JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2019

Use excerpt below to answer questions

"Now, by yond marble
heaven,
In the due reverence of a sacred vow
I here enrage my words." (Shakespeare's Othello)

The prevailing activity in the extract is

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What made Lago and Othello to kneel before each other as take a vow on how to revenge against Desdemona was because he has been ignited by Lago. 

"Nightfall! Nightfall!! You are my mortal enemy". The dominant figure of speech above is a/an________

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Apostrophe is used to describe an absent person as if present and a dead person or subject matter and as if living, this should not be confused with personification. So the correct answer is Apostrophe because "Night fall" is directly addressed as if it were living being, this is a figurative quality of an Apostrophe.

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In the poem, what signify weaknes is "The suden throb of pain ", "legs cribbed" which is the result of old age

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One of the following is not significant to Morris' "The Proud King"

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" The proud King" is actually a biblical allusion because it an epic poem which is didactic in nature and teaches moral lessons , it is also concern for the sense of good virtue makes as well a parable of some kind. 

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The line "The earth has stopped breathing and sighed" illustrates personification. Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or natural phenomena. In this line, the poet personifies the earth, giving it human-like qualities of breathing and sighing. The use of personification is effective in conveying the idea that the land is suffering and struggling to survive due to the neglect and mistreatment by its human inhabitants. The line does not illustrate bathos, which is an abrupt shift from a serious or lofty style to a common or ridiculous one. It is also not a paradox, which is a statement that appears self-contradictory or absurd but may be true in fact. Additionally, it is not a climax, which is the point of highest dramatic tension or a turning point in a narrative.

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A didactic poem that features animals as characters may be distinctively described as an apologue. An apologue is a form of allegory that uses animals or inanimate objects to teach a moral or lesson. This type of poem often aims to instruct or guide its readers on how to live a good life or make the right decisions. The animals in an apologue usually represent different human qualities or characteristics, and the events and actions in the poem serve as a metaphor for real-life situations. Therefore, an apologue is an effective tool for teaching morals and values to children and adults alike.

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The story was told by an outsider who knows the storyline aforetime, It is told from the third person/ Omniscient point of view it was not told by any character in the novel. 

A novel written in form of a letter is said to be_______

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The correct answer is "epistolary." An epistolary novel is a novel written in the form of a series of letters or diary entries. The letters are often written by one or more of the characters in the novel, and they can be addressed to other characters in the novel, or to people outside the novel. The form of the letters allows the reader to see events from multiple perspectives and can create a more intimate relationship between the reader and the characters. One famous example of an epistolary novel is "Dracula" by Bram Stoker. The novel is made up of a series of letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, all written by different characters in the novel. The use of letters and diary entries allows the reader to experience the horror of the novel through the eyes of the characters, and creates a sense of immediacy and urgency. Epistolary novels have been popular for centuries, and the form has been used to tell a wide variety of stories, from gothic horror to romantic comedy. Some other examples of epistolary novels include "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker, "Pamela" by Samuel Richardson, and "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis.

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The term "Muse" is used to describe the 'god of inspiration' in literature. In Greek mythology, the Muses were the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who were the patrons of the arts and sciences, including poetry, dance, music, and history. In literature, the term "muse" is often used to refer to a source of inspiration or creativity. A writer or artist might describe their work as being inspired by their muse, meaning that they feel a creative spark or divine inspiration guiding their work. The term "muse" has come to represent the idea of a higher power or force that helps to inspire and guide artists and writers in their work.

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The feeling created by Okara's reminiscence in the "Piano and Drums" is nostalgia. The poem describes how Okara walks to the farm barefoot, despite the thorns and dangerous leaves, and still finds this enjoyable. This suggests a longing for a simpler, more innocent time in his life, and a sense of fondness for the experiences of his youth. This is consistent with the feeling of nostalgia.

'A trouble shared is a trouble halved' illustrates the use of______

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Further examination reveals paradox altruism and proverbial importance of it expression though it may seem untrue at first sight. 

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The poet with the usage of powerful imageries and symbols as 'gun' and 'wound' reveals that the subject matter of the poem is that of brutality or horrors of war and not mere conflict therefore brutality is the best answer. 

Which one of the following is most influential to the substance of Hallowell's "The Dinning Table"?

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The most influential aspect of Hallowell's "The Dining Table" is the setting of the poem. The setting is a domestic dining table that represents a space where family members gather and interact with each other. The setting is significant because it creates an atmosphere that allows the poet to explore various themes such as family dynamics, cultural identity, and the passage of time. The structure of the poem, the atmosphere, and the poetic style are all important, but they are secondary to the setting because they all contribute to the portrayal of the dining table and the significance it holds in the lives of the family members.

Aloho begins her harvest of corruption when____________

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It was when Aloho found out she was 3 months pregnant and the chances of abortion were impossible that was when the harvest of corruption started in The novel. 

