Practice neco literature_in_english 2022 Past Questions

Question 1 View Details

Read the following excerpt: "The market stalls were crowded with traders shouting in a language that sounded like a blend of Hausa and Arabic, while the scent of millet porridge drifted through the dusty streets of the walled town. At sunset, the call to prayer echoed from the minaret, and the men gathered under the shade of the baobab tree to discuss the day's harvest." Identify the specific setting (city, country, and historical period) that best fits these clues. Support your answer with two pieces of evidence from the excerpt.

A. Marrakesh, Morocco, late 18th century (Alawi dynasty era)

Correct B. Kano, Northern Nigeria, early 19th century (Sokoto Caliphate era)

C. Kumasi, Ghana, early 19th century (Ashanti Empire era)

D. Timbuktu, Mali, mid 19th century (French colonial period)

Correct Answer: B

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Question 2 View Details

The passage reads: "She moved through the room with a measured gait, her eyes never lingering on the glittering ornaments that adorned the walls. When the steward offered her a goblet of wine, she politely declined, saying, 'I prefer the clarity of water, for it mirrors the truth.'" Based on the passage, identify two dominant traits of the character and cite the textual evidence that reveals each trait.

Correct A. She is modest (refuses wine) and contemplative/philosophical (water as a mirror of truth).

B. She is aloof (ignores ornaments) and materialistic (prefers water for its clarity)

C. She is indifferent (doesn't linger on ornaments) and pragmatic (chooses water for health reasons)

D. She is rebellious (rejects wine) and literal-minded (water mirrors truth literally)

Correct Answer: A

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Question 3 View Details

Read the passage: "The old railway bridge creaked under the weight of memories. Each rusted bolt seemed to hold a story of lovers who once whispered promises beneath its arches, and of workers whose calloused hands had welded steel to the river's restless flow. Now, the river ran silent, its waters reflecting a sky bruised with the orange of dusk, as if mourning the loss of the bustling trains that once sang their metallic hymn." Analyze the passage by (a) identifying the central theme, (b) describing the tone, (c) stating the author's purpose, and (d) evaluating how the symbolism of the bridge contributes to the overall effect.

A. Theme: nature\/technology conflict; Tone: critical; Purpose: to warn about environmental impact of industrialization; Symbolism of the bridge: it represents human intrusion into the natural world, highlighting the conflict.

B. Theme: love and romance\/personal memory; Tone: romantic; Purpose: to evoke emotional connections and nostalgia for past relationships; Symbolism of the bridge: it serves as a meeting place for lovers, reinforcing the romantic tone.

C. Theme: industrial triumph\/human achievement; Tone: hopeful optimism; Purpose: to celebrate engineering feats and progress; Symbolism of the bridge: it stands as a monument to human ingenuity, reinforcing the optimistic tone.

Correct D. Theme: passage of time/loss of industrial progress; Tone: nostalgic melancholy; Purpose: to make readers reflect on change and memory; Symbolism of the bridge: it embodies connection and memory, reinforcing the theme and melancholic tone.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 4 View Details

Consider the four‑line excerpt: "When night descends, the stars align / In whispered verses, time resigns / The moon, a lantern, softly glows / While shadows dance in silent rows." (i) Identify the poetic form, including rhyme scheme and meter. (ii) Discuss how the identified meter enhances the poem's contemplative mood.

A. Form: couplet, AABB rhyme, iambic pentameter; The regular iambic pentameter creates a lively pace that detracts from the poem's contemplative mood

B. Form: quatrain, ABBA rhyme, trochaic tetrameter; The trochaic tetrameter adds a brisk, marching feel that contrasts with the poem's reflective tone

Correct C. Form: quatrain, ABAB rhyme, iambic tetrameter; The steady iambic tetrameter gives a calm, regular rhythm that reinforces the contemplative mood of the poem.

D. Form: quatrain, ABAB rhyme, iambic trimeter; The iambic trimeter provides a brisk rhythm that lessens the poem's contemplative atmosphere

Correct Answer: C

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Question 5 View Details

Original sentence: "If we was to travel to the coast, we would have enjoyed the fresh sea breeze and the sound of waves." (a) Rewrite the sentence in correct formal English, preserving its meaning. (b) Identify one grammatical error in the original sentence.

A. a) If we were traveling to the coast, we would have enjoyed the fresh sea breeze and the sound of the waves. b) Error: "travel" should be "travelling" (spelling).

