The Danger of a Single Story – Review

What does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie mean by the phrase "a single story"?

• A book that tells only one point of view

• A stereotype or incomplete understanding of a person or group

• A story that is repeated multiple times in different cultures

• A story that has only one main character

What example does Adichie give of her own ‘single story’ about her houseboy, Fide?

• She believed he was rich because he worked for her family.

• She assumed he didn’t go to school because he was poor.

• She thought he and his family had nothing because she had only heard about their poverty.

• She assumed he was not Nigerian because he spoke a different language.

How did Adichie's perception of American literature change when she discovered African writers?

• She stopped reading books by American authors.

• She realized that stories could reflect her own culture and experiences.

• She decided to write only fantasy novels.

• She found that African literature was more difficult to understand.

Why does Adichie say that "power" is important in the creation of single stories?

• Because the person or group in power controls which stories are told.

• Because only powerful people can create stories.

• Because powerful countries have more books published.

• Because stories give power to those who read them.

What does Adichie say about the portrayal of Africa in Western literature?

• It is diverse and accurately represents all African countries.

• It often focuses only on poverty, war, and suffering.

• It mainly features strong and successful African leaders.

• It is mostly written by African authors.

What experience made Adichie realize that others had a single story about her as a Nigerian?

• Her college roommate was surprised that she spoke English and listened to Mariah Carey.

• Her professor refused to read her stories about Nigeria.

• She was told that Nigerians don’t have access to books.

• A journalist misquoted her in an interview.

According to Adichie, what is the danger of a single story?

• It can lead to misunderstandings and stereotypes.

• It prevents people from reading books from different cultures.

• It makes it harder to write personal stories.

• It encourages people to listen to only one perspective.

How can we avoid the danger of a single story, according to Adichie?

• By reading and listening to a variety of perspectives.

• By only telling stories from our own culture.

• By ignoring stereotypes completely.

• By avoiding media and books from other cultures.

How did Adichie’s visit to Mexico challenge her own ‘single story’ about the country?

• She realized that Mexico was exactly as it was portrayed in the news.

• She saw that Mexicans were hardworking, joyful, and living normal lives, not just struggling with immigration issues.

• She discovered that Mexico had no poverty or crime.

• She found that everyone she met in Mexico wanted to move to the United States.