JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2006

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The correct answer to the question is "one of superiority". The British government, during their colonial rule in Nigeria, saw themselves as superior to the indigenous people and their cultures. In the case of the attack on the Sokoto Caliphate, the British government considered the Caliphate as a threat to their colonial rule and superiority, hence the need to subdue them. Therefore, the attack on the Sokoto Caliphate can be viewed as a display of British superiority over the indigenous people.

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The Ghost in Hamlet serves to initiate dramatic conflict. The play revolves around the protagonist Hamlet avenging the murder of his father, King Hamlet, by his uncle Claudius. The Ghost is the one who informs Hamlet about the murder and commands him to take revenge. Without the Ghost's appearance, the plot would not have progressed, and there would be no dramatic conflict.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

A travelogue is a type of literature that presents a detailed and descriptive account of the writer's experiences during a journey or travel. It is typically written in a personal and subjective style, focusing on the writer's impressions and observations about the places, people, cultures, and events encountered during the journey. Travelogues can be in the form of books, essays, or blogs, and they often provide insights into the writer's personality, worldview, and cultural background.

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Flashbacks in a literary work serve several purposes, but they primarily help to place the story in proper perspective by providing the reader with necessary background information. They can help to fill in missing links in the plot, explain character motivations, and provide context for the events taking place in the present timeline. Additionally, flashbacks can reveal the characters' mindsets and emotional states at the time of the events being recalled, which can deepen the reader's understanding and empathy for the characters. Flashbacks are not meant to relate events that are extraneous to the story, but rather to enhance the narrative by providing a more complete picture of the story and its characters.

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A complex plot can be described as a plot structure that has strands of events running concurrently. This means that there are multiple storylines or threads happening at the same time, which can sometimes be interconnected or related to each other. The plot may involve various characters, settings, and scenes that add to the complexity and richness of the narrative. The plot may also have unexpected twists and turns that keep the audience engaged and interested in the story. A complex plot is often associated with works of literature that require close reading and analysis to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of the narrative structure.

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State Express 555 is a brand of elitist cigarette that was advertised in Ayi Kwei Armah's Fragments. The advertisement is mentioned in the novel as a way of highlighting the influence of Western consumerism in African societies, where imported products are often viewed as superior and desirable.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Akọwa Nkọwa

The sides of a stage are commonly called "the wings." They refer to the areas offstage to the left and right of the acting area where actors wait to enter the stage, as well as the storage and preparation areas for props and scenery. The term "wings" is thought to have originated from the early days of theater when stages were surrounded by curtains that resembled wings.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

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The dominant mood in the excerpt above is that of terror. The use of the words "broken," "ancient stranger," "abandoned," and "fearful ruin" create a sense of desolation and dread. The imagery of the bats hanging away from the sun and the shadows cast over the shoulders of the speaker further enhance this feeling of terror.

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The speaker in the excerpt is contemplating the killing of the pig. The phrase "I am going to kill that pig" is a clear indication of the speaker's intentions. The preceding statements about the pig being no good and the speaker feeding it and letting it sleep in their house suggest that the speaker has some sort of personal grievance against the pig, and is therefore justifying the action of killing it. The speaker is not reporting the pig before killing it or trying to brace himself up for the action; rather, the speaker is expressing a determined intent to carry out the act of killing the pig.

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The seeming shifty structure of the play is used to sustain the reader's interest, reflect the emotional and psychological state of Hamlet, and assist in the development of the characters. By shifting the focus and perspective throughout the play, Shakespeare creates a sense of intrigue and uncertainty that keeps the reader engaged. Additionally, the shifts in perspective reflect Hamlet's own state of mind as he grapples with his inner turmoil and struggles to make sense of the world around him. Finally, by developing the characters through multiple perspectives and shifting alliances, Shakespeare is able to create complex and nuanced characters that feel more real and fully realized.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

Akọwa Nkọwa

Abbas the beggar in Ahmed Yerima's Attahiru is a symbol of "the rich also crying." Abbas was once a rich man, but he lost all his wealth and became a beggar. He represents the idea that even the rich and powerful can fall from grace and end up in a state of poverty and helplessness. Thus, his character is a reminder that everyone, regardless of their status in society, is susceptible to misfortune and should be treated with kindness and empathy.

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A work which takes place in a non-existent world or concerns an incredible character is called a "fantasy". The term "fantasy" is used to describe literature that involves magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and other elements that are not found in the real world. Fantasy is often set in an imaginary world with its own rules and laws, and may involve epic quests, battles between good and evil, and the triumph of the hero over seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

An address to a metaphysical source of inspiration by a poet is called an "invocation." It is a literary technique in which the poet directly appeals to a higher power or source of inspiration, such as a deity or muse, to guide and inspire their work. The purpose of an invocation is to seek divine or supernatural assistance in the creative process, to elevate the poem to a higher level, and to establish a connection between the poet and the divine. Invocations are often found in epic poems and are a common feature of classical literature.

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The device used in the excerpt is a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two things without using "like" or "as." In this case, the poet compares a person or a situation to a "cold nest," which suggests that the person or situation is unwelcoming and unsuitable for the purpose for which it was intended. The comparison implies that just as a cold nest is unsuitable for a migrant bird to lay its eggs, the person or situation is unsuitable for the intended purpose, which is to have children. Therefore, the metaphor conveys a complex idea and creates a vivid image in the reader's mind.