Correct B. a) If we were to travel to the coast, we would have enjoyed the fresh sea breeze and the sound of the waves. b) Error: "was" should be "were" (subjunctive mood).

C. a) If we was to travel to the coast, we would have enjoyed the fresh sea breeze and the sound of the waves. b) Error: No error; the sentence is correct.

D. a) If we were to travel to the coast, we would enjoy the fresh sea breeze and the sound of the waves. b) Error: "were" should be "was" (subjunctive mood).

Correct Answer: B

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Question 6 View Details

Read the following excerpt from a contemporary Nigerian play: [Stage Direction] A shattered mirror lies on the floor, reflecting fragmented light. [Dialogue] ALICE: (aside) I cannot bear the weight of this secret any longer. BOB: (whispers) The truth will surface soon. Which dramatic technique is primarily responsible for foreshadowing the climax, and what is the symbolic meaning of the prop described in the stage directions?

Correct A. Stage direction; the shattered mirror symbolizes the protagonist's fragmented identity.

B. Character monologue; the shattered mirror symbolizes the societal decay surrounding the protagonist.

C. Dialogue; the shattered mirror symbolizes the broken promises between characters.

D. Lighting; the shattered mirror symbolizes the looming danger in the plot.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 7 View Details

Define the literary device "metaphor" and give an original example that illustrates its use.

A. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words "like" or "as"; for example, "The night is like a blanket covering the city."

B. A metaphor is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally; for instance, "The night covered the entire world in a single breath."

C. A metaphor is a type of figurative language that gives human qualities to non-human objects; e.g., "The night whispered secrets to the city."

Correct D. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as"; e.g., "The night was a blanket that smothered the city."

Correct Answer: D

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Question 8 View Details

Which literary genre is characterised by a narrative that primarily explores the psychological development of a single character, often using first‑person narration and internal monologue?

A. Psychological thriller

B. Stream-of-consciousness novel

C. Bildungsroman

Correct D. Psychological novel

Correct Answer: D

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Question 9 View Details

Two short‑story excerpts are presented below. Excerpt A: "The river that forgets its source dries. In the village of Umuogwu, elders gather around the fire, telling stories of ancestors who walked the banks. The children listen, their eyes reflecting the water's shimmer, as the old man repeats the proverb, reminding them that memory sustains the community." Excerpt B: "She drifted through the crowded streets of London, thoughts tangled like the tangled wires of the underground. Voices overlapped, each a fragment of a life she could never fully grasp. The narrative surged forward in a stream of consciousness, never pausing for breath." Identify which excerpt is African prose, and explain how the setting in each excerpt contributes to the central theme of cultural identity.

Correct A. Excerpt A is African prose because it contains an indigenous proverb and a rural village setting that ties the community to its ancestors; the setting reinforces cultural identity through collective memory. Excerpt B's London setting emphasizes alienation and fragmented identity, showing a different cultural context.

B. Excerpt B is African prose because it features a communal gathering and references to oral tradition, while the London setting reflects the diaspora's connection to African roots.

C. Both excerpts are African prose; the river in Excerpt A symbolizes African heritage, and the London streets in Excerpt B represent the African diaspora's struggle.

D. Excerpt A is African prose, but the cultural identity is shown through the modern urban environment rather than the village, highlighting contemporary African city life.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 10 View Details

Consider the following four‑line stanza: "Upon the hill the sunrise paints the sky, The golden rays reveal the sleeping town, A gentle breeze awakens rustling leaves, And morning sings a hymn of hopeful sound." Identify the meter of the stanza, the poetic device that creates emphasis on the word "golden", and calculate the total number of stressed syllables in the third line.

Correct A. The stanza is in iambic pentameter; the emphasis on "golden" is created by an epithet; the third line has 5 stressed syllables.

B. The stanza is in iambic trimeter; the emphasis on "golden" is created by a metaphor; the third line has 6 stressed syllables.

C. The stanza is in trochaic tetrameter; the emphasis on "golden" is created by alliteration; the third line has 4 stressed syllables.

D. The stanza is in anapestic dimeter; the emphasis on "golden" is created by enjambment; the third line has 3 stressed syllables.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 11 View Details

In the novel, the village school opened eight years before the country's independence in 1960. The protagonist was fifteen years old when the school opened. Later, in the city chapter, the protagonist is described as being sixty‑three years old. In which calendar year does the city chapter take place?

