2023 JAMB LITERATURE PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The correct answer is Plot. A plot is the structured sequence of events that make up a story, ensuring it flows logically from beginning to end. For example, in a mystery novel, the plot guides the reader through clues leading to the resolution. Storyline refers to the main events but lacks the detailed structure. Narration is the act of telling the story, and a Novel is a type of long fictional narrative.

The correct answer is Alliteration. Alliteration involves repeating the initial consonant sounds in closely placed words, enhancing rhythm and mood. For example, “She sells seashells by the seashore.” Exaggeration is overstating for effect, Simile is a comparison using “like” or “as,” and Recurrence refers to something happening repeatedly but not necessarily with the same sound.

The correct answer is Personification. This literary device attributes human characteristics to non-human entities, making descriptions more vivid. In the phrase “the sun began to yawn,” the sun is given the human action of yawning to suggest it is setting. Impersonation involves mimicking someone, Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration, and Comic relates to humor, none of which apply here.

The correct answer is A previous scene or action can be recalled in a play to shed light on the present action. Flashback allows authors to provide background information, deepening the audience’s understanding of characters or events. For example, a character remembering their childhood can explain their current motivations. Actors moving backwards, actors remembering before revenge, and showing scenes are not accurate descriptions of the flashback technique.

The correct answer is Criticism. Literary criticism involves examining and interpreting texts to understand their meanings, themes, and significance. For instance, analyzing Shakespeare’s use of irony in “Romeo and Juliet” falls under criticism. Summary is a brief overview, Literary appreciation involves enjoying literature without deep analysis, and Biography is the story of a person’s life.

The correct answer is Three main unities. In classical drama, the unities of action, time, and place ensure the story remains focused, occurring in a single location, within a limited timeframe, and following a coherent sequence of events. This structure maintains realism and intensity. Channels, Features, and Performance do not specifically refer to these dramatic principles.

The correct answer is Free verse. Free verse poems eschew traditional structures, allowing poets more flexibility in expression. An example is Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” which does not follow a fixed rhyme or meter. Irregular verse and Free style are less specific terms, while Exemption is not related to poetry forms.

The correct answer is Elegy. An elegy is a reflective poem that laments the loss of someone or something, often expressing sorrow and mourning. For example, “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman is an elegy for Abraham Lincoln. Dirge is a funeral song, Eulogy is a speech praising someone who has died, and Irony is a contrast between expectations and reality.

The correct answer is The beauty of nature. Romantic poetry often emphasizes emotion, individualism, and the sublime aspects of the natural world. Poets like Wordsworth and Keats celebrated nature’s beauty and its impact on the human spirit. Love between a man and a woman, the roman poets, and the work of poets are themes but not the primary focus of Romantic poetry.

The correct answer is Euphemism. Euphemism involves using mild or indirect terms to replace harsh or direct ones, often to soften the impact. In the line, “passed on to the great beyond” gently refers to death. Hyperbole is exaggeration, Simile is a comparison using “like” or “as,” and Indirect is vague but not specifically a literary device like euphemism.

The correct answer is Sidi. In Wole Soyinka’s “The Lion and the Jewel,” Sadiku confides in Sidi about Baroka’s secret, highlighting the complexities of their relationships. The stranger, Lakunle, and Baale are other characters, but Sidi is the one who first learns the secret.

The correct answer is The ‘conquering’ of Sidi. Baroka, the ‘lion,’ demonstrates his dominance and authority by conquering Sidi, symbolizing his power and control. Preventing development, organizing a wrestling, and marrying many wives are actions but do not specifically depict the ‘conquering’ aspect that aligns with the lion metaphor.

The correct answer is Tolerant. Sadiku’s role in collecting brides showcases her patience and acceptance of societal norms, reflecting her tolerant nature. Very smart, Obedient, and Resourceful could also describe her, but Tolerant best captures her enduring attitude in this context.

