In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo is a leader of Umuoﬁa (a ﬁctional Nigerian clan) and takes pride in
his culture’s traditions. However, when the arrival of European missionaries brings changes to Umuoﬁa, the novel asks a
central question: How ______
Umuoﬁa’s traditions will be affected.
will Umuoﬁa’s traditions be affected.
Umuoﬁa’s traditions will be affected?
will Umuoﬁa’s traditions be affected?
Choice D is the best answer. The clause before the colon tells us that the novel “asks a question,” so the clause after the
colon should be in the conventional form of a question: with the verb before the subject, and a question mark at the end. 
Choice A is incorrect. This choice ends the sentence with a period, which isn’t right. The clause before the colon tells us that
the novel “asks a question,” so the clause after the colon should be that question. Choice B is incorrect. This choice ends the
sentence with a period, which isn’t right. The clause before the colon tells us that the novel “asks a question,” so the clause
after the colon should be that question. In Standard English, questions place the verb before the subject and end with a
question mark. Choice C is incorrect. This choice doesn’t conform to the conventions of Standard English. In Standard
English, questions place the verb before the subject.