The Danger of a Single Story Recap

What is the central idea of the text?

• Literature primarily shapes the understanding of children, while adults are less likely to construct their views of the world based on a single story.

• By only exposing ourselves to a single story, we run the risk of constructing overly-simplistic understandings of other people and places.

• By only reading a single story, we cheat ourselves of experiencing different cultures from different perspectives

• Literature is reflective of the stories that are most popular and that people are most likely to identify with.

What connection does the author draw between British, American, and African stories?

• British and American stories are more readily available across the world, while African writers and their stories are less accessible in other countries

• British and American stories are more popular because more people can identify with them, while African stories do not provide identifiable experiences.

• British and American stories are more popular because most people are unwilling to read something different, like the works of African writers.

• British and American stories discuss a greater variety of experiences, while African stories are limited.

What is the author's purpose in the text?

• Adichie wants to show people how she has managed to avoid being influenced by a single story, so that they can do the same.

• Adichie wants to warn people who primarily consume stories of Western culture, that they have likely been influenced by a single story.

• Adichie wants to show how important it is to acknowledge more than a single story in order to fully understand what you are unfamiliar with.

• Adichie wants to prove how limited the United States' understanding of other cultures is, as most of her experiences with single stories have been in the U.S.

When Adiche describes the new stories about Mexicans who arrived in America, many of the stories described Mexicans as people who were "fleecing the healthcare system". Which of the following is the best definition for the term "fleecing" as it is used here?

• a lining typically used in jackets

• to strip of money or property by fraud or extortion

• to allow each person to only have a certain amount

• sunk to or existing in a low state or condition

How do paragraphs 22-24 contribute to the development of ideas in the text?

• They illustrate the damage that single stories can cause to groups of people.

• They emphasize the vigilance of those in power to circulate single stories.

• They demonstrate that anyone can fall victim to believing single stories.

• They show the consequences of believing single stories.

African writers and books saved Adiche from the idea of...

• happiness

• confusion

• multiple stories

• a single story

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.6

What does the story about the houseboy Fide illustrate?

• Her mother told great stories about him.

• He wanted to be like her.

• His family was very poor; so she only saw the poverty. But in fact, they were great craftsmen.

• None of the above.

What does Adichie want the audience to reflect on?

• Their own actions

• Their own perceptions of different cultures

• Where they get their ideas from

• All of the above