Practice neco model questions vol1 literature_in_english 2021 Past Questions

Question 1 View Details

Read the excerpt: "The wind howled through the barren moor as the lone rider approached the ancient stone circle, his thoughts a tangled web of dread." Which literary genre does this excerpt most likely belong to?

A. Drama

Correct B. Short story

C. Poem

D. Novel

Correct Answer: B

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Question 2 View Details

In a novel, Aisha dreams of becoming a doctor, but her father insists she marries early to preserve family honour. She feels torn between her personal aspirations and her family's expectations. What is the primary type of conflict depicted in this situation?

A. Man vs fate

Correct B. Man vs society

C. Man vs nature

D. Man vs self

Correct Answer: B

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Question 3 View Details

When the floodwaters receded, the villagers emerged from their shelters, surveyed the damage and began to rebuild their homes. Which stage of the conflict arc does this passage represent?

A. Exposition

Correct B. Resolution

C. Falling Action

D. Climax

Correct Answer: B

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Question 4 View Details

Four events from a story are listed below: (a) The hero discovers a mysterious map. (b) He faces the dragon and defeats it. (c) He returns to his village as a celebrated hero. (d) He prepares for the journey, gathering supplies. (e) He encounters treacherous terrain and loses a companion. Match each event with the appropriate stage of Freytag's plot structure (Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Resolution).

A. Exposition - a; Rising Action - d, e; Climax - b; Resolution - c

Correct B. Exposition - d; Rising Action - a, e; Climax - b; Resolution - c

C. Exposition - d; Rising Action - a, e; Climax - c; Resolution - b

D. Exposition - d; Rising Action - a, b; Climax - e; Resolution - c

Correct Answer: B

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Question 5 View Details

In the line "The moon is a silver lantern hanging in the night sky," which literary device is primarily used?

A. Alliteration

Correct B. Metaphor

C. Simile

D. Personification

Correct Answer: B

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Question 6 View Details

Read the sentence: "The night was a black canvas, and the stars were silver stitches stitching hope across the darkness." Which figure of speech is employed in the phrase "the stars were silver stitches"?

Correct A. metaphor

B. hyperbole

C. personification

D. simile

Correct Answer: A

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Question 7 View Details

Identify the grammatical error in the sentence "Neither the teacher nor the students was prepared for the sudden fire drill," rewrite the sentence correctly, and explain how the correction affects subject‑verb agreement.

A. Neither the teacher nor the students was prepared for the sudden fire drill.

B. Neither the teacher nor the students have prepared for the sudden fire drill.

C. Neither the teacher nor the students are prepared for the sudden fire drill.

Correct D. Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared for the sudden fire drill.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 8 View Details

A short story follows Ada who receives a mysterious letter, ignores it, later discovers a hidden treasure, faces betrayal by a trusted friend, and finally resolves the conflict. What is the climax of the story?

A. Ada confronts her trusted friend after claiming the treasure, revealing the betrayal.

B. Ada receives the mysterious letter and decides to ignore it, leading to the climax.

Correct C. Ada discovers the betrayal of her trusted friend just before she can claim the treasure.

D. Ada discovers the hidden treasure before confronting her trusted friend.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 9 View Details

In the following excerpt from a play, a character declares, "I have walked through fire, yet my heart remains unburnt, for love is my shield." Which dramatic technique is being employed?

Correct A. soliloquy

B. aside

C. dramatic irony

D. monologue

Correct Answer: A

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Question 10 View Details

Consider the description: "He never smiled, his eyes always darted away when praised, and he spoke in short, clipped sentences, as if guarding a secret." What type of characterization is used, and give one piece of textual evidence that supports your answer.

A. Symbolic characterization; evidence: "his eyes always darted away when praised"

B. Characterization through dialogue; evidence: "he spoke in short, clipped sentences"

Correct C. Indirect characterization; evidence: "his eyes always darted away when praised"

D. Direct characterization; evidence: "he never smiled"

Correct Answer: C

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Question 11 View Details

Read the passage: "The rain hammered the tin roof as I stared at the cracked photograph of my mother. Each droplet seemed to echo the silence that had settled between us after the argument. I remembered the way her smile used to warm the kitchen, now replaced by a cold, empty chair." What is the central theme of the passage?

