WAEC SSCE - Literature In English - 2001

A seemingly absurd statement is a/an

Maelezo ya Majibu

A seemingly absurd statement is a paradox. A paradox is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or absurd but in reality, it expresses a possible truth or a profound insight. It is a rhetorical device often used in literature, philosophy, and everyday language to challenge our conventional understanding and invite deeper reflection. An example of a paradox is the statement "less is more," which seems to contradict itself but actually suggests that simplicity and minimalism can be more effective and powerful than complexity and excess.

UNSEEN PROSE AND POETRY
Read the passage below and answer the question

The killing of a whale at sea isn't pleasant to witness or even to contemplate. Hunted down through solar and other highly specialized equipment, the whale has no more chance of escape like a steer in a slaughterhouse. The manner of his death, however, is very different. A grenade-tipped harpoon explodes deep within his body, often causing prolonged suffering before the gentle-giant, whose intelligence may be second only to our own, is reduced to a carcass ready for processing into crayons, lipstick, shoe polish, fertilizer, margarine and pet food.
The inhumane manner of death, however, is the least part of the scandal known as the whaling industry. Much more important is the fact that the killing is quite unnecessary. Adeguate substitutes exist for every single use to which the whale carcasses are currently put, and although some 32,000 whales are killed every year, the sum of commodities are provide is insignificant in the world's economy.

''.....gentle giant'' conveys the picture of being

Maelezo ya Majibu

The genres of Literature are

Maelezo ya Majibu

The genres of literature are categories that classify literary works based on their form, content, and style. They help to distinguish different types of literature from one another. The three main genres of literature are: 1. Prose: This is a form of written or spoken language that follows natural flow and grammatical structure. It includes works such as novels, short stories, biographies, and essays. 2. Poetry: This is a form of literature that uses rhythm, imagery, and figurative language to convey emotions and ideas. It includes works such as sonnets, ballads, epics, and free verse. 3. Drama: This is a form of literature that is performed on stage or screen, and includes works such as plays, films, and television shows. It typically involves dialogue, characters, and a plot. These three genres can be further sub-divided into more specific categories, such as comedy, tragedy, romance, and horror, among others.

Read the poem below and answer the question

Thou art the judge of man
Judging his plans and behaviour
Judging his speech and egotism
You are the patient Judge

Nations plan without having thee in view
They boast of their will
But soon you show them their follies
You are the patient Judge

Tomorrow and Tomorrow, go here and there
Time smiles and laughs
He frowns his face and consults with fate
You are the patient Judge

The poem is about

Maelezo ya Majibu

A literary work that ridicules ideas or the follies of people is a/an

Maelezo ya Majibu

A literary work that ridicules ideas or the follies of people is called a satire. Satire is a genre of literature that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. The purpose of satire is to use wit and humor to point out the flaws in society and to bring about change.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night.
Read the extract below and answer the question

O that I served that lady,
And might not be delivered to the world
Till I had made mine own occasion mellow,
What my estate is!
(Act 1 Sc. 11)

The speaker is addressing

Maelezo ya Majibu

The speaker in the given extract is a sea captain who is a friend to Viola. In this passage, he expresses his wish to serve Lady Olivia, but he is forced to reveal his identity to Viola.

A play is watched by a/an

Maelezo ya Majibu

A play is watched by an audience. An audience refers to a group of people who gather together to watch a performance, such as a play, movie, concert, or other forms of entertainment. The term "audience" implies that the people are present to witness or observe something, rather than participate actively. In the context of a play, the audience sits in the theater and watches the actors perform on stage. They are usually quiet during the performance and show their appreciation at the end with applause.

In ''I am so famished, I can devour a whole cow'', the device used is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The device used in the sentence ''I am so famished, I can devour a whole cow'' is hyperbole. Hyperbole is an exaggeration used to emphasize a point or create a dramatic effect. In this sentence, the speaker exaggerates their hunger to convey how famished they are by saying that they could eat a whole cow.