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The passage achieves a mock-heroic effect through the use of an allusion. An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work. In this passage, the reference is to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, the author Wole Soyinka has twisted the story to make it sound humorous and ridiculous. By changing the forbidden fruit from an apple to a grapefruit, and suggesting that Chris, a character in the story, was tempted by the fruit, Soyinka is mocking the seriousness of the biblical story. The use of an allusion to the story of Adam and Eve, combined with this humorous twist, creates a mock-heroic effect, which is a form of satire that mocks something that is usually considered serious or heroic.

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In Senghor's poem "I Will Pronounce Your Name," the poet is not only concerned with his lover but also with his continent, Africa. The poem celebrates African heritage and culture, and the poet speaks of the beauty of Africa's natural landscapes, such as its rivers, mountains, and forests. The poem is an ode to Africa and its people, and the poet expresses his love and devotion to both his lover and his homeland.

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An anti-social taken by the tragic hero which results in a catastrophe is called "harmatia". Harmatia is a concept from ancient Greek tragedy and it refers to the tragic flaw or error in judgment made by the protagonist which ultimately leads to their downfall. This mistake could be caused by the hero's hubris, lack of self-awareness, or ignorance of their situation. The concept of harmatia is a key element of tragedy, as it highlights the idea that even the most noble or heroic characters can be undone by their own flaws.

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According to Boateng in Ayi Kwei Armah's Fragments, the writers' studio is a place where people discuss real writing. This means that the studio is a place where individuals engage in meaningful conversations about writing and the creative process, and where writers can receive feedback and support for their work. It is not a place where writers are sold or where writing materials are sold, and while writers do work hard at their writings, this is not the defining characteristic of the studio.

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Angel Clare prefers Tess to Mercy Chant as a wife because she understands farm life. In the novel, Angel Clare is portrayed as someone who values simplicity and practicality over social status and religious ideals. He falls in love with Tess because of her natural beauty and her ability to work hard on the farm. Unlike Mercy Chant, who comes from a more privileged background and is not used to the hardships of rural life, Tess is able to connect with Angel on a deeper level and they are able to build a strong relationship based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's way of life.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

A metrical pause occurring in the middle of a line in a poem is called a "caesura". A caesura is a pause or break in a line of poetry, typically occurring near the middle of the line. It can be indicated by a double vertical line or by punctuation such as a comma or period. The purpose of a caesura is to create a rhythmic pause in the poem, allowing the reader to take a breath and giving emphasis to certain words or phrases.

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Milton's "On His Blindness" teaches human beings to regard their physical disabilities as an opportunity to serve God in a different way, rather than focusing on their limitations. The poem encourages people to trust in God's plan for their lives and to use their talents to the best of their abilities, even if it means doing so in a different way than they originally envisioned. In this sense, the poem promotes a message of faith, perseverance, and acceptance of one's limitations while striving to make the most of one's abilities.

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The literary device used in the given lines is assonance. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, especially in poetry. In this case, the sound of the vowel "e" is repeated in the words "fleeting," "gleam," "noon," "dream," "incense," and "cream." The repetition of this sound creates a musical effect and adds emphasis to the words, drawing attention to the imagery and sensory experience being described.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

In Femi Ademiluyi's "The New Man", after listening to the soldiers' conversation, the convict decides to hide in the bush for one day and later contact Laoye Layeni. The soldiers' conversation reveals that they are searching for him and his current location is not safe. Therefore, he decides to hide in the bush for a day and later contact Laoye Layeni who he believes will help him escape.

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The physical setting where the events of a story occur is known as the locale or location. It includes the time, place, atmosphere, and environment where the story takes place. It could be a real or imaginary place, indoors or outdoors, and can play a significant role in the story's development and the characters' actions and emotions. The locale can also create a certain mood or atmosphere that enhances the story's overall impact on the reader or audience.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

A humorous scene, incident, or speech in the course of a serious fiction or drama is known as "comic relief". It is a literary device used by authors and playwrights to provide temporary relief from the serious tone of the work. It often involves a character or situation that is humorous or lighthearted, providing a momentary break from the tension or sadness of the story. This can help to engage the audience and make the serious moments more impactful.

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The clown whose skull is exhumed by Gravedigger in Hamlet is Yorick. He was a court jester, a funny man who amused the court with his jokes and antics. Yorick had been dead for over twenty years, and Hamlet recognizes his skull when it is unearthed. The skull serves as a symbol of mortality and reminds Hamlet of the transience of life.

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The device used in the second line of the excerpt is a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words "like" or "as." In this case, the poet is comparing himself to Jehovah, God of the Jews, by saying he is "jealous and passionate like" Him. The use of "like" indicates that it is a simile.

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In Houseman's "To an Athlete Dying Young," the poet sees the death of the young athlete as timely. The poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of fame and the inevitability of death. The athlete's death is seen as timely because it occurred at the height of his fame and glory, thus preserving his legacy and ensuring that he will be remembered as a hero. The poem also suggests that the athlete's early death was a blessing in disguise, sparing him from the decline of his athletic prowess and the eventual loss of his fame and glory.