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