In ''Biodun did his best but was first from behind'', first from behind'' is an example of

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the poem below and answer the question

Thou art the judge of man
Judging his plans and behaviour
Judging his speech and egotism
You are the patient Judge

Nations plan without having thee in view
They boast of their will
But soon you show them their follies
You are the patient Judge

Tomorrow and Tomorrow, go here and there
Time smiles and laughs
He frowns his face and consults with fate
You are the patient Judge

The poetic device used in the first line is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the poem below and answer the question

Thou art the judge of man
Judging his plans and behaviour
Judging his speech and egotism
You are the patient Judge

Nations plan without having thee in view
They boast of their will
But soon you show them their follies
You are the patient Judge

Tomorrow and Tomorrow, go here and there
Time smiles and laughs
He frowns his face and consults with fate
You are the patient Judge

The last line of each stanza illustrates

Maelezo ya Majibu

The last line of each stanza illustrates a refrain. A refrain is a repeated line or phrase in a poem, usually at the end of each stanza. In this poem, the line "You are the patient Judge" is repeated at the end of each stanza, emphasizing the idea of God being the ultimate judge of humanity's actions and plans. The repetition of this line also creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem.

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : I could marry this wenchfor this device
B : So could I too.
A : And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest.
B : Nor I neither.
C : Here comes my noble gull-catcher.
A : Wilt thou set thy foot o my neck?
B : Or o' mine either?
A : Shall I play my freedom at tray: and become thy bondslave?
B : I faith, or I either?
(Act 2 Sc V)


Speaker A and B are discussing

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question:

A : Fie, thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the most modest
terms, for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil
himself with courtesy. Sayest thou that house is dark?
B : As hell, Sir Topas
(Act 4 sc. ll)

The person addressed is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : Save thee, friend and thy music. Dost thou live by thy labor?
B : No, sir, I live by the church.
A : Art thou a churchman?
B : No such matter, sir, I do live by the church, for I do live at my hose, and my house doth stand by the church.
(Act 3 Sc 1.)

Speaker B is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Speaker B is the Clown. In the play 'Twelfth Night' by William Shakespeare, the character of Clown is also known as Feste. In the given extract, A asks B if he lives by his labor, to which B replies that he lives by the church because his house stands by the church. This indicates that the Clown is a resident of the church and lives near it, but not necessarily a member of the church clergy.

Read the extract below and answer the question

I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman,
But had it been the brother of my blood,
I must have done no less with wit and safety.
You throw a strange regard upon me, and by that
I do perceieve it hath offended you;
Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows
We made each other but so late ago.
(Act 5 Sc. 1)

The speaker is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The speaker in the given extract is Sebastian. In this scene, Sebastian is apologizing to Olivia for hurting her kinsman (which was actually done by mistake). Sebastian tries to explain that he would have acted the same way even if the person he hurt was his own brother. Olivia is upset with him, and he apologizes for offending her. He reminds Olivia of the vows they made to each other (as they had just gotten married).

Read the extract below and answer the question:

A : Fie, thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the most modest
terms, for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil
himself with courtesy. Sayest thou that house is dark?
B : As hell, Sir Topas
(Act 4 sc. ll)

Sir Topas is expected to be a

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : I could marry this wenchfor this device
B : So could I too.
A : And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest.
B : Nor I neither.
C : Here comes my noble gull-catcher.
A : Wilt thou set thy foot o my neck?
B : Or o' mine either?
A : Shall I play my freedom at tray: and become thy bondslave?
B : I faith, or I either?
(Act 2 Sc V)


Speaker B is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The speaker is replied by

Maelezo ya Majibu

One of the following plays is based on the mistakes of a night

Maelezo ya Majibu

"She stoops to Conquer" is the play that is based on the mistakes of a night. The play is a comedy written by Oliver Goldsmith and was first performed in 1773. The plot revolves around a young man named Marlow who is nervous around upper-class women but confident around women of lower social status. Due to a misunderstanding, Marlow mistakes his host's house for an inn and treats his hosts as if they were innkeepers. The play follows the hilarious events that unfold as a result of this mistaken identity and the characters' attempts to correct the misunderstanding.

