Practice waec model questions vol1 literature_in_english 2019 Past Questions

Question 1 View Details

Read the following line from the short story "The Little Black Girl": "The thunderous silence of the night wrapped around the village." Identify the literary device employed in the phrase "thunderous silence". Provide the name of the device.

A. Metaphor

B. Alliteration

C. Simile

Correct D. Oxymoron

Correct Answer: D

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Question 2 View Details

Consider the following excerpt from Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken": "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both…" Identify the two symbols in the passage, explain how they together develop the central theme of choice, and state which symbol also carries a secondary connotation of regret.

A. The diverged road symbolizes the journey's uncertainty; the yellow wood symbolizes nature's beauty and also conveys regret.

B. The diverged road symbolizes the act of traveling; the yellow wood symbolizes the poet's childhood and also conveys regret.

Correct C. The diverged road symbolizes the act of choosing; the yellow wood symbolizes the stage of life and also conveys regret.

D. The diverged road symbolizes the path of destiny; the yellow wood symbolizes autumnal change and also conveys regret.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 3 View Details

Read the passage: "The garden, once torn by the angry wind, now lay drenched in silver light; the droplets sang a soft lullaby as the clouds withdrew, leaving a hushed calm." Identify the predominant mood, explain how the shift in diction from "angry wind" to "soft lullaby" alters the reader's emotional response, and state whether the mood remains consistent throughout the passage.

A. The overall mood is eerie/suspenseful; the change from "angry wind" to "soft lullaby" moves the reader from excitement to dread, and the mood becomes inconsistent after the shift.

B. The overall mood is melancholic/somber; the change from "angry wind" to "soft lullaby" moves the reader from fear to sadness, and the mood changes after the shift.

C. The overall mood is joyous/celebratory; the change from "angry wind" to "soft lullaby" moves the reader from anger to happiness, and the mood fluctuates after the shift.

Correct D. The overall mood is tranquil/peaceful; the change from "angry wind" to "soft lullaby" moves the reader from tension to calm, and the mood remains consistent after the shift.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 4 View Details

In the fable "The Lion and the Mouse", the narrator writes: "The mouse, though tiny, scurried with a bravery that surprised the lion; the lion, humbled, whispered a grateful sigh." Determine the narrator's tone towards the mouse, cite two textual clues that support your judgment, and assess whether the tone changes in the concluding sentence.

A. The tone is indifferent/neutral; clues are "though tiny" and "the lion, humbled, whispered a grateful sigh"; the tone becomes detached in the concluding sentence.

Correct B. The tone is admiring/respectful; clues are "bravery that surprised the lion" and "the lion, humbled, whispered a grateful sigh"; the tone does not change in the concluding sentence.

C. The tone is condescending/patronizing; clues are "though tiny" and "the lion, humbled, whispered a grateful sigh"; the tone shifts to sarcastic in the concluding sentence.

D. The tone is amused/playful; clues are "scurried with a bravery" and "the lion, humbled, whispered a grateful sigh"; the tone changes to mocking in the concluding sentence.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 5 View Details

Read the excerpt from O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi": "Della stared at her reflection, her eyes lingering on the worn hairpin she had cherished since childhood, before she sold it without a second thought." Identify the type of indirect characterization used to reveal Della's values, and explain how the author employs this technique to develop the theme of self‑sacrifice.

A. Indirect characterization by action (selling the cherished hairpin); this act illustrates Della's materialism and reinforces the theme of consumerism.

Correct B. Indirect characterization by action (selling the cherished hairpin); this act illustrates Della's self‑lessness and reinforces the theme of self‑sacrifice.

C. Indirect characterization by dialogue (selling the cherished hairpin); this act illustrates Della's self‑lessness and reinforces the theme of self‑sacrifice.

D. Indirect characterization by description (selling the cherished hairpin); this act illustrates Della's self‑lessness and reinforces the theme of generosity.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 6 View Details

Read the excerpt: "The moon hung low, a silver lantern in the sky. The night swallowed the village, and the houses shivered as if cold fingers brushed their walls." (a) Identify the figure of speech used in the second sentence. (b) State the emotional tone created in the first sentence. (c) Explain how the identified figure of speech intensifies that tone.

Correct A. Personification; calm/serene tone; the personification makes the night seem threatening, deepening the ominous mood.

