Practice neco literature_in_english 2018 Past Questions

Question 1 View Details

Read the following excerpts: (Excerpt from Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart* describing Okonkwo's reaction to the death of his son) and (Excerpt from Charles Dickens's *Great Expectations* describing Pip's reaction to the loss of his benefactor). Based on the two passages, identify the narrative perspective employed in each excerpt and explain how the chosen perspective shapes the reader's sympathy towards the protagonist.

A. Achebe uses third‑person limited; Dickens uses third‑person omniscient. The limited perspective narrows the cultural scope for Okonkwo, and the omniscient narrator provides a broad view of Pip's inner life, lessening immediate sympathy.

B. Achebe uses first‑person; Dickens uses third‑person limited. The first‑person view limits cultural context and creates distance from Okonkwo, while the third‑person limited gives direct insight into Pip's mind, reducing empathy.

C. Achebe uses second‑person; Dickens uses first‑person plural. The second‑person address forces readers to imagine themselves as Okonkwo, while the first‑person plural dilutes personal connection to Pip, resulting in mixed sympathy.

Correct D. Achebe uses third‑person omniscient; Dickens uses first‑person. The omniscient perspective gives the reader a wider cultural context and a more detached sympathy for Okonkwo, whereas the first‑person voice creates intimate access to Pip's thoughts, producing immediate empathy.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 2 View Details

In Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's *Othello*, the stage direction reads: "Othello enters, his hand trembling, and whispers ‘I will kill the Moor.'" What does this stage direction reveal about Othello's psychological state at this point, and how does it foreshadow the climax of the play? Cite two pieces of textual evidence from the play that support your interpretation.

A. The direction reveals Othello's indecision about a political treaty, predicting a diplomatic climax. Evidence: (i) "The senate will decide our fate" (Act 3 Sc 3) and (ii) "Peace is finally signed" (Act 5 Sc 2).

Correct B. The direction shows Othello's jealousy‑driven instability and predicts his murderous climax. Evidence: (i) "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green‑eyed monster…'' (Act 3 Sc 3) and (ii) "I have done the deed; it is done.'' (Act 5 Sc 2).

C. The direction suggests Othello is merely rehearsing a line for a play within the play, foreshadowing a theatrical meta‑commentary. Evidence: (i) "Let us play a scene of murder" (Act 3 Sc 3) and (ii) "The actors take their bows" (Act 5 Sc 2).

D. The direction indicates Othello's calm resolve and hints at a peaceful reconciliation. Evidence: (i) "My love is pure, and I trust my wife" (Act 3 Sc 3) and (ii) "All is well that ends well" (Act 5 Sc 2).

Correct Answer: B

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Question 3 View Details

Define the literary device ‘metonymy' and give an example of its use in any Nigerian novel.

A. Metonymy is the substitution of a word with another that is closely associated with it; for example, in Wole Soyinka's *Ake: The Years of Childhood* the phrase "the white man's law" symbolizes the traditional village council.

B. Metonymy is the repetition of a word for emphasis; for example, in Achebe's *Things Fall Apart* the expression "the white man's law" emphasizes the colonial authority.

C. Metonymy is the use of a word that sounds similar to another word; for example, in Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart* the phrase "the white man's law" refers to the British soldiers.

Correct D. Metonymy is the substitution of a word with another that is closely associated with it; for example, in Achebe's *Things Fall Apart* the expression "the white man's law" represents the colonial legal system.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 4 View Details

The poems *The River* by Gabriel Okara and *The Road Not Taken* by Robert Frost both explore the idea of personal choice. Identify the common theme that links the two poems and explain how each poet develops this theme using different poetic techniques.

A. Both poems focus on the conflict between nature and industrialization. Okara employs a strict sonnet structure to depict the river's stagnation, while Frost uses blank verse to highlight the mechanical road.

B. Both poems examine the tension between tradition and modernity. Okara utilizes a prose‑like free‑verse with urban imagery, whereas Frost adopts anapestic trimeter and a mountain‑path metaphor to stress cultural change.

C. Both poems explore the theme of love versus loss. Okara uses a lyrical ballad style with repetitive rhyme to evoke longing, while Frost employs trochaic pentameter and a crossroads image to illustrate romantic indecision.

Correct D. Both poems deal with the theme of personal choice versus destiny. Okara uses fluid free‑verse imagery of a river to suggest continual movement, while Frost uses a regular iambic tetrameter and a forked‑road metaphor to stress the weight of a single decisive choice.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 5 View Details

Consider the following stanza: "When summer winds begin to sigh, The golden fields awake and lie, A lone hawk circles high above, While shadows stretch in quiet love." Determine the meter of each line (state the number of iambic feet) and identify the rhyme scheme of the stanza.