A. Enduring familial love despite ongoing disagreements

B. Exploration of personal identity unrelated to family dynamics

C. Celebration of family unity after reconciliation

Correct D. Loss of familial warmth due to unresolved conflict

Correct Answer: D

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Question 12 View Details

Read the passage: "The city awoke like a restless beast, its streets a tangled web of neon veins pulsing with electric blood. Above, the moon hung, a pale eye watching the chaos below, while the wind whispered secrets through cracked windows, carrying the scent of rain and rust." Identify the two dominant types of imagery used and explain how each contributes to the overall mood.

Correct A. Visual imagery (city as a restless beast with neon veins) creates a vivid, chaotic, aggressive mood; auditory/olfactory imagery (wind whispered, scent of rain and rust) adds an eerie, unsettling mood, together producing a tense, foreboding atmosphere.

B. Visual imagery (city as a restless beast with neon veins) creates a mysterious, romantic mood; auditory/olfactory imagery (wind whispered, scent of rain and rust) adds a playful, whimsical mood, together producing a lighthearted, dreamy atmosphere.

C. Auditory/olfactory imagery (wind whispered, scent of rain and rust) creates a chaotic, aggressive mood; visual imagery (city as a restless beast with neon veins) adds a bright, hopeful mood, together producing an uplifting, energetic atmosphere.

D. Visual imagery (city as a restless beast with neon veins) creates a calm, serene mood; auditory/olfactory imagery (wind whispered, scent of rain and rust) adds a nostalgic, comforting mood, together producing a peaceful, reflective atmosphere.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 13 View Details

Read the excerpt: "Long ago, a clever rabbit outwitted the hungry lion by promising to bring him a feast from the sky. The lion, greedy, waited, but the rabbit vanished, leaving the lion to starve." Classify the excerpt into the appropriate literary genre.

A. Myth

B. Legend

C. Parable

Correct D. Fable

Correct Answer: D

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Question 14 View Details

Read the sentence: "She carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, yet her smile was a fragile glass lantern, trembling in the storm of doubts that threatened to shatter it." Interpret the metaphor of the "fragile glass lantern" and discuss its significance to the character's emotional state.

A. The "fragile glass lantern" is a symbol of her hidden secrets, implying that she keeps her true feelings concealed like a lantern that can be easily broken when exposed.

B. The "fragile glass lantern" represents her fleeting beauty, suggesting that her outward appearance is delicate and at risk of being dimmed by external judgments.

Correct C. The "fragile glass lantern" symbolizes her delicate hope or optimism; its fragility and trembling in a storm of doubts reveal that her emotional state is vulnerable and on the brink of being shattered.

D. The "fragile glass lantern" denotes her fleeting happiness, indicating that moments of joy are temporary and can be shattered by any minor disturbance.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 15 View Details

Identify the literary device used in the sentence: "The thunder clapped its angry hands across the sky."

A. Simile

B. Alliteration

Correct C. Personification

D. Metaphor

Correct Answer: C

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Question 16 View Details

Read the following excerpt from a fictional short story: "The streets whispered secrets, the alleys shouted lies; the city breathed hope, yet exhaled despair." Identify the stylistic device employed in this excerpt, explain how it shapes the narrator's attitude toward the city, and state the central theme that the passage reflects.

A. The device is hyperbole (exaggerated statements). It gives the narrator a critical attitude, showing the city as overwhelmingly chaotic. The central theme is the danger of urbanization.

B. The device is metaphor (comparison without using like or as). It gives the narrator a celebratory attitude, portraying the city as a thriving oasis. The central theme is the triumph of progress.

Correct C. The device is antithesis (juxtaposition of opposite ideas). It gives the narrator an ambivalent attitude, portraying the city as both hopeful and despairing. The central theme is the duality of urban life.

