American Embassy

1. What does the protagonist's decision to not reveal the full truth about her son's death to the American visa interviewer reveal about her character and her priorities?

• The protagonist is willing to betray her family for personal gain.

• The protagonist values her own safety above all else.

• The protagonist is determined to protect her family's memory and honor.

• The protagonist is indifferent to her son's death.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

1. How does the passage explore the theme of sacrifice? In what ways has the protagonist already sacrificed for her family, and how does her decision in the American embassy relate to this theme?

• The passage does not explore the theme of sacrifice.

• The protagonist has sacrificed her career for her family.

• The protagonist has sacrificed her family for her career.

• The protagonist has sacrificed her chance at a visa to protect her principles and her family's memory.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.W.9-10.9

1. What does the use of the American Embassy as a setting symbolize in the context of the story? How does it represent the hopes and struggles of the characters?

• The American Embassy represents despair and hopelessness.

• The American Embassy symbolizes the characters' contentment with their current situation.

• The American Embassy symbolizes hope and opportunity for the characters.

• The American Embassy is irrelevant to the story's themes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

1. How does the passage depict the political and social turmoil in Nigeria during the story's time frame, and how does this impact the characters' lives and decisions?

• The passage does not depict any political or social turmoil in Nigeria.

• The passage shows that political turmoil has made life easier for the characters.

• The passage hints at political and social turmoil, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty for the characters.

• The passage depicts a utopian society in Nigeria.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

6. Discuss the role of government agents in the story. How do they represent a threat to the protagonist and her family, and what broader commentary might the author be making about the political climate in Nigeria?

• Government agents symbolize safety and security.

• Government agents don't pose a threat in the story.

• Government agents represent oppressive authority and a threat to the protagonist's family.

• Government agents symbolize hope for the characters.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

6. What is the significance of the ixora flowers that the protagonist mentions she wants to plant in her ancestral hometown? How might they relate to her sense of healing or renewal?

• The ixora flowers symbolize her desire to escape her hometown.

• The ixora flowers represent her wish for a peaceful and healing connection to her roots.

• The ixora flowers signify her intention to become a botanist.

• The ixora flowers are unrelated to the protagonist's healing process.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

6. Reflect on the use of imagery and symbolism in the passage, such as the palm oil, the color red, and the green eyes of the visa interviewer. How do these elements contribute to the overall themes and mood of the story?

• These elements have no symbolic meaning in the passage.

• The palm oil symbolizes the protagonist's love for cooking.

• The color red represents peace and tranquility.

• These elements contribute to themes of violence, cultural disconnection, and tension in the story.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

6. Consider the theme of sacrifice in the passage. How does the protagonist's decision to leave the American Embassy without a visa reflect her values and priorities?

• The protagonist's decision reflects her willingness to sacrifice her values for personal gain.

• The protagonist's decision shows her desire to betray her husband.

• The protagonist's decision reflects her commitment to her family's dignity and memory.

• The protagonist's decision is unrelated to her values and priorities.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.W.9-10.9

sudden moment of revelation or insight

• epiphany

• asylum

• tranquilizer

• visa

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

protection granted by someone who is a political refugee

• epiphany

• asylum

• tranquilizer

• visa

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.4