Use Of English 2019 Jamb Examination

In the novel, Aliya mentions that her father has a distinct taste in music. Specifically, he is a big fan of the Malian guitarist and singer Ali Farka Touré, whose music he describes as soulful and deep. This is mentioned during their discussions about culture and personal identity.

Akin is one of Aliya's classmates. He is portrayed as being quite confident and somewhat arrogant, often referring to himself by the nickname 'King of boys' to assert his social standing among his peers.

Mr. Bello explains the psychology of bullying to Aliya. He suggests that bullies often act out because of their own internal insecurities; they try to make others feel small because they themselves feel inferior or inadequate, using aggression to gain a false sense of superiority.

Throughout the narrative, Aliya often reflects on her family dynamics. She is the character who frequently expresses the sentiment that brothers can be quite annoying, based on her personal experiences and observations of sibling relationships.

Akin is the character associated with this description. His self-assurance and competitive nature lead to him being referred to (often by himself or in descriptions of his attitude) as a 'gold medalist' in the social or academic hierarchy of the school.

Bolaji Abdullahi's 'Sweet Sixteen' was specifically commissioned and published by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to be used as the mandatory reading text for Use of English candidates for that examination cycle.

Aliya describes her mother's personality traits in the book. One of the 'tell-tale' signs that her mother has moved past her anger or is in a good mood is that she begins to sing or hum songs while moving around the house doing chores.

This theme is central to the chapter on 'Beauty'. Mr. Bello teaches Aliya that while physical beauty might provide a first impression, it is a person's inner character, integrity, and kindness that actually define true beauty and sustain meaningful human connections.

The 'big talk' and the drive were triggered by Aliya reaching a significant milestone in puberty. Her mother informed Mr. Bello that Aliya had started her first menstrual period, prompting him to take her out to discuss the responsibilities and changes that come with becoming a young woman.

Mr. Bello has a philosophical view on birthdays. He explains to Aliya that they don't celebrate them in the conventional way because he views the passing of a year as a reminder that one is moving closer to the end of their life (the grave), and thus it should be a time for sober reflection rather than just partying.