Literature In English 2020 Jamb Examination
Literature In English 2020 Jamb Examination
Question 11
This question is based on General Literary Principles.
A literary work in which the characters and events are used as symbols is known as
A literary work in which the characters and events are used as symbols is known as
An allegory is a narrative technique where characters, events, and settings are used symbolically to convey broader moral, spiritual, or political meanings. Unlike mere metaphor, which is a figure of speech, allegory operates on the level of the entire story. Each element represents something beyond its literal sense, enabling the writer to communicate layered messages about society, religion, or human nature. Classic examples include works like George Orwell's *Animal Farm*, where animals represent political ideologies and leaders.
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Question 12
This question is based on General Literary Appreciation.
"Serrated shadows, through dark leaves
Til, bathed in warm suffusion of your
dapped cells
Sensation pained me, faceless, silent
as night thieves."
Wole Soyinka: Night
The dominant mood in the lines above is one of
"Serrated shadows, through dark leaves
Til, bathed in warm suffusion of your
dapped cells
Sensation pained me, faceless, silent
as night thieves."
Wole Soyinka: Night
The dominant mood in the lines above is one of
The imagery of serrated shadows, darkness, and facelessness suggests an atmosphere of unease and tension. The comparison to silent night thieves adds an element of fear and uncertainty, evoking a mood of apprehension. Rather than joy or indifference, the passage communicates vulnerability and a sense of being threatened by unseen forces. This choice of diction and imagery highlights the poet’s ability to use sensory language to convey subtle feelings of anxiety and foreboding.
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Question 13
This question is based on General Literacy Principles.
A literacy device wherein the author places a person, concept, idea or theme parallel to another is ________?
A literacy device wherein the author places a person, concept, idea or theme parallel to another is ________?
Juxtaposition is a technique where two or more elements are placed side by side to highlight their contrasts or similarities. This device allows the audience to see distinctions more clearly, creating tension, irony, or insight into characters and themes. Unlike allusion, which indirectly references another work, juxtaposition draws direct comparisons within the narrative itself. Symbolism and memoir serve different literary purposes, making juxtaposition the most accurate term for this deliberate parallel placement.
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Question 14
This question is based on Frank Ogodo Ogbeche's Harvest of Corruption.
The play portrays the judiciary as
The play portrays the judiciary as
In *Harvest of Corruption*, the judiciary is depicted as deeply compromised and unable to uphold justice. Corruption among judges and legal officials allows powerful figures to escape accountability, reflecting a system that has lost its moral authority. This weak and corrupt institution mirrors the larger social and political decay, reinforcing the play’s critique of systemic injustice. The portrayal underscores the dangers of unchecked corruption and its effect on societal progress.
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Question 15
This question is based on Literary Principles.
'They came for him that Sunday. He had just returned from a night's vigil on the mountain. He was resting on his bed, Bible open at the Book of Revelation, when two police constables, one tall, the other short, knocked at the door.'
Ngugi, 'Petals of Blood'
The writer of the passage above arrests the interest of the reader by employing
'They came for him that Sunday. He had just returned from a night's vigil on the mountain. He was resting on his bed, Bible open at the Book of Revelation, when two police constables, one tall, the other short, knocked at the door.'
Ngugi, 'Petals of Blood'
The writer of the passage above arrests the interest of the reader by employing
The narrative immediately grips the reader with the sudden arrival of police officers while the character is engaged in an act of devotion. The unexpected interruption creates suspense, making readers wonder why the constables have come and what will follow. The contrast between peaceful rest and the ominous knock builds anticipation, encouraging further reading. This suspenseful opening technique is effective in drawing readers deeper into the unfolding story.
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Question 16
This question is based on Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge.
The statement, 'Time the magician, had wrought much here' is made when
The statement, 'Time the magician, had wrought much here' is made when
The phrase 'Time the magician' reflects the theme of transformation and the inevitability of change over the years. It is used when Susan Newson sees Henchard again at Casterbridge after many years, and the passage of time has altered appearances and circumstances. The expression emphasizes how time reshapes lives, relationships, and settings, working like an unseen magician that gradually alters everything beyond recognition.
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Question 17
Based on Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and The Sea, Santiago's second dream occurs
In Hemingway's novella, Santiago dreams twice of lions on the beach. The second dream comes the night before his fishing expedition, showing his yearning for youth, strength, and freedom. The lions symbolize vitality and courage, qualities Santiago relies on in his struggle with the marlin. The dream also foreshadows the endurance he will need, reinforcing his inner resolve. Thus, it is not merely a dream but a symbolic anchor of his spirit.
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Question 18
He is a faithful liar
The line above is an example of
The line above is an example of
The phrase combines two contradictory ideas—faithful and liar—within a single expression, making it an oxymoron. This device juxtaposes opposites to reveal paradoxical truths or create emphasis. By pairing faithfulness, which suggests trustworthiness, with lying, which implies deceit, the statement highlights the complexity of human behavior. The contradiction provokes thought, suggesting that loyalty can coexist with dishonesty in nuanced or ironic ways.
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Question 19
This question is based on J.C Graft's Sons and Daughters.
'Now look what we have: a permanent bloom of ugly paper flowers!'
The device used by Aaron in the excerpt above is
'Now look what we have: a permanent bloom of ugly paper flowers!'
The device used by Aaron in the excerpt above is
The phrase 'permanent bloom of ugly paper flowers' is allegorical, using symbolic imagery to criticize false appearances and societal decay. The paper flowers, unlike natural ones, are artificial and lifeless, yet they remain permanently. This image reflects enduring corruption, hypocrisy, and superficiality within the society. Through allegory, the author communicates a deeper critique of human failings beyond the literal description of flowers.
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Question 20
This question is based on selected poem 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; Nwoga, D.I.(ed.); West Africa Verse and Adeoti G.: Naked Soles
'The silence of the battlefield heralds the widow's anguish.'
The widow in the lines above in Launko's End of the War is in anguish because of the
'The silence of the battlefield heralds the widow's anguish.'
The widow in the lines above in Launko's End of the War is in anguish because of the
The silence of the battlefield conveys the aftermath of total destruction, where no voices remain because all combatants have perished. The widow’s anguish arises from this devastating realization that her husband, along with others, has died. The phrase underscores the futility of war, highlighting personal grief against the backdrop of collective loss. The imagery links silence with death, reinforcing the sorrow and emptiness that follows absolute annihilation.
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Adex Ltd. Issues stock to its retail branches at cost price. The following particulars relate to the branch:
| Particulars | ₦ |
|---|---|
| Stock at branch 1st January at cost | 400 |
| Goods sent to branch at cost | 8,000 |
| Returns to head office | 340 |
| Cash sales | 9,160 |
| Stock at branch 31st December at cost | 720 |
Calculate the cost of goods credited to the head office trading account
This question is based on selected poems from various anthologies. In Cope's *Sonnet VII*, poets are presented as
On January 1, 2000, a club’s assets and liabilities were as follows
\[
\begin{array}{|l|r|}
\hline
\textbf{Description} & \textbf{₦} \\
\hline
\text{Club house} & 8{,}000 \\
\text{Subscription in arrears} & 300 \\
\text{Cash} & 1{,}000 \\
\text{Wages owed} & 100 \\
\hline
\end{array}
\]
The club has 50 members and annual subscription is N100 per member. Subscription received is ₦4,000 and this includes 1999 arrears of ₦200
A database containing all students in a class would store the information of individual students in: