WAEC SSCE - Literature In English - 1999

An elegy is a poem

Maelezo ya Majibu

An elegy is a poem mourning the dead. It is a type of poem or song that is written or performed to lament the loss of someone or something, often expressing sorrow, grief, and sadness. It can be written in a variety of styles and forms, and is often associated with funerals or other solemn occasions. The purpose of an elegy is to pay tribute to the deceased, to express the poet's emotions and thoughts about death, and to provide comfort to those who are grieving.

A word that sounds like what it names is a (n)

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word that sounds like what it names is onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia refers to the use of words that imitate or suggest the sound of what they describe. For example, words like "buzz," "hiss," "meow," and "whisper" are examples of onomatopoeic words because they sound like the noises they describe.

The characters in a play constitute the

Maelezo ya Majibu

The main effect of comedy on an audience is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The main effect of comedy on an audience is laughter. Comedy is a form of entertainment that aims to make people laugh by using humor, wit, irony, satire, and other techniques. Laughter is a natural response to comedy and it has many benefits, such as reducing stress, improving mood, and strengthening social connections. When people watch or listen to comedy, they are often able to relax and let go of their worries, and they may even find themselves in a better mood afterward. Therefore, it can be said that the main effect of comedy on an audience is to make them laugh.

Which of the following is not a type of drama?

Maelezo ya Majibu

The answer is "resolution" because it is not a type of drama, but rather a component of the dramatic structure. Resolution is the part of a play or story where the conflicts are resolved, and loose ends are tied up. Burlesque, tragedy, and pantomime are all types of drama. Burlesque is a type of comedic drama that often involves satire and parody. Tragedy is a type of serious drama that typically ends in sorrow or disaster for the main character(s). Pantomime is a type of theatrical entertainment that relies on physical movement, rather than spoken dialogue, to tell a story.

Read the extract below and answer the question:

......O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Me thought she purged the air of pestilence;
That instant was, I turned into a hert,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me.
(Act 1, Scene 1)

The figure of speech used in the underlined expression is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The figure of speech used in the underlined expression is a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used to describe something else, suggesting a comparison between the two things without using the words "like" or "as." In the underlined expression, the speaker is describing how he felt when he first saw Olivia. He says that he turned into a "hart," which is another word for a male deer. This is a metaphor, as the speaker is not literally turning into a deer, but is using the word to suggest that he was filled with desire and a sense of wildness, like a deer pursuing its prey. The use of the metaphor helps to create a vivid image of the speaker's emotional state and to convey the intensity of his desire for Olivia.

Read the extract below and answer the question:

......O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Me thought she purged the air of pestilence;
That instant was, I turned into a heart,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me.
(Act 1, Scene 1)

Who is speaking?

Maelezo ya Majibu

Orsino is speaking. In the given extract, the speaker talks about his love for a woman named Olivia and how he was immediately drawn to her from the moment he laid his eyes on her. The speaker's name is not mentioned in the extract, but the opening lines, "O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first," imply that he is talking about his personal experience. This speech is spoken by Duke Orsino in Act 1, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night."

Read the extract below and answer the question:

......O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Me thought she purged the air of pestilence;
That instant was, I turned into a hart,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me.
(Act 1, Scene 1)

The lines mean that the speaker

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract and answer the question:

I do I know not what, and fear to find
Mine eye to great a flatterer for my mind
Fate, show thy force; ourselves we do not owe,
'What is decreed must be, and be this so
(Act 1, Scene 5)

What has the speaker just done?

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the poem and answer the question:

UNSEEN POETRY AND PROSE

I wonder how long, you awful parasite,
Shall share with me this little bed,
And make me, from sweet dreams be lost
By sucking blood from my poor head.

I should but say man has much
Blood, which you and your families do feed
On, for supper, dinner, and lunch,
And besides, you do in my bed breed.

Clever thou art, tiny creature;
You attend me when I am deep asleep
When thou art sure, I can't you capture,
Just at the time I snore deep.

'Tis is strange that before twilight,
The bed clear of you would seem;
For not one of you is my sight
As if your presence was in a dream.

The person's mood is one of

Maelezo ya Majibu

The person's mood in this poem is one of despair. The speaker is addressing a bed bug, which they refer to as an "awful parasite" that shares their bed and sucks blood from their head, causing them to lose sleep and sweet dreams. The speaker feels helpless against the bed bug, which cleverly feeds on them while they are deep asleep and cannot capture it. The use of words like "lost", "poor", and "breed" emphasizes the speaker's sense of hopelessness and powerlessness in the situation. Therefore, the option that best fits the speaker's mood in this poem is despair.

