Question

Read the selection below from "Civil Peace" by Chinua Achebe and answer the question that follows. Came the day of the windfall when after five days of endless scuffles in queues and counter-queues in the sun outside the Treasury he had twenty pounds counted into his palms as ex gratia award for the rebel money he had turned in. It was like Christmas for him and for many others like him when the payments began. They called it (since few could manage its proper official name) egg rasher. Which historical fact helps the reader understand the passage best? Nigeria declared independence from the British colonial system on October 1, 1960. After the war, the Nigerian government switched the currency from Biafran money to pounds. The British drew artificial borders in western Africa for commercial reasons. The Biafran War was one of many, though it was the most violent attempt to secede from the main government.

Answer 1

the Nigerian government switched the currency from Biafran money to pounds.

Answer 2

After the war, the Nigerian government switched the currency from Biafran money to pounds. 

This fact is important to understanding the piece because it helps the reader know the reason for the man to have to stand in line just to turn his money in for a type of money that he doesn't understand at all (which is shown by the fact they call it 'egg rashers').