WAEC SSCE - Literature In English - 2022 (Objective)

Question 1 Report

Read the extract below and answer the following questions

A little learning is a dangerous thing:
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring
The shallow droughts intoxicate the brain
And drinking largely sobers us again

Lines 3 and 4 illustrate

antithesis

oxymoron

anti-climax

metonymy

Answer Details

Lines 3 and 4 illustrate an antithesis. An antithesis is a figure of speech that presents contrasting ideas in a balanced and parallel manner. In this case, the contrasting ideas are "shallow droughts intoxicate the brain" and "drinking largely sobers us again." The first part of the antithesis states that "shallow droughts intoxicate the brain." Here, "shallow droughts" refers to a small amount of knowledge or learning. The phrase "intoxicate the brain" suggests that a small amount of knowledge can lead to a sense of overconfidence or arrogance. It implies that when someone has only a limited understanding of a subject, they might feel excessively confident or knowledgeable about it, even though their understanding is shallow and incomplete. The second part of the antithesis states that "drinking largely sobers us again." Here, "drinking largely" refers to gaining a deep and comprehensive understanding of a subject. The phrase "sobers us again" suggests that acquiring extensive knowledge brings a sense of humility and awareness of the complexity and depth of the subject. It implies that when someone delves deeply into a topic, they realize how much more there is to learn and understand, leading to a more grounded perspective. The contrast between the intoxicating effect of shallow knowledge and the sobering effect of deep knowledge highlights the dangers of having only a superficial understanding. It emphasizes the importance of thorough learning and acquiring a comprehensive understanding of a subject rather than relying on limited or incomplete knowledge.






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