JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2019

... 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.

The dorminant mood in Tennyson's Crossing the Bar is that of___________

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The turn is that of acceptance because the poet's feeling was that of preparedness to embark on an evening journey of no return. 

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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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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. 

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The bar in Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Crossing the Bar" symbolizes the boundary between life and death. This boundary is often referred to as the "crossing" or the "journey" from life on earth to the afterlife. The bar represents the threshold between this life and the next, and the speaker in the poem is asking for God's guidance as he makes this final journey. The bar can be interpreted as a metaphor for the uncertainty and fear associated with death, and the speaker is expressing a desire for a safe and peaceful crossing.

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 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. 

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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. 

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 literary device used in line 6 is an example of______

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Probably on the first instance the statement may not seem true but with a closer examination it appears to be true and realistic

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.

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

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A short poem that expresses an idea in a clever way is called an Epigram. An epigram is a concise and witty poem or statement that often has a clever twist or pun at the end. It is meant to make the reader think and often has a humorous or satirical tone. The word "epigram" comes from the Greek word "epigramma," which means "inscription" or "something pointed."

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In literary criticism, a casual reference to a figure or an event is regarded as an allusion. An allusion is a literary device that refers to a person, event, or work of art in a passing or indirect manner. It assumes that the reader has prior knowledge of the subject being referred to, and the writer can use it to add depth and meaning to their work. Allusions can be used to create a connection between the reader and the text or to provide cultural or historical context. Therefore, an allusion is a type of reference that adds layers of meaning to a literary work.

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

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Lago's hatred for Othello was born out of the fact that Othello rather appointed Cassio, an inexperienced soldier, as the Lieutenant than himself (Lago). Therefore Othello didn't make him the lieutenant is the correct answer. 

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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.

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The figurative name for the manner in which Nightfall is directly addressed is apostrophe. Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which an absent or imaginary person, a thing, or an abstraction is addressed as if present and capable of understanding. In this case, Nightfall is being directly addressed as if it is a person who is capable of being an enemy.

A dramatic type directed against an individual or a private institute with the intent to severely ridicule is called_________

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The correct term for a dramatic type directed against an individual or a private institute with the intent to severely ridicule is a "lampoon." A lampoon is a type of satirical writing that specifically targets individuals or organizations, using humor and ridicule to expose flaws, criticize behaviors, or challenge beliefs. Lampoons are often written in a sarcastic, exaggerated, or insulting manner, and they can be found in many forms, such as cartoons, poems, or songs. The purpose of a lampoon is to entertain the audience while also making a serious point or social commentary.

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What lead to Desdemona's betrayal by Othello was when Lago played upon his ( Othello) insecurities, reminding him of Cassio's outstanding qualites , this added to vexing Othello and lured him into doing such . 

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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. 

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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.

In drama, comic reliefs often occur in_______

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In drama, comic reliefs often occur in tragedies. A comic relief is a scene, character, or dialogue that provides a temporary respite from the serious and emotional intensity of the main plot. It is used to lighten the mood and add humor to a play, and is often found in tragedies where the overall tone is dark and heavy. The use of comic relief allows the audience to take a break from the intense emotions and events of the play and can make the play as a whole more enjoyable and memorable.

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)

Consequent upon the act in the excerpt, ...

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Consequent upon the act in the excerpt, Othello changed from being the hero to a villain. In the excerpt, Othello is making a vow and using strong, impassioned language to emphasize the seriousness of his words. This transformation is significant because it represents a turning point in the play, as Othello's character shifts from being a respected and admired military leader to a jealous and vengeful figure. This change is brought on by the manipulation of Iago, who convinces Othello that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful. Othello's increasing jealousy and anger ultimately lead to his descent into villainy.

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.

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. 

'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. 

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.

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The most dominant poetic device used in Okara's 'Panio and Drums' is_______

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The most dominant poetic device used in Okara's 'Piano and Drums' is "symbolism." Symbolism is a literary device that uses symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning. In the poem, the piano and the drums represent two different cultures - the Western and the African - and the conflict between them. The piano symbolizes Western culture, which is associated with order, control, and civilization, while the drums represent African culture, which is associated with rhythm, passion, and tradition. Through this symbolism, the poem explores the speaker's struggle to reconcile his African heritage with the influence of Western culture.

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.

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A transferred epithet is popularly known as a "hypallage". A hypallage is a figure of speech in which an adjective or a modifier is grammatically associated with a word other than the one it actually modifies, creating an effect of syntactic inversion. In other words, a hypallage is when an adjective or descriptive word is applied to a different noun than the one it grammatically belongs to. For example, in the phrase "a sleepless night", the adjective "sleepless" is transferred from the person who is supposed to be sleepless to the night itself, which is inanimate and cannot literally experience sleeplessness. However, the phrase makes sense because it conveys the idea that the night feels long and restless. Transferred epithets are often used in literature and poetry to create vivid and striking imagery or to convey complex emotions and ideas.

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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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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.

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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'My heart leaps'  is a good example of personification. Evidence the fact that the heart is being personified to act as though it were real , physical human being.

The mood of Diop's 'Vanity' is__________

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The mood of the poem "Vanity" is that of worry and also the poet expressess this through a series of rhetorical questions. 

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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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Nemesis is the significant literary devices here, the poet portrays the importance of moral virtues and humility through the reversal of fortunes of the King.

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.

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