JAMB UTME - Literature In English - 1993

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The dominant images in Ayi Kwei Armah's "The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born" are those of filth and decay. The author vividly describes the decaying infrastructure and dirty surroundings of the Ghanaian society portrayed in the novel. This imagery symbolizes the moral decay of the society, the corruption, and the lack of progress that the characters experience. The author uses this imagery to show how the filth and decay of the external environment mirror the internal decay of the characters' souls and the larger society as a whole.

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The correct answer is "have a regular rhythm." When words or phrases in either poetry or prose rise and fall measuredly, it means they follow a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. This pattern creates a regular rhythm, also known as meter, which can be heard when the words are spoken or read aloud. Rhythm is an important element of poetry and prose, as it can enhance the beauty of the language and convey different moods and emotions. By using a regular rhythm, writers can create a sense of harmony and balance in their works, which can help to captivate and engage readers.

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The phrase "To stones that strangle the dawn" in "Sunset Sonata" is a metaphorical description. This means that it uses figurative language to suggest a comparison between two things that are not literally the same. In this case, the stones are not actually capable of strangling the dawn, but the poet is using them as a symbol to represent something else. The metaphor suggests that something is obstructing the natural progression of the day, just as stones would obstruct the flow of water in a stream. Therefore, the phrase is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as an imaginative way of expressing the idea of a hindrance or obstacle to the dawn.

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In Richard Ntiru's poem 'The Pauper', the lines "And your MP with a shining head and triple chin will mourn your fate in a supplementary question at Question Time" portray the MP as hypocritical. The poet is suggesting that the MP, who is supposed to represent the interests of the people, will only pay lip service to the plight of the poor. The MP's show of sympathy is not genuine, as he is more concerned with his own image than with making any real change. The use of the word "shining" to describe the MP's head suggests that he is more concerned with his appearance than with the suffering of his constituents. The phrase "supplementary question at Question Time" implies that the MP's concern is merely performative and limited to the confines of the parliamentary session. Thus, the lines suggest that the MP is not truly sympathetic to the plight of the poor and is instead hypocritical in his show of concern.

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The dramatic technique employed in this passage is foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is a literary device in which the author hints at events or developments that will happen later in the story. In this passage, the author is hinting at the possibility of death and destruction that will come with winter and spring. The phrase "death from the sea" suggests the possibility of a sea-borne invasion or disaster. The words "ruinous spring" suggest the possibility of spring being destructive, and "root and shoot shall eat eyes and our ears" suggests the possibility of plants causing harm. The use of foreshadowing creates suspense and anticipation in the reader, making them curious about what will happen next.

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T.S. Eliot's 'Journey of the Magi' could be used to examine the issue of spiritual rebirth. The poem tells the story of the Magi's journey to visit the baby Jesus and their subsequent realization of the profound spiritual changes that have taken place within them. Through their journey, they undergo a spiritual transformation and are reborn in their understanding of the world and their place in it. The poem explores themes of disillusionment, doubt, and the difficulties of spiritual transformation.

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The 'castle which has a gentle air' is the death-place of King Duncan in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. This is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that the castle is the site of the murder of the king, while the characters in the play do not. The description of the castle as having a gentle air creates a contrast between its appearance and the violent act that takes place there, which adds to the dramatic effect of the play.

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The lines suggest that Langula, the soldier hero in Mazisi Kunene's poem, was more interested in life than in warfare, bloodshed or conquest. The idea is that even Langula, who was skilled in battle and sharpened the edge of hearts, came to realize that truth is not found in the violence of swords, but in the new growth that emerges from ruins. In other words, Langula understands that life and growth are more important than destruction and conquest, and that truth is not just a matter of physical power, but also of spiritual and moral strength.

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The main motive of the British in the Benin Kingdom was the domination of the kingdom and its trade. They wanted to control the resources and wealth of the kingdom for their own benefit. This led to a conflict between the British and the Benin people, which ultimately resulted in the elimination of Oba Ovonramwen and the installation of a puppet regime in the kingdom. The British were not interested in mediating in Benin's domestic problems, but rather in exploiting the kingdom's resources and establishing their dominance in the region.

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In the passage above, the manager is described as being hostile. The use of words such as "curious" and "remarkably cold" to describe his appearance and behavior towards the protagonist, along with the simile "trenchant and heavy as an axe" used to describe his glance, suggest that the manager is unfriendly and possibly even intimidating.

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The phrase "And the laughter or cannon, of thunder arraigns the multitude of wills in savage tutelage" in Odia Ofeimun's poem "For Christopher Okigbo" suggests that misfortune is unexpected. The use of the word "savage" implies that the misfortune is harsh and brutal, and the juxtaposition of "laughter" and "cannon" suggests that the misfortune can come in many forms, both lighthearted and destructive. The phrase "arraigns the multitude of wills" suggests that the misfortune affects many people, and they are powerless to prevent it. Overall, the line suggests that misfortune can strike suddenly and without warning, and that people must be prepared to face it.

