Use Of English 2021 Jamb Examination

Ada, who hails from the South South region of Nigeria, mentions that snails are a delicacy in her hometown. This comes up during a conversation among the roommates about different cultural foods and preferences. While the girls from the North might find the idea of eating snails unusual, Ada defends it as a nutritious and delicious part of her heritage. This cultural exchange highlights the diversity within the hostel room and the curiosity the girls have about each other's backgrounds.

In the novel, Labaran is depicted as a character who is less voluble, meaning he is not given to much talking and is quite reserved. As Habib's friend and driver, Labaran often observes more than he speaks. His quiet nature contrasts with Habib’s more outgoing and assertive personality. Labaran’s reticence makes him appear more calculated and observant, often acting as a silent partner in Habib’s various social and political manoeuvres.

Tomiwa is portrayed as an overconfident character, particularly in her interactions with men and her belief in her own charm. This overconfidence is evident when she and her friends encounter Habib and Labaran. Unlike some of her more cautious roommates, Tomiwa often feels she can handle any situation or person through her wit and beauty. However, the novel uses her experiences to show that such confidence can sometimes lead students into unpredictable or compromising social situations.

This statement was made by Labaran. He said this to Habib while they were picking up the girls (Salma and her friends). Labaran was playing the role of the wingman, teasing Habib about his obvious attraction to one of the girls. By 'heartthrob', Labaran was referring to the girl Habib was most interested in, attempting to facilitate a closer interaction between them by arranging the seating in the car. This illustrates the playful yet intentional dynamics between the two men.

The statement was made to Salma. In the scene where Habib and Labaran offer the girls a ride, it is clear that Habib has a particular interest in Salma due to her striking appearance. Labaran, noticing his friend's infatuation, makes the comment to usher Salma into the front seat next to Habib. This moment captures the beginning of the complicated relationship between the wealthy politician Habib and the beautiful university student Salma.

During their encounter, Habib gives Tomiwa a bundle of money totaling fifty thousand naira. This significant amount was intended to impress the girls and secure their favour. When Tomiwa returns to the hostel and reveals the amount to her roommates, it sparks a debate among them about the morality of accepting such large sums from 'sugar daddies' or politicians, highlighting the financial temptations that university students often face.

The final General Studies (GST) paper that Salma and her colleagues had to sit for was Moral Philosophy. This is ironic given the events that follow, as Salma finds herself facing a moral and ethical crisis during this very examination. The choice of 'Moral Philosophy' as the subject for her downfall emphasizes the thematic focus on integrity and the consequences of one's choices, which the novel explores throughout Salma's journey.

Salma struggled significantly with Moral Philosophy. Despite her intelligence in other areas, she found the concepts in this particular course challenging to grasp. Her fear of failing this difficult paper is what ultimately drives her to prepare a 'cheat sheet' or 'crib', leading to her being caught for examination malpractice. This difficulty serves as the catalyst for the climax of her university experience and the life-changing lessons she eventually learns.

During the Moral Philosophy examination, Salma was sitting next to a student named Kola. When the invigilator, Dr Amina, began to suspect Salma of cheating, Salma tried to implicate Kola or use him as a distraction. The interaction between Salma and Kola in the exam hall is tense, as Salma's desperation to hide her malpractice involves trying to pass off her notes or draw others into her predicament to avoid being the sole person caught.

The novel suggests that Dr Amina’s stern attitude towards Salma was partly because she did not like Salma's appearance. Salma was known for her flamboyant and somewhat immodest dressing, which Dr Amina, a disciplined and perhaps more traditional academic, found objectionable. This clash of personalities and values meant that Dr Amina was particularly vigilant when invigilating Salma, leading her to be the one who eventually discovered Salma’s examination malpractice.