Use Of English 2018 Jamb Examination
Use Of English 2018 Jamb Examination
The conclusion of the story is marked by the wolf leaping at the lamb and 'garotting' him. The verb 'garotte' refers to the act of strangling someone to death. This violent action, following the wolf's stated intent to 'pay off' scores and 'devour' the lamb, makes it clear that the encounter ended in the death of the lamb. Therefore, the only logical conclusion is that the lamb did not survive the interaction.
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Question 2
The expression 'when this excuse failed him' suggests that the
The phrase 'when this excuse failed him' refers to the wolf's initial attempt to find a reason to attack the lamb. The passage states that the wolf 'wanted to find a pretext for devouring him'. When the lamb logically proved it was impossible for him to muddy the water flowing from upstream, the wolf's 'excuse' (or pretext) was invalidated. This indicates that the wolf's accusations were not based on actual grievances but were fabricated charges designed to justify an act of aggression that he had already decided upon.
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Question 3
The charges levelled against the lamb are
Throughout the dialogue, the wolf levels several specific accusations. First, he accuses the lamb of 'muddying the water' (pollution). Second, he claims the lamb 'insulted' his father (insolence/disrespect). Third, he asks why the lamb is 'taking up so much of the path' (obstruction). Finally, he accuses the lamb's father of having 'seized me by the throat' (aggression). These four categories—pollution, insolence, obstruction, and aggression—comprehensively cover the false pretexts used by the wolf to justify his attack.
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Question 4
The expression angry tone and terrible aspect refers to the wolf’s
In literary descriptions, 'tone' relates to the quality of a person's voice, while 'aspect' refers to their physical appearance or presence. An 'angry tone' suggests a voice that is sharp, loud, or harsh. A 'terrible aspect' suggests an appearance that inspires fear or terror—essentially a menacing or threatening posture. Therefore, the phrase describes the combination of the wolf's frightening vocal delivery and his intimidating physical presence, which left the lamb feeling frightened and submissive.
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Question 5
Which of the following aptly describes the moral of the story?
The proverb 'If you want to hang a dog, any rope will do' (or 'any stick will do to beat a dog') perfectly encapsulates the theme of this fable. It means that if someone is determined to attack, punish, or destroy another person, they will easily find or invent any excuse, however flimsy or illogical, to justify their actions. The wolf had already decided to devour the lamb; the series of increasingly ridiculous accusations were merely the 'ropes' he used to satisfy his own pretense of justification.
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The passage explicitly states that the child 'does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand.' It emphasizes that the child must be the one to initiate the destruction, as seen in the phrase 'He, the builder, must destroy it himself.' This act of personal destruction provides the child with a sense of mastery and 'manic pleasure,' contrasting with the disappointment felt when the tower is preserved for others or destroyed by external forces.
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Question 7
What other feeling does the child derive from the fall of his tower apart from pleasure?
Towards the end of the text, the author notes that destroying the tower provides more than just enjoyment; 'it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker.' This indicates a shift from being a passive victim of gravity (falling on 'wobbly legs') to being an active force of power. The act of making the tower 'waver and collapse' reinforces a sense of personal strength and superiority over the inanimate object.
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Question 8
How does the author try to explain this ‘destructive stage'?
The author provides a psychological explanation for the behavior by linking it to the child's own motor development. The passage suggests this game 'arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence.' By knocking down the tower, the child is essentially gaining 'active mastery' over the phenomenon of falling, which was previously a 'passive event' that happened to them.
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Question 9
The expression 'must kick it and make it collapse' in this context means
In the context of the passage, the word 'must' describes an internal psychological drive rather than an external command or legal obligation. The child feels a strong, instinctive need to destroy his creation to achieve a sense of mastery and pleasure. This makes 'cannot resist the urge to demolish it' the most accurate interpretation, as it captures the impulsive and necessary nature of the act from the child's perspective.
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Question 10
In the passage 'manic pleasure' means
The term 'manic' refers to a state of extreme excitement, energy, or elation. When paired with 'pleasure' in this context, it describes an intense, overwhelming, and perhaps slightly uncontrolled form of joy that the child experiences during the collapse of the tower. This suggests a level of enjoyment that is 'unlimited' or boundless in its intensity, far exceeding a calm or simple sense of satisfaction.
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