A. Each line is iambic hexameter (6 iambic feet). The rhyme scheme is AAAA.

B. Each line is iambic trimeter (3 iambic feet). The rhyme scheme is ABBA.

C. Each line is iambic tetrameter (4 iambic feet). The rhyme scheme is ABAB.

Correct D. Each line is iambic pentameter (5 iambic feet). The rhyme scheme is AABB.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 6 View Details

Read the following excerpt from the short story *The Silent River*:\n"I stood at the edge of the river, the water whispering secrets I could not hear. My father's voice echoed in my mind, urging me forward, yet my feet remained rooted in the mud. The sky above was a bruised violet, as if the day itself were reluctant to end. I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of generations pressing down on my shoulders."\n(a) Identify the narrative perspective used in the excerpt.\n(b) State the primary type of conflict depicted.\n(c) Briefly explain how this conflict contributes to the development of the protagonist's character.

A. a) Third‑person omniscient narrator; b) Man vs nature (external conflict); c) The external challenge forces the protagonist to confront the harsh environment, leading to resilience.

B. a) First‑person objective narrator; b) Man vs society (social conflict); c) The societal pressure reveals the protagonist's alienation, driving a shift in worldview.

Correct C. a) First‑person limited narrator; b) Man vs self (internal conflict); c) The internal struggle exposes the protagonist's fear and sense of duty, prompting character growth toward taking action.

D. a) Second‑person narrator; b) Man vs technology (external conflict); c) The technological obstacle highlights the protagonist's adaptability, resulting in personal growth.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 7 View Details

Read the following passage:\n"The market stalls bustled beneath the shade of towering baobab trees, their canopies dripping with the scent of roasted millet. Children chased each other along the dusty lanes while the call to prayer resonated from the minaret at the far end of the square. The year was 1965, and the newly independent nation was still finding its voice."\n(a) Identify the geographical region suggested by the description.\n(b) State the historical period indicated.\n(c) Explain how the setting influences the mood of the passage.

A. a) North African (Maghreb) region; b) Early 1970s pre‑oil boom era; c) The lively market and religious calls create a tense, chaotic mood highlighting social unrest.

B. a) East African (Great Rift) region; b) Late 1950s pre‑independence period; c) The vibrant stalls and prayers evoke a nostalgic, reflective mood recalling traditional life.

C. a) West African (Coastal) region; b) Mid‑1960s Cold War era; c) The bustling market and sounds produce a somber, oppressive mood underscoring colonial legacy.

Correct D. a) West African (Sahel) region; b) Mid‑1960s post‑colonial period; c) The bustling market and cultural sounds generate an optimistic, hopeful mood reflecting a nation in transition.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 8 View Details

Identify the literary genre of the following excerpt: "She walked into the room, her eyes like twin moons, and the silence sang louder than any drum." Choose from: poetry, drama, or prose.

Correct A. Prose

B. Drama

C. Poetry

D. Fable

Correct Answer: A

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Question 9 View Details

Two excerpts are presented below.\nExcerpt A: "The river sang the names of my ancestors, each ripple a memory of the village that once thrived before the dam rose. My mother's hands, calloused from grinding millet, traced the patterns of the old songs, reminding me that the land remembers."\nExcerpt B: "The city lights flickered like distant stars, each billboard shouting promises of success. Jonathan adjusted his tie, feeling the cold steel of the elevator as it rose, his thoughts drifting to the childhood farm he left behind."\n(a) Identify which excerpt is African based on cultural markers.\n(b) Compare the narrative techniques employed in the two excerpts, focusing on sensory imagery and symbolism.\n(c) Evaluate which excerpt more effectively conveys the theme of identity, providing a brief justification.

Correct A. a) Excerpt A is African.\nb) Excerpt A uses auditory and tactile imagery with symbols of river and millet to evoke tradition; Excerpt B uses visual and tactile imagery with symbols of city lights and elevator to evoke modern ambition.\nc) Excerpt A more powerfully expresses the theme of identity because its cultural symbols directly tie the narrator to heritage and place.

B. a) Both excerpts are African. b) Excerpt A employs visual imagery of city lights, and Excerpt B employs auditory imagery of river sounds. c) Neither excerpt effectively conveys the theme of identity.

C. a) Excerpt A is African. b) Excerpt A uses visual and olfactory imagery with symbols of city lights and elevators, whereas Excerpt B uses auditory imagery of river and millet. c) Excerpt B more effectively conveys the theme of identity due to its modern setting.

