Explanation

The Ona-Agbadi relationship is unique. Ona and Agbadi are genuinely in love but they cannot marry because Ona is arrogant and conceited. A further reason is that her father has decreed that she should not marry but remain a concubine and produce a son to his name.

In this relationship, both lovers suffer the pain of constrained love, although this is more pronounced on the part of Agbadi. A proud hunter and man of prominence, he is not one to be toyed with by a woman; yet he is ruled by Ona like a child. This situation builds up in Agbadi pent-up passion for, and vengefulness towards Ona. These show in the passionate love-making that results in the conception of Nnu-Ego. By not sharing Aghadi's compound and withholding herself from her man as she thinks fit, Ona teases Agbadi to distraction. This reveals the resilient spirit of womanhood that is so severely restricted in a male-dominated society. Agbadi may subdue an elephant but he is hard put to crushing Ona's stubbornness and self-willed spirit.

In a society like hers, Ona's will must follow her father's whims. Her desires are trapped in the dream will of her father to have a male child merely because her father does not have a son. Agbadi's remark that it is not Ona's fault that Obi Umunna does not father a son is not only a personal protest and a defence of Ona, but also an indictment of the norms of a society that permits a thing like that. The relationship also presents Ona as a foil to her own daughter. Ona's assertiveness contrasts sharply with Nnu Ego's submissiveness and long suffering nature.

The relationship underscores the futility of a woman's efforts to hold her own in society. Try as Ona does to bluff and torment Agbadi, she is brought to her knees finally by the man. Even though Ona appears to be in control in the decision as to the ownership of her unborn child, her child is still not hers to own; it must belong to one or the other of the two men, depending on the child's sex. The Ona-Agbadi relationship reveals the assigned places of men and women in the society: the man leads and rules the woman, who must be subservient. Emecheta however, expresses her opposition to the status quo in the Ona-Agba relationship.

The Ona-Agbadi relationship is unique. Ona and Agbadi are genuinely in love but they cannot marry because Ona is arrogant and conceited. A further reason is that her father has decreed that she should not marry but remain a concubine and produce a son to his name.

In this relationship, both lovers suffer the pain of constrained love, although this is more pronounced on the part of Agbadi. A proud hunter and man of prominence, he is not one to be toyed with by a woman; yet he is ruled by Ona like a child. This situation builds up in Agbadi pent-up passion for, and vengefulness towards Ona. These show in the passionate love-making that results in the conception of Nnu-Ego. By not sharing Aghadi's compound and withholding herself from her man as she thinks fit, Ona teases Agbadi to distraction. This reveals the resilient spirit of womanhood that is so severely restricted in a male-dominated society. Agbadi may subdue an elephant but he is hard put to crushing Ona's stubbornness and self-willed spirit.

In a society like hers, Ona's will must follow her father's whims. Her desires are trapped in the dream will of her father to have a male child merely because her father does not have a son. Agbadi's remark that it is not Ona's fault that Obi Umunna does not father a son is not only a personal protest and a defence of Ona, but also an indictment of the norms of a society that permits a thing like that. The relationship also presents Ona as a foil to her own daughter. Ona's assertiveness contrasts sharply with Nnu Ego's submissiveness and long suffering nature.

The relationship underscores the futility of a woman's efforts to hold her own in society. Try as Ona does to bluff and torment Agbadi, she is brought to her knees finally by the man. Even though Ona appears to be in control in the decision as to the ownership of her unborn child, her child is still not hers to own; it must belong to one or the other of the two men, depending on the child's sex. The Ona-Agbadi relationship reveals the assigned places of men and women in the society: the man leads and rules the woman, who must be subservient. Emecheta however, expresses her opposition to the status quo in the Ona-Agba relationship.

Correct Answer: C. less awkward

Correct Answer: A. spent life

Explanation

The Postmaster's contribution comes out clearly in the following ways:

(I) He sets the play in motion by intercepting the mail.

ii) He plays a key role in the corrupt practices of the society.

(iii) His conduct and utterances add to the humour in the play.

His name is Ivan Koosmith Shpyokin. He is the postmaster who becomes prominent at the height of the expectation of the Government Inspector's visit.

