Words in Chinua Achebe’s *Things Fall Apart* don’t just describe they define. Language in this novel serves multiple purposes: it anchors the reader in Igbo tradition, frames colonial tension, and carves out a narrative that is both culturally specific and universally resonant. The Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Quiz explores the power behind Achebe’s word choices. From traditional Igbo terms to evocative English descriptions, every word builds a world both familiar and fading.
This quiz isn’t a rote memorization exercise. It asks you to recall meaning in context. Can you define a proverb without translation? Do you remember how Achebe uses the word “chi,” or what it means when someone’s title is taken away? These vocabulary choices weren’t made casually they serve as cultural gateways and historical commentary. The Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Quiz invites you to test not only your knowledge, but your sensitivity to Achebe’s layered language.
Words carry great meaning in Achebe’s storytelling. Want to test your broader knowledge of the book? Try the Things Fall Apart True or False Quiz and separate fact from fiction. If you enjoy analyzing key passages, challenge yourself with the Things Fall Apart Quote Identification Quiz. And when you’re ready for the final challenge, take the Things Fall Apart Full Book Quiz.
To prepare, let’s explore the key words, phrases, and expressions both English and Igbo that form the foundation of the novel’s voice.
“Chi” – Personal Spirit or Destiny
The word “chi” appears multiple times in the novel. It refers to a personal god or spiritual guide, influencing one’s fortune and fate. Okonkwo’s belief in his chi reflects his fierce independence and his conviction that he alone shapes his destiny. Yet, when things begin to unravel, he blames his chi, revealing the tension between agency and fate.
In the Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Quiz, expect a question asking what “chi” means or how it connects to Okonkwo’s worldview. It’s a word packed with philosophical weight.
“Ogbanje” – A Child That Returns to Die
This Igbo term refers to a child who repeatedly dies and is reborn to the same mother, only to die again. It’s associated with spiritual unrest and grief. Ekwefi believes her daughter Ezinma is an ogbanje until a special stone (iyi-uwa) is found and destroyed, breaking the cycle.
The quiz may test your ability to define “ogbanje” or connect it to a specific character’s experience. Understanding this word means understanding maternal fear and mythological belief.
“Iyi-uwa” – The Symbolic Object Binding the Ogbanje
An iyi-uwa is a physical object that ties an ogbanje child to the spirit world. Destroying it is believed to free the child and allow them to live. In the novel, a priestess helps uncover Ezinma’s iyi-uwa, marking a hopeful turning point in her survival.
Expect vocabulary quiz questions that distinguish between ogbanje and iyi-uwa. One is a condition; the other is the key to ending it.
“Umuofia” – The Clan and Cultural Center
Umuofia is the name of Okonkwo’s village, one of nine connected villages in southeastern Nigeria. It’s not just a location it symbolizes tradition, law, and collective identity. Much of the novel explores the values and customs of Umuofia, especially as they are challenged by colonial forces.
In the quiz, questions may ask you to match “Umuofia” with its function or contrast it with Mbanta, Okonkwo’s motherland. Vocabulary here overlaps with geography and culture.
“Kola Nut” – Ritual Offering and Social Bond
The kola nut is frequently offered in scenes of hospitality, negotiation, or ceremonial gathering. It symbolizes respect, peace, and shared identity. The act of breaking and sharing the nut represents trust and tradition.
The quiz may ask about the significance of the kola nut or where it appears. It’s a small object with great cultural meaning in the narrative.
“Title” – A Mark of Status and Honor
Titles in Umuofia are earned through success, wealth, and community service. They are central to a man’s identity and respect. Okonkwo holds multiple titles, which he proudly maintains until he is forced into exile and stripped of them. A man without a title is seen as lesser, regardless of his achievements.
Vocabulary questions may explore how the concept of “title” drives Okonkwo’s ambition and fuels his insecurities.
“Egwugwu” – The Masked Ancestors
The egwugwu are village elders who dress as ancestral spirits during public ceremonies and legal proceedings. They represent justice, tradition, and spiritual authority. Their symbolic power is upended when a missionary unmasks one, violating cultural boundaries and escalating conflict.
Expect questions asking what the egwugwu do or what their unmasking means. This term ties vocabulary directly to one of the novel’s central moments of tension.
“Oracle of the Hills and Caves” – The Spiritual Arbiter
The Oracle is the voice of the god Agbala, interpreted through the priestess Chielo. Villagers consult the Oracle for decisions, prophecies, and judgments. Its authority guides both public action and private fear. The Oracle’s demand to kill Ikemefuna is one such moment where tradition and morality collide.
The quiz may test your recall of the Oracle’s function or how it impacts the novel’s events. Knowing this term helps you understand both obedience and doubt in the narrative.
“Abomination” – A Violation of Sacred Law
Acts deemed abominations violate both religious and cultural expectations. Okonkwo commits one by taking his own life suicide is considered a shameful and untouchable death. His body cannot be handled by his clansmen, which seals his personal tragedy and cultural isolation.
The Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Quiz will likely test your understanding of how “abomination” is used within the clan’s belief system not as insult, but as a specific legal-religious category.
Other Key Terms to Know
- Obi – A man’s hut or personal dwelling
- Mbanta – Okonkwo’s motherland, where he is exiled
- Locusts – Symbolic of colonial invasion and spiritual disturbance
- Feast of the New Yam – A celebration of harvest and renewal
- Palm wine – A ritual beverage used in bonding and ceremony
Take the Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Quiz
In Achebe’s hands, vocabulary becomes culture, history, and resistance. Every Igbo term is left untranslated for a reason. Every English phrase carries weight. The Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Quiz gives you the opportunity to reflect on this intersection of language and identity, helping you move beyond summary and into fluency cultural fluency, literary fluency, and emotional precision.
Click below to take the Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Quiz and see how many of Achebe’s essential terms and phrases you truly understand.
Things Fall Apart Quizzes: Dive into Igbo culture and colonial impact …
Things Fall Apart Vocabulary – FAQ
In Things Fall Apart, chi refers to a personal god or spiritual guardian. It represents an individual’s fate or destiny, as well as their inner spirit. The concept of chi is central to the Igbo belief system and highlights the balance between individual choice and predetermined destiny.
Egwugwu are masked ancestral spirits who serve as judges in the Igbo community. They play a critical role in the village’s legal and social order. The presence of the egwugwu underscores the rich cultural traditions and the importance of ancestral reverence in the Igbo society depicted in the novel.
An obi is the living quarters of the head of a family. In Things Fall Apart, it symbolizes authority, status, and family structure. The obi serves as a physical and symbolic center of power and responsibility within the household, reflecting the patriarchal nature of the Igbo society.
Ogbanje refers to a child believed to die and be reborn repeatedly, causing grief to the family. This concept adds a layer of mysticism and tension to the story, illustrating the Igbo people’s struggle to understand and deal with inexplicable misfortunes. It also highlights the deep-rooted cultural beliefs and practices surrounding life and death.
Umuofia is a powerful clan of nine villages in the novel. It serves as the primary setting and represents the broader Igbo community. Understanding Umuofia is crucial, as it reflects the social, political, and cultural dynamics that drive the plot and shape the characters’ lives