11
QuizMultiple Choice

Applying Critical Approaches to Literary Analysis — Quiz

Question 11 • 26-27 - C - RUSD World Lit

Read the passage from "Marriage Is a Private Affair" by Chinua Achebe. In this conversation, Nnaemeka speaks first, and Nene speaks second. "You have lived in Lagos all your life, and you know very little about people in remote parts of the country.” "That’s what you always say. But I don’t believe anybody will be so unlike other people that they will be unhappy when their sons are engaged to marry.” "Yes. They are most unhappy if the engagement is not arranged by them. In our case it’s worse—you are not even an Ibo.” This was said so seriously and so bluntly that Nene could not find speech immediately. In the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city it had always seemed to her something of a joke that a person’s tribe could determine whom he married. At last she said, "You don’t really mean that he will object to your marrying me simply on that account? I had always thought you Ibos were kindly disposed to other people.” "So we are. But when it comes to marriage, well, it’s not quite so simple. And this,” he added, "is not peculiar to the Ibos. If your father were alive and lived in the heart of Ibibio-land he would be exactly like my father.” Which statement about historical context is most relevant to the passage?

Answer
A
Ibos and non-Ibos disagreed about whether it was appropriate for young men to live in large cities.
B
Ibos and non-Ibos had different opinions of how people should choose marriage partners.
C
People in large cities and rural villages had different opinions of how people should choose marriage partners.
D
People in large cities and rural villages had different opinions of members of the Ibo tribe.

Explanation

Nnaemeka contrasts Nene’s experience in cosmopolitan Lagos with people in remote areas, where parents are expected to arrange marriages. He also says this attitude is not unique to the Ibo: Nene’s father would likely feel the same way in the heart of Ibibio-land. So the most relevant context is the difference between city and rural views of choosing marriage partners, not a simple disagreement between ethnic groups.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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