A. 1999

Correct B. 2000

C. 2001

D. 1998

Correct Answer: B

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Question 12 View Details

A short story presents two main conflicts. Conflict A arises when the protagonist's brother betrays him over a family heirloom. Conflict B is the protagonist's internal struggle with his fear of water after a childhood incident. The climax includes a decisive confrontation with the brother, while the ending still describes the protagonist's lingering fear of water. Which conflict is resolved by the end of the story, and why?

A. Conflict B is resolved; Conflict A remains unresolved.

B. Both Conflict A and Conflict B are resolved.

C. Neither Conflict A nor Conflict B is resolved.

Correct D. Conflict A is resolved; Conflict B remains unresolved.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 13 View Details

The story alternates between two settings. The coastal town description mentions a mobile‑phone network that was introduced in 2002. The highland village description refers to a radio broadcast of the 1998 national election. Based on these technological references, which setting is depicted later in the narrative?

A. The highland‑village setting is later.

B. The narrative does not specify which setting occurs later.

Correct C. The coastal‑town setting is later.

D. Both settings are presented simultaneously.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 14 View Details

In a novel, the author uses the metaphor of a "wilted flower" to represent loss. In Chapter 5 the wilted flower is described as "still clinging to a single droplet of dew". In Chapter 9 the same metaphor appears as "a seed sprouting from the wilted petals". How does the theme evolve between these chapters, and what specific textual shift signals this change?

Correct A. The theme shifts from despair to hope; the textual change from a "droplet of dew" to a "seed sprouting" signals this evolution.

B. The theme remains constant in despair; the textual change from a "droplet of dew" to a "seed sprouting" merely adds imagery without altering the theme.

C. The theme shifts from hope to despair; the textual change from a "droplet of dew" to a "seed sprouting" signals a decline in optimism.

D. The theme shifts from nostalgia to regret; the textual change from a "droplet of dew" to a "seed sprouting" signals this evolution.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 15 View Details

A persuasive essay on environmental policy is written in three tonal phases. The opening paragraph adopts a sarcastic tone, mocking the government's "brilliant" plan with rhetorical questions and irony. The middle paragraph shifts to a solemn tone, describing victims of pollution with emotive adjectives such as "tragic" and "heart‑breaking". The final paragraph moves to an optimistic tone, using forward‑looking verbs ("can achieve", "will improve") and inclusive pronouns ("we", "our"). Identify the three tonal phases, list two linguistic markers that signal each shift, and explain how the overall tonal progression enhances the essay's persuasiveness.

A. The essay moves from an optimistic tone (marked by forward‑looking verbs and inclusive pronouns), to a sarcastic tone (marked by rhetorical questions and irony), and finally to a solemn tone (marked by emotive adjectives and somber diction). This order first offers hope, then undermines it with sarcasm, and concludes with sadness, weakening the persuasive effect.

B. The essay moves from a sarcastic tone (marked by rhetorical questions and irony), to an optimistic tone (marked by forward‑looking verbs and inclusive pronouns), and finally to a solemn tone (marked by emotive adjectives and somber diction). This sequence shifts from criticism to hope and ends with melancholy, which misrepresents the intended persuasive strategy.

C. The essay moves from a solemn tone (marked by emotive adjectives and somber diction), to a sarcastic tone (marked by rhetorical questions and irony), and finally to an optimistic tone (marked by forward‑looking verbs and inclusive pronouns). This progression first evokes empathy, then critiques the policy, and ends with hope, which does not effectively build persuasive momentum.

Correct D. The essay moves from a sarcastic tone (marked by rhetorical questions and irony), to a solemn tone (marked by emotive adjectives and somber diction), and finally to an optimistic tone (marked by forward‑looking verbs and inclusive pronouns). This tonal progression first engages the reader's critical thinking, then evokes empathy, and ends with hope, thereby strengthening the persuasive impact.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 16 View Details

Read the following two excerpts from the short story *The Silent River*. Excerpt A: "When the villagers gathered around the ancient well, Amina whispered, ‘If we keep silent, the river will forget our prayers.'" Excerpt B: "Later, as the drought deepened, Amina stood before the council and declared, ‘Our silence has cost us life; we must speak the truth, even if the river judges us.'" State the central theme of the story, supporting your answer with reference to both excerpts.

