WAEC SSCE - Literature In English - 2004

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The phrase "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" illustrates the use of a paradox. A paradox is a figure of speech that combines contradictory ideas to create a surprising or thought-provoking statement. In this case, the phrase appears to be contradictory because a yoke, which is a wooden frame worn by oxen to carry heavy loads, and a burden are typically associated with heaviness and difficulty. However, the speaker is claiming that their yoke is easy and their burden is light, which goes against this common understanding. The paradoxical statement is meant to convey the idea that the speaker's teachings are not burdensome or difficult to follow, but instead offer a sense of ease and freedom.

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The persons created or presented in a literary work are called characters. Characters are the individuals, animals or imaginary creatures that are portrayed in a literary work. They are typically created by the author and are used to advance the plot and convey the themes of the work. Characters can be major or minor, and they can have different personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. They are an essential part of a story and can be used to engage the reader and evoke emotions. Therefore, the correct answer is characters.

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The kindness that the speaker has agreed to show is to lend money to the person he is speaking to. The speaker suggests that they go to a notary to seal a bond, which is an agreement that the person will repay the money on a certain date. The speaker also adds a playful condition that if the person doesn't repay the money, they will have to forfeit an equal amount. Therefore, the answer is a loan.

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The speaker in the given extract is Portia. In this scene of Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," Portia is offering a ring to her husband Bassanio as a symbol of her love and loyalty to him. She says that if he were to lose or give away the ring, it would signify the end of their love and give her the right to criticize him for breaking their bond.

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The answer is visual imagery. Visual imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that creates vivid mental pictures or images in the reader's mind. In the last five lines, the language used appeals to the reader's sense of sight, such as "crimson leaves," "golden hues," "pink sky," "peachy glow," and "painted canvas." These descriptions help the reader to visualize the scene being described and create a more engaging and immersive reading experience.

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''You'' refers to Jews. The excerpt is taken from Act III, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice". In this scene, Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, is defending himself against the charge of being a ruthless usurer who lends money at exorbitant interest rates. The quote is part of Shylock's famous monologue where he is pointing out the hypocrisy of the Christian characters in the play who mistreat him and other Jews, despite their claims of moral superiority. Shylock asks the Christians several rhetorical questions, such as "If you poison us, do we not die?" and "If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that," to emphasize that Jews are human beings too and should be treated with the same respect and dignity as anyone else. Therefore, in this context, "you" refers to Christians.

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In the given extract, the phrase "my Lord" in line 2 refers to Bassanio. The speaker, Portia, is addressing Bassanio and offering him her house, servants, and even herself as his. She gives him a ring as a symbol of her commitment to him and warns him that if he were to part from it, lose it, or give it away, it would signify the end of their love and give her reason to criticize him. Portia's words express her deep love and devotion to Bassanio and her desire to be with him forever.

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A short witty statement in poetry constitutes an "epigram". Epigrams are short, clever, and memorable sayings or poems that often satirize human nature or societal issues. They usually involve wordplay, irony, or paradox, and are meant to convey a deeper meaning in a succinct and entertaining way. Examples of famous epigrams include "I can resist everything except temptation" by Oscar Wilde and "If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself" by Spanish philosopher Baltasar Gracian.

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A recurrent image in a literary work is called a motif. It is a recurring object, symbol, or idea that is used throughout the work and serves as a unifying element. The motif often reinforces the themes of the work and can provide insight into the characters or plot. It is different from the theme, which is the main idea or message of the work, and the mood, which is the emotional atmosphere created by the work. An episode refers to a specific section or event within a larger work.

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A literary work in which animals are used as characters is called a fable. A fable is a story that conveys a moral lesson and often features anthropomorphic animals or inanimate objects as characters. These characters often embody certain traits or virtues, such as cunning or honesty, and the story uses their actions and interactions to illustrate a moral lesson. The purpose of a fable is to teach a lesson or provide guidance in a memorable and engaging way. It is different from a memoir, which is a personal account of one's life, a biography, which is a factual account of someone's life, or a farce, which is a humorous play or movie characterized by exaggerated situations and unlikely events.

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The passage illustrates the use of descriptive prose. This is because it vividly describes the atmosphere, weather, and environment with sensory details such as how the air felt, the wind, the raindrops, and the sunlight. The passage is not simply telling a story or explaining a concept, but rather it is painting a picture with words to create a sensory experience for the reader.

