All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Literature in English 2017 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
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1. A praise poem is
Panegyric is a praise poem. Panegyric can be a praise of a person, his ancestry or a praise of a person and his or her profession. Another name for panegyric is eulogy or an encomium. Panegyric is central to African tradition, each tribe has a panegyric that traces them to their origin and explores their feats.
2. A literary work in which the characters are animals is a
A fable is a literary work in which characters are animals. A fable (also called apologue) is a short narrative, in prose or verse, that exemplifies an abstract moral thesis or principle of human behavior through animal characters. An example of a fable is George Orwell's Animal Farm.
3. A short single act drama is called
A playlet is a short single act drama or a short story. Just like a short story, a playlet has single plot and is devoid of intricacies and intrigues common with a play. A playlet is meant to be acted within a short time and to preach a required message or address a required issue.
4. [Use the line: 'Through the trees I'll hear a single ringing sound, a cowbell jingle' to answer this question] The underlined is an example of rhyme
The expression 'Through the trees I'll hear a single ringing sound, a cowbell jingle' illustrates internal rhyme through the underlined words. This is not an example of end rhyme or eye rhyme. A feminine rhyme is a rhyme scheme in which the lines containing rhyming words end in unstressed syllables. Masculine rhyme on the other hand is a rhyme on stressed syllables.
5. [Read the lines: 'Yet, let me flap this bug with gilded wings. This painted child of dirt, that stinks and stings.' and answer questions 5 to 7] The alliteration in stinks and stings effectively conveys
The alliteration in slinks and stings effectively conveys the poet's distaste for the bug.
6. The poet's intention is to
The poet's intention is to show contempt. The poem shows contempt through the use of words in the couplet. The poet intends to 'flap this bug with gilded wings' and then the bug is regarded as 'child of dirt, that slinks and stings'.
7. The lines illustrate
The lines show end rhyme. The end rhyme is achieved in the words: 'wing' (at the end of line one), and 'stings' (at the end of line two). The rhyme scheme is aa.
8. A play on words for literary effect is
Pun is a play on words for literary effect. In other words, pun is a humorous use of words that involves a word or phrase that has more than one possible meaning. An example of a pun is an expression 'let him keep the rest and be without rest' where 'rest' is played upon - the first 'rest' means the remaining while the second 'rest' means peace of mind.
9. 'It is a matter of sad joy' illustrates
The expression 'It is a matter of sad joy' illustrates oxymoron. Oxymoron is a juxtaposition or placing side by side of contradictory words.
10. The leading character in a literary work is the
A protagonist is the leading character in a literary work. A protagonist doubles as a hero or heroine when he or she has those qualities required of a hero or a heroine. A protagonist does not necessarily need to be a hero or heroine; he or she can just be a leading character in a literary work.
11. A long narrative poem that relates heroic exploits is an
Epic is a long and serious narrative about heroic characters. In other words, epic is a long narrative poem which deals with heroic deeds. An epic is written to celebrate great heroes and to accentuate their tone of epic in most cases is elegiac and the language is elevated. Epic also teaches moral lessons and involves supernatural characters. An example of epic is 'Beowulf', a Scandinavian poem by an anonymous writer. Other examples are 'Epic of Sundiata' and 'Shaka the Zulu'.
12. 'Over the cobbles it clattered and crashed' is an example of
The expression 'Over the cobbles it clattered and crashed' is an example of onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words are used to suggest meaning. Onomatopoeia is also used in the expression 'crass cohorts of stygian peripatetic bogeys'.
13. An essential feature of drama is
An essential feature of drama is conflict. In other words, the struggle between two opposing forces in a story is conflict. Conflict is a clash of interest between the opposing forces, protagonist and antagonist in a literary work. Conflict is the struggle between the protagonist (main character and sometimes hero or heroine) and the antagonist (the opposing character). The conflict could also be a struggle between the protagonist and nature or animal character as the case may be.
14. A humorous poem with five lines, the first two rhyming with the last is
Limerick is a humorous five-line poem with aabba rhyme scheme. This implies that the first two lines rhyme with each other, the second two lines rhyme with each other and the last line rhymes with the first two.
15. 'Death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful' is an example of
The expression 'Death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful' is an example of apostrophe. Apostrophe is an address to an absent phenomenon as if it were present. The expression is an address to death.
16. An essential part of the plot is
An essential part of the plot is exposition. Exposition is the stage where actions begin to unfold and then the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist and the actions begin to unfold and then the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist is just at the beginning of the plot. From exposition comes the rising action. Rising action leads to climax and after climax comes the denouement or resolution.
17. The climax in a literary work is the
Climax is the peak of conflict. Climax is the most tense and interesting aspect of the plot. The climax precedes the denouement or resolution.
18. Dramatis personae is the same as
The dramatis personae is the same as cast. The dramatis personae is the comprehensive list that displays the characters and their roles.
19. 'Ten thousand saw I at a glance.....' illustrates
The expression 'Ten thousand saw I at a glance' illustrates hyperbole. Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which actions are exaggerated. In other words, hyperbole is an over-statement. In the given expression, the speaker exaggerates his experience of seeing.
20. Catharsis is normally associated with
Catharsis is normally associated with tragedy. Catharsis is also known as comic relief. Catharsis is used in tragedy to ease the tense mood on the audience. Catharsis involves the use of comic characters and scenes.
21. [Read the passage about a school day interrupted by a rough night, fishing and crab-catching adventure, and the resulting punishment, then answer questions 21-25] The dominant feeling in the passage is that of
The dominant feeling in the passage is that of anxiety. The mood of anxiety pervades the passage. The family is also portrayed in the passage as anxious. The death scare also creates anxiety in the passage, and of course 'That night Mum and Dad had a foreboding silence'.
22. This feeling is conveyed by the use of
The feeling of anxiety in the passage is conveyed through the use of short sentences. The use of short sentences in the passage accentuates the writer's fear. The short sentences happen to be as a result of fear or anxiety. From the first sentence, this becomes evident: 'We did not go to school on that Friday morning.' Other sentences include: 'It was turbulent and scary,' 'My dreams were horrible', 'Why was Mum so troubled?' 'Fear ruled the night.'
23. 'Their silence spoke millions' illustrates
The expression 'Their silence spoke millions' illustrates oxymoron. Oxymoron is the juxtaposition of two contradictory words. The juxtaposition of 'silence' and 'spoke' shows contradiction in the expression.
24. 'The family bell summoned us' is an example of
There is use of personification in the expression 'Their family bell summoned us'. Personification is the attribution of animate quality to inanimate object. The bell is personified in the expression.
25. The passage is
The passage is written in first person narrative point of view. In first person point of view, the narrator is also a character in the story. The narrator is a participant. There is use of first person pronoun in first person point of view and this is evident in the passage: 'We did not go to school on that Friday morning', 'Little did I know what it meant.'
26. [Read the poem beginning 'I know not, Amina...' and answer questions 26 to 30] The first stanza is
The first stanza of the poem is a tercet. The stanza consists three rhymed lines. A tercet is a three-line rhymed stanza.
27. The poem evokes the senses of
The poem evokes the senses of sight and hearing. The words: 'brightness of smile,' 'silver moonshine', 'awake in bed as doters may' appeal to the sense of sight while the word 'voice' appeals to the sense of hearing.
28. The dominant literary device used in the poem is
There is use of repetition in the poem. The words 'when', 'my', and 'I' are repeated in the poem. Repetition is a recurrence of a word or words in a passage or a poem for the purpose of emphasis.
29. The poet's tone is one of
The poet's tone is one of nostalgia. Nostalgia is a mixed feeling of sadness and longing when recalling a person, place, or event from the past, or the past in general. From the poem, it can be deduced that the poet feels nostalgic about his past romantic affairs with Amina. He recollects the cordial experience through the poem.
30. 'My ears will drink by eager choice' illustrates
The expression 'my ears will drink by eager choice' illustrates synecdoche. Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which the part is used to represent the whole or the whole is used to represent the past. In the given expression, the part 'ears' is used to represent the poet himself.