UNSEEN PROSE AND POETRY
Read the passage below and answer the question

The killing of a whale at sea isn't pleasant to witness or even to contemplate. Hunted down through solar and other highly specialized equipment, the whale has no more chance of escape like a steer in a slaughterhouse. The manner of his death, however, is very different. A grenade-tipped harpoon explodes deep within his body, often causing prolonged suffering before the gentle-giant, whose intelligence may be second only to our own, is reduced to a carcass ready for processing into crayons, lipstick, shoe polish, fertilizer, margarine and pet food.
The inhumane manner of death, however, is the least part of the scandal known as the whaling industry. Much more important is the fact that the killing is quite unnecessary. Adeguate substitutes exist for every single use to which the whale carcasses are currently put, and although some 32,000 whales are killed every year, the sum of commodities are provide is insignificant in the world's economy.

''...like a steer in a slaughterhouse'' is an example of

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : Save thee, friend and thy music. Dost thou live by thy labor?
B : No, sir, I live by the church.
A : Art thou a churchman?
B : No such matter, sir, I do live by the church, for I do live at my hose, and my house doth stand by the church.
(Act 3 Sc 1.)

Speaker A is

Maelezo ya Majibu

''Here comes the princess now heaven walks on earth'', illustrates the use of

Maelezo ya Majibu

The phrase "heaven walks on earth" is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that refers to one thing by mentioning another thing, in order to draw a comparison between them. In this case, the speaker is comparing the princess to heaven, implying that she is pure, beautiful, and divine. The metaphor is used to emphasize the princess's importance and to create a powerful image in the reader's mind.

Read the extract below and answer the question

I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman,
But had it been the brother of my blood,
I must have done no less with wit and safety.
You throw a strange regard upon me, and by that
I do perceive it hath offended you;
Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows
We made each other but so late ago.
(Act 5 Sc. 1)

.......''the brother o my blood'' implies he is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The phrase "the brother of my blood" implies that he is the speaker's (the person speaking in the extract) own brother. This phrase suggests a strong familial connection and a sense of duty towards one's own family members. The speaker is explaining that even if it was his own brother, he would have still acted in the same way for his own safety.

Read the extract below and answer the question:

A : Fie, thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the most modest
terms, for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil
himself with courtesy. Sayest thou that house is dark?
B : As hell, Sir Topas
(Act 4 sc. ll)

Speaker A, wants the audience to believe that he is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Speaker A is dealing with a mad person. He refers to Satan with courtesy and uses modest terms, suggesting he is trying to calm down or reason with someone who may be difficult to communicate with. The response of Speaker B, who answers with an unrelated statement, further supports the idea that Speaker A is dealing with someone who is not entirely rational.

An ode is usually a poem written for

Maelezo ya Majibu

An ode is usually a poem written for celebration. It is a type of lyric poetry that is usually written to praise or celebrate a person, an event, or an object. Odes are often characterized by their formal structure, with stanzas of varying length and a consistent rhyme scheme. They are meant to be joyful and uplifting, and are often used to commemorate important occasions or to honor important people in society. While an ode can be used for other purposes such as instruction or entertainment, its main purpose is typically to celebrate and honor.

A symbolic representation of ideas, actions and situations in a work of art is a/an

Maelezo ya Majibu

The answer is "allegory". An allegory is a form of symbolic representation in art where ideas, actions, and situations are represented through symbolic characters, figures, or events. An allegory is often used to convey moral, social, or political messages in a work of art. For example, George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is an allegory where the characters and events represent the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism in the Soviet Union.