A. The inevitability of fate and the power of nature over human actions.

B. The danger of relying on superstition and ancient rituals to solve problems.

Correct C. The importance of speaking truth and taking responsibility rather than remaining silent.

D. The value of community solidarity and collective silence in the face of hardship.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 17 View Details

Consider the passage from *Shadows of the Market*: ‘The merchant laughed, his eyes glittering like cheap coins, "Another day, another fool to swindle." The crowd cheered, their voices a raucous chorus of greed. … Yet as the sun set, the same merchant stared at the empty stalls, his voice a hoarse whisper, "What have I truly gained?" The market fell silent, the laughter drained from the air.' Identify the change in tone between the first and second half of the passage and explain two specific linguistic techniques the author uses to achieve this shift.

A. The tone transitions from nostalgic reverence to sarcastic ridicule; the author employs metaphorical language and a reversal of the setting from night to day.

B. The tone changes from hopeful optimism to angry condemnation; the author uses repetitive alliteration and a shift from bright to dark color imagery.

C. The passage moves from a neutral descriptive tone to a frantic, chaotic mood; this is achieved by using onomatopoeia and a rapid increase in sentence length.

Correct D. The tone shifts from mocking, sarcastic humor to somber, reflective melancholy; the author achieves this through contrasting diction (e.g., "laughed" vs "hoarse whisper") and a change in imagery from a bustling market to empty, silent stalls.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 18 View Details

In *The Lantern Keeper*, the protagonist, Kofi, is introduced through his actions: he carefully arranges lanterns at dusk, humming a lullaby his mother taught him, and when a child trips, he gently lifts the child, saying, ‘The night is dark, but we must keep the light for each other.' Analyze how the author develops Kofi's character, citing two techniques of indirect characterization.

A. By focusing on Kofi's dialogue about the darkness and his solitary walks, the author employs indirect characterization to portray him as isolated and mysterious.

B. Through the narrator's explicit statements about Kofi's bravery and the symbolic use of the lantern as a guide, the author directly characterizes him as courageous and independent.

C. By describing Kofi's thoughts about the night sky and his internal monologue about fear, the author uses indirect characterization to suggest his curiosity and adventurous spirit.

Correct D. Through his compassionate actions (arranging lanterns, helping the child) and his reassuring dialogue that uses the light metaphor, the author uses indirect characterization to reveal Kofi's kindness and sense of responsibility.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 19 View Details

The following stage direction appears in Act II, Scene 3 of the play *Echoes*: ‘[A sudden gust of wind blows the curtains aside, revealing a hidden doorway that was previously unseen.]' Explain the dramatic purpose of this stage direction within the scene.

A. It provides comic relief by introducing an unexpected physical gag, lightening the mood of the scene.

B. It foreshadows a character's sudden exit, suggesting the hidden doorway will be used for a quick departure rather than revealing a secret passage.

Correct C. It creates suspense by unveiling a secret passage, signalling an upcoming revelation and heightening tension in the scene.

D. It establishes the setting by indicating a change in weather, helping the audience visualize the environment rather than advancing the plot.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 20 View Details

Read the soliloquy spoken by Amara in *The Crown's Burden*: ‘To wear the crown is to bear a weight unseen, a crown of thorns woven from promises broken. My heart aches between duty to my people and love for the one I must betray. Yet the kingdom's sighs echo louder than my own desires.' Discuss how this soliloquy reveals Amara's internal conflict and how it propels the plot forward.

Correct A. It shows her struggle between royal duty and personal love, creating a moral dilemma that forces her to choose, thereby driving the story toward a decisive climax.

B. It portrays Amara as eager to abandon her responsibilities and join the rebels, emphasizing a political uprising rather than personal conflict.

C. It suggests that Amara is primarily concerned with securing her own legacy, treating the crown as a symbol of personal glory rather than a burden.

D. It interprets the soliloquy as a hint that the kingdom will face an external invasion, focusing on geopolitical threats instead of her inner turmoil.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 21 View Details

Identify the poet who wrote the line "The world is too much with us; late and soon".