Read the prose passage and answer the question:

Ngotho was pleased. And Nyolabi and Njeri were full of joy at the news. For the first time many years something like a glimmer of light shone in Ngotho's eyes. He could even be seen making an effort to walk upright. Here at last was a son who might eventually be a match for the Howlands and Jacobos and any others who at all despised him. Kamanu too was pleased. He hoped he could go on helping Njoroge. Njoroge might do something for the family.
Njoroge was happy. His first impulse when he learnt what he had gone through was to kneel down and thank God for all He had done for him. ' Give me more and more learning and make me the instrument of thy light and peace. 'To go to Secondary School, the big mission at Siriana, was no small achievement.


The theme of the extract is the

Maelezo ya Majibu

The theme of the extract is the quest for education. The passage talks about Njoroge's excitement to go to Secondary School at Siriana, which is seen as a significant achievement for him and his family. It highlights the importance of education in Njoroge's life and how it brings hope and a chance for him to change his fate.

The repetition of similar vowel sounds within lines is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The repetition of similar vowel sounds within lines is called "assonance". It occurs when the vowel sounds in words that are close together are repeated, but the consonant sounds are different. For example, "fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese" has a repetition of the "ee" sound in "fleet", "feet", "sweep", and "sleeping". This repetition of vowel sounds can create a pleasing musical effect in poetry or prose.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night
Read the extract below and answer the question

I have said too much unto a heart of stone,
And laid my honour too unchary on 't;
There's something in me that reproves my fault,
But such a headstrong potent fault it is
That it but mocks reproof.
(Acts iii, Scene 4)

This person has

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question:

......O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Me thought she purged the air of pestilence;
That instant was, I turned into a hert,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me.
(Act 1, Scene 1)

The image is itself based on

Maelezo ya Majibu

The image in the given extract is based on an allusion. An allusion is a literary device that refers to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work, either directly or indirectly. In this extract, the speaker compares Olivia to a purifier of air, indicating her purity and goodness, and his instant attraction towards her. This image is an indirect reference to the ancient belief in the power of certain plants to purify the air and ward off disease, and it serves to emphasize the speaker's intense and immediate infatuation with Olivia.

A play that thrives on exaggeration of humour, plot and character is a

Maelezo ya Majibu

A play that thrives on exaggeration of humor, plot, and character is a farce. Farce is a type of comedy that uses exaggeration, physical humor, absurd situations, and stereotyped characters to create a humorous effect. It often involves mistaken identities, improbable coincidences, and ridiculous situations that are meant to be taken lightly and not seriously. The aim of a farce is to make the audience laugh and provide a moment of comic relief.

Read the poem and answer the question:

UNSEEN POETRY AND PROSE

I wonder how long, you awful parasite,
Shall share with me this little bed,
And make me, from sweet dreams be lost
By sucking blood from my poor head.

I should but say man has much
Blood, which you and your families do feed
On, for supper, dinner, and lunch,
And besides, you do in my bed breed.

Clever thou art, tiny creature;
You attend me when I am deep asleep
When thou art sure, I can't you capture,
Just at the time I snore deep.

'Tis is strange that before twilight,
The bed clear of you would seem;
For not one of you is my sight
As if your presence was in a dream.

Lines 1 and 2 of the second stanza illustrate the use of

Maelezo ya Majibu

The lines "Clever thou art, tiny creature; / You attend me when I am deep asleep" illustrate the use of an enjambment. An enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase runs over to the next line without a pause or punctuation mark, and in this case, the phrase "Clever thou art, tiny creature" continues into the next line without any punctuation. This technique helps to maintain the flow of the poem and can create a sense of urgency or tension.

Read the poem and answer the question:

UNSEEN POETRY AND PROSE

I wonder how long, you awful parasite,
Shall share with me this little bed,
And make me, from sweet dreams be lost
By sucking blood from my poor head.

I should but say man has much
Blood, which you and your families do feed
On, for supper, dinner, and lunch,
And besides, you do in my bed breed.

Clever thou art, tiny creature;
You attack me when I am deep asleep
When thou art sure, I can't you capture,
Just at the time I snore deep.

'Tis is strange that before twilight,
The bed clear of you would seem;
For not one of you is my sight
As if your presence was in a dream.

The subject of the poem is a

Maelezo ya Majibu

The subject of the poem is a bedbug. The speaker describes their annoyance and frustration with this parasite that shares their bed and feeds on their blood. The speaker describes the bedbug as clever and elusive, attacking when they are deep asleep and disappearing before the morning light. The poem is an expression of the speaker's irritation and discomfort with this unwelcome guest in their bed.

