Practice waec model questions vol1 literature_in_english 2018 Past Questions

Question 1 View Details

Read the following two excerpts taken from the short story *The Lost Letter*. Excerpt A: "She lifted the crumpled envelope, her fingers trembling as if the paper itself might dissolve under the weight of her hope." Excerpt B: "He laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the empty hallway, as if the very walls were mocking his futile attempts." (a) Identify which excerpt conveys a more ironic tone. (b) Justify your choice by analysing at least two lexical or rhetorical features in the selected excerpt. (c) State the dominant tone of the whole story based on these excerpts.

A. Excerpt A; the vivid imagery of the envelope and trembling fingers establishes a tragic tone; the overall tone of the story is tragic (ironic).

Correct B. Excerpt B; the use of "hollow" and the mocking simile creates irony; the overall tone of the story is cynical (ironic).

C. Excerpt A; the use of "crumpled" and the trembling simile creates irony; the overall tone of the story is hopeful (ironic).

D. Excerpt B; the phrase "hollow" and the laughing description create sarcasm; the overall tone of the story is melancholic (ironic).

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 2 View Details

Consider the following sentence from a descriptive passage: "The wind whispered through the trees, and the leaves rustled, and the night deepened, and the stars blinked, and the river sang." Identify the predominant stylistic feature employed in the sentence and explain how this feature contributes to the author's purpose.

A. Anaphora; it repeats the same word at the beginning of each clause, emphasizing the rhythm and reinforcing the author's purpose.

Correct B. Polysyndeton; it creates a cumulative, flowing rhythm that immerses the reader in an uninterrupted natural scene, supporting the author's purpose.

C. Asyndeton; it omits conjunctions to create a rapid, staccato effect, highlighting the urgency of the scene, supporting the author's purpose.

D. Parallelism; it balances the structure of the clauses, providing symmetry that enhances the descriptive quality, supporting the author's purpose.

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 3 View Details

In the novel *Shadows of Dawn*, the first three chapters are narrated in first‑person by Maya, describing her daily routine. From chapter four onward, the narration switches to third‑person omniscient, describing events beyond Maya's knowledge. (a) At which chapter does the narrative perspective shift? (b) Explain the effect of this shift on the reader's empathy towards Maya.

A. The shift occurs at chapter two; it moves the reader from intimate, first‑person empathy to a broader, more detached understanding of Maya's circumstances.

Correct B. The shift occurs at chapter four; it moves the reader from intimate, first‑person empathy to a broader, more detached understanding of Maya's circumstances.

C. The shift occurs at chapter five; it moves the reader from intimate, first‑person empathy to a broader, more detached understanding of Maya's circumstances.

D. The shift occurs at chapter three; it moves the reader from intimate, first‑person empathy to a broader, more detached understanding of Maya's circumstances.

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 4 View Details

Read the two excerpts from the novel *Harvest of Hope*. Excerpt 1: "The village square bustled with laughter, yet beneath the merriment lay a silent hunger that gnawed at every child's stomach." Excerpt 2: "When the harvest failed, the elders whispered that prosperity was a fleeting guest, and that gratitude must be cultivated even in scarcity." Identify a single overarching theme that unites both excerpts and justify your choice with reference to the texts.

A. Community celebration and abundance; both excerpts emphasize joy and prosperity despite hardship.

B. Despair and resignation in the face of poverty\/scarcity; both excerpts highlight hopelessness and surrender.

Correct C. Resilience and hope in the face of poverty/scarcity; both excerpts contrast hardship with perseverance and gratitude.

D. Economic growth and modernization; both excerpts focus on progress and technological advancement.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 5 View Details

In the line "His words were a dagger, cutting through the silence of the night," identify the literary device used and state its literal meaning.

A. Personification; literally, the words are as sharp as a dagger, cutting through the silence.

B. Hyperbole; literally, the words are as sharp as a dagger, cutting through the silence.

Correct C. Metaphor; literally, the words are as sharp as a dagger, cutting through the silence.

