Use Of English 2013 Jamb Examination

In Jerry Agada's 'The Successors', Ifenne is portrayed as a character who demonstrates high levels of integrity and dedication. The encouragement regarding his bright future is a direct result of his character. He proved himself to be a faithful and committed worker while serving Terkura Atsen, which earned him the trust and the prophetic blessing from his mentor regarding his potential for greatness.

During the period of the Nigerian Civil War as depicted in 'The Successors', many Ibo traders who dominated the commercial sector in other parts of the country returned to the East. This mass exit created a vacuum in the market. Mama Okoh, being a resilient and enterprising woman, was able to take advantage of this reduced competition to expand and thrive in her business ventures.

The idiom 'to plumb the depths' means to reach the lowest possible point or to experience the extreme of something unpleasant. In this context, 'plumbing the depths of horror' suggests that the team's performance was as bad as it could possibly be, reaching an extreme level of failure. This naturally results in a situation that is full of disappointment for the fans and stakeholders.

To 'live in each other's pockets' is an English idiom used to describe two people who spend a great deal of time together or are overly dependent on one another. It implies a very high level of intimacy or constant companionship. Therefore, the phrase indicates that Tolu and Chinedu are very close to each other.

The informal idiom 'keep your shirt on' is used to tell someone to stop losing their temper, to be patient, or to remain calm. It is often said to someone who is reacting too strongly or becoming agitated by a situation. In Olatinuke's case, she was being advised to maintain her composure as the events of the drama progressed.

In 'The Potter's Wheel', conscription into the army during the Second World War was sometimes used as a way to rid the community of individuals deemed troublesome or difficult. Uke was seen as a social nuisance or a 'bad egg' in the community, and his conscription was partly a disciplinary measure or a way to channel his energy elsewhere.

In the cultural context of the novel, the 'pad' (the circular roll placed on the head to carry loads) becomes a symbolic element. Specifically, when associated with Obuechina’s experiences and the expectations placed upon him, it often represents the burden of failure or the inability to meet the rigorous standards of his training and upbringing under Teacher Zaccheus.

In 'The Successors', Terkura Atsen looks up to Mr Eze. Mr Eze represents the level of success and commercial prowess that Terkura aspires to achieve. Because Terkura observes Mr Eze's methods and tries to emulate his success in the business world, Mr Eze serves as a role model to him.

David encourages Ifenne to enter politics not for immediate financial gain or corrupt practices, but for the sake of legacy. He believes that by serving in a political capacity, Ifenne can make significant contributions that will be remembered by future generations, thereby making a name for himself for posterity.

The Nigerian Civil War led to the displacement of many Ibo people, who were the primary merchants and traders in many parts of the North and Middle Belt. When they fled or 'exited' back to their homelands, it created a massive commercial vacuum. Local individuals like Owoicho were then able to step in and fill these roles, starting businesses that previously had too much competition to survive.