JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2003

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation

As virtuous men pass mildly away, and whisper to their souls to go.

Whilst some of their sad friends do say '' The breath goes now', and some say ''No''

The tone of this poem is generally

Answer Details

The tone of the poem is serious. The poem describes the death of virtuous men and the reactions of their friends, creating a solemn and mournful atmosphere. The language used in the poem is also somber, which contributes to the serious tone.

This question is based on selected Poems from Ker, D. et al (eds.): New poetry from African; Syinka, W. (ed.): poems of Black African; Senanu, K.E. and Vincent, T. (eds.): A Selection of African poetry; Umukoro, M. et al (eds.): Exam Focus: Literature- in - English; Eruvbetine, A.E. et al (eds.): Longman Examination Guides and Nwoga, D.I. (ed.): West African Verse.

The arrangement of David Diop's 'Loser of Everything' in two stanzas reflects his use of

Answer Details

The arrangement of David Diop's 'Loser of Everything' in two stanzas reflects his use of contrast. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the physical and emotional state of the protagonist, highlighting his despair and hopelessness. The second stanza, however, presents a sharp contrast to the first, with the protagonist summoning the strength to rise up and continue the struggle for freedom. The contrast between the two stanzas emphasizes the theme of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity, and highlights the resilience of the African spirit.

This question is based on General Literary Principles.In its classic form, the short story is distinguished by its

This question is based on General Literary Principles

The tragic character is the person whose experiences arouse pity and

This question is based on S.I. Osammor's The Triumph of the Water Lily.

The plot of the novel is

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation

'James started showing interest in Buchi a long time ago. In playing the hunter, he realised that he needed a bait.

This turned out to be his frequent offer of assistance to the needy young woman. But Buchi has proved to be a difficult game.

The more James trailed her the more he realised that she could not be easily caught.'The choice of words in the passage above is remarkable because it is

This question is based on S.I. Osammor's The Triumph of the Water Lily.

The attitude of the narrator to religion in the novel is

This question is based on selected Poems from Ker, D. et al (eds.): New poetry from African; Syinka, W. (ed.): poems of Black African; Senanu, K.E. and Vincent, T. (eds.): A Selection of African poetry; Umukoro, M. et al (eds.): Exam Focus: Literature- in - English; Eruvbetine, A.E. et al (eds.): Longman Examination Guides and Nwoga, D.I. (ed.): West African Verse.

In Robert Frost's 'Wild Grapes', the girl's brother throws down grapes in the manner he does to

'I am informed the day recycles itself today

When I slept in the Lord in February

I blame no one for an untimely death

I bless Good for a noble departure-His words

The lord taketh the righteous away before evil days

The persona in the poem appears happy to have died

Answer Details

The persona in the poem appears happy to have died a noble death. This can be inferred from the line "I bless Good for a noble departure" which suggests that the persona believes that they have departed from this world in a good and honourable way. The poem also suggests that the persona is at peace with their death, as they do not blame anyone for it, and they believe that the Lord has taken them away before evil days. Therefore, the persona appears to have accepted their death as a natural part of life and is content with the way in which they have departed.

This question is based on George Orwell's Animal Farm,

In the novel, 'animalism' is a system of thought that emphasizes

Answer Details

In George Orwell's "Animal Farm," 'animalism' refers to a political philosophy created by the animals that emphasizes equality and collective ownership of the means of production. The animals on the farm are fed up with being mistreated by their human owner and form a rebellion to create their own society based on the principles of animalism, which promotes the idea that all animals are equal and should share in the rewards of their labor. Therefore, the correct answer is 'equality.'

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation

If God is the sole author of man's life and all that befall him on earth, does it not stand to reason that all evils that befall man are God sanctioned?

If man generally turns to God to ball him out of evil or bad occurrences, is one wrong then to conclude that He allows evils to befall man to bring him back to Him?

The literary style used in the passage above is

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation

'And so Tom awake and we rose in the dark

And got with our bags and our brushes to work

Though the morning was cold. Tom was happy and warm;

So if all do their duty they need not fear harm.'

In the lines above. Tom is warm because he

Answer Details

Tom is happy and warm because he is doing his duty, which is working with his bags and brushes despite the cold morning. The speaker suggests that if everyone does their duty, they need not fear harm, implying that Tom's warmth is not just physical but also a result of fulfilling his responsibilities. Therefore, the correct answer is that Tom is warm because he is doing his duty.

This question is based on General Literary Principles

Allegory is used to describe a work in which

Answer Details

Allegory is used to describe a work in which abstract ideas are personified. In an allegory, characters and events represent abstract concepts and ideas in order to convey a moral or political message. This is often done through the use of symbolism, where a physical object or character represents a larger idea or concept. For example, in George Orwell's Animal Farm, the animals represent different groups of people and political ideologies, and their actions and interactions represent the real-world political struggles and power dynamics between those groups.

This question is based on Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops To Conquer.

The use of the traditional verse from in the play applies to

This question is based on General Literary Principles

Farce thrives on

Answer Details

Farce thrives on absurdity. Farce is a type of comedy that uses exaggerated situations, physical humor, and absurdity to create laughter. It typically involves improbable and ridiculous situations and characters who behave in an irrational and chaotic way. In other words, farce is all about exaggerating the absurdity of a situation to make it funny.

This question is based on General Literary Principles

One rhyme scheme typical of the English sonnet is

Answer Details

The rhyme scheme typical of the English sonnet is "abab cdcd efef gg". This means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The final couplet has a separate rhyme. This rhyme scheme is also known as the Shakespearean sonnet, named after William Shakespeare who popularized it in his sonnets.

Read the poem and answer the questionMove him into the sun

Gently its touch awoke him once,

At home, whispering of fields unsown

Always it woke him even in France

Until this morning and this snow

If anything might rouse him now

This kind old sun will know

Think how it wakes the seeds

Woke,once, the clays of a cold star

Are limbs, so dear achieved, are sides,

Full-nerved still warm too hard to stir?

Was it for this the clay grew tall?

O what made fatuous sunbeams toil

To break earth's sleep at all?The mood in the last two lines is one of

Answer Details

The mood in the last two lines of the poem is lament. The speaker is questioning the purpose of the sun's effort to awaken the earth from its sleep and bring forth life, especially when it leads to death and destruction on the battlefield. The use of the word "fatuous" suggests a sense of futility or pointlessness, and the overall tone of the poem is one of sadness and mourning for the loss of life.

This question is based on Abubakar Gimba's Witnesses To Tears

The subject matter of the novel is

This question is based on J.P. Clark's The Wives' Revolt.

'...Great orators in the assembly, and poor nannies at home.'Those being ridiculed here are the

Answer Details

The people being ridiculed in this statement are husbands. The quote is from J.P. Clark's The Wives' Revolt, a play that explores the idea of gender roles and the mistreatment of women in traditional African societies. In this particular line, the speaker is highlighting the irony of husbands who are eloquent and powerful public speakers but are unable to communicate effectively with their own wives at home, leaving the task to the "poor nannies."

This question is based on George Orwell's Animal Farm,

The overthrow of Jones happens sooner than expected because the animals

This question is based on Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops To Conquer.

The Dorothy of the play is

This question is based on selected poems from Ker, D. et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa; Soyinka, W. (ed.): Poems of Black Africa; Senanu, K.E. and Vincent, T.(eds.): A Selection of African Poetry; Umukoro, M. et al (eds.): Exam Focus: Literature in English; Eruvbetine, A.E.et al (eds.): Longman Examination Guides and Nwoga D.I. (ed.): Weast African Verse.

The subject matter of Wangusa's A Taxi Driver on His Death is

This question is based on J.P. Clark's The Wives' Revolt.

In their flight, the women settle at lyara in order to

These question are based on selected poems from Ker, D.et al (eds.)New poetry from Africa; Soyinka, (ed.): Poems of Black Africa; Senanu K.E. and Vincent, T.(eds.): A Selection of African poetry;Umukoro, M et al (eds.): Exam focus:Literature in English: Eruvbetine, A.E.et al (eds): Longman Examination Guide and Nwoga, D.I. (eds.): West African Verse.The predominant device in Launko's End of war is

Answer Details

The predominant device in Launko's "End of war" is paradox. The poem presents contradictory ideas such as "It was our dream the war would end", yet "We did not want the war to end". The paradoxical nature of the poem reflects the complex emotions and thoughts that arise from war and its aftermath. A paradox is a literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to create a deeper meaning or insight.

This question is based on Abubakar Gimba's Witnesses To Tears

The stealing of three thousand naira by the messenger and the manner of its presentation can be interpreted as Gimba's

This question is based on General Literary Principles

'Theatre-in-the-round'is employed to achieve a

Answer Details

The theatrical arrangement known as 'Theatre-in-the-round' is a staging arrangement where the audience surrounds the stage on all sides, forming a circle or a square. This arrangement is used to achieve a close rapport between the actors and the audience, creating a more intimate and immersive theatrical experience. In this setup, the actors are often able to interact with the audience and move around freely, creating a sense of closeness and involvement. The close proximity also allows the audience to observe the actors from various angles and perspectives, providing a more comprehensive and engaging view of the performance. Therefore, the correct answer is 'close rapport between players and spectators'.