A. Percy Bysshe Shelley

B. John Keats

C. Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Correct D. William Wordsworth

Correct Answer: D

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Question 22 View Details

Read the following six‑line stanza: "Golden sun rose over the silent sea, Seagulls cried in the crisp morning air, The sand slipped through my fingers, Waves whispered secrets to the shore, A distant drumbeat echoed from the hills, The salty spray stung my cheeks." Which type of imagery occurs most frequently in the stanza? State the type and justify your choice by counting the instances of each imagery type.

A. Tactile imagery - it appears in one of the six lines (line 6), more than visual (lines 1, 3, 4) and auditory (lines 2, 5).

B. Auditory imagery - it appears in two of the six lines (lines 2, 5), more than visual (lines 1, 3, 4) and tactile (line 6).

Correct C. Visual imagery - it appears in three of the six lines (lines 1, 3, 4), more than auditory (lines 2, 5) and tactile (line 6).

D. Visual imagery - it appears in four of the six lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 4), more than auditory (lines 5) and tactile (line 6).

Correct Answer: C

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Question 23 View Details

Read the excerpt: "When I behold the night's dark veil, the moon smiles upon the sleeping earth, and the stars whisper secrets of eternity." Identify two poetic devices used in this passage and explain how each device contributes to the theme of nature's mystery.

Correct A. Metaphor ("night's dark veil") - it cloaks the night in secrecy, hinting at hidden depths; and personification (the moon "smiles" and the stars "whisper") - it gives nature human qualities that suggest it holds secret knowledge, together enhancing the theme of nature's mystery.

B. Simile ("moon smiles like a child") - it directly compares the moon to a human, suggesting innocence rather than mystery, which does not align with the theme.

C. Hyperbole ("the stars whisper secrets of eternity") - exaggerates the stars' communication, overstating their role and missing the subtle mystery intended.

D. Alliteration ("sleeping stars") - the repetition of the 's' sound creates a musical effect but does not convey the deeper mystery of nature.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 24 View Details

Consider the two stanzas below: Stanza 1: "Grey clouds loom, the wind moans, my heart sinks in the mire of sorrow." Stanza 2: "Yet sunrise paints the hills with gold, and hope springs anew in every breath." Identify the dominant mood in each stanza and discuss how specific language cues signal the shift from the first mood to the second.

Correct A. Stanza 1 conveys a melancholy/sad mood (grey clouds, moaning wind, sinking heart). Stanza 2 conveys a hopeful/optimistic mood (sunrise, gold, hope springs). The shift is signalled by the contrastive conjunction "Yet", the move from dark to bright imagery, the change of verbs from "sinks" to "springs", and the introduction of the word "hope".

B. Stanza 1 conveys an angry\/irritated mood (grey clouds, moaning wind, sinking heart). Stanza 2 conveys a calm\/serene mood (sunrise, gold, hope springs). The shift is indicated by the conjunction \"Yet\", the move from harsh to gentle language, and the substitution of \"sinks\" with \"springs\".

C. Stanza 1 conveys a mysterious\/eerie mood (grey clouds, moaning wind, sinking heart). Stanza 2 conveys a triumphant\/victorious mood (sunrise, gold, hope springs). The shift is marked by the contrastive \"Yet\", the transition from ominous to celebratory imagery, and the verb change from \"sinks\" to \"springs\".

D. Stanza 1 conveys a hopeful\/optimistic mood (grey clouds, moaning wind, sinking heart). Stanza 2 conveys a melancholy\/sad mood (sunrise, gold, hope springs). The shift is signalled by the word \"Yet\", the change from bright to dark imagery, and the reversal of verbs from \"springs\" to \"sinks\".

Correct Answer: A

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Question 25 View Details

Read the excerpt: "I never thought I'd return to the old house, but as I stepped through the cracked doorway, memories flooded back, each one louder than the last." Identify the narrative technique employed in this passage and explain its effect on the reader.

A. The passage employs an omniscient narrator (a third‑person all‑knowing perspective). It provides the reader with comprehensive insight into all characters' thoughts and motives.

B. The passage uses foreshadowing (a predictive narrative technique). It hints at future events, creating anticipation and tension for the reader.

C. The passage utilizes stream‑of‑consciousness (a continuous flow of thoughts). It immerses the reader in the character's unfiltered mental stream, emphasizing internal conflict.

Correct D. The passage uses a flashback (a retrospective narrative technique). It lets the reader experience the character's sudden recollection, adds depth to the character, builds suspense, and links past experiences to the present moment.

Correct Answer: D

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