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Read the poem and answer questions

At dawn must I rise to till the rock
That our land has turned into
The land where on we'd gleefully harvested paddy
Planted and nurtured and tended on plots marshy
Our woes are bloody woes of accursed revenges
Of the land spirits aggrieved by paltry human respect
For the life of fellow man by his fellow
Kindred blood has counted for less than no value
Brother's wife has been wife to other brother's brother
Communal loot has emptied our country silos
The earth has stopped breathing and sighed
Soldered tears has the moon shed
The earth was scorched at noon-day night
And our land has turned to hoeing rock.

The run-on lines convey the speaker's_______

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The flow of words and expressions, from one to another, of the poet directly reflect his sorrowful state of mind for the tragedies that have consumed his land

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The art of using persuasive words in literary works is known as rhetoric. Rhetoric is the use of language to persuade or influence an audience, often through the use of various techniques such as logos, ethos, and pathos. In literature, rhetoric can be used to convey a particular message, evoke certain emotions, or to convince the reader of a particular point of view. It can be used in various forms of writing, including essays, speeches, and poetry. Dilemma is a difficult choice between two options, Parody is a humorous imitation of a particular work, style, or artist, and Paronomasia is a play on words or pun.

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An overused expression is a/an _________

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An overused expression is a "cliche". A cliche is a phrase or expression that has become so overused that it has lost its original meaning or impact. It is often used as a shortcut to convey a certain idea or emotion, but it can be seen as trite or unoriginal. Examples of cliches include phrases like "at the end of the day", "all's well that ends well", or "time heals all wounds". These expressions are often used in everyday conversation, but they can become tiresome or predictable when used too frequently. In literature and writing, the use of cliches can be seen as a weakness or a lack of originality. Good writers strive to find fresh and innovative ways to express their ideas and emotions, and avoid relying on cliches as a crutch. Overall, a cliche is an overused expression that has lost its original impact and can be seen as unoriginal or trite.

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'The dun dun of a drum' is an example of an onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia is a literary device in which a word imitates the sound it represents. In this case, the word "dun dun" imitates the sound of a drum, and therefore, it is an onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia can be used to create a vivid and sensory experience for the reader, making the writing more engaging and memorable. Therefore, onomatopoeia is a useful tool for writers who want to make their work more expressive and dynamic.

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In Lenrie's 'The Panic of Growing Older', another significant theme is the uncertainties of life. The poem describes the speaker's fear and anxiety as he grows older and realizes that life is unpredictable and fleeting. He expresses his regret for not living his life to the fullest and for wasting time on things that don't matter. The poem suggests that life is full of uncertainties, and we can't predict what will happen in the future. The speaker's panic about growing older is a reflection of our universal fear of the unknown and the inevitability of aging and death. Although the poem briefly mentions natural disasters, war, and the relationship between mankind and nature, these are not the primary themes. The poem's central focus is on the uncertainties of life and how we should cherish the present moment and make the most of our time on earth.

Read the poem and answer questions

At dawn must I rise to till the rock
That our land has turned into
The land where on we'd gleefully harvested paddy
Planted and nurtured and tended on plots marshy
Our woes are bloody woes of accursed revenges
Of the land spirits aggrieved by paltry human respect
For the life of fellow man by his fellow
Kindred blood has counted for less than no value
Brother's wife has been wife to other brother's brother
Communal loot has emptied our country silos
The earth has stopped breathing and sighed
Soldered tears has the moon shed
The earth was scorched at noon-day night
And our land has turned to hoeing rock.

 The theme of the poem is__________

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The predominance of words in the poem is associated with nature. The poem describes the negative impact of human activities on the land and how the land spirits are aggrieved by human disrespect. It talks about the loss of fertile land that was once used for paddy cultivation and how the land has turned into rocky land that must be tilled. The words used in the poem like harvested, planted, nurtured, and tended, connote an agricultural context that is closely associated with nature. The imagery of the moon shedding tears and the earth stopping breathing also emphasizes the importance of nature in the poem.

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The  reason behind God withholding the gift of rest from man is that man can always remember his creator whether as a result of goodness or weariness. This is seen at the third stanza of the poem. 

Use the extract below to answer questions

Line 1: My heart leaps up when I behold
Line 2: A rainbow in the sky
Line 3: so was it when my life began
Line 4: so is it now
Line 5: so is it when I have grown
Line 6: the child is the father of the man.

The rhyme scheme of the poem is_________

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A diligent tracing of the rhyme pattern in the excerpt above will result into the 'abcacc' scheme therefore 'abcacc' is the best answer.