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in poetry is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in poetry is called alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. This literary device is often used in poetry to create a musical or rhythmic effect and to emphasize certain words or phrases. An example of alliteration is "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : Save thee, friend and thy music. Dost thou live by thy labor?
B : No, sir, I live by the church.
A : Art thou a churchman?
B : No such matter, sir, I do live by the church, for I do live at my hose, and my house doth stand by the church.
(Act 3 Sc 1.)

Speakers A and B are

Maelezo ya Majibu

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night.
Read the extract below and answer the question

O that I served that lady,
And might not be delivered to the world
Till I had made mine own occasion mellow,
What my estate is!
(Act 1 Sc. 11)

''That lady'' refers to

Maelezo ya Majibu

"That lady" refers to Olivia. In this extract, the speaker expresses his desire to serve Olivia, and wishes that he could delay his entrance into society until he had made himself worthy of her. The reference to "that lady" indicates that the speaker holds Olivia in high regard, and sees her as someone he wishes to serve and impress.

UNSEEN PROSE AND POETRY
Read the passage below and answer the question

The killing of a whale at sea isn't pleasant to witness or even to contemplate. Hunted down through solar and other highly specialized equipment, the whale has no more chance of escape like a steer in a slaughterhouse. The manner of his death, however, is very different. A grenade-tipped harpoon explodes deep within his body, often causing prolonged suffering before the gentle-giant, whose intelligence may be second only to our own, is reduced to a carcass ready for processing into crayons, lipstick, shoe polish, fertilizer, margarine and pet food.
The inhumane manner of death, however, is the least part of the scandal known as the whaling industry. Much more important is the fact that the killing is quite unnecessary. Adeguate substitutes exist for every single use to which the whale carcasses are currently put, and although some 32,000 whales are killed every year, the sum of commodities are provide is insignificant in the world's economy.

The theme of the passage is (that)

Maelezo ya Majibu

The theme of the passage is that the killing of whales is unnecessary. The author argues that there are adequate substitutes for all the products made from whale carcasses and that the whaling industry is a scandal. The author also describes the inhumane manner of killing whales, which adds to the argument that this practice should be stopped. Overall, the passage presents a strong case against the killing of whales for commercial purposes.

Read the extract below and answer the question

I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman,
But had it been the brother of my blood,
I must have done no less with wit and safety.
You throw a strange regard upon me, and by that
I do perceieve it hath offended you;
Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows
We made each other but so late ago.
(Act 5 Sc. 1)

The speaker is replied by

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : I could marry this wenchfor this device
B : So could I too.
A : And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest.
B : Nor I neither.
C : Here comes my noble gull-catcher.
A : Wilt thou set thy foot o my neck?
B : Or o' mine either?
A : Shall I play my freedom at tray: and become thy bondslave?
B : I faith, or I either?
(Act 2 Sc V)


The conversation reveals that Speaker B is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Speaker B is easily persuaded. When Speaker A suggests that he could marry a woman just for her sense of humor, Speaker B agrees, saying he could do the same. When Speaker A asks if he should become a bondslave, Speaker B says he could do that too. This shows that he is easily influenced and agrees with the opinions of others without much thought.

Read the extract below and answer the question

I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your kinsman,
But had it been the brother of my blood,
I must have done no less with wit and safety.
You throw a strange regard upon me, and by that
I do perceive it hath offended you;
Pardon me, sweet one, even for the vows
We made each other but so late ago.
(Act 5 Sc. 1)

''the vows'' refers to

Maelezo ya Majibu

An elegy is a poem that usually expresses a state of

Maelezo ya Majibu

An elegy is a poem that usually expresses a state of sorrow and grief. It is often written to lament the loss of someone or something, such as a loved one, a friend, or a way of life. Elegies typically have a mournful and melancholic tone, and are meant to evoke feelings of sadness and loss in the reader.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night.
Read the extract below and answer the question

O that I served that lady,
And might not be delivered to the world
Till I had made mine own occasion mellow,
What my estate is!
(Act 1 Sc. 11)

The word ''delivered'' in line 2 means

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the context of the given lines, the word "delivered" means "revealed" or "made known". The speaker is expressing his desire to serve the lady without being noticed by others until he has improved his own situation and revealed his true social status. Therefore, "delivered" here refers to the act of revealing his true estate to the world.