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This dialogue became necessary because of Ovonramwen's intransigence in the face of authority. Obaseki's statement "For the peace of the land, obey him" suggests that there is a need for Ovonramwen to obey someone in authority, but he is not doing so. This disobedience is causing trouble for Benin, hence the need to avoid further provocation. Chief Ezomo and Iyase also plead with Ovonramwen to avoid provoking whoever he is disobeying because it would be detrimental to Benin. Therefore, it can be inferred that Ovonramwen's refusal to obey someone in authority is causing tension in Benin and this dialogue is a plea for him to be more compliant for the sake of peace.

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The novel that depicts the adventures of a main character who is usually a rogue is called a picaresque novel. Picaresque novels are typically characterized by a rogue protagonist who is an outsider to society and engages in various misadventures and escapades as they travel from place to place. These novels often have a humorous tone and are known for their vivid and realistic depictions of life during a particular time and place.

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A play that tells a single story, has one setting, and takes place within a specified period is said to possess the unities. The three unities, also known as Aristotelian unities, were first introduced by Aristotle in his Poetics and were later adopted as a fundamental principle of classical drama. The unity of action requires that a play should have a single main storyline, with no subplots or distractions. The unity of place requires that a play should take place in a single location, with no shifts in setting. The unity of time requires that the action of a play should take place within a 24-hour period. By following these three unities, a play is believed to be more focused, cohesive, and realistic.

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The "voice of my education" in D.H. Lawrence's poem "Snake" refers to culture. The speaker in the poem is struggling with conflicting feelings towards the snake. On the one hand, he recognizes the beauty and power of the creature, but on the other hand, he feels repulsed by it because of his cultural conditioning. The voice of his education represents the societal and cultural norms that have taught him to fear and despise snakes, and it is this voice that he must overcome in order to fully appreciate the snake's magnificence. In other words, the speaker must learn to separate himself from his cultural biases and embrace his more primal instincts in order to fully appreciate the natural world around him.

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The character in the passage is day-dreaming. He is on the lower deck, surrounded by a lot of noise from the other crew members, and he forgets himself while living in his mind the sea life of light literature. This indicates that he is lost in thought, imagining and fantasizing about stories he has read or heard about.

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The ode and the elegy are examples of lyrical poetry. Lyrical poetry is a type of poetry that expresses personal emotions or feelings. Odes and elegies are both lyrical poems that express deep emotions, but in different ways. An ode is a type of lyrical poem that expresses admiration, celebration, or praise for a person, event, or thing. It often has a formal structure and a serious tone. An elegy, on the other hand, is a type of lyrical poem that expresses sorrow or grief for a person or thing that has died or been lost. It also often has a formal structure, but has a more mournful tone than an ode. Therefore, the ode and the elegy are both examples of lyrical poetry that express deep emotions, but in different ways.

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In the passage, it is inferred that Otto's wife was a potter in addition to being a wife and mother. This is contrasted with the traditional roles of women in Nessa's childhood, who were expected to be cooks, cleaners, and homemakers. Therefore, it can be concluded that Otto's wife had a profession outside of the typical domestic duties assigned to women.

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In literature, a round character is associated with change and growth. A round character is a fully developed and complex character that has depth and undergoes transformation throughout the story. They are multidimensional and exhibit a range of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that make them realistic and relatable to readers. Through the events and experiences they encounter in the story, round characters may change their perspectives, values, or behaviors, leading to personal growth and development. This evolution of the character adds depth and complexity to the plot, making the story more engaging and meaningful.

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The phrase "kept their feet from touching bottom" means that they were able to stay afloat or stay above water, both literally and metaphorically. It suggests that they were able to avoid hitting rock bottom, whether it be financially or emotionally. They were able to maintain a level of stability and hope for the future, especially for their children. Therefore, option B, "buoyant economically," is the correct answer.

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In the passage, the house dog is described as having its eyes on the fish that its master is eating. It is watching with envy as the master eats piece after piece of fish, while the dog sprawls between the narrator's legs. Therefore, the correct option is that the dog "watched as his master ate the fish."

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In this soliloquy, Macbeth is referring to his secret desire to become the King of Scotland. He mentions the Prince of Cumberland as an obstacle in his path to the throne, and expresses his fear that his ambitious and potentially murderous desires will be revealed.

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The lines refer to Socialism in Ayi Kwei Armah's 'The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born.' The old man mentioned in the lines does not believe in the idea of socialism. However, when people see someone trying to improve their lives through socialist ideals, they become jealous and start shouting slogans against that person. The lines suggest that socialism is not widely accepted or understood, and people tend to react negatively towards those who try to implement socialist principles.

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