B. Metaphor; melancholy tone; the metaphor highlights the sadness, reinforcing a somber mood.

C. Simile; eerie tone; the simile compares the night to a predator, heightening fear.

D. Alliteration; joyful tone; the alliteration creates a light‑hearted atmosphere.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 7 View Details

Consider the passage: "She entered the room, shoulders slumped, eyes downcast. \"I don't know why I bother,\" she muttered, her voice trembling." Which method of characterization is primarily employed here?

A. Direct characterization

B. Dialogue

Correct C. Indirect characterization

D. Narrative exposition

Correct Answer: C

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Question 8 View Details

A story tells of a young boy who leaves his village to chase wealth in the city, only to discover that true happiness lies in the simple life he abandoned. State the central theme of the story in one concise sentence.

Correct A. True happiness is found in simple, authentic living rather than material wealth.

B. True happiness depends on external validation from others rather than inner simplicity.

C. True happiness comes from constant adventure and never settling down.

D. True happiness is achieved by amassing material wealth and status symbols.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 9 View Details

Read the stanza: "Upon the hill the sunrise paints the sky, A golden brush that sweeps the night away. The meadow wakes, its dewy flowers sigh, And birds in chorus greet the newborn day." Determine the rhyme scheme and the predominant metrical pattern of the stanza.

A. ABCB; anapestic trimeter

B. ABBA; iambic tetrameter

C. AABB; trochaic tetrameter

Correct D. ABAB; iambic pentameter

Correct Answer: D

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Question 10 View Details

In the following excerpt from a play, the king speaks: KING: (aside) The kingdom trembles, yet none suspect my fear. (to the court) Let us proceed with the feast. Which dramatic technique is being used when the king expresses his thoughts while other characters are unaware?

Correct A. Aside

B. Stage direction

C. Soliloquy

D. Monologue

Correct Answer: A

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Question 11 View Details

Read the passage: "The rain hammered the tin roof with relentless fury, each drop a cold finger that traced the windowsill. Yet, beneath the storm, the old man's laughter rose, thin and brittle, as if mocking the heavens themselves." What is the tone of the passage?

A. melancholic

Correct B. ironic

C. sardonic

D. solemn

Correct Answer: B

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Question 12 View Details

Read the excerpt: "When the moon slipped behind the clouds, the young shepherd heard a whisper that turned the night into a tale of hidden treasure." Identify the literary genre of this excerpt.

A. mythology

Correct B. fantasy

C. historical

D. adventure

Correct Answer: B

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Question 13 View Details

Consider the following passage: "I could not believe my eyes when I stepped onto the deserted street; the lamps flickered, and the silence seemed to press against my ears. He, on the other hand, moved with a confidence that betrayed his knowledge of the hidden alley." What narrative perspective is employed in this passage?

Correct A. alternating first- and third-person narration

B. third-person omniscient narration

C. first-person narration

D. second-person narration

Correct Answer: A

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Question 14 View Details

Examine the sentence: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Identify the figure of speech used and explain its effect on the meaning of the sentence.

A. Parallelism; it repeats similar structures to emphasize rhythm.

Correct B. Antithesis; it creates a stark contrast that highlights the duality of the era, emphasizing social upheaval.

C. Chiasmus; it inverts the order of words to create a mirror effect.

D. Oxymoron; it juxtaposes contradictory terms to highlight tension.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 15 View Details

Read the passage: "She remembered the scent of pine from her childhood, and suddenly the present day office walls faded; the memory surged forward, drowning the meeting in a sea of yesterday." Which narrative technique is employed here?

A. stream of consciousness

B. imagery

C. foreshadowing

Correct D. flashback

Correct Answer: D

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Question 16 View Details

Read the passage: "When Chike entered the bustling market, his heart raced. He had promised his mother to buy the rare herb, yet the price had doubled since morning. He felt torn between keeping his word and the fear of being unable to afford it." Identify the primary type of conflict faced by Chike.

A. Man vs Nature

Correct B. Man vs Self

C. Man vs Society

D. Man vs Technology

Correct Answer: B

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Question 17 View Details

In the excerpt, "Lady Aisha whispered, 'I have never seen the moon so bright.' Unbeknownst to her, the kingdom's enemies had already set fire to the palace that very night," which dramatic technique is illustrated?