D. Simile; literally, the words are as sharp as a dagger, cutting through the silence.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 6 View Details

Read the following two excerpts. Excerpt A (from *The Lion and the Jewel*): "The people of Ilujinle are proud of their customs; they cherish their traditions and resist change." Excerpt B (from *Things Fall Apart*): "Okonkwo feared that the white men would destroy the customs of his clan, and he fought to preserve them." Which theme is common to both excerpts?

A. The struggle between wealth and poverty

Correct B. The conflict between tradition and change

C. The tension between love and betrayal

D. The clash between individual ambition and community expectations

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 7 View Details

Consider the following description of Tom Sawyer in *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*: "Tom devises an elaborate plan to free Jim, insisting on unnecessary rituals and dramatics, showing his love for adventure and theatricality." What single word best describes Tom Sawyer's dominant character trait as shown in the excerpt?

Correct A. Impulsive

B. Methodical

C. Stoic

D. Cautious

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 8 View Details

In Wole Soyinka's play *The Lion and the Jewel*, the drum is heard repeatedly throughout the drama. Explain what the drum symbolizes and how this symbolism intensifies the central conflict between tradition and modernity.

A. The drum serves as a comedic device that lightens the mood, showing that the play's central conflict is purely romantic rather than cultural.

B. The drum represents the oppressive weight of colonial rule; its relentless rhythm emphasizes the villagers' subjugation and diminishes any conflict between tradition and modernity.

Correct C. The drum symbolizes the cultural heartbeat and communal identity of Ilujinle; its continual presence underscores Baroka's traditional authority and highlights the clash with Lakunle's modern ideas, thereby intensifying the central conflict between tradition and modernity.

D. The drum is a literal instrument used to signal meal times, and its presence merely indicates daily routine without symbolic meaning.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 9 View Details

Read the passage from *Things Fall Apart*: "The moon rose like a silver sickle over the thatched huts, casting long shadows that whispered of impending doom." Identify the type of imagery used in the passage and explain its effect on the reader's perception of the setting.

A. Olfactory imagery; the passage evokes the smell of smoke, which creates a nostalgic mood unrelated to the setting's foreboding.

B. Symbolic imagery; the moon is a metaphor for change, and the effect is to suggest a hopeful transformation rather than an ominous atmosphere.

C. Kinesthetic imagery; it makes the reader feel the texture of the thatched roofs, focusing on tactile sensations rather than visual description.

Correct D. Visual (and slight auditory) imagery; it creates a vivid, ominous atmosphere that makes the setting feel foreboding and prepares the reader for impending tragedy.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 10 View Details

Consider the two scenes from *The Lion and the Jewel*. Scene A: "The market bustled with laughter, drums beating, women dancing under the bright sun." Scene B: "Baroka's silence filled the night as he plotted, the air heavy with dread." How does the shift from the festive mood in Scene A to the tense mood in Scene B reflect the protagonist Baroka's internal transformation?

A. The contrast between the festive scene and the ominous one suggests Baroka is moving from a tyrannical ruler to a benevolent leader who embraces peace, which misreads his actual motives.

B. The shift from communal celebration to solitary dread reflects Baroka's desire to abandon tradition entirely and adopt a modern, progressive outlook, contrary to his true cautious scheming.

C. The transition from a lively market to a quiet night indicates Baroka's growing indifference to his people, showing he becomes detached and apathetic rather than strategic.

Correct D. The change from a joyous, communal atmosphere to a silent, foreboding one mirrors Baroka's shift from a confident, outward‑focused ruler reveling in tradition to a solitary, anxious strategist aware of looming threats, highlighting his internal move toward caution and scheming.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 11 View Details

Read the excerpt: "Oba: 'I have ruled this land for many years, yet the river still sings its song at night. If the moon were to hide, would the people still trust my word?'" Based on the passage, which dramatic technique is being used in Oba's speech to reveal his inner doubts?

