This question is based on Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of Motherhood. In Nnaife's house, life became miserable to Nnu Ego by the news that

Analyze the question: The question asks what news made life miserable for Nnu Ego in Nnaife's house in The Joys of Motherhood.

Recall the plot: After Nnaife's brother dies, Nnaife is expected to follow Ibo custom and inherit his late brother's widows. In the novel this is the levirate practice. The news arrives, and Nnaife takes on the widows Adaku and her children (Adaku is the senior wife who comes to live with them in Lagos).

Why this makes life miserable for Nnu Ego:

• Nnu Ego loses her position as the only wife and has to share the little space and money.
• Nnaife already earns a small wage as a domestic servant, so feeding extra mouths puts more pressure on the household.
• Adaku is a rival whose presence reduces Nnu Ego's status and comfort. This leads to the tensions and quarrels that follow.

Checking the options:

• A. The death of Nnaife's elder brother is just the event that triggers the problem. It is not the news that makes her miserable by itself.
• B. Nnaife inherits no buildings or property. He is poor, and this does not happen in the story.
• C. Ngozi is a character in the story, but losing her is not what causes the strain in the household here.
• D. Inheriting his brother's wives and children is the news that brings rivalry and hardship. This is correct.

Tip: In Emecheta's novels, ask how tradition and custom (inheritance, polygamy, expectations of motherhood) affect the women. Questions often hinge on the effect of a custom, not simply the event that triggers it.