JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 2008

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Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are placed side by side in a phrase or sentence to create an effect, such as "jumbo shrimp" or "cruel kindness." The words used in an oxymoron are opposite in meaning and can create a dramatic or humorous effect in literature.

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The poet's tone in the lines "If the earth were mortal / Where would the flower live? / If you left the earth / What would happen to beauty?" is lamentative. The poet is expressing a sense of sadness or loss, reflecting on the impermanence of the natural world and the fleeting nature of beauty. The questions asked by the poet are rhetorical and serve to emphasize the fragility and transience of life. The use of the word "mortal" suggests that the earth is capable of dying, while the questions about the flower and beauty highlight the idea that life and beauty are fleeting and ephemeral. The overall effect is a tone of melancholy or sadness, which suggests that the poet is reflecting on the impermanence of life and the beauty that surrounds us.

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In George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, Big Brother is a metaphor for a totalitarian authority. The character represents the oppressive government that controls every aspect of citizens' lives, monitors their every move, and manipulates the truth to maintain power. The phrase "Big Brother is watching you" serves as a warning to the citizens of Oceania that they are constantly being watched and controlled by the state. Therefore, the correct answer is "totalitarian authority."

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Farce can be described as a type of dramatic work that is characterized by comic and exaggerated actions. This means that the actions in a farce are often over-the-top and ridiculous, intended to make the audience laugh. Additionally, farces typically have a light-hearted mood throughout, without any serious or somber moments. Therefore, options 1, 3, and 4 are not accurate descriptions of farce.

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The statement "I will be brief, for my short date of breath is not so long as is a tedious tale" is in reference to the speaker's imminent death. The phrase "my short date of breath" suggests that the speaker's life is coming to an end soon and they do not have much time left to speak. This statement sets the tone for the rest of the play, as it foreshadows the tragic ending that is to come. The speaker's words indicate that they do not want to waste their remaining time on earth listening to a long and boring story. Therefore, they will be brief and get straight to the point.

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A line or group of lines repeated in the course of a poem is called a "refrain." A refrain is a poetic device in which a line or group of lines is repeated at regular intervals throughout a poem. The repetition of the refrain can serve to emphasize a particular idea or theme, create a musical effect, or provide structure and coherence to the poem. The refrain can be a single word, phrase, or entire stanza that is repeated, and it is often used in poetry forms such as ballads, villanelles, and sestinas.

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The lines above from Acqah's "In the Navel of the Soul" depict a contradiction. The statement "The experts, of course, disagree" implies that there is some kind of disagreement or conflict, while the following sentence "The urine test they ordered said, Negative" suggests that the conflict is resolved, but the result is unexpected or contrary to what was anticipated. This contradiction creates a sense of tension or uncertainty in the poem.

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The expression "The child is the father of the man" in the poem is an example of a "paradox." A paradox is a statement or situation that appears to be self-contradictory or contrary to common sense but, on closer inspection, reveals some degree of truth or validity. In the context of the poem, the speaker expresses his joy and admiration for the beauty of nature, which he has experienced since childhood. He then makes the paradoxical statement that "the child is the father of the man," suggesting that the innocence and purity of childhood can shape and influence a person's character throughout their life. The statement appears contradictory at first glance, but it holds a deeper meaning that highlights the importance of childhood experiences in shaping an individual's identity. Therefore, the expression "The child is the father of the man" in the poem is an example of a paradox.

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The central conflict in J.C. De Graft's Sons and Daughters is generational. The play revolves around the conflict between the older and younger generations in a Ghanaian family. The older generation is represented by Opanyin Poku, who is steeped in tradition and insists on maintaining the customs and values of the past. The younger generation, on the other hand, is represented by Ababio, who has been educated in the city and wants to modernize and improve the family's fortunes. The clash between these two opposing worldviews drives the plot of the play, creating tension and drama as the characters struggle to reconcile their differences. While there are elements of religion, romance, and community in the play, it is the conflict between the generations that is the most significant and pervasive theme.

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The subject matter of the given extract is an "earthquake." The passage describes the sudden movement of the earth, causing houses to crumble and mountains to heave, resulting in the loss of the work of a million years. The language used in the excerpt suggests a violent and sudden natural disaster, which is characteristic of an earthquake. Therefore, the subject matter of the given excerpt is an earthquake.

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Romeo's death becomes inevitable because he kills Tybalt in a duel. Romeo and Tybalt have a longstanding feud, and when Tybalt kills Romeo's friend Mercutio, Romeo becomes enraged and seeks revenge. In a fit of anger, Romeo engages in a duel with Tybalt and ends up killing him. This sets off a chain of events that leads to Romeo's banishment from Verona and ultimately to his death. Romeo's killing of Tybalt is seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the Capulet family, and it brings the conflict between the two families to a head. Because of this, Romeo is unable to escape the consequences of his actions, and his death becomes inevitable. While Friar Lawrence's letter and Juliet's marriage to Paris contribute to the tragic ending of the play, it is Romeo's killing of Tybalt that sets the tragic events in motion and seals his fate.

