Question 29
NECO
•
2025
•
LITERATURE_IN_ENGLISH
•
objective
The market stalls, once vibrant with chatter, now lay silent under a grey sky. Vendors, whose voices once rose like drums, now whisper their wares in hushed tones. The author juxtaposes the bustling past with the present stillness, using words such as ‘vibrant', ‘silent', ‘drums', ‘whisper' to highlight the loss of communal spirit. Identify the central theme of the passage. Explain how the author develops this theme through (i) contrast, (ii) diction, and (iii) imagery. Which of these techniques most strongly conveys the theme, and why?
Answer Options
A.
The central theme is the resilience of traders in adversity. It is developed through (i) contrast between hardship and perseverance, (ii) diction that uses strong verbs like ‘strive' and ‘endure', and (iii) imagery of bustling crowds. Diction is the most effective technique because word choice evokes determination.
B.
The central theme is the celebration of market diversity. It is developed through (i) contrast between different vendor cultures, (ii) diction that emphasizes exotic spices, and (iii) imagery of colorful stalls. Contrast is the most effective technique because it highlights cultural variety.
Correct Answer
C.
The central theme is the erosion of community cohesion. It is developed through (i) contrast between past vibrancy and present silence, (ii) diction that pairs lively and muted words, and (iii) imagery of deserted stalls under a grey sky. Contrast is the most effective technique because the explicit opposition makes the loss unmistakable.
D.
The central theme is the nostalgia for past prosperity. It is developed through (i) contrast between former wealth and current decline, (ii) diction that juxtaposes ‘rich' and ‘poor', and (iii) imagery of empty stalls. Imagery is the most effective technique because visual details create longing.
Correct Answer
C
Correct Option:
The central theme is the erosion of community cohesion. It is developed through (i) contrast between past vibrancy and present silence, (ii) diction that pairs lively and muted words, and (iii) imagery of deserted stalls under a grey sky. Contrast is the most effective technique because the explicit opposition makes the loss unmistakable.
About This Question
This is
Neco
2025
Literature In English
Question 29.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2025
Neco
Literature In English
examination.
Difficulty level:
Hard
.