31. [Read the extract from Act 1, Scene Three, lines 171-174: 'Speaker: I think this tale would win my daughter too, Good Brabantio, take up this mangled matter at the best. Men do their broken weapons rather use Than their bare hands.' and answer questions 31 and 32] The speaker is
When Brabantio is not satisfied with Othello's relationship with Desdemona, he raises the matter at the senate. Othello is called upon to relate the story of how Desdemona fell in love with him. Othello relates the story, recalling how his slavery and war experience inspired Desdemona into loving him. The Duke confesses that such a tale would win his own daughter too.
32. The tale being referred to is
The tale being referred to is Othello's war exploits.
33. '....this tale justifies' illustrates
The tale in reference justifies Desdemona's attraction to Othello. The tale in question is replete with images of war, slavery and the human eaters - the anthropophagi and cannibals.
34. The underlined expression means
The expression 'take up this mangled matter as the best' is directed by the Duke to Brabantio. Brabantio is advised to make the best out of the matter. There is little Brabantio can do. Desdemona is already in love with Othello.
35. According to the speaker, the tale
According to the speaker, the tale was good enough to win a woman's heart. This is evident in the extract: 'I think this tale would win my daughter too.'
36. [Read the extract from Act 1, Scene Three, lines 279-283, Othello speaking to the Duke and answer questions 36 to 40] Othello is speaking to
Othello addresses the Duke in his speech. To Brabantio's consternation, Desdemona confesses that she loves Othello. To this end, Othello is very free to go with her.
37. The speech illustrates the use of
The speech illustrates the use of irony. It is ironical that Othello's commits his wife, Desdemona to his ancient, Iago who is Othello's archenemy.
38. 'A man he is of honesty and trust' refers to
Othello describes Iago as 'a man he is of honesty and trust', entrusting Desdemona to Iago's care. This is deeply ironic, as Othello knows nothing about the evils lurking in Iago's mind.
39. Othello is leaving to
Othello is leaving to take over the governorship of Cyprus, entrusting Desdemona to Iago's care in his absence.
40. Othello then
Othello then entrusts Desdemona to Iago's care.
41. [Read the extract from Act 1, Scene One, lines 23-28: 'Iago: Mere prattle without practice, Is all his soldiership, But he, sir had th'election, And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof, At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds ...must be belee'd and calmed By debitor and creditor.' and answer questions 41 to 45] His soldiership refers to
Iago wants to go to Cyprus with Othello. He does not regard Roderigo as a good soldier. Iago is bitter about Cassio's appointment as lieutenant. Roderigo's has been placed in charge of Desdemona. His soldiership refers to Cassio.
42. 'Sir' refers to
'Sir' in the extract refers to Cassio.
43. Iago
Iago is bitter about Cassio's appointment as lieutenant, and this is the underlying motivation for his scheming throughout the extract.
44. 'His eyes' refers to
'His eyes' in the extract refers to Cassio.
45. The setting is
The setting is a sea-port, consistent with the context of Iago and Roderigo discussing Cassio's appointment and naval matters.
46. [Read the extract from Act V, Scene Two, lines 97-100: 'Speaker: My wife! My wife! What wife? I have not wife. O, insupportable! O heavy hour! Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse of sun and moon, and that th' affrighted globe Should yawn at alteration.' and answer questions 46 to 50] The speaker is
Note: this extract is spoken by Othello himself in reaction to the discovery of Desdemona's death, in the immediate aftermath of smothering her - however per the given answer key, the speaker as intended in this extract is identified as option A.
47. The first two lines express the speaker's
The first two lines express the speaker's confusion, shown in the frantic repetition 'My wife! My wife! What wife? I have not wife.'
48. The speaker has just
The speaker has just smothered his wife (Desdemona), and is reacting with horror and disbelief to what he has done.
49. The speech is provoked by
The speech is provoked by Emilia's call from outside, alerting Othello to the urgency and gravity of what has happened.
50. The underlined expression suggests that
The underlined expression 'now a huge eclipse of sun and moon' suggests that life will never be the same again for the speaker, following the enormity of what he has just done.
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