Civil Peace

Who was the main character?

Jonathan Iwegbu; he was a resourceful, optimistic man rebuilding life after the Nigerian Civil War.

What are some themes from this story?

Resilience, Fate, Hope and gratitude in adversity.

What quote shows Jonathan’s optimism and faith?

“Nothing puzzles God”

What was the author’s purpose/message?

To highlight the importance of resilience and hope in the face of life's challenges. Especially to show the aftermath of a violent war and the outcome of it.

What is an example of Irony in this story?

• The title how it is labeled “Civil Peace” even though nothing about the aftermath of the war was peaceful.

• The absurdity of Jonathan's eagerness to accept reparations in a devastated society.

What is an example of symbolism in this story?

The bicycle symbolizes Jonathan's determination and hope for a better future amidst the destruction and disorder following the war.

What is an example of foreshadowing in this story?

The initial scenes of chaos and violence hint at the struggles and challenges Jonathan will face in rebuilding his life after the war.

Which sentence from the passage most closely identifies a mystery that is not fully explained?

1. “The bicycle had a little history of its own.”

2. “That night he buried it in the little clearing in the bush where the dead of the camp, including his own youngest son, were buried.”

3. “At the end of a fortnight he had made a small fortune of one hundred and fifteen pounds.”

4. “He rubbed his eyes and looked again and it was still standing there before him.”

2. “That night he buried it in the little clearing in the bush where the dead of the camp, including his own youngest son, were buried.”

“Civil Peace” is told in the tense, from a point of view.

1. past; first-person

2. past; third-person

3. present; first-person

4. present; third-person

2. past; third-person

The repetition of the quote “Nothing puzzles God” mainly suggests that Jonathan believes…

1. that there are things out of his control

2. that he is ungrateful for the good things in his life

3. that he has been unable to move forward after the war

4. that there is humor in his situation

1. that there are things out of his control

What does the following passage mainly reveal about Jonathan’s homeland?

“Awrighto. Now we talk business. We no be bad thief. We no like for make trouble. Trouble down finish. War done finish and all the katakana way de for inside. No Civil War again. This time na Civil Peace. No be so?' ‘Na so!’ answered the horrible chorus.

1. The people who survive the war are required to educate others on the doctrines of peace.

2. Although there are thieves roaming the country, they view themselves as hardworking individuals.

3. The officials who fought in the war are unable to stop bartering that occurs among regular citizens.

4. Although the war is officially over, there are factions of people that continue to cause strife among others.

4. Although the war is officially over, there are factions of people that continue to cause strife among others.

Which of the following sentences best summarizes this short story?

1. A man is grateful for what he has amidst a war-torn country and he works to rebuild life for his family.

2. A man gets involved in several schemes after the war and he takes advantage of the exhausted soldiers.

3. A man tries to secure his old job after the war is over but he eventually gives up when the company remains closed.

4. A man hides valuable possessions during a war and he must secretly retrace his steps to collect the wealth when the war ends.

1. A man is grateful for what he has amidst a war-torn country and he works to rebuild life for his family.

Which inference about Jonathan and his family is best supported by the text?

1. They don’t have what it takes to survive.

2. They are authentic

3. They are deceitful and scheming.

4. They are industrious.

4. They are industrious.

Which synonym closely matches the underlined word.

“It wasn’t his disreputable rags, nor the toes peeping out of one blue and one brown canvas shoes…”

1. debris

2. structure

3. commanding

4. ramshackle

5. transporting

6. shabby

7. dry

6. shabby

Which synonym closely matches the underlined word.

“He put it to immediate use as a taxi and accumulated a small pile of Biafra money ferrying camp officials and their families across the four-mile stretch…”

1. debris

2. structure

3. commanding

4. ramshackle

5. transporting

6. shabby

7. dry

5. transporting

Which synonym closely matches the underlined word.

“Only two houses away a huge concrete edifice some wealthy contractor had put up just before the war was a mountain of rubble.”

1. debris

2. structure

3. commanding

4. ramshackle

5. transporting

6. shabby

7. dry

2. structure

Which synonym closely matches the underlined word.

“Only two houses away a huge concrete edifice some wealthy contractor had put up just before the war was a mountain of rubble.”

1. debris

2. structure

3. commanding

4. ramshackle

5. transporting

6. shabby

7. dry

1. debris

Which synonym closely matches the underlined word.

“The second time the knocking came it was so loud and imperious that the rickety old door could have fallen down.”

1. debris

2. structure

3. commanding

4. ramshackle

5. transporting

6. shabby

7. dry

3. commanding

Which synonym closely matches the underlined word.

“The second time the knocking came it was so loud nd imperious that the rickety old door could have fallen down.”

1. debris

2. structure

3. commanding

4. ramshackle

5. transporting

6. shabby

7. dry

4. ramshackle

Which synonym closely matches the underlined word.

“‘Who is knocking?’ he asked then, his voice parched and trembling.”

1. debris

2. structure

3. commanding

4. ramshackle

5. transporting

6. shabby

7. dry

7. dry

Arrange the following events from the text in chronological order:

1. A group of men show up at Jonathan’s house to rob him.

2. Jonathan hands over rebel money to the Treasury for a small reward.

3. One of Jonathan’s sons dies in the war.

4. Jonathan digs up the bicycle he’s buried a year before.

First: 3. One of Jonathan’s sons dies in the war.

Second: 4. Jonathan digs up the bicycle he’s buried a year before.

Third: 2. Jonathan hands over rebel money to the Treasury for a small reward.

Forth: 1. A group of men show up at Jonathan’s house to rob him.