Literature-In-English Exam Past Questions and Answers | JAMB, WAEC and NECO

Literature in English is the study of works written in the English language. It includes all forms of writing, such as novels, plays, short stories, and poetry. This subject involves exploring and analyzing these texts to understand their themes and meanings.

• Question 1:

  This question is based on Ayi Kwei Armah's 'The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born.'

  '' The old man himself does not believe in it

  But when people see you doing something to get ahead, they become jealous and shout the slogans against you .''

  What is being referred to in these lines?

  Options:
  A) Christianity
  B) Pan Africanism
  C) Socialism
  D) Capitalism
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 2:

  This question i based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) Poems of Black Africa, E.K. Senanu and T. Vincent (ed.)Selection of African Poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.) A Pageant of Longer Poems.

  The poet in Sunset Sonata proposes

  Options:
  A) defiance and protest
  B) arrogance and complacency
  C) nonchalance and pride
  D) violence and aggression
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 3:

  This question is based on selected poems from R. Johnson and D. Ker et al (eds.): New poetry from Africa;Wole Soyinka (ed.): Poems of Black Africa; K.E. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.): A Selection of African poetry; M. Umukoro and A Sani et al (eds.): Exam Focus: Literature in English; A.E. Eruvbetine and M. Jibril et al (eds.): Longman Examination Guides: Poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.): A Pageant of Longer Poems.

  'Hurrah for Thunder'by Christopher Okigbo could be regarded as a call to

  Options:
  A) beware of the animals in the jungle
  B) beware of the effects of thunder
  C) condemn the destructive qualities of elephants
  D) be conscious and vigilant of man's abuse of power
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 4: This question is based on General Literary Principles
  The pride that contributes to the fall of a tragic character in a play is known as Options:
  A) harmatia
  B) catharsis
  C) hubris
  D) epistasis
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 5:

  This question is based on selected poems from R. Johnson and D. Ker et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa : Wole Soyinka (ed.): Poems of Black Africa; K.E. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.): A selection of African Poetry and E.W.Parker (ed.): A Pageant of Longer Poems.

  The Owl is used by Ojaide in this poem as a

  Options:
  A) metaphor
  B) symbol
  C) simile
  D) satire
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 6:

  These question is based on Literary Appreciation."Busy old fool

  Unruly sun

  Why dost thou thus

  Through windows

  And through curtains

  Call on us?" J. Donne: The Sun RisingThe figure of speech involved in the lines above is

  Options:
  A) epigram
  B) pun
  C) simile
  D) personification
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 7:

  This question is based on Thomas Hardy's

  Most of Tess'misery as a girl-mother comes from the thought of

  Options:
  A) herselfas the parent of a nameless child
  B) the world's concern about her breaking social law
  C) herself as a spouseless mother
  D) her inexperience in childcare
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 8: Which of the following illustrate the element of chance in Romeo and Juliet? Options:
  A) Friar Lawrence's letter to Romeo
  B) Rosaline rejection of Romeo's love
  C) Juliet's confiding in her nurse
  D) The death of Lady Mountague.
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 9: This question is based on �Literary Appreciation.'An unlucky creation His mother, a street walker;His lying father,A champion at producing bastards.'B.S.: Tibenderana; The BastardThe subject of the poem above is Options:
  A) a prostitute
  B) the lying father
  C) the son
  D) the orphan
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 10:

  This question is based on Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops To Conquer.

  Mrs. Hard: ..Anybody that looks in his face may

  see he's consumptive.

  Hard: Ay, if growing too fat be one of

  the symptoms.

  Mrs. Hard: He coughs sometimes,

  Hard: Yes, when his liquor goes the wrong way

  Mrs. Hard: I'm actually afraid of his lungs.

  Hard: And truly so am I;...

  What takes place immediately after this brief exchange?

  Options:
  A) Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle exit
  B) Tony walks across the stage
  C) There is a knocking at the door
  D) Kate enters begging for calm
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .