Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

“Like all this business to do with my legs. I have always wanted to tell them not to worry. I mean Nana and my mother. That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laugh at me until they cried.”

1. Where does the story take place? What is the main conflict faced by the protagonist? (Recall)
2. Describe the relationship between Adjoa and her grandmother. Why was she made to feel inadequate? (Understanding)
3. Identify three ways Adjoa is shown to be an affectionate child in the story. (Understanding)
4. How did Nana’s behaviour change from the time Adjoa was selected as a runner to represent her school at the district sports meet? How would you justify Nana’s actions? (Recall and Analysis)
5. Adjoa won the cup for the best-all-round, athlete. What change did this bring about in Nana’s perspective?
   How did the grandmother feel at the end of the story? Give a reason to justify your answer. (Analysis and Evaluate)

Answer 1

1. The story takes place in Ghana, in a traditional African community. The main conflict is about Adjoa’s long, thin legs. Her grandmother considers them a weakness and worries that they may affect her future as a woman, while Adjoa’s mother is more accepting of her.
2. Adjoa loves her grandmother and considers her one of her favourite people, despite Nana’s critical attitude. Nana repeatedly complains about Adjoa’s long, thin legs and believes that a girl needs strong, normal legs to become a useful woman and mother. This makes Adjoa feel that something about her is inadequate.
3. Adjoa is shown to be affectionate in several ways:
   
   1. She considers both Nana and Maami her two favourite people.
   2. She does not want their disagreement over her legs to cause conflict between them.
   3. She is careful not to say anything that might hurt or embarrass either of them.
4. When Adjoa was selected as a runner, Nana was surprised and began to reconsider her earlier belief that Adjoa’s long, thin legs were a weakness. After Adjoa’s success, Nana became proud of her and recognised that her unusual legs could actually be an advantage. Nana’s change is understandable because Adjoa’s achievement proved that her traditional belief about a girl’s legs was mistaken.
5. Adjoa’s victory completely changed Nana’s perspective. She realised that Adjoa’s long, thin legs, which she had considered a weakness, were actually useful for running. At the end, Nana felt proud and happy about Adjoa’s achievement. Her carrying the gleaming cup on her back like a baby shows her pride and acceptance of Adjoa’s abilities.