D. The device is personification (attributing human qualities to the city). It gives the narrator a nostalgic attitude, depicting the city as a lost lover. The central theme is the fading of tradition.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 17 View Details

In Novel X, Chapter 3 describes the protagonist's childhood in a remote village where communal rituals dominate daily life. Chapter 12 places the same protagonist years later in the bustling metropolis of Lagos, surrounded by skyscrapers and constant traffic. Compare how each setting influences the protagonist's sense of identity, citing specific aspects of the village and the city that shape his values and aspirations.

A. The village's strict hierarchy suppresses the protagonist's creativity, whereas Lagos's relaxed pace allows him to adopt a carefree, non-ambitious lifestyle, so his identity shifts from rebellious youth to passive city dweller.

B. The village's abundance of technology fosters early ambition, while Lagos's overcrowding leads him to reject modernity, causing his identity to move from tech-savvy individual to traditionalist.

Correct C. The village setting, with its communal rituals and close‑knit society, instills a strong sense of belonging, respect for tradition and collective responsibility. The Lagos setting, marked by anonymity, competition and modernity, pushes the protagonist toward individual ambition, self‑reliance and a wider worldview. Consequently, his identity moves from a tradition‑oriented, community‑based self to a more autonomous, aspirational urban self.

D. The village setting, with its isolation and lack of formal education, leaves the protagonist feeling detached and apathetic, while Lagos, with its vibrant markets, encourages him to embrace communal values, resulting in an identity that remains rooted in rural simplicity.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 18 View Details

Consider the following passage from a contemporary novel: "She watched the rain trace patterns on the windowpane, wondering if the world outside mirrored her thoughts. I could feel the weight of each droplet as if they were tiny drums beating against my heart." Identify the point of view shift that occurs within the passage and discuss how this shift affects the reliability of the narration.

A. The passage remains in third‑person limited throughout; there is no shift, so the narration stays consistently reliable.

B. The passage shifts from third‑person omniscient to second‑person, which introduces a direct address that enhances reliability.

Correct C. The passage shifts from third‑person limited ('She watched…') to first‑person ('I could feel…'). This change makes the narration more subjective; the first‑person voice reveals personal feelings that may colour the description, thus decreasing the narrator's reliability.

D. The passage shifts from first‑person ('She watched…') to third‑person ('I could feel…'). This change makes the narration more objective, increasing the narrator's reliability.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 19 View Details

In the short story 'Shattered Reflections', the protagonist frequently looks into a broken mirror that fragments her image into many pieces. Analyse the multiple symbolic meanings of the broken mirror, linking it to the protagonist's self‑perception and to the broader social commentary presented by the author.

A. The broken mirror represents the protagonist's clear self‑understanding, suggesting she has achieved a unified identity, and it critiques the idea of fragmentation in society.

Correct B. The broken mirror symbolizes the protagonist's fractured self‑image, reflecting her internal conflict and loss of a unified identity. It also stands for a society divided by colonial history, where cultural memory is broken into pieces. Together, the symbol critiques superficiality and urges a re‑integration of personal and communal identity.

C. The broken mirror signifies the passage of time, indicating that the story focuses on historical chronology rather than self‑perception or social commentary.

D. The broken mirror is a symbol of the protagonist's wealth and materialism, highlighting the author's commentary on consumer culture rather than identity.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 20 View Details

Read the following stanza from an original poem: "Silence drips from the moon's pale lip— night sighs, unbound, while stars flicker— restless, restless." Identify two poetic devices used in this stanza and explain how each device contributes to the overall rhythm and meaning of the poem.

A. The passage employs onomatopoeia, using words like "drips" and "flicker" to mimic sounds, which gives the stanza an auditory texture and reinforces the nocturnal atmosphere.

B. The stanza uses alliteration (the repetition of initial consonant sounds) such as the repeated "s" in "silence" and "sighs," which creates a crisp, marching rhythm that underscores the cold night.

C. The poem relies on a simile, comparing the moon's lip to a dripping faucet, which adds a vivid visual comparison and intensifies the sense of quiet flow.