Read the prose passage and answer the question:

Ngotho was pleased. And Nyolabi and Njeri were full of joy at the news. For the first time many years something like a glimmer of light shone in Ngotho's eyes. He could even be seen making an effort to walk upright. Here at last was a son who might eventually be a match for the Howlands and Jacobos and any others who at all despised him. Kamanu too was pleased. He hoped he could go on helping Njoroge. Njoroge might do something for the family.
Njoroge was happy. His first impulse when he learnt what he had gone through was to kneel down and thank God for all He had done for him. ' Give me more and more learning and make me the instrument of thy light and peace. 'To go to Secondary School, the big mission at Siriana, was no small achievement.


The mood of the people in the extract is that of

Maelezo ya Majibu

The mood of the people in the extract is happiness and hope. They are full of joy at the news of Njoroge being able to go to secondary school. Ngotho is pleased and for the first time in years, something like a glimmer of light shone in his eyes. Kamanu is also pleased and hopes he can continue helping Njoroge. Njoroge himself is happy and his first impulse was to thank God for what He had done for him.

Read the extract below and answer the question:

...... Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
if you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy.
(Act 1, Scene 5)

Where are they?

Maelezo ya Majibu

Based on the information given in the extract, it is not possible to determine the exact location of the speaker and the addressee. However, it can be inferred from the language used in the extract that the speaker is addressing a lady, whom he considers to be the "cruellest she alive". Therefore, it is possible that the speaker and the addressee are in a private setting, such as a room in Olivia's house or some other location where the lady is present.

A couplet is formed by

Maelezo ya Majibu

A couplet is formed by two rhymed lines of poetry. A rhymed couplet is a pair of successive lines that rhyme and have the same meter, which means that they have the same rhythmic pattern or length. The couplet is often used as a complete thought or to provide a punchline to a poem. Shakespearean sonnets typically end with a rhymed couplet, which serves as a conclusion or summary of the poem.

Read the poem and answer the question:

UNSEEN POETRY AND PROSE

I wonder how long, you awful parasite,
Shall share with me this little bed,
And make me, from sweet dreams be lost
By sucking blood from my poor head.

I should but say man has much
Blood, which you and your families do feed
On, for supper, dinner, and lunch,
And besides, you do in my bed breed.

Clever thou art, tiny creature;
You attend me when I am deep asleep
When thou art sure, I can't you capture,
Just at the time I snore deep.

'Tis is strange that before twilight,
The bed clear of you would seem;
For not one of you is my sight
As if your presence was in a dream.

The creature in the poem is best described as

Maelezo ya Majibu

The ending of most comedies is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The ending of most comedies is "happy". This means that the conflicts and issues raised earlier in the story are resolved in a positive manner, often with a wedding or some other joyful event. The characters are typically left in a state of contentment or happiness, and the audience is left with a sense of closure and satisfaction.

The climax in a literary work is the

Maelezo ya Majibu

The climax in a literary work is the most intense point of the conflict. It is the moment when the tension reaches its peak, and the outcome of the conflict becomes inevitable. The climax is the point in the story where the protagonist's ultimate goal is on the line, and the outcome of the story is determined. It is usually the most exciting and dramatic moment of the story, and it often involves a major turning point or a significant revelation. Therefore, the correct answer is "most intense point of the conflict".

Read the extract and answer the question:

I do I know not what, and fear to find
Mine eye to great a flatterer for my mind
Fate, show thy force; ourselves we do not owe,
'What is decreed must be, and be this so
(Act 1, Scene 5)

In lines 1 and 2, the speaker admits

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the prose passage and answer the question:

Ngotho was pleased. And Nyolabi and Njeri were full of joy at the news. For the first time many years something like a glimmer of light shone in Ngotho's eyes. He could even be seen making an effort to walk upright. Here at last was a son who might eventually be a match for the Howlands and Jacobos and any others who at all despised him. Kamanu too was pleased. He hoped he could go on helping Njoroge. Njoroge might do something for the family.
Njoroge was happy. His first impulse when he learnt what he had gone through was to kneel down and thank God for all He had done for him. ' Give me more and more learning and make me the instrument of thy light and peace. 'To go to Secondary School, the big mission at Siriana, was no small achievement.


The expression '' a glimmer of light'' stands for

Maelezo ya Majibu

The expression "a glimmer of light" stands for hope. In this passage, Ngotho is pleased to hear that his son Njoroge has been accepted into Secondary School. For the first time in many years, Ngotho feels hopeful that his son might be able to succeed and become a match for those who have looked down on him and his family. The phrase "a glimmer of light" is used to describe the hope that Ngotho feels. It suggests that even though things have been difficult for him and his family in the past, there is now a small ray of hope shining through, which gives them reason to be optimistic about the future.

A short speech at the end a play is the

Maelezo ya Majibu

A short speech at the end of a play is called an "epilogue." It is typically delivered by one of the actors and serves to provide closure to the story or to offer final thoughts or reflections on the play. The term "epilogue" comes from the Greek word "epilogos," which means "conclusion."

Read the extract below and answer the question:

...... Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
if you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy.
(Act 1, Scene 5)

What has prompted the speech?

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question:

......O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Me thought she purged the air of pestilence;
That instant was, I turned into a hert,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me.
(Act 1, Scene 1)

In lines 3 to 5 the dominant image is taken from

Maelezo ya Majibu

The theme of a work of art is the

Maelezo ya Majibu

The theme of a work of art is the central thought or idea that the artist is trying to communicate through the artwork. It is the underlying message or meaning that the artist wants the viewer or audience to understand or interpret. It is the unifying thread that ties together all the different elements of the artwork and provides coherence and depth to its interpretation. The theme can be expressed in a variety of ways, such as through imagery, symbolism, metaphor, or narrative, and can be interpreted differently by different viewers or audiences.

Read the extract below and answer the question:

...... Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
if you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy.
(Act 1, Scene 5)

In the last line, the word 'copy' alludes to a

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the last line of the extract, the word "copy" alludes to a child. The speaker is addressing a lady and accusing her of being cruel for not having children. In this context, "copy" means a copy or reproduction of herself, which is what a child would be. The speaker is essentially saying that if the lady does not have children, she will be depriving the world of a copy of herself, or an offspring that is like her. Therefore, the word "copy" in this context is a metaphor for a child.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night
Read the extract below and answer the question

I have said too much unto a heart of stone,
And laid my honour too unchary on 't;
There's something in me that reproves my fault,
But such a headstrong potent fault it is
That it but mocks reproof.
(Acts iii, Scene 4)

The figure of speech used in '' a heart of stone'' is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The figure of speech used in "a heart of stone" is a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things by saying one thing is another thing. In this case, the speaker is comparing the person they were speaking to (whose heart is not moved by their words) to a heart of stone. This comparison helps to emphasize how unfeeling and unresponsive the person is, and how the speaker's words have had no effect on them.

One of the following is a literary device

Maelezo ya Majibu

A sonnet is made up of a rhyming sestet and two

Maelezo ya Majibu

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night
Read the extract below and answer the question

I have said too much unto a heart of stone,
And laid my honour too unchary on 't;
There's something in me that reproves my fault,
But such a headstrong potent fault it is
That it but mocks reproof.
(Acts iii, Scene 4)

The person being referred to in the figure of speech is

Maelezo ya Majibu

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night
Read the extract below and answer the question

I have said too much unto a heart of stone,
And laid my honour too unchary on 't;
There's something in me that reproves my fault,
But such a headstrong potent fault it is
That it but mocks reproof.
(Acts iii, Scene 4)

The ''Headstrong potent fault'' is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The "headstrong potent fault" referred to in this passage is the speaker's strong and uncontrollable feelings of love for someone who does not feel the same way. They regret having expressed their feelings because the object of their affection is unresponsive and indifferent, leading them to feel foolish and regretful. Despite recognizing their fault in being too open with someone who doesn't care, they feel powerless to change their feelings, and so their love "mocks reproof." Therefore, falling in love is the option that best fits the description of the "headstrong potent fault" in this passage.

An 'Aside' occurs when a speaker on stage

Maelezo ya Majibu

An 'Aside' occurs when a speaker on stage mumbles words intended for the audience only. In a play, an "Aside" is a moment when a character speaks directly to the audience, but the other characters on stage do not hear what is being said. The words spoken during an Aside are usually a character's inner thoughts, feelings or intentions that they do not want other characters to hear. It is like the character is breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience. As the other characters on stage are not aware of the aside, it is intended only for the audience to hear and understand what is happening in the character's mind.

'The stars blinked and the wind wailed' is an example of

Maelezo ya Majibu

"The stars blinked and the wind wailed" is an example of personification. Personification is a literary device where inanimate objects or abstract ideas are given human-like qualities or characteristics. In this case, the stars are given the human-like quality of blinking, which is a voluntary action commonly associated with humans. Additionally, the wind is given the human-like quality of wailing, which is a sound that is typically associated with human expression of sadness or grief.