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Nnu Ego's attitude when she was told that her Chi would not give her a child in Buchi Emecheta's "The Joys of Motherhood" is one of despair.

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Winston Smith begins his rebellion against the power of the state by keeping a private diary. As a member of the ruling party, Winston is aware of the government's propaganda and manipulation of the truth. He feels a sense of dissatisfaction with the oppressive regime and begins to question the reality around him. To explore his thoughts and feelings, Winston secretly starts keeping a diary. This is a significant act of rebellion, as the government strictly controls all forms of expression and prohibits any critical thought against the state. By writing in his diary, Winston is able to express his true feelings and question the reality of the world he lives in. This act of defiance sets in motion a chain of events that leads Winston to become more involved in resisting the state's authority. While there are elements of opposition to the law and educating the youth in the novel, it is Winston's private diary that serves as the catalyst for his rebellion against the oppressive government.

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The tone of the poem "For a Lady I Know" by Countee Cullen is satiric. The poet is using sarcasm and irony to criticize the racial prejudice and discrimination prevalent in the society. The lines "Her class lies late and shores/While poor black cherubs rise at seven" highlight the unfair treatment of black people, especially in the context of education and labor. The use of the word "celestial" to describe the chores of the black cherubs further emphasizes the irony and absurdity of the situation. Overall, the poem conveys a critical and mocking attitude towards the social injustice faced by black people.

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An interlude is a brief presentation in the interval of a dramatic performance. It is a short performance that is presented between the acts of a longer play or performance. The purpose of an interlude is to provide entertainment and keep the audience engaged during the break between acts. Interludes can take many different forms, including musical performances, short plays, and comedic skits. Therefore, is the correct answer, and options 2, 3, and 4 are not accurate descriptions of an interlude.

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The subject of the poem is the son. The poem describes the unfortunate circumstances of the son's birth, with a mother who is a streetwalker and a father who is known for producing illegitimate children. The son is referred to as "The Bastard" in the title, which is a derogatory term used to describe a child born out of wedlock. The poem reflects on the challenges and difficulties that the son might face as a result of his parentage, and invites the reader to consider the injustices that can be inflicted upon innocent individuals due to circumstances beyond their control.

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The subject matter of Adeoti's "Naked Soles" is "suffering and despair." The poem is a poignant reflection on the struggles of life, as seen through the eyes of a person who is experiencing poverty and deprivation. The persona in the poem describes the harsh realities of life, where even the basic needs of survival, such as food, water, and shelter, are scarce. The image of the "naked soles" symbolizes the vulnerability and helplessness of the people who are struggling to survive. The poem highlights the plight of the poor and the need for compassion and empathy towards those who are less fortunate. Overall, "Naked Soles" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human condition and the universal struggle for survival.

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The subject matter of the passage is an earthquake. The passage describes the sudden movement of the earth, causing the destruction of houses and mountains. The phrase "the towering earth was tired of sitting in one position" suggests that the earth had been still for a long time, and the sudden movement was unexpected. The use of words such as "crumbled", "heaved" and "lost" further reinforces the idea of destruction and chaos caused by the earthquake. Therefore, it can be inferred that the subject matter of the passage is an earthquake.

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A literary work which imitates another in a distorted form is called "burlesque." Burlesque is a type of literary genre that uses mockery, exaggeration, and distortion to imitate and parody another work or style of literature. It often involves the use of humor and satire to mock and ridicule the original work or style, and may be used to make a political or social commentary. Burlesque can be found in various forms of literature, including poetry, drama, and prose. In essence, it takes a serious work and turns it into a comical one by exaggerating its style and tone in a humorous way.

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The play opens with a conversation between Aaron and Awere about Aaron's choice of course. Aaron wants to study literature, but Awere thinks that he should choose a more practical course that will guarantee him a good job after graduation. Their conversation sets the stage for the conflict between traditional African values and the desire for modern education and career opportunities.

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The correct option based on the given information is "James agrees that Aaron and Maanan should study what they want."

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In J.C. De Graft's play "Sons and Daughters," Fasuwa represents the old order. He is a traditionalist who believes in the preservation of African customs and values. He is resistant to change and is critical of the younger generation's adoption of Western culture. He symbolizes the clash between tradition and modernity in African societies during the colonial era.

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"To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell is written mainly in heroic couplets. A heroic couplet is a pair of rhyming lines in iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The poem consists of three stanzas, each comprising of heroic couplets. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which means that the first two lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, as do the third and fourth lines.

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The persona in the poem "Give Me The Minstrel's Seat" discourages isolation. The poem talks about the desire of the persona to be part of a community where he can share his thoughts and feelings with others. He longs to be able to express himself and to be understood by others. The persona discourages isolation because it is a lonely and unhappy existence, and he believes that it is important to be part of a community in order to be happy and fulfilled. The poem emphasizes the importance of human connection and the need for individuals to come together to share their experiences and support each other.

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The major reason for Juliet's grief is her banishment of her lover. When Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, he is banished from Verona as punishment. This means that Juliet is separated from her lover, Romeo, and cannot be with him. Juliet feels a sense of hopelessness and despair because of this separation, which causes her intense grief.

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