---
title: "Civil Peace: an ideal family and hope"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:ideal-family-grants-space-civil-peace"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/ideal-family-grants-space-civil-peace
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Civil Peace: an ideal family and hope

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2076 Chaitra, 5 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/ideal-family-grants-space-civil-peace
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

An ideal family always grants the space for hope of life in every difficulty. Elucidate it with reference to the text 'Civil peace'. [Civil peace]

## Short answer

In "Civil Peace," Jonathan’s family maintains hope through unity, shared labor, gratitude for survival, and resilience after robbery. They rebuild together, showing love and effort create space for optimism amid hardship.

## Answer

In Chinua Achebe's "Civil Peace", the family of Jonathan Iwegbu is an example of a family that keeps hope alive in great difficulty. The statement means that a good family gives its members a place of support, courage and optimism even in bad times.

#### Evidence in the story
1. **Survival and gratitude.** After the war, Jonathan, his wife Maria and three of their four children are alive. He counts these "five inestimable blessings" (five heads saved) as extraordinary luck, and greets everyone with "Happy survival!" They are happy simply because they have life.
2. **Shared effort.** Every member contributes: Jonathan uses his bicycle as a taxi to earn money, Maria sells akara balls for breakfast, and the children pick mangoes to sell. They work together.
3. **Rebuilding.** They repair their battered house, Jonathan opens a small palm-wine bar, and they use the ex-gratia payment to rebuild. They plan for the future.
4. **Facing loss with hope.** When thieves steal their money, Jonathan does not break down. He says he counts the loss as nothing, because his family is safe. His calm attitude gives the family strength to start again.
5. **Unity.** They stand together during the night attack and after the loss.

#### Conclusion
The family in the story shows that love, unity and hard work give "space" for hope. Even after war, poverty and robbery, the family continues to believe that life can be rebuilt. An ideal family thus acts as a source of courage and renewal.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which family in 'Civil Peace' illustrates the statement?
   A. Monna Marianna's family
   B. Jonathan Iwegbu's family
   C. Pahom's family
   D. Bacon's family
   Answer: B. Achebe's story shows Jonathan, Maria and their children keeping hope alive. (Key point: Family in story)

2. Why were Jonathan and his family happy after the war?
   A. Almost the whole family had survived, which he called a miracle
   B. They had become rich
   C. They had received a large house
   D. The war had not affected them
   Answer: A. They were thankful to be alive. (Key point: Gratitude)

3. How did the family members help rebuild their life?
   A. Only Jonathan worked while others rested
   B. They depended entirely on government aid
   C. They left the country to find work
   D. Jonathan used his bicycle, Maria sold akara balls and the children helped sell and fetch
   Answer: D. Everyone contributed, showing unity and hard work. (Key point: Shared effort)

4. How did Jonathan respond when thieves stole their savings?
   A. He fell into despair
   B. He blamed his family
   C. He stayed calm, saying he had lost nothing important since his family was safe
   D. He gave up business
   Answer: C. His calm attitude gave the family strength to start again. (Key point: Facing loss)

## Related in Communication English

- [Central theme of Civil Peace](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Acivil-peace-central-theme) — Communication English, chapter 2
- [Edit text: board games](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aedit-text-board-game) — Communication English, chapter 3
- [Edit text: practice and success](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aedit-text-incessant-practices) — Communication English, chapter 3
- [Notes and summary: colonising space and gravity](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Anotes-summary-colonising-space-gravity) — Communication English, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [VIP latrine and septic tank, family of 10](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fsanitary_engineering%3Avip-latrine-septic-tank-10-family) — Sanitary Engineering, chapter 9