D. a) Excerpt B is African. b) Excerpt B uses auditory and tactile imagery with symbols of river and millet, while Excerpt A relies on visual and tactile imagery of city lights and elevators. c) Excerpt B more powerfully expresses the theme of identity because its cultural symbols directly tie the narrator to heritage and place.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 10 View Details

A summary of the short story *The Broken Mirror* is given below.\n"Amara returns to her hometown after ten years abroad. She discovers that the old school she attended has been converted into a community centre. While helping to repaint the walls, she confronts memories of her childhood and the expectations of her family, ultimately deciding to reconcile her past with her present ambitions."\n(a) Identify the central theme of the story.\n(b) Explain how the literary devices of symbolism (the broken mirror) and juxtaposition (old school vs. community centre) support this theme.

A. a) The central theme is the loss of cultural heritage (nostalgia and regret). b) The broken mirror symbolizes lost memories, while the juxtaposition of the old school and the community centre highlights the decline of traditional values in favor of modern communal life.

Correct B. a) The central theme is the reconciliation of past and present (identity and belonging).\nb) The broken mirror symbolizes a fragmented identity that needs mending, while the juxtaposition of the old school and the community centre underscores the tension between heritage and future, both underscoring the theme of reconciling past with present.

C. a) The central theme is the triumph of personal ambition over familial expectations (self‑realization). b) The broken mirror represents the protagonist's ambition reflecting multiple possibilities, and the juxtaposition of the old school with the community centre illustrates the conflict between personal goals and communal duties.

D. a) The central theme is the inevitability of change and adaptation (growth). b) The broken mirror stands for inevitable change, and the juxtaposition of the old school and the community centre emphasizes the shift from past to future, reinforcing the theme of change rather than reconciliation.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 11 View Details

Read the following excerpt from Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart* (Chapter 7): "Okonkwo's second wife had just given birth to a boy. The midwife, a thin woman with a sour face, said, ‘Another child? You must be tired.' Okonkwo laughed, ‘Tired? I have never been tired.'" Identify the predominant tone of the passage and name the two linguistic features that most strongly convey this tone.

Correct A. ironic; understatement and rhetorical questions

B. humorous; metaphor and parallelism

C. sarcastic; hyperbole and alliteration

D. tragic; symbolism and foreshadowing

Correct Answer: A

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Question 12 View Details

In the sentence "He was a lion in the courtroom," which literary device is employed?

Correct A. metaphor

B. hyperbole

C. simile

D. personification

Correct Answer: A

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Question 13 View Details

Consider the sentence: "She whispered, ‘I no go fit wait again', and hurried away." What is the effect of using Nigerian Pidgin in this sentence on the characterization of the speaker?

A. It emphasizes the speaker's confusion and uncertainty, portraying them as hesitant

Correct B. It conveys informality and cultural identity, showing the speaker is street‑wise and relatable

C. It implies the speaker is indifferent and detached, showing a lack of personal investment

D. It suggests the speaker is highly educated and formal, highlighting a polished demeanor

Correct Answer: B

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Question 14 View Details

In the novel, Okonkwo struggles with his fear of appearing weak while also confronting the colonial government's new laws. Identify the type of conflict primarily depicted and explain how this conflict drives the plot.

A. social conflict; his fear of weakness causes him to withdraw from the community, avoiding confrontation with the colonial authorities

B. external conflict; his fear of weakness leads him to negotiate peacefully with the colonial authorities

Correct C. internal conflict; his fear of weakness drives reckless actions that bring him into direct clash with the colonial authorities

D. internal conflict; his desire for wealth drives reckless actions that bring him into direct clash with the colonial authorities

Correct Answer: C

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Question 15 View Details

Read the stanza below: "Upon the fleeting dusk, the rose does fade, Its crimson hue to pale as morning's shade; The wind that whispered once now sighs in grief, And time, relentless, steals the brief relief." Identify the poetic form and the meter pattern, and explain how the chosen form reinforces the theme of transience.

A. It is a Shakespearean‑style sonnet quatrain written in iambic trimeter; the shorter meter creates a hurried feel that does not align with the measured passage of time, thus misrepresenting the theme

B. It is a blank‑verse quatrain composed in iambic pentameter; the lack of rhyme scheme and free form contrast with the theme, making the form less appropriate for transience

Correct C. It is a Shakespearean‑style sonnet quatrain written in iambic pentameter; the strict sonnet form and regular meter echo the inevitable, measured passage of time, reinforcing the theme of transience

D. It is a Petrarchan‑style sonnet stanza written in trochaic tetrameter; the rigid sonnet structure and steady rhythm highlight the fleeting nature of life, reinforcing the theme of transience

Correct Answer: C

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Question 16 View Details

Rewrite the following sentence correcting all grammatical errors: "If she would have studied harder, she could have passed the exam which was very difficult."