In ''the wretched beggar cleaned his nails with dry saliva'' the device used is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The device used in the given phrase is an oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are combined to create a rhetorical effect. In this case, "wretched" (which means miserable or pitiful) and "cleaned his nails" (which implies a certain level of hygiene or self-care) are contradictory terms that are used together to create a striking and unexpected image.

In the line '' I walk upon the thorns of life'', the metre is

Maelezo ya Majibu

The metre in the line "I walk upon the thorns of life" is iambic. In iambic metre, the stress falls on every second syllable, creating a "da-DUM" rhythm. In this line, the stress falls on "walk," "thorns," and "life," creating an iambic rhythm: iamb - trochee - iamb.

Read the extract below and answer the question:

A : Fie, thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the most modest
terms, for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil
himself with courtesy. Sayest thou that house is dark?
B : As hell, Sir Topas
(Act 4 sc. ll)

Speaker A is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Pick out the odd item

Maelezo ya Majibu

Poetry differs from prose by its use of

Maelezo ya Majibu

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : Save thee, friend and thy music. Dost thou live by thy labor?
B : No, sir, I live by the church.
A : Art thou a churchman?
B : No such matter, sir, I do live by the church, for I do live at my hose, and my house doth stand by the church.
(Act 3 Sc 1.)

The phrase ''live by'' as used in the extract is an example of

Maelezo ya Majibu

The phrase "live by" as used in the extract is an example of pun. A pun is a play on words that have multiple meanings or sounds similar but have different meanings. In this case, the phrase "live by" is used to mean both "make a living through" and "physically located near" the church. The character B takes the phrase literally to mean he lives near the church, while the character A understands it to mean that B makes a living through the church.

A short poem expressing intense emotions and usually sung is a/an

Maelezo ya Majibu

A short poem expressing intense emotions and usually sung is called a lyric. It is a type of poetry that expresses personal feelings or emotions, often in a song-like style. The word "lyric" comes from the Greek word "lyrikos," which means "singing to the lyre." It is often written in the first person and expresses a speaker's emotions, thoughts, or feelings. Lyric poems can range from short and simple to long and complex, and they can be about a variety of subjects, including love, nature, and personal experiences.

Read the poem below and answer the question

Thou art the judge of man
Judging his plans and behaviour
Judging his speech and egotism
You are the patient Judge

Nations plan without having thee in view
They boast of their will
But soon you show them their follies
You are the patient Judge

Tomorrow and Tomorrow, go here and there
Time smiles and laughs
He frowns his face and consults with fate
You are the patient Judge

The dominant device used in stanza three is

Maelezo ya Majibu

UNSEEN PROSE AND POETRY
Read the passage below and answer the question

The killing of a whale at sea isn't pleasant to witness or even to contemplate. Hunted down through solar and other highly specialized equipment, the whale has no more chance of escape like a steer in a slaughterhouse. The manner of his death, however, is very different. A grenade-tipped harpoon explodes deep within his body, often causing prolonged suffering before the gentle-giant, whose intelligence may be second only to our own, is reduced to a carcass ready for processing into crayons, lipstick, shoe polish, fertilizer, margarine and pet food.
The inhumane manner of death, however, is the least part of the scandal known as the whaling industry. Much more important is the fact that the killing is quite unnecessary. Adeguate substitutes exist for every single use to which the whale carcasses are currently put, and although some 32,000 whales are killed every year, the sum of commodities are provide is insignificant in the world's economy.