The correct answer is Sidi to Lakunle. In “The Lion and the Jewel,” Sidi responds to Lakunle’s concerns about her beauty affecting his love, emphasizing her independence and confidence. Sadiku to Baroka, Lakunle to Sadiku, and Sidi to the stranger do not align with this specific exchange.

The correct answer is The downfall of Baroka. Sidi is pleased when Baroka’s authority is challenged, allowing her more freedom and aligning with her desire for modernity. Lakunle’s declaration, the stranger’s book, and marrying Baroka either do not directly impact her happiness or are contrary to her aspirations.

The correct answer is The label of second-class citizen by the society. In “Second-Class Citizen,” Adah resists societal labels and strives for equality and recognition, distinguishing her from characters like Francis who succumb to such labels. Gift from foreigners, job imposition, and low paying jobs are challenges but not the specific label she refuses to accept.

The correct answer is Instructing his children to speak only English Language. Francis’s insistence on English reflects his desire to appear superior and distance himself from his cultural roots, indicative of an inferiority complex. Fear of better jobs, how he treats his wife, and living with other blacks are related behaviors but do not specifically address his inferiority complex as directly as language instruction.

The correct answer is A lazy, insensitive and wicked man. In “Second-Class Citizen,” Adah embodies resilience and determination, contrasting with Francis who exhibits laziness and insensitivity, highlighting societal and gender struggles. A man full of wisdom, a second-class citizen, and obedient citizen do not accurately describe Francis’s character traits as depicted in the text.

The correct answer is Corruption. In “Unexpected Joy at Dawn” by Alex Agyei-Agyiri, corruption is a prevailing theme that affects societal structures and individual lives, showcasing its destructive impact. Development, military rule, and civil unrest are themes but not as central as corruption in this context.

The correct answer is Have dual setting. “Unexpected Joy at Dawn” features multiple settings that reflect different cultural and social environments, enhancing the narrative’s depth. Be set in Ghana, Be set in Nigeria, and Be set in Accra are specific locations but do not capture the duality of settings as effectively as the correct answer.

The correct answer is Helena. In “Look Back in Anger” by John Osborne, Helena is portrayed as a complex character who often causes tension and conflict, making her the most troublesome individual in the play. Clid, Jimmy, and Alison have their own challenges but Helena stands out in this role.

The correct answer is Informing her parents of what their daughter was going through. Helena acts as a confidante and mediator, providing Alison with support by communicating her struggles to her parents, thereby offering relief and understanding. Defending her against Jimmy, encouraging her to stand up, and arresting Jimmy do not specifically describe how she brought respite.

The correct answer is A betrayer. Helena’s actions in “Look Back in Anger” often undermine trust and loyalty, portraying her as someone who betrays Alison’s confidence and emotions. A very loyal friend, a carefree person, and spoilt child do not accurately capture her complex and often antagonistic behavior.

The correct answer is His childhood life experience. Jimmy’s tumultuous upbringing and past traumas in “Look Back in Anger” contribute to his volatile emotions and destructive behavior, highlighting the impact of personal history on present actions. Fear of the unknown, lack of money from his wife, and lack of money are factors but do not directly address the root cause as effectively as childhood experiences.

The correct answer is Colonel Redfern. In “Look Back in Anger,” Jimmy makes this remark about Colonel Redfern, illustrating his frustration and disdain towards authority figures who he perceives as outdated and unresponsive to change. Clid, Mrs Turner, and Helena are other characters, but the description fits Colonel Redfern.

The correct answer is Was not appreciated by his hosts. In “Wuthering Heights,” Lockwood’s presence is unwelcome, leading to tension and hostility from the inhabitants, which reflects the dark and brooding atmosphere of the novel. Portrays him as a good man, was timely, and was without invitation are aspects but do not fully capture the hosts’ lack of appreciation.

The correct answer is Wuthering Heights. In Emily Brontë’s novel, Lockwood faces both natural hostility from the harsh environment and supernatural disturbances, such as ghostly apparitions, during his stay at Wuthering Heights. At the Grange, Old Bailey, and The Manor do not involve the same level of hostility and supernatural elements.