A. narration

B. monologue

Correct C. soliloquy

D. aside

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 12 View Details

Read the passage: "The village market bustled, children laughing. Earlier that year, when the rains had failed, the old man had warned, 'The earth will not forgive us.' Now the dry soil cracked under the sun." Which narrative technique is illustrated by the reference to the earlier warning?

Correct A. flashback

B. anecdote

C. exposition

D. foreshadowing

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 13 View Details

In a novel, the protagonist never speaks directly about his feelings; instead, he repeatedly refuses to eat, slams doors, and avoids eye contact whenever his sister enters the room. Which method of characterization does the author primarily employ here?

A. direct characterization through description

Correct B. indirect characterization through actions

C. direct characterization through dialogue

D. indirect characterization through thoughts

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 14 View Details

State one defining characteristic of a tragic drama.

A. the play focuses on comedic misunderstandings

B. the story ends with a happy resolution

C. the protagonist is a hero who overcomes obstacles

Correct D. the protagonist has a tragic flaw that leads to downfall

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 15 View Details

Consider the plot of Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace": Mathilde Loisel borrows a beautiful necklace for a high‑society event, loses it, and with her husband replaces it by buying an identical one after borrowing a large sum. They endure ten years of hardship to repay the debt, only to learn later that the original necklace was a cheap imitation. Identify the climax of the story.

A. Mathilde's realization that the necklace was a fake

B. Mathilde's decision to attend the ball without a necklace

Correct C. Mathilde's decision to replace the lost necklace by buying a duplicate

D. Mathilde's confession to her husband about losing the necklace

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 16 View Details

Read the following excerpt from an imagined play: "King: 'The kingdom thrives, yet the people starve.' Queen: 'Your wisdom knows no bounds, my lord.'" Which dramatic technique is primarily employed in this exchange, what is its effect on the audience, and what is the playwright's likely purpose in using it?

A. Foreshadowing; it builds anticipation of future conflict, and the playwright uses it to hint at upcoming rebellion.

B. Verbal irony; it highlights the queen's sarcasm, creating amusement, and the playwright uses it to entertain the audience.

Correct C. Dramatic irony; it creates tension by revealing the king's blindness to his people's suffering, and the playwright uses it to criticize the ruling class.

D. Situational irony; it generates humor by showing the king's unexpected success, and the playwright uses it to celebrate the monarchy.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 17 View Details

Read the passage: "I could feel the cold wind bite my cheeks as I hurried down the narrow alley, my heart pounding like a drum. Every shadow seemed to whisper my name, and I wondered if I would ever find my way home." Identify the narrative perspective used, and explain how this perspective shapes the reader's perception of the protagonist.

A. Third‑person limited; it creates partial insight, letting the reader see the protagonist's fear while maintaining some narrative distance.

B. Third‑person omniscient; it creates distance and objectivity, allowing the reader to observe the protagonist's fear from an unbiased viewpoint.

Correct C. First‑person limited; it creates intimacy and bias, making the reader experience the protagonist's fear directly while questioning the reliability of his perceptions.

D. Second‑person; it creates direct engagement, making the reader feel the protagonist's fear as if it were their own, without questioning reliability.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 18 View Details

Consider the following two descriptions from the same short story: 1. "She entered the ballroom, her silk gown rustling softly; every eye turned as she smiled, her laughter ringing like crystal." 2. "He lingered by the hearth, hands calloused from years of labor, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames, speaking little but offering a warm cup of tea to the shivering child." Based on these descriptions, state which method of indirect characterization (dialogue, action, appearance, thoughts, or speech) is used for each character, and infer what each reveals about their social status.

Correct A. Character 1 - appearance (silk gown, elegant entrance) reveals high social standing; Character 2 - action (calloused hands, humble service) reveals a lower, working‑class status.