The passage is

Maelezo ya Majibu

UNSEEN PROSE AND POETRY
Read the passage below and answer the question

The killing of a whale at sea isn't pleasant to witness or even to contemplate. Hunted down through solar and other highly specialized equipment, the whale has no more chance of escape like a steer in a slaughterhouse. The manner of his death, however, is very different. A grenade-tipped harpoon explodes deep within his body, often causing prolonged suffering before the gentle-giant, whose intelligence may be second only to our own, is reduced to a carcass ready for processing into crayons, lipstick, shoe polish, fertilizer, margarine and pet food.
The inhumane manner of death, however, is the least part of the scandal known as the whaling industry. Much more important is the fact that the killing is quite unnecessary. Adeguate substitutes exist for every single use to which the whale carcasses are currently put, and although some 32,000 whales are killed every year, the sum of commodities are provide is insignificant in the world's economy.

The underlined expression suggests that the writer

Maelezo ya Majibu

The underlined expression "isn't pleasant to witness or even to contemplate" suggests that the writer has an aversion for the process of killing a whale at sea. The use of the words "isn't pleasant" implies a negative sentiment towards the activity, while "even to contemplate" suggests that the thought of it is also unpleasant. Overall, the writer appears to be expressing a disapproval of whaling.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Twelfth Night.
Read the extract below and answer the question

O that I served that lady,
And might not be delivered to the world
Till I had made mine own occasion mellow,
What my estate is!
(Act 1 Sc. 11)

The speaker is

Maelezo ya Majibu

A piece of writing about oneself is a/an

Maelezo ya Majibu

A piece of writing about oneself is an autobiography. Autobiography is a type of literary work that presents a person's life story, typically written in the first-person point of view. It covers important events, experiences, and achievements of the author's life. An autobiography can provide insight into the author's personality, character, and perspective on life. It is different from a biography, which is a written account of someone's life that is written by someone else.

Read the extract below and answer the question

A : I could marry this wenchfor this device
B : So could I too.
A : And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest.
B : Nor I neither.
C : Here comes my noble gull-catcher.
A : Wilt thou set thy foot o my neck?
B : Or o' mine either?
A : Shall I play my freedom at tray: and become thy bondslave?
B : I faith, or I either?
(Act 2 Sc V)


Speaker A is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Speaker A is Sir Toby. In this scene from William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, Sir Toby is talking with his companions, Andrew Aguecheek and Fabian. The group is discussing their desire to marry the clever and witty servant girl Maria, who has played a prank on Malvolio, a steward in the household. Sir Toby suggests that he would be willing to marry Maria for her cleverness alone and asks his companions if they feel the same way.

''The cell is a cruel place; sometimes a haven'', illustrates the use of

Maelezo ya Majibu

The use of "The cell is a cruel place; sometimes a haven" illustrates the use of a paradox. A paradox is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or contrary to common sense but may contain a hidden truth or meaning. In this case, the two contrasting ideas of a cell being a cruel place and a haven are presented in the same sentence, creating a paradoxical statement that challenges the reader's understanding and perception of the situation.

Read the poem below and answer the question

Thou art the judge of man
Judging his plans and behaviour
Judging his speech and egotism
You are the patient Judge

Nations plan without having thee in view
They boast of their will
But soon you show them their follies
You are the patient Judge

Tomorrow and Tomorrow, go here and there
Time smiles and laughs
He frowns his face and consults with fate
You are the patient Judge

The extract teaches us to use time

Maelezo ya Majibu

The extract teaches us to use time wisely. The poem highlights the importance of time in judging people's plans, behavior, and speech. It emphasizes that even nations with their plans and will must recognize the ultimate judgment of time. The extract states that time smiles and laughs at human endeavors, but eventually frowns and consults with fate, highlighting the fleeting nature of time. Therefore, the extract teaches us to use time wisely and to recognize its power and inevitability in our lives.

Pick out the odd item

Maelezo ya Majibu

The odd item in the list is "Chapters". Explanation: Actors, stage, and dialogue are all elements typically associated with a play or theatrical production. "Chapters," on the other hand, is a term used in literature to refer to the different sections or divisions of a book. It is not a relevant or applicable term when discussing plays or theater.