'I am informed the day recycles itself today

When I slept in the Lord in February

I blame no one for an untimely death

I bless Good for a noble departure-His words

The lord taketh the righteous away before evil days

The lines above express

This question is based on General Literary Principles

The author of a novel sustains readers' interest through the use of

Answer Details

The author of a novel sustains readers' interest through the use of suspense. Suspense is a literary technique that keeps the reader uncertain about the outcome of events, which creates an emotional tension that makes the reader want to continue reading to find out what happens. Suspense is often achieved through the use of foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and plot twists, among other techniques. By keeping readers on edge and engaged with the story, the author can sustain their interest and keep them reading until the end.

This question is based on General Literary Principles

In literary convention, 'aside' is used to

Answer Details

In literary convention, 'aside' is used to make a pointed remark. An aside is a technique used in drama where a character speaks to the audience or another character, but the other characters on stage are not supposed to hear what is being said. The purpose of an aside is to give the audience insight into a character's thoughts or motives, or to provide commentary on the action of the play. The aside is typically spoken in a lower voice or whispered, and it is often accompanied by a physical gesture or movement to indicate that it is not intended for the other characters to hear.

This question is based on Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops To Conquer.
''My heart thus pressing-fix'd my face and eye-with a sententious look, that nothing means...'In the lines above, the speaker implies that

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation'' To see a world in a grain of sandAnd a heaven in a wild flower.Hold infinity in the palm of your handAnd eternity in an hour.''William Blake, To Sea a World in a Grain of SandThe predominant figure of speech used in the lines above is

This question is based on General Literary Principles

The form of poetry that celebrates with nostalgia the ideal world of the countryside is referred to as

Answer Details

The form of poetry that celebrates with nostalgia the ideal world of the countryside is referred to as a pastoral. It typically presents an idealized view of rural life, often with shepherds or other rural folk as the main characters. The focus is on the beauty of nature, simplicity, and the joys of country living. The pastoral form is often contrasted with urban life, which is seen as corrupt and immoral.

This question is based on George Orwell's Animal Farm,

The dominant technique in the book is

Answer Details

The dominant technique used in the book "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is symbolism. The animals and events in the story are symbolic of real-life people and historical events. For example, the pigs represent the Soviet Union's communist leadership, while the character of Napoleon symbolizes Joseph Stalin. The use of animals to represent humans allows for a powerful critique of politics and power, and the events that unfold in the book serve as a commentary on the Russian Revolution and

This question is based on selected Poems from Ker, D. et al (eds.): New poetry from African; Syinka, W. (ed.): poems of Black African; Senanu, K.E. and Vincent, T. (eds.): A Selection of African poetry; Umukoro, M. et al (eds.): Exam Focus: Literature- in - English; Eruvbetine, A.E. et al (eds.): Longman Examination Guides and Nwoga, D.I. (ed.): West African Verse.

'On the sand hill her footprints Gleam like a prisoner's chain

The lines above from Mohan Singh's .

'A village girl' suggest the girl's

Answer Details

The lines above from Mohan Singh's 'A village girl' suggest the girl's difficult in walking. The comparison of her footprints to a prisoner's chain implies that she may be walking with difficulty or struggle, perhaps due to physical or social constraints.

This question is based on selected Poems from Ker, D. et al (eds.): New poetry from African; Syinka, W. (ed.): poems of Black African; Senanu, K.E. and Vincent, T. (eds.): A Selection of African poetry; Umukoro, M. et al (eds.): Exam Focus: Literature- in - English; Eruvbetine, A.E. et al (eds.): Longman Examination Guides and Nwoga, D.I. (ed.): West African Verse.''As if men hung here unblown,Their mildewed buds of love like pollenLate caught, damp in a swollen ...The sound device in the stanza above from Kalu Uka''s ''Earth to Earth'' is

This question is based on Abubakar Gimba's Witnesses To Tears

The events in the novel span

This question is based on Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops To Conquer.

The success of the play as a comedy relies on the author's use of

Answer Details

In Oliver Goldsmith's play "She Stoops to Conquer", the success of the play as a comedy relies on the author's use of "dramatic irony". Dramatic irony is a literary technique in which the audience knows more about a situation or character's true intentions than the characters do themselves. In the play, the audience is aware of the characters' mistaken identities and misunderstandings, while the characters themselves are unaware. This creates comedic situations and misunderstandings that form the basis of the play's humor.