A. If she studied harder, she could have passed the very difficult exam.

B. If she had studied harder, she would have passed the very difficult exam.

C. If she had studied harder, she could pass the very difficult exam.

Correct D. If she had studied harder, she could have passed the very difficult exam.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 17 View Details

Read the following passage: "The old clock on the wall had stopped ticking years ago, yet every evening the village elders gathered around it, listening to its silent hands as if they still marked the passage of time. The children, who once chased its shadow across the dusty square, now whispered that the clock kept the memory of their ancestors alive." Identify the central theme of the passage and explain how the author's use of symbolism develops this theme.

A. The central theme is the loss of community cohesion, shown by the elders' futile listening to a silent clock that no longer unites them.

Correct B. The central theme is the endurance of cultural memory/tradition despite physical decay, developed through the symbolism of the stopped clock, which, though no longer ticking, is treated by the elders and children as a keeper of ancestral time and memory.

C. The central theme is the passage of time as a destructive force, with the stopped clock symbolizing death and the end of tradition.

D. The central theme is the inevitability of technological progress, illustrated by the stopped clock representing the obsolescence of old methods.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 18 View Details

Read the excerpt below: "She stood at the edge of the river, watching the water rush past, feeling the cold spray on her face. In that moment, she remembered the promise she had made to her brother, a promise that now seemed as distant as the far bank." Identify the point of view used in the passage and discuss how this perspective influences the reader's perception of the protagonist.

A. Second‑person; it addresses the reader directly, creating an immersive but detached feeling toward the protagonist.

B. Third‑person omniscient; it offers an all‑knowing perspective that reveals multiple characters' thoughts, reducing the focus on the protagonist.

C. First‑person; it provides direct access to the narrator's inner thoughts, making the experience intensely personal but limiting insight into other characters.

Correct D. Third‑person limited; it lets the reader closely experience her thoughts and feelings while keeping a modest narrative distance, thereby creating empathy and immediacy.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 19 View Details

Scene A (African drama - "The Palm Wine Tapper") shows a young man secretly listening to his father's confession about a past betrayal, while the audience knows the truth before the characters do. Scene B (Non‑African drama - "The Glass Menagerie") features a character who mentions a photograph that the audience later discovers has been altered, revealing a hidden family secret. Compare how dramatic irony is employed in the two scenes and evaluate which play uses dramatic irony more effectively, providing reasons for your judgment.

Correct A. Both scenes use dramatic irony, but "The Palm Wine Tapper" does so more effectively because the audience's early knowledge creates continuous suspense and directly drives the son's emotional response, whereas the irony in "The Glass Menagerie" is revealed later and serves mainly a thematic purpose.

B. "The Palm Wine Tapper" and "The Glass Menagerie" use dramatic irony equally; the audience's knowledge functions similarly in both plays, making any claim of greater effectiveness unfounded.

C. Both scenes employ dramatic irony, but "The Glass Menagerie" uses it more effectively because the delayed revelation creates a stronger emotional shock for the audience, while the irony in "The Palm Wine Tapper" is limited to a single moment.

D. Neither scene actually uses dramatic irony; both rely on straightforward exposition, so comparing their effectiveness is irrelevant.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 20 View Details

In the sentence "The thunderous applause thundered through the hall, as if the walls themselves were clapping in delight," identify each figure of speech used and explain the effect each has on the description.

A. The sentence contains oxymoron ("thunderous applause thundered") which juxtaposes contradictory ideas, and irony ("the walls themselves were clapping") which suggests the inanimate walls are reacting, creating a humorous effect.

B. The sentence contains hyperbole ("thunderous applause thundered") which exaggerates the intensity of the sound, and metaphor ("the walls themselves were clapping") which compares the walls to a crowd, adding vividness.

C. The sentence contains alliteration ("thunderous applause thundered") which repeats the initial consonant sound, and simile ("as if the walls themselves were clapping in delight") which directly compares the walls to clappers, enhancing the imagery.

Correct D. The sentence contains tautology/onomatopoeia ("thunderous applause thundered") which heightens the sense of loud, resonant sound, and personification ("the walls themselves were clapping") which animates the setting, making the applause feel all‑encompassing and celebratory.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 21 View Details

Read the following excerpt from the play *The King's Speech*: "Miriam: ‘You think you can silence the crowd? They will hear the truth, even if you drown it with lies.'" Identify the dramatic technique used in Miriam's line and explain in two sentences how it contributes to her character development.