The correct answer is Deceit and betrayal. “Wuthering Heights” consistently explores themes of deceit and betrayal through the complex relationships and vengeful actions of its characters, driving the narrative’s tension and tragedy. Hard work, Patience, and Hypocrisy are present but not as central as deceit and betrayal.

The correct answer is In many ways, opposite of each other. The two estates symbolize contrasting environments and social orders; Wuthering Heights represents wildness and passion, while Thrushcross Grange embodies civilization and order, highlighting the novel’s exploration of duality and conflict. Similar in outlook, lacking in facilities, and convenient points for lodging do not accurately describe their relationship.

The correct answer is Nelly. Nelly Dean serves as the primary narrator in “Wuthering Heights,” providing insights into the lives and events of both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, shaping the reader’s understanding of the characters and plot. Catherine, Edgar, and Isabella are characters but not the narrators.

The correct answer is Euphemism. These lines soften the reality of death by using gentle language, making the concept more palatable. Irony involves contrast between expectation and reality, Oxymoron combines contradictory terms, and Hyperbole is exaggeration, none of which fit the context as accurately as euphemism.

The correct answer is Negritude. “Black Woman” celebrates African heritage and identity, aligning with the Negritude movement which emphasizes black cultural pride and resistance to colonialism. Condemnation, Praise, and Nostalgia are related but do not specifically encapsulate the Negritude ideology.

The correct answer is Rhetorical question. These lines pose questions not meant to be answered but to provoke thought and emphasize the poem’s themes. Apostrophe is addressing someone absent or abstract, Personification attributes human traits to non-human entities, and Mime involves acting without words.

The correct answer is Pains of colonialism. “Grieved Land” reflects the suffering and struggles caused by colonial exploitation, highlighting themes of loss, resistance, and the quest for freedom. The richness of the land, impact of Africa to the world, and joy of being an Africa are themes but do not directly address the specific focus on colonial pain.

The correct answer is Symbolism. Osundare uses symbols to represent broader social and political themes, critiquing leadership and governance. Proverbs, Imagery, and Character are literary devices but do not specifically highlight the symbolic representation as central as symbolism itself.

The correct answer is Simile. The comparison using “like” in the line draws a vivid image, illustrating gradual change or effort. Metaphor implies direct comparison without “like” or “as,” Personification gives human traits to non-human things, and Alliteration involves repeated consonant sounds.

The correct answer is Alliteration. The repetition of initial consonant sounds in these phrases enhances the musical quality and rhythm of the poem. Assonance involves vowel sounds, Simile is a comparison using “like” or “as,” and Metaphor is a direct comparison without such sounds.

The correct answer is Racism. “Caged Bird” uses the metaphor of a bird in a cage to symbolize the oppression and systemic racism faced by African Americans. Poverty, Gender, and Restriction are related themes but do not specifically address the core issue of racism as directly as the correct answer.

The correct answer is Hyperbole. This line exaggerates the significance of a small space by suggesting it can represent the entire world, emphasizing the depth of the speaker’s connection. Euphemism softens reality, Imagery creates vivid pictures, and Allusion references other works, none of which capture the exaggeration as hyperbole does.

The correct answer is A metaphor for life’s journey. T.S. Eliot uses the journey as a symbolic representation of the human experience, exploring themes of purpose, struggle, and fulfillment. The challenges of a long journey, a narration of people on a journey, and about travelers are related but do not encapsulate the metaphorical significance as directly as the correct answer.

The correct answer is Racism. “Caged Bird” metaphorically explores the struggles and systemic oppression faced by African Americans, highlighting themes of freedom and confinement. Poverty, Gender, and Restriction are related but do not specifically address the central issue of racism as directly as the correct answer.

The correct answer is Racism. “Caged Bird” metaphorically explores the struggles and systemic oppression faced by African Americans, highlighting themes of freedom and confinement. Poverty, Gender, and Restriction are related but do not specifically address the central issue of racism as directly as the correct answer.