- 26. Which genre blends storytelling and song in African culture?
A) Mystery novels
B) Graphic novels
C) Science fiction
D) Epic poetry
- 27. What literary device is commonly used in African folktales?
A) Metaphor
B) Oxymoron
C) Personification
D) Alliteration
- 28. In which country did the literary movement of 'ubuntu' originate?
A) Ghana
B) Nigeria
C) South Africa
D) Kenya
- 29. Which author is associated with the concept of 'afrofuturism'?
A) Buchi Emecheta
B) Chinua Achebe
C) Nnedi Okorafor
D) Wole Soyinka
- 30. Which literary movement sought to reclaim African culture and traditions?
A) Modernism
B) Futurism
C) Post-colonialism
D) Negritude
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