B. Character 1 - appearance (silk gown, elegant entrance) reveals a lower, working‑class status; Character 2 - action (calloused hands, humble service) reveals high social standing.

C. Character 1 - action (silk gown, elegant entrance) reveals high social standing; Character 2 - appearance (calloused hands, humble service) reveals a lower, working‑class status.

D. Character 1 - dialogue (silk gown, elegant entrance) reveals high social standing; Character 2 - thoughts (calloused hands, humble service) reveals a lower, working‑class status.

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 19 View Details

The story opens with the protagonist already in the middle of a chase through a bustling market. Earlier that morning, he had received a mysterious letter, but the details of the letter are only revealed after the climax, when the antagonist confronts him and the letter's content is read aloud, showing that the chase was a misunderstanding. Identify the plot structure employed (linear, circular, in medias res, or flashback) and explain how the climax reorders the chronological sequence of events.

A. Circular; the climax brings the story back to the opening chase, but the letter is never revealed, so the timeline remains unchanged.

B. Flashback; the story begins with the letter, and the climax simply repeats earlier information without altering the sequence.

C. Linear; the climax resolves the chase and confirms the letter's content, keeping the events in chronological order.

Correct D. In medias res; the climax triggers a flashback that reveals the earlier letter, rearranging the timeline and showing the chase was a misunderstanding.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 20 View Details

Read the description: "The soot‑filled sky over the factory town glowed amber as the clanking of machinery never ceased. Children in ragged clothes darted between brick warehouses, while the distant church bells rang only to be drowned by the hiss of steam. The year was marked on a weather‑worn plaque as 1887, and the town lay on the banks of the River Irwell." Determine the historical period and geographical location implied, and discuss how this setting reinforces the theme of alienation in the narrative.

A. Late‑19th‑century industrial Pittsburgh, USA; the smoky steel‑mill environment isolates characters and submerges personal connections, reinforcing the theme of alienation.

B. Late‑19th‑century industrial Liverpool, England; the crowded dockside atmosphere isolates characters and muffles personal interactions, reinforcing the theme of alienation.

C. Late‑19th‑century industrial Manchester, England; the bustling riverfront market encourages camaraderie and highlights community, contradicting the theme of alienation.

Correct D. Late‑19th‑century industrial Manchester, England; the bleak, mechanised setting isolates characters and drowns personal connections, reinforcing the theme of alienation.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 21 View Details

In Act 2, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's *Othello*, the handkerchief is used as a symbol that creates a specific type of dramatic irony. Identify the type of dramatic irony produced by this symbol.

A. Dramatic irony of circumstance

B. Situational irony

C. Verbal irony

Correct D. Dramatic irony of knowledge

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 22 View Details

Kate Chopin's short story *The Story of an Hour* is narrated in third‑person limited. Which narrative technique does the author employ to reveal Mrs. Mallard's inner feelings without directly stating them?

A. Stream of consciousness

Correct B. Free indirect discourse

C. Omniscient narration

D. Direct discourse

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 23 View Details

In Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart*, the climax is marked by the death of a particular elder during a funeral, which leads to Okonkwo's exile. Name the elder whose death marks the climax.

Correct A. Ezeudu

B. Unoka

C. Obierika

D. Okonkwo

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 24 View Details

In the line "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood" from Robert Frost's poem *The Road Not Taken*, what is the dominant figurative language employed?

A. Simile

Correct B. Metaphor

C. Alliteration

D. Personification

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 25 View Details

Rewrite the sentence "She whispered softly" by (i) replacing the verb with a synonym that retains the meaning, and (ii) changing the voice from active to passive while keeping the adverbial phrase intact.

A. It was murmured softly by she.

B. It was murmured softly by them.

C. It was whispered softly by her.

Correct D. It was murmured softly by her.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

waec model questions vol1 2018 literature_in_english | Objective

Master the Exam!

Help others prepare! Share this practice hub: