Short Story: "Civil Peace" By Chinua Achebe

25 August 2022
4.7 (114 reviews)
14 test answers

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers (10)
question
Came the day of the windfall when after five days of endless scuffles in queues and counter-queues in the sun outside the Treasury he had twenty pounds counted into his palms as ex gratia award for the rebel money he had turned in. It was like Christmas for him and for many others like him when the payments began. They called it (since few could manage its proper official name) egg rasher. Which historical fact helps the reader understand the passage best? Nigeria declared independence from the British colonial system on October 1, 1960. After the war, the Nigerian government switched the currency from Biafran money to pounds. The British drew artificial borders in western Africa for commercial reasons. The Biafran War was one of many, though it was the most violent attempt to secede from the main government.
answer
After the war, the Nigerian government switched the currency from Biafran money to pounds.
question
What is the cultural context of the story "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe? The narrator of the story is a Bristish colonialist in charge of the Igbo region of Nigeria. The story is told from the point of view of an Igbo Nigerian civilian. The story is told by a soldier who survived the Nigerian Civil War. The story is told through the point of view of a widow who lost her family in the Biafran War.
answer
The story is told from the point of view of an Igbo Nigerian Soldier
question
How does Jonathan's life compare to the lives of the camp officials and soldiers? The camp officials are rich, but most of the soldiers are destitute. The camp officials and soldiers have money to spare. The camp officials and soldiers depend on people like Jonathan to make a living. The camp officials and soldiers are eating out of Bournvita tins.
answer
The camp officials and soldiers have money to spare
question
Student A reads the following excerpt from "Civil Peace": "At first he went daily, then every other day and finally once a week, to the offices of the Coal Corporation where he used to be a miner, to find out what was what. The only thing he did find out in the end was that that little house of his was even a greater blessing than he had thought. Some of his fellow ex-miners who had nowhere to return at the end of the day's waiting just slept outside the doors of the offices and cooked what meal they could scrounge together in Bournvita tins. As the weeks lengthened and still nobody could say what was what Jonathan discontinued his weekly visits altogether and faced his palm wine bar." After reading the excerpt, Student A writes this: "If I were in Jonathan's shoes, I'd be really afraid that my family's livelihood depends on people buying palm wine." Which type of evidence describes the support in this student's response best? inferred details textual evidence explicit details personal connection
answer
Personal connection
question
In Achebe's "Civil Peace," the character Jonathan mentions that one of his sons died during the Nigerian Civil War. What is the historical significance of this background? Millions of civilians died under British colonial rule. The Nigerian government purposely targeted Biafran boys. There is no historical significance; it is just a fictional character's background. Millions of civilians died during the Nigerian Civil War.
answer
Millions of civilians died during the Nigerian Civil War
question
At first he went daily, then every other day and finally once a week, to the offices of the Coal Corporation where he used to be a miner, to find out what was what. The only thing he did find out in the end was that that little house of his was even a greater blessing than he had thought. Some of his fellow ex-miners who had nowhere to return at the end of the day's waiting just slept outside the doors of the offices and cooked what meal they could scrounge together in Bournvita tins. As the weeks lengthened and still nobody could say what was what Jonathan discontinued his weekly visits altogether and faced his palm wine bar. Why did Jonathan return to the offices of the Coal Corporation? to tell the other ex-miners about his house to see if the ex-miners wanted to buy palm wine to see if he could get his old job back to give his ex-miner friends money and food
answer
To see if he could get his old job back
question
Student B reads the following excerpt from "Civil Peace": "At first he went daily, then every other day and finally once a week, to the offices of the Coal Corporation where he used to be a miner, to find out what was what. The only thing he did find out in the end was that that little house of his was even a greater blessing than he had thought. Some of his fellow ex-miners who had nowhere to return at the end of the day's waiting just slept outside the doors of the offices and cooked what meal they could scrounge together in Bournvita tins. As the weeks lengthened and still nobody could say what was what Jonathan discontinued his weekly visits altogether and faced his palm wine bar." After reading the excerpt, Student B writes this: "Jonathan realizes how lucky he is when he observes some of the ex-miners eating from Bournvita tins and sleeping outside the offices of the Coal Corporation." Which type of evidence describes the support in this student's response best? inferred details explicit details textual evidence personal connection
answer
explicit details
question
What is the difference between explicit and inferred details? There is no difference between the two terms. Explicit details are implied by the text. The reader implies information, while the text infers it. The reader infers details that are implied by the text.
answer
The reader infers details that are implied by the text
question
Why is Jonathan surprised that his house in Enugu is still intact? His ex-miner friends had told him the house was destroyed. Enugu had been bombed during the war. A stronger home two blocks away had been reduced to rubble. His house is the only zinc house standing for two miles.
answer
A stronger home two blocks away had been reduced to rubble
question
How does Achebe create a "new English" with his use of language in "Civil Peace"? He fills his English with Igbo language patterns and rhythm. He creates a completely new language, which he calls "new English." He writes in Igbo and instills his writing with British proverbs and idioms. His language, aside from using English, is stripped of all British colonial influence.
answer
He fills his English with Igbo language patterns and rhythm.
question
Student B reads the following excerpt from "Civil Peace": "At first he went daily, then every other day and finally once a week, to the offices of the Coal Corporation where he used to be a miner, to find out what was what. The only thing he did find out in the end was that that little house of his was even a greater blessing than he had thought. Some of his fellow ex-miners who had nowhere to return at the end of the day's waiting just slept outside the doors of the offices and cooked what meal they could scrounge together in Bournvita tins. As the weeks lengthened and still nobody could say what was what Jonathan discontinued his weekly visits altogether and faced his palm wine bar." After reading the excerpt, Student B writes this: "Jonathan realizes that he is not going to get a job or any help from the Coal Corporation and must depend on his own devices to make money." Which type of evidence describes the support in this student's response best? personal connection explicit details inferred details textual evidence
answer
inferred details
question
Why is it important to keep in mind while reading "Civil Peace" that Nigeria is a postcolonial nation? It took thirty months of war to achieve independence from the British colonial system. The British still controlled Nigeria during the Nigerian Civil War. It helps the reader to understand British influences on Nigerian culture and language. "Civil Peace" was published to encourage Nigerians to fight for independence from Britain.
answer
It helps the reader to understand British influences on Nigerian culture and language
question
What impact has the Nigerian Civil War had on Jonathan's point of view? He feels lucky if his family is alive and has access to the basic necessities of life. He used to be bitter about his position in life, but now he is optimistic no matter what happens. He used to be optimistic about life, but losing a son has made him bitter and resentful. He has not been affected by the Nigerian Civil War because he was out of the country until it was over.
answer
He feels lucky if his family is alive and has access to the basic necessities of life
question
Nigerian storytelling has historically been a(n) __________ tradition. nonexistant written novel oral
answer
oral