Read the prose passage and answer the question:

Ngotho was pleased. And Nyolabi and Njeri were full of joy at the news. For the first time many years something like a glimmer of light shone in Ngotho's eyes. He could even be seen making an effort to walk upright. Here at last was a son who might eventually be a match for the Howlands and Jacobos and any others who at all despised him. Kamanu too was pleased. He hoped he could go on helping Njoroge. Njoroge might do something for the family.
Njoroge was happy. His first impulse when he learnt what he had gone through was to kneel down and thank God for all He had done for him. ' Give me more and more learning and make me the instrument of thy light and peace. 'To go to Secondary School, the big mission at Siriana, was no small achievement.


What does the expression ''Instrument of thy light and peace'' tell us about the speaker?

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question:

......O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first,
Me thought she purged the air of pestilence;
That instant was, I turned into a hert,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me.
(Act 1, Scene 1)

The effect of the figure of speech is to highlight Olivia's

Maelezo ya Majibu

The figure of speech used in the extract is a simile, comparing Olivia's appearance to purging the air of pestilence. The effect of this simile is to highlight Olivia's beauty and purity. The speaker, Duke Orsino, is expressing how he was immediately struck by Olivia's beauty and how it captured his heart. The comparison to purging the air of pestilence suggests that Olivia's appearance is not only attractive but also refreshing and cleansing, which emphasizes her purity and goodness. Therefore, the correct answer is "beauty and purity".

Literary works are classified into

Maelezo ya Majibu

Literary works are classified into genres. A literary genre is a category or classification of literature that share common characteristics or features. Genres help to organize literature into different types such as poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and others. Each genre has specific elements that distinguish it from other genres, such as language, style, setting, plot, and themes. Some common genres include romance, science fiction, historical fiction, comedy, tragedy, and mystery, among others.

Read the poem and answer the question:

UNSEEN POETRY AND PROSE

I wonder how long, you awful parasite,
Shall share with me this little bed,
And make me, from sweet dreams be lost
By sucking blood from my poor head.

I should but say man has much
Blood, which you and your families do feed
On, for supper, dinner, and lunch,
And besides, you do in my bed breed.

Clever thou art, tiny creature;
You attend me when I am deep asleep
When thou art sure, I can't you capture,
Just at the time I snore deep.

'Tis is strange that before twilight,
The bed clear of you would seem;
For not one of you is my sight
As if your presence was in a dream.

The device used in ''Tis so strange'' is

Maelezo ya Majibu

A stanza of four lines is a (n)

Maelezo ya Majibu

A stanza of four lines is called a quatrain. This is because "quatrain" specifically refers to a stanza or poem consisting of four lines. The word "quatrain" comes from the French word "quatrain," which means "four." So, whenever you see a poem or song with four lines in a stanza, you can call that stanza a quatrain!

Read the extract below and answer the question:

...... Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
if you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy.
(Act 1, Scene 5)

Who is speaking and to whom?

Maelezo ya Majibu

The speaker is Viola and she is speaking to Olivia. The extract is from Act 1, Scene 5 of William Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night". Viola is disguised as a man named Cesario and is working as a servant for Duke Orsino, who is in love with Olivia. In this scene, Viola (as Cesario) is sent to woo Olivia on behalf of Duke Orsino, but Olivia falls in love with Viola (as Cesario) instead. Viola (as Cesario) speaks this line to Olivia, expressing her frustration that Olivia's beauty and grace will go to waste if she does not marry and have children.

A verbal irony occurs when a speaker on stage

Maelezo ya Majibu

Verbal irony occurs when a speaker on stage intends more than he says. Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which a speaker says something but means the opposite. It occurs when a speaker intentionally says one thing, but actually means something different. This is often used to create humor or to emphasize a point. The speaker's tone and context provide the cues to the audience that what is being said is not what is intended.

Read the extract and answer the question:

I do I know not what, and fear to find
Mine eye to great a flatterer for my mind
Fate, show thy force; ourselves we do not owe,
'What is decreed must be, and be this so
(Act 1, Scene 5)

How does fate treat the speaker at the end of the play?

Maelezo ya Majibu

The hero in a story is the

Maelezo ya Majibu

The hero in a story is the protagonist. They are usually the main character of the story and the one the audience roots for. The hero is typically the one who faces challenges, overcomes obstacles, and ultimately achieves the story's goal. They can be represented in different ways, such as a person, animal, or even an object, but they are the central character of the story.

Read the extract below and answer the question:

...... Lady, you are the cruell'st she alive
if you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy.
(Act 1, Scene 5)

The underlined expression is a

Maelezo ya Majibu

The underlined expression "the cruell'st she alive" is an example of hyperbole. Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally. In this case, the speaker is using hyperbole to express his extreme frustration and disappointment with the lady's behavior.