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