Correct A. Dramatic irony

B. Verbal irony

C. Situational irony

D. Dramatic foreshadowing

Correct Answer: A

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Question 18 View Details

Consider the four‑line stanza: "The rose blooms in June's warm light, Its petals soft, a pure delight. Yet thorns conceal a hidden sting, A warning that the heart may bring." What is the rhyme scheme of the stanza?

Correct A. AABB

B. ABBA

C. ABAB

D. AAAA

Correct Answer: A

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Question 19 View Details

Read the sentence: "She ran, and she ran, and she ran; the wind whispered, the trees swayed, the night fell, and the stars blinked." Identify the predominant stylistic device and give the ratio of its occurrences to the total number of independent clauses, expressed as a fraction in lowest terms.

Correct A. Anaphora, 3/7

B. Alliteration, 3/7

C. Anaphora, 4/7

D. Anaphora, 2/7

Correct Answer: A

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Question 20 View Details

Identify the metrical pattern of the line: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

A. anapestic trimeter

B. trochaic tetrameter

C. dactylic hexameter

Correct D. iambic pentameter

Correct Answer: D

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Question 21 View Details

Read the following passage: "When the sun slipped behind the thatched roofs, the village fell into a hush, as if the very earth were holding its breath, waiting for the night to whisper its secrets." (a) Identify the figure of speech used in the phrase "the earth were holding its breath". (b) Explain how this figure of speech contributes to the mood of the passage. (c) Based on the mood, infer the central theme the author is likely developing.

Correct A. Personification; it creates a tense, anticipatory mood suggesting suspense; the theme of transition or uncertainty (e.g., change between day and night).

B. Alliteration; it generates a rhythmic, energetic mood focusing on movement; the theme of adventure and exploration.

C. Simile; it produces a whimsical, lighthearted mood highlighting playfulness; the theme of childhood innocence.

D. Metaphor; it evokes a calm, reflective mood emphasizing tranquility; the theme of nature's harmony.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 22 View Details

The wind sang through the reeds, and the moonlight painted silver ribbons on the water. What literary genre does this excerpt most likely belong to?

A. Essay

B. Drama

Correct C. Poetry

D. Prose

Correct Answer: C

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Question 23 View Details

The clatter of horse‑drawn carriages echoed off the cobblestones of the narrow lane, while gas lamps sputtered, casting amber pools on the wet pavement. A distant church bell tolled, marking the hour of midnight. Identify the likely historical period and type of city depicted, and explain how this setting influences the protagonist's decision to hide in the alley.

Correct A. Late 19th‑early 20th‑century urban (colonial/Victorian) city; the darkness and narrow, cobbled alley give the protagonist cover, prompting the decision to hide there.

B. Early 21st‑century metropolitan (modern) city; the bright streetlights and wide sidewalks provide no concealment, influencing the protagonist to stay exposed.

C. Mid‑18th‑century rural (pre‑industrial) village; the open fields and daylight make hiding impossible, yet the protagonist seeks solitude there.

D. Late 19th‑early 20th‑century industrial (factory) district; the noisy machinery and smoke mask the protagonist's movements, leading to the decision to hide there.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 24 View Details

She brushed the dust from her sleeves without looking up, muttering, "Another day, another disappointment," yet she offered a warm smile to the child who handed her a wilted flower. Identify one example of direct characterization and one of indirect characterization in the excerpt, and infer a personality trait of the character.

A. Direct: the quoted sentence expressing disappointment; Indirect: the clenched fists she hides; Trait inferred: a bitter and resentful character.

B. Direct: the quoted sentence expressing optimism; Indirect: the frown she gives the child; Trait inferred: a hopeful but aloof person.

C. Direct: the description of her clothing; Indirect: the warm smile to the child; Trait inferred: a generous but naive individual.

Correct D. Direct: the quoted sentence expressing pessimism; Indirect: the warm smile to the child; Trait inferred: a compassionate but cynical person.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 25 View Details

Silent shadows slipped silently across the silent street. Name the literary device used and state its effect.

A. Onomatopoeia; it imitates sounds to make the scene more vivid.

Correct B. Alliteration; it produces a rhythmic, hushed effect that emphasizes the quietness of the scene.

C. Personification; it gives human qualities to the street, adding emotional depth.

D. Assonance; it creates a melodic echo that highlights the mood of the passage.

Correct Answer: B

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