Question

then before.

at first, a fairly small swarm came. they were the harbingers sent to survey the land. and then appeared on the horizon a slowly - moving mass like a locomotive cloud of black cloud drifting towards umuofia. soon it covered half the sky, and the solid mass was now broken by tiny spots of light like shining star dust. it was a transcendent sight, full of power and beauty.

everyone was now about, talking excitedly and praying that the locusts should camp in umuofia for the night. for although locusts had not visited umuofia for many years, everybody knew by instinct that they were very good to eat. and at last the locusts did descend. they settled on every tree and on every blade of grass, they settled on the roofs and covered the bare ground. mighty tree branches broke away under them, and the whole country became the brown - earth color of the vast, hungry swarm.

many people went out with baskets trying to catch them, but the elders counseled patience till nightfall. and they were right. the locusts settled in the bushes for the night and their wings became wet with dew. then all umuofia turned out in spite of the cold harmattan, and everyone filled his bags and pots with locusts. the next morning they were roasted in clay pots and then spread in the sun until they became dry and brittle. and for many days this rare food was eaten with solid palm - oil.

okonkwo sat in his obi crunching happily with ikemefuna and nwoye, and drinking palm - wine copiously, when ogbuefi ezeudu came in. ezeudu was the oldest man in this quarter of umuofia. he had been a great and fearless warrior in his time, and was now accorded great respect in all the clan. he refused to join in the meal, and asked okonkwo to have a word with him outside. and so they walked out together, the old man supporting himself with his stick. when they were out of earshot, he said to okonkwo:

\that boy calls you father. do not bear a hand in his death.\ okonkwo was surprised, and was about to say something when the old man continued:

\yes, umuofia has decided to kill him. the oracle of the hills and the caves has pronounced it. they will take him outside umuofia as is the custom, and kill him there. but i want you to have nothing to do with it. he calls you his father.\

the next day a group of elders from all the nine villages of umuofia came to okonkwos house early in the morning, and before they began to speak in low tones nwoye and ikemefuna were sent out. they did not stay very long, but when they went away okonkwo sat still for a very long time supporting his chin in his palms.

1. a very dry, dusty wind
2. the living quarters of the head of the household

from chinua achebe, things fall apart. copyright 1959 by chinua achebe

look at the text in bold. how does the author’s use of personification contribute to the passage?

it highlights the carefree attitude that the people of umuofia have toward sudden change.

it suggests that the people of the umuofia community prioritize activity and hard work over rest.

it sets up a strong contrast between the tranquility before the locusts’ arrival and the excitement after.

it emphasizes the hot, energy - depleting weather that the people of umuofia are forced to endure.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The text shows excitement about locusts (a change) but not carefree attitude. Eliminate.
• Option 2: The community acts (catching locusts) instead of resting, showing they prioritize activity/hard work over rest. This fits.
• Option 3: The passage focuses on action after locusts, not tranquility before. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The text is about locusts as food, not enduring weather. Eliminate.

Answer:

It suggests that the people of the Umuofia community prioritize activity and hard work over rest.