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