A poem of 14 lines is known as__________

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A poem of 14 lines is known as a "sonnet". A sonnet is a type of poem that originated in Italy in the 13th century and became popular in England in the 16th century. It consists of 14 lines and typically follows a strict rhyme scheme and a specific structure. The most common type of sonnet is the "Shakespearean" or "English" sonnet, which is composed of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is usually ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, meaning that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other, as do the second and fourth lines, and the final couplet rhymes with each other. Sonnet form is often used to express intense or complex emotions, such as love, loss, and mortality. Many of the greatest poets in history have written sonnets, including William Shakespeare, John Donne, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Pablo Neruda.

Analogy is the arrangement of two ideas that are_________

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Analogy is the arrangement of two ideas that are similar. An analogy is a comparison between two things that are alike in certain aspects to help explain or clarify a complex or abstract idea. In this comparison, there is usually a relationship between two pairs of words or ideas, where one pair is to the other pair as the first term is to its relationship with the second term. The relationship between the two pairs of words or ideas may be of many types, such as cause and effect, antonyms, synonyms, and so on. Overall, the use of analogy helps people understand complex ideas by relating them to more familiar or understandable concepts.

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Option C Significantly points out this figure best in Othello.The distinctive qualities of a character which the author defines or what the other characters perceive of him is characterization. 

The literary term for conflict in literature is_________

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The literary term for conflict in literature is "Agon". Agon refers to the central struggle or conflict between characters, ideas, or forces in a literary work. It is an essential element of the plot that drives the story forward and creates tension and drama. Agon can take many forms, such as a physical battle, a psychological struggle, or a moral dilemma, and it can be between the protagonist and an antagonist, or within the protagonist's own mind or conscience. In summary, Agon is a crucial component of a story that creates conflict, tension, and interest for the reader or audience.

In Herbert's "The Pulley", God's supremacy is exemplified through______

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God establishes his supremacy over man and retains man's dependency on Him by withholding the gift of rest so much so that man may continue to find strength and fulfilment by seeking and worshipping Him.

Which one of the following does not relate to the tone in Diop's Vanity?

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"Native Son" by Richard Wright can be described as a bildungsroman. A bildungsroman is a novel that focuses on the moral and psychological growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood. "Native Son" follows the story of Bigger Thomas, an African American youth living in poverty in Chicago. The novel explores his psychological and emotional development as he navigates the racist society in which he lives and the consequences of his actions.

Amma Darko's "Faceless" ended with________

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The novel ended by explaining how Baby T's spirit caused Onko commit suicide while Maami Broni opens all their evil deeds.

_____ is used to describe the predetermination of a future event in a literary piece

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Anelepsis (flash back) is used to reveal a futuristic event at the present moment while prolepsis is literay used for foreshadowing unlike flash back. 

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Antithesis is used to describe two contradictory statements or words are placed far apart to create a juxtaposition.

A poem is said to be good if it________

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A poem is said to be good if it evokes emotions and resonates with the reader in a meaningful way. A good poem can have many different elements that contribute to its effectiveness, including elevated style, rhyme and reason, a regular rhythm, and so on. However, the most important aspect of a good poem is its ability to connect with the reader and convey a message, feeling, or idea that is significant and impactful. Ultimately, whether a poem is considered "good" is subjective and depends on the reader's personal preferences and experiences.

_______ is used to describe the situation where a character recognize his mistake

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Anagnorisis is used to describe the situation where a character recognizes their mistake. Anagnorisis is a term from classical Greek drama, and it refers to the moment in a play when the protagonist realizes the error of their ways. This realization often leads to a change in the character's behavior or a shift in the direction of the plot. In literature, anagnorisis is often used to bring about a resolution to the conflict or to provide a turning point in the story. It can be a powerful moment in a story, as it allows the reader to see the character grow and develop, and it often leads to a greater understanding of the story as a whole.

... may be said to be a critical subject of concern in Blake's "School Boy"

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The futility of life and time may be said to be a critical subject of concern in Blake's "School Boy". The poem describes the monotonous and oppressive nature of traditional education, which the speaker views as a waste of time and a hindrance to personal growth and creativity. The speaker longs to escape the confines of the classroom and explore the natural world, which he sees as a source of inspiration and freedom. The poem suggests that the educational system stifles the creativity and individuality of students and forces them to conform to society's expectations. The focus of the poem is not on adventurism or academic development, although these themes are indirectly related to the futility of life and time. The poem's central concern is the need for individuals to find meaning and purpose in their lives beyond the confines of traditional institutions and societal norms.

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The mood of the poet in the poem is one of hopelessness. The poem describes the struggles of a people who have suffered due to communal conflict, resulting in the loss of land, crops, and even human life. The imagery used in the poem is bleak and mournful, with references to the land being turned to rock, the earth no longer breathing, and the moon shedding tears. These images suggest a sense of despair and hopelessness, as if the poet is mourning the loss of a way of life that can never be regained. The use of words such as "bloody woes", "accursed revenges", and "soldered tears" further reinforces the sense of hopelessness that pervades the poem. The poet's mood is one of sadness and despair at the loss of a way of life that was once joyous and bountiful.