The Mayor instructed him to intercept and read mail apparently to avoid being taken unawares. For the Mayor and the other corrupt public officials, the visit of the Government Inspector is an equivalent of war, which must be fully prepared for. Hence, all hands must have to be on deck. He is described by Hlestakov as smelling like the man in charge of the poultry. A thoroughly corrupt postmaster, he jumps at the offer of opening the mail that passes through his office and he assures the Mayor that he will live up to his expectation. According to him, he (the Mayor) is not teaching me anything. I've done it for years. He reveals to them his earlier escapades, items that he has had to gather from unsealed letters which he calls 'wonderful tit-bits.' He agrees to comply with the Mayor's instruction of keeping back any letter of 'complaint or denunciation, just for the purpose of self preservation.

Ironically, he intercepts Hlestakov's letter to his friend which denounces public officials for their ignorance and folly. The Charity Commissioner sees nothing good in the postmaster whom he accuses of negligence, doing absolutely nothing and running a disorganized department where the mail are delayed for days. He eagerly supports the idea to bribe the inspector so that he may not be found culpable. He has his eyes on Mary as a prospective wife, but the arrival of Hlestakov and the announcement of their proposed marriage unsettle him

Correct Answer: A. Ophelia

Correct Answer: C. Social connections

Correct Answer: C. allusion

Explanation

Eugene and Aunt Ifeoma love their children dearly but they will not permit their children to step out of line. When it comes to punishment, Eugene and Aunt Ifeoma punish firmly and promptly any infraction of their children. Whereas lfeoma is humane and restrained, Eugene is harsh and unreasonable. Throughout the novel, Aunt lfeoma is not seen punishing her children much. According to Amaka's account of punishment to Kambili, each time Aunt lfeoma punishes them she explains the reason for the punishment. Amaka confesses in her usual, frank manner that she prefers her punishment not be linked with any attempt of justification. Aunt lfeoma is seen constantly guiding her erring children with physical punishment.

On one occasion, however, she does what she must do. Her eldest son, present during a conversation with her friend rudely shows his disagreement with her by cutting into their conservation. His mother promptly orders him to shut up and to go upstairs immediately. She apologises to her friend and, after her friend has left, she follows the youth upstairs, slaps and gives him a thrashing. She tells him that she will not tolerate insolence. She is not opposed to her son disagreeing with her friend. It is his manner of approach that she punishes. Eugene, on the other hand, goes to the extreme and does not weigh his punishment with the gravity of the offence. Scalding the children's feet deliberately for living with their 'heathen' grandfather without informing him is no way to punish a child. Again, when Kambili attempts to collect the pieces of her grandfather's torn painting she is beaten mercilessly and ends up in hospital. He explains to the children that the punishment is for their own good. It seems Eugene like Aunt lfeoma does not hate his children. Their behaviour to their children is very different.

In other respects Eugene's home is opulent; he provides his children with all the comfort which he can give. Aunt Ifeoma's children live ordinary lives. However, the atmosphere of Eugene's home is stifling and life-denying while Aunt Ifeoma's home is warm and accommodating. Eugene's children have a strict schedule on how to conduct themselves. There is a strict limit to their liberty. In Aunt Ifeoma's home, however, the children are allowed to grow up as children and play without restriction to their freedom.

Explanation

The boy is obviously having a nice time on the swing apparently guided by his mother. As the swing moves slowly, to and fro, the boy seems to be in a joyful and playful mood, apparently undisturbed by the social events around him

As the swing moves faster and faster and as matters become confused and uncontrollable in his head "East becomes west..." joy and happiness give way to serious concerns. The need arises for explanation from somebody, particularly his mother. That is the point where the identity crisis become prominent. This manifests in the rhetorical questions he asks: Where did I come from? When will I wear long trousers? Why was my father jailed? He is increasingly worried about his identity. "Where did I come from?" the misery around him - "When will I wear long trousers?" — and the injustice of society that has incarcerated his father - "Why was my father jailed?" The poem ends, not resolving the boy's crisis.

Correct Answer: A. the Catechist