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation

'The gloom will give way to light

And the thorny path cleared of pain

The storms will bow to the prompting of peace

Lost moments of glory will be restored

And strangled opportunities reborn

We shall yet regain the dawn

The suggestion that runs through the short poem above is that of

Answer Details

The suggestion that runs through the short poem is that of anticipation of positive change. The poet uses phrases like "gloom will give way to light," "thorny path cleared of pain," and "strangled opportunities reborn" to convey the idea that there is hope for a better future. The overall tone of the poem is optimistic, implying that things will get better despite the challenges faced in the present.

These question are based on selected poems from Ker, D.et al (eds.)New poetry from Africa; Soyinka, (ed.): Poems of Black Africa; Senanu K.E. and Vincent, T.(eds.): A Selection of African poetry;Umukoro, M et al (eds.): Exam focus:Literature in English: Eruvbetine, A.E.et al (eds): Longman Examination Guide and Nwoga, D.I. (eds.): West African Verse.In Lawrence's Bat, the poet persona mistakes the bats for

These question are based on selected poems from Ker, D.et al (eds.)New poetry from Africa; Soyinka, (ed.): Poems of Black Africa; Senanu K.E. and Vincent, T.(eds.): A Selection of African poetry;Umukoro, M et al (eds.): Exam focus:Literature in English: Eruvbetine, A.E.et al (eds): Longman Examination Guide and Nwoga, D.I. (eds.): West African Verse.The theme of the poem Give me The Minstrel's seat centres on

Answer Details

The theme of the poem "Give Me The Minstrel's Seat" revolves around companionship. The speaker expresses their desire to be in the company of a minstrel, who can sing and play music to soothe their soul. The poem emphasizes the importance of human connections and the need for people to have companions who can provide comfort and support during difficult times. The speaker longs for the minstrel's seat not for wealth, fame, or personal gain, but rather for the joy and solace that come from being in the company of someone who understands and can offer emotional support.

This question is based on J.P. Clark's The Wives' Revolt.

The mutual exchange of abuse in the play is reminiscent of

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation

'Loveliest of trees the cherry now is hung with bloom along the bough and stands out the woodland ride Wearing While for Easter tide

A.E Housman Loveliest of Trees the Cherry Tree. In the excerpt above, the subject matter is

The writing convention in which the events in a narrative are scrambled as they come to the writers mind without any attempt to arrange them in orderly sequence is called

This question is based on selected poems from Ker, D. et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa; Soyinka, W. (ed.): Poems of Black African; Senanu, K.E. and Vincent, T.(ds.): A Selection of African Poetry; Umukoro, M. et al (eds.); Exam Focus: Literature-in-English; Eruvbetine, A.E. et al (eds.) Longman Examination Guides and Nwoga, D.I. (ed.):West African Verse

The poet-persona in Serenade is

This question is based on J.P. Clark's The Wives' Revolt.

'....Those with breasts have walked out, and that leaves you, me and the old girls returned home on retirement. It's the dry season, child.'The character to whom the words are spoken in the play is in

Answer Details

The character to whom the words are spoken in the play is in the direction of the kitchen, offstage.

This question is based on the Literary Appreciation

Jibunoh was simply a difficult man.He was relation. He all his neighbours and deserted by his relations policeman in the entire village. He also had ten cases instituted against him for either stealing or violating the rights of others. He had no regard for decency or normal conduct. No lover of peace or order could be his friend. It is not surprising that his death elicited jubilation rather than mourning.'The passage above reveals that Jibunoh symbolizes

Answer Details

The passage above reveals that Jibunoh symbolizes lawlessness. Jibunoh is portrayed as a difficult man who has no regard for decency or normal conduct. He violates the rights of others, steals, and has ten cases instituted against him. The fact that he is deserted by his relations and has no friends who love peace or order shows that he is not only lawless but also a societal outcast. Therefore, Jibunoh's character symbolizes lawlessness, which is the disregard for the law or societal norms.

This question is based on George Orwell's Animal Farm,

In the novel, Boxer is respected for his

Answer Details

Boxer is respected for his hard work. He is a strong horse who is willing to work tirelessly for the betterment of the farm and the other animals. Despite his limited intelligence, he is loyal, dedicated, and always willing to do his best. His famous motto "I will work harder" reflects his determination and dedication to the cause of animal freedom.

This question is based on J.P. Clark's The Wives' Revolt.

In the play, the central idea is that gender equality is

This question is based on Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops To Conquer.

The story of the play would have been different but for

This question is based on S.I. Osammor's The Triumph of the Water Lily.

The language of the novel is generally

Answer Details

The language used in S.I. Osammor's The Triumph of the Water Lily is subjective and descriptive, often using poetic imagery to convey the beauty of the natural surroundings and the emotions of the characters. It is also highly educational, as it portrays the culture and customs of the Igbo people of Nigeria. Therefore, the answer is "educative".