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A group of lines separated from other groups in a poem is known as a stanza. Stanzas are the equivalent of paragraphs in prose, a group of lines separated from other groups within a poem. They are usually marked by a blank line or indentation, and their length and structure can vary depending on the poem. Stanzas are used by poets to organize their thoughts and ideas and to create a sense of rhythm and structure in the poem. Therefore, the correct answer is stanza.

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The speech is demanding justice. The speaker is saying that if they are treated badly, they will react in a similar way, and they are entitled to do so. The line "If you wrong us, shall we not revenge?" indicates a desire for justice or retribution. The speaker is essentially saying that they are human just like their oppressors and should be treated fairly, and if they are not, they will seek justice. Therefore, the correct answer is justice.

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Dialogue is the predominant feature of drama. Drama is a type of literature that is meant to be performed on stage. It is characterized by its emphasis on dialogue, or the spoken words of the characters, as the primary means of conveying the story. In a drama, the dialogue between characters is used to develop the plot, reveal the characters' personalities and motivations, and create tension and conflict. While prose and poetry can also contain dialogue, it is not the predominant feature of those genres. In contrast, in drama, the dialogue is the primary focus of the work and is what makes it unique. Therefore, the predominant feature of drama is dialogue.

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Speaker A had earlier been advised to pause a day or two. The given extract is a dialogue between two characters, A and B. Here, Speaker A is feeling indecisive about choosing between certain options and expresses his difficulty in making a choice. In response, B suggests that Speaker A should take some time to think and pause a day or two before making a decision. So, Speaker A had earlier been advised to take a short break and think things through before making a choice.

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The feeling induced by the passage is one of excitement. The passage creates a vivid description of the atmosphere, with various sensory details such as the way it feels on people's cheeks and the isolated raindrops. The description of the gusty warm wind and sudden sunlight creates a feeling of energy and activity. This overall impression of the atmosphere is one of excitement, with the suggestion that something is about to happen or that nature is undergoing a burst of growth and change. Therefore, the feeling induced by the passage is one of excitement.

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The poem describes dancing. The words "frantic drums" and "frenetic flutes" suggest that music is being played, and the description of the acrobat's movements as "gyrating" and "swift" indicate that the person is dancing in response to the music. Additionally, the reference to the "lush Savannah" suggests that the scene is taking place in a natural setting where people might dance as a form of celebration or cultural expression.

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In the given extract, the attitude of Speaker A to the person mentioned by Speaker B is one of contempt. Speaker A belittles and mocks the Neapolitan prince, calling him a "colt" and saying that he talks excessively about his horse. Speaker A also suggests that the prince's claim of being able to shoe his own horse is not impressive, as he suspects the prince's mother had an affair with a blacksmith. The tone of Speaker A's words is sarcastic and mocking, indicating a lack of respect or admiration for the Neapolitan prince.

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The ring symbolizes the love and loyalty of the speaker to the addressee. The speaker is giving away their house, servants, and themselves to the addressee, along with the ring. The ring is not only a gift but also a symbol of the love and commitment that the speaker has for the addressee. It is also a warning that if the addressee ever loses or gives away the ring, it will presage the ruin of their love, and the speaker will use it as an opportunity to criticize and blame the addressee.

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The position from which a story is presented is the "point of view." Point of view refers to the perspective or vantage point from which a story is told. It can be the viewpoint of the narrator, a character in the story, or an external observer. Point of view can affect the reader's understanding and interpretation of the story, as it can determine what information is revealed, and how it is presented.

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The phrase "frenetic flutes" is an example of metaphor, which is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using the words "like" or "as". The use of the word "frenetic" suggests that the music being played is fast-paced and intense, while "flutes" refer to the musical instrument being used. The metaphorical comparison creates a vivid image of the music and its effect on the foot-worker.

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The odd item is "fiction". This is because the other options are all terms used in drama, while "fiction" refers to a literary genre that includes novels and short stories. "Monologue", "aside", and "soliloquy" are all techniques used in plays to convey character thoughts and dialogue.

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A poem that expresses grief over the death of a notable figure in society is called an elegy. It is a type of poem that is often written to lament and express sorrow for someone who has passed away. Elegies can be written in a variety of forms and styles, but they generally have a serious, mournful tone and are meant to honor the deceased. The purpose of an elegy is to celebrate the life and achievements of the person who has died, and to offer comfort and solace to those who are mourning their loss.