Correct D. The stanza uses enjambment (the continuation of a clause across line breaks) which gives a flowing, uninterrupted rhythm that mirrors the dripping silence. It also uses repetition of the word "restless," which creates a pulsating beat and emphasizes the lingering unease of the night. Together, these devices shape both the musical quality and the theme of persistent, subtle tension.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 21 View Details

Read the following excerpt: "She walked through the market, her steps echoing the rhythm of the drums, each footfall a steady beat that matched the pulse of the crowd. The scent of spices rose and fell like a chorus, and her thoughts followed the same cadence, unbroken and deliberate." Identify the stylistic technique the author uses in this passage and explain how it affects the overall tone.

A. The author uses alliteration; it creates a lively, chaotic tone that emphasizes the bustling market atmosphere.

Correct B. The author uses parallelism; it creates a steady, measured tone that mirrors the market's rhythm and gives the passage a calm, controlled atmosphere.

C. The author uses imagery; it creates a vivid, sensory tone that immerses the reader in the market's sights and smells.

D. The author uses hyperbole; it creates an exaggerated, dramatic tone that heightens the sense of urgency in the passage.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 22 View Details

Consider the passage below: "When the fire alarm wailed, Kemi did not rush to the exit. Instead, she knelt beside the trembling child, lifted the small boy onto her shoulders and whispered, ‘It's okay, I've got you.'" From this description, list two distinct traits of Kemi and explain how the author reveals each trait.

A. Stubbornness - she refuses to leave the building; Curiosity - she is intrigued by the fire alarm and investigates the source.

B. Impulsiveness - she acts without thinking; Indifference - she ignores the child's fear, focusing on her own safety.

Correct C. Courage - she stays despite danger; Compassion - she comforts and lifts the child, showing empathy.

D. Selfishness - she prioritizes her own escape; Aggressiveness - she shoves the child away to protect herself.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 23 View Details

Read the following description of the setting: "The night was thick with humidity, the streets of Lagos glistened under the sodium‑lit lamps, and distant thunder rumbled like a warning. From his narrow balcony, Tunde could see the river's black surface swallowing the reflected lights, while the scent of wet earth rose from the alley below." Explain how this setting influences Tunde's decision to remain silent rather than call out for help.

A. The heavy rain and flooding force Tunde to stay silent because his voice would be drowned by the water, so he remains silent.

B. The presence of police patrols on the balcony scares Tunde into silence, fearing they would overhear him, so he remains silent.

Correct C. The humid, dark, and isolated night makes Tunde feel that any call for help would be lost in the oppressive atmosphere, so he remains silent.

D. The bright, bustling night makes Tunde think his call for help would attract unwanted attention, so he remains silent.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 24 View Details

Read the stanza below: "The moon, a silver lantern, hangs low,\ Whispering winds weave through the trees,\ Shadows stretch, silent as a sigh,\ Night's veil drapes the world in grief." Identify two poetic devices used in this stanza and analyse how each device contributes to the development of the poem's central theme of loss.

A. Symbolism - "moon" represents hope, while Personification - "whispering winds" gives the winds agency, together suggesting renewal instead of loss.

Correct B. Metaphor - "moon, a silver lantern" shows the inadequate, dim comfort after loss; Personification - "night's veil drapes the world in grief" portrays grief as an all‑enveloping shroud, both reinforcing the theme of loss.

C. Alliteration - "whispering winds weave" creates a musical rhythm that emphasizes the calmness of the night; Imagery - "shadows stretch, silent as a sigh" paints a visual picture of stillness, both suggesting peace rather than loss.

D. Simile - "moon, a silver lantern" compares the moon to a lantern, highlighting guidance; Hyperbole - "night's veil drapes the world in grief" exaggerates the darkness, underscoring the intensity of sorrow.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 25 View Details

Consider the short poem: "Across the miles, a thread unseen,\ Yet pulls our hearts where we have been.\ Laughter echoes, memories stay,\ Friendship walks the night and day." State the central theme of the poem.

A. The inevitability of change.

B. The power of solitude.

C. The fleeting nature of love.

Correct D. The enduring nature of friendship.

Correct Answer: D

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