Question

things fall apart — chapter 2 (pages 9 - 15)
by chinua achebe
independent practice
directions: answer the multiple choice questions for chapter 2 (pages 9 - 15).

1. what does the word \imperious\ mean as used in the excerpt? rl 10.4

\and so when okonkwo of umuofia arrived at mbaino as the proud and imperious emissary of war, he was treated with great honor and respect.\ (12)
a violent
b ignored
c pleasant
d powerful

1. what does the word \capricious\ mean as used in the excerpt? rl 10.4

\it was deeper and more intimate than the fear of evil and capricious gods and of magic, the fear of the forest, and of the forces of nature, malevolent, red in tooth and claw.\ (13)
a changing moods or behavior slowly
b changing moods or behavior suddenly
c changing moods or behavior hesitantly
d changing moods or behavior predictably

1. why does nwoye start to cause okonkwo great concern? rl 10.3

a nwoye shows signs of failure and laziness.
b nwoye stops working to listen to folktales and fables.
c nwoye leaves too much work for his mom and sisters.
d nwoye has no desire to learn about farming and yams.

1. which of the following quotations shows the importance of spirituality in igbo culture? rl 10.6

a \he had discerned a clear overtone of tragedy in the crier’s voice, and even now he could still hear it as it grew dimmer and dimmer in the distance.\ (9)
b \unlike his father he could stand the look of blood. in umuofia’s latest war he was the first to bring home a human head.\ (10)
c
ear the barn was a small house, the medicine house or shrine where okonkwo kept the wooden symbols of his personal god and his ancestral spirit.\ (14)
d \as for the boy himself, he was terribly afraid. he could not understand what was happening to him or what he had done. how could he know that his father had taken a hand in killing a daughter of umuofia?\ (15)
do now

Explanation:

1. Question 1:

• In the context, "imperious" is used to describe Okonkwo as an emissary of war who is treated with honor and respect. "Powerful" fits well as it conveys a sense of authority. "Violent" (A) is too negative in a way that doesn't match the respect - giving context. "Ignored" (B) is the opposite of how he is treated. "Pleasant" (C) is too mild compared to the idea of an emissary of war.

1. Question 2:

• "Capricious" means changing suddenly. "Changing moods or behavior suddenly" (B) is correct. "Slowly" (A) is the opposite. "Hesitantly" (C) and "predictably" (D) do not match the meaning of "capricious".

1. Question 3:

• Nwoye shows signs of failure and laziness (A). There is no indication in the text that he stops working just to listen to folktales (B) in a way that causes concern. Leaving work for mom and sisters (C) is not the main concern. The text doesn't say he has no desire to learn about farming (D), but rather shows signs of failure and laziness.

1. Question 4:

• The mention of "the medicine house' or shrine where Okonkwo kept the wooden symbols of his personal god and his ancestral spirit" (C) clearly shows the importance of spirituality in Igbo culture. The other options (A, B, D) do not relate to spirituality.

Answer:

1. D. Powerful
2. B. Changing moods or behavior suddenly
3. A. Nwoye shows signs of failure and laziness
4. C. "Near the barn was a small house, 'the medicine house' or shrine where Okonkwo kept the wooden symbols of his personal god and his ancestral spirit." (14)