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By the expression ''I am forsworn'', the reader becomes aware of the speaker's predicament. The word "forsworn" means to break a vow or promise, and the speaker is using it to express their dilemma. The speaker is in a situation where they have to choose between two options, both of which have negative consequences. If they choose one option, they will break a vow and be forsworn, which goes against their values. However, if they choose the other option, they risk losing something important to them. The expression "I am forsworn" highlights the speaker's predicament and their struggle to make the right choice. Therefore, the correct answer is predicament.

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The extract is an example of a rhyme. A rhyme is a literary device in which two or more words have identical or similar sounds. In this extract, the words "dressed" and "expressed" have similar sounds at the end of each word, making it a rhyme.

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The atmosphere of the poem is one of excitement. The poem uses words such as "frantic," "frenetic," and "gyrating" to convey a sense of high energy and enthusiasm. The description of the dancer's acrobatic movements and the "April music" of the Savannah also add to the overall atmosphere of excitement and liveliness.

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The dominant literary device in a poem refers to the most frequently used or most prominent technique employed by the author. Personification is a literary device that attributes human qualities to non-human objects or animals. Simile is a comparison between two things using "like" or "as". Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it represents. Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial sound in a series of words. So, the dominant literary device in a poem can be determined by analyzing the poem for the frequency and importance of each of these techniques. For example, if there are many instances of non-human objects or animals being given human-like qualities, then the dominant literary device may be personification. Similarly, if there are many instances of comparisons using "like" or "as", then the dominant literary device may be simile.

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The passage describes the atmospheric conditions in a setting. The author uses vivid imagery to portray the unique atmosphere that is present when the sickles begin to be used. The air is described as feeling as if "cress would grow in it without other nourishment." The wind is gusty and warm, and isolated raindrops can be seen on the window-panes in the distance. The sunlight flickers in and out, casting a milky, colorless shine on the floor of the room. Overall, the passage is focused on describing the atmospheric conditions and the sensory experience of being in this environment.

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A literary work is didactic if it teaches. A didactic literary work is one that has the primary purpose of teaching or instructing the reader. Such works often have a moral or ethical message that the author wants to convey, and they use various literary devices such as allegory, metaphor, and symbolism to illustrate this message. Didactic works can be found in various forms of literature, including poetry, drama, and prose. While a literary work can also entertain, comfort, or criticize, if its primary aim is to teach, it is considered didactic.

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Setting refers to the time and place in which a story takes place. It is where and when the events of the story occur. The setting can include the physical environment, such as the location and time period, as well as the social and cultural context of the story. The setting can have a significant impact on the tone, mood, and overall meaning of the story.

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The dominant literary device used in the passage is a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as". In the passage, the atmosphere is compared to damp flannel, which is a comparison using "like". Additionally, the gusty wind is described as high and warm using a simile, and the sunlight is described as flapping out like a quickly opened fan, also using a simile. Therefore, the dominant literary device used in the passage is a simile.

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The odd item is "No coffin, no grave". The other three options are titles of famous poems written by renowned poets: "Elegy written in a country churchyard" is a poem by Thomas Gray, "Ulysses" is a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and "Ode to the West Wind" is a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. In contrast, "No coffin, no grave" is not the title of any well-known poem or literary work. It appears to be a phrase that could be part of a sentence or a title, but it is not a recognized title or reference in literature. Therefore, it is the odd item out.

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Speaker B is Portia. The excerpt is taken from Act Three, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." The dialogue occurs between two characters, A and B. Speaker A says, "Let me choose, for as I am, live upon the rack," indicating that they are experiencing extreme mental distress. Speaker B responds by asking, "Upon the rack, Bassanio? then confess what treason there is mingled with your love." The name "Bassanio" indicates that Speaker B is addressing Bassanio's friend and lover, Portia. Therefore, Speaker B is Portia.

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A dominant feature of poetry is its economy of language. Poetry typically uses concise and precise language to convey emotions, ideas, and experiences. Poets use words carefully and purposefully, often with an emphasis on sound and rhythm, to create a unique and memorable reading experience. This economy of language allows poets to pack a great deal of meaning and imagery into a small space, making poetry a powerful tool for communication and self-expression.

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A character who creates humor in a play is a clown. A clown is a type of character in literature, especially in plays, who is known for their humorous or comical behavior. They often use physical comedy, witty remarks, and wordplay to entertain the audience and lighten the mood of the play. The clown's main function is to provide comic relief and contrast to the serious or dramatic elements of the play. They may also serve as a social commentator or critic, using humor to expose the foibles and flaws of the other characters. The use of a clown in a play can add depth and complexity to the characters and the plot, and can make the play more engaging and entertaining for the audience.