A. Foreshadowing; it hints at an upcoming rebellion by the crowd, suggesting Miriam predicts future events.

Correct B. Dramatic irony; it reveals Miriam's awareness of the crowd's truth despite the antagonist's denial, thereby underscoring her moral courage.

C. Allusion; it references a historical speech, indicating Miriam's knowledge of past leaders and adding depth to her rhetoric.

D. Verbal irony; it shows Miriam mocking the crowd's beliefs, highlighting her sarcasm rather than moral resolve.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 22 View Details

The poet writes: "Morning light draped the hills in gold, promising a day of endless hope." Later the poem states: "But the wind whispered lies, and the sky turned a bruised violet, sealing the day in dread." Identify the primary tone of the first passage, the tone of the second passage, and state the type of tonal shift that occurs between them.

A. First passage: serene\/calm; second passage: melancholic\/sad; tonal shift: from serene to melancholic (calmness to sadness).

B. First passage: jubilant\/exuberant; second passage: tranquil\/peaceful; tonal shift: from jubilant to tranquil (exuberance to peace).

C. First passage: nostalgic\/reflective; second passage: angry\/irate; tonal shift: from nostalgic to angry (reflection to ire).

Correct D. First passage: hopeful/optimistic; second passage: ominous/foreboding; tonal shift: from hopeful to ominous (optimism to foreboding).

Correct Answer: D

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Question 23 View Details

In the short story ‘The Market Stall', the narrator describes: "Dust rose from the cobbled streets as the sun sank behind the minarets; the scent of spices mingled with the call to prayer echoing from the mosque; women in bright wrappers bartered loudly over woven fabrics." Based on these clues, (a) identify the likely historical period and geographical region, and (b) give two ways the setting influences the plot.

A. Likely a 19‑century Ottoman Anatolian village; the market's chatter drives a political intrigue and the minarets' shadows set the scene for the story's resolution.

B. Likely a 18‑century Mughal Indian town; the bustling bazaar intensifies the romance subplot and the mosque's bells dictate the protagonist's secret meetings.

Correct C. Likely a 19th‑century Ottoman North‑African city; the market setting fuels the protagonist's trade conflict and the call to prayer structures the timing of the story's climax.

D. Likely a 20‑century colonial French coastal village; the market's spice aromas spark a culinary rivalry and the call to prayer marks the end of the protagonist's journey.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 24 View Details

Consider the following stanza: "The sea sang a silver hymn, its foam brushed my skin like cold glass, the salty wind carried the scent of distant pine, while gulls shrieked sharp as broken glass." Identify the sensory modality (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory) employed in each line, and explain in two sentences how the combination of these images establishes the poem's overall mood.

A. Line 1 - auditory; Line 2 - tactile; Line 3 - visual; Line 4 - auditory. This mix of senses evokes a tranquil, soothing mood, focusing on peacefulness rather than tension.

B. Line 1 - auditory; Line 2 - visual; Line 3 - olfactory; Line 4 - tactile. The combination yields a lively, celebratory mood, emphasizing joy and vibrancy.

C. Line 1 - visual; Line 2 - tactile; Line 3 - olfactory; Line 4 - auditory. The blend of these senses creates a calm, nostalgic mood, highlighting serenity over threat.

Correct D. Line 1 - auditory; Line 2 - tactile; Line 3 - olfactory; Line 4 - auditory. The mixture of these senses produces a tense, eerie mood, juxtaposing beauty with an undercurrent of danger.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 25 View Details

Read the two sentences from the novel *Silent Streets*: "He stepped into the alley, the rain dripping from his coat, the neon flickering, the night swallowing his footsteps." "He ran, heart pounding, lungs burning, feet pounding the wet pavement." Identify the stylistic device used in each sentence and discuss in one sentence how it affects the narrative pacing.

Correct A. Sentence 1 uses asyndeton, speeding up the description; Sentence 2 uses parallelism, reinforcing a frantic rhythm and further accelerating the pacing.

B. Sentence 1 uses polysyndeton, slowing the description; Sentence 2 uses anaphora, creating a repetitive rhythm that steadies the pacing.

C. Sentence 1 uses alliteration, adding musicality without affecting speed; Sentence 2 uses antithesis, contrasting ideas that pause the narrative flow.

D. Sentence 1 uses chiasmus, mirroring phrases and delaying the action; Sentence 2 uses asyndeton, which quickens the pace but is incorrectly applied.

Correct Answer: A

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