WAEC English Language 2016 Theory — Question 5

Model answer

A STORY ON HOW PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL She carried her shoulders high as she walked past the man and went straight into her class. That wasn't the first time she would be walking out on teachers whenever she was corrected. Neither was it the second time. She wasn't going to let herself be intimidated by anybody. She entered her class, smiling in triumph as her classmates, who had apparently been watching the scenario the whole time, shouted in excitement, 'Another crushing!'. 'Shade, the big girl', someone hailed from the back of the class. She smiled in return and resumed at her space at the back of the class. That was her favourite spot. Only big girls like her would prefer sitting there. Shade was the 'biggest' girl in school and would not hesitate proving that to anybody. She would not take any nonsense from any teacher, and would readily punish any junior student who crossed her path. Every student feared her, including her classmates, who would do anything to win her favour. If being proud would assume any degree, she was an emblem of it. She was a storyteller too, crooking stories that accentuate her pride. She told anyone who cared to listen how her father worked in an oil company and owned fifty gas stations across the country. 'My father is so rich that the government often called to make business dealings with him,' she told Lola, her friend, one siesta afternoon. Everybody who listened to her story seldom doubted it. They were all boarders, and hardly would anyone attempt to investigate the veracity of her claim. Only Lola once questioned her. 'Really? But why does he not allow his driver to drive you down every resumption? I noticed you come down to school through public transport struggling with your loads all alone'. 'Well, my dad once said I would know the value of wealth and know how to manage it when I've experienced what suffering feels like,' she replied. Now, it was time for their third term examinations, and Shade had spent her time playing and gisting with the so-called 'big boys' in the hostel, instead of taking much time out to read. The next day was Maths, and she had not prepared well. She decided to write the formulae of some Maths equation on her laps before entering the exam hall. As the exam was going on, she started copying the equations from her thighs. All the while, she was oblivious a teacher was paying attention to her. It was Mr. Balla, the teacher she walked out on some couple of days earlier. 'Shade! Stand up!!' he exclaimed. Shade knew she was now in trouble. She was caught red handed. She was suspended indefinitely from Divine Touch College and was publicly disgraced on the assembly. Her parents were notified. The shock that rocked the students the next day when her parents arrived was profound. The dad pleaded with the school management to reinstate his daughter. He was just a driver to a wealthy man, whom out of his (the rich man's) magnanimity decided to sponsor his driver's daughter. What would the rich man say if he heard that his driver's daughter had been unserious in her studies, wasting all financial efforts put on her education? Her mum was a mere petty trader. Obviously, Shade was from an indigent family. She felt as if the ground should open up and swallow her. She really learnt it in a hard way; a lesson that pride goes before a fall.