WAEC SSCE - Literature In English - 2003

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The correct answer is "folktale". A folktale is a narrative in the oral tradition that has been passed down through generations within a culture. It may include legends, myths, fables, or other traditional stories. These stories are often used to teach moral lessons or explain natural phenomena and are an important part of many cultures' folklore. Folktale is not to be confused with other types of narratives such as ballads, pastorals, or romances, which have their own specific characteristics and origins.

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The extract is about the tragedy of war. The passage talks about how the memories of war have affected the narrator. It describes how time seemed to have walked quietly in and destroyed everything in its path. The narrator remembers the loss of his loved ones, including his wife, two kids, and only sister, who were all killed mercilessly. The use of phrases like "sword in the heart of the land" and "slain pitilessly by the beasts in khaki" suggest that the narrator's community was caught in a war-like situation, where the oppressors were killing the innocent. Overall, the extract portrays the devastating effects of war on individuals and communities.

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The term used for the unraveling of the complications of the plot at the end of a literary work is "denouement". It refers to the resolution or clarification of the plot that follows the climax, where the loose ends of the story are tied up and the final outcome of the events is revealed. In simpler terms, it is the part of the story where everything comes together and makes sense to the reader, giving them a satisfying conclusion to the narrative.

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In a poem, a stanza refers to a section or division of lines within the poem that are separated from other sections by a space. A stanza can be seen as a paragraph in a poem, where each stanza often represents a different idea or image, and the number of lines in a stanza can vary depending on the poem's form or structure. Stanzas are often used to create rhythm, emphasize certain ideas, and help the reader understand the overall structure and meaning of the poem.

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Enjambment is the poetic term that refers to the use of run-on lines in poetry. In enjambment, a sentence or clause runs from one line to the next without any punctuation or pause. This is different from end-stopped lines, where a line of poetry ends with a punctuation mark, causing a pause. Enjambment allows the poet to create a sense of continuity and flow, and can be used to create tension, surprise, or emphasis.

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The speaker is Bassanio. In this extract from Act III, Scene II of Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," Bassanio is reflecting on the nature of material wealth and the dangers that it can bring. He describes ornamentation as a superficial decoration, akin to a gilded shore, that hides the treacherous and deceptive nature of the sea beneath. The speaker then specifically addresses gold as a prime example of this danger, referring to the mythical character Midas, whose insatiable desire for gold ultimately led to his downfall.

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An author's story about himself is an autobiography. An autobiography is a written account of a person's life, written by that person. It is a first-person narrative that describes the author's life experiences, including significant events, people, and places. Autobiographies are often used to share personal experiences, emotions, and reflections, and provide readers with insight into the author's life and perspective. Unlike biographies, which are written by someone else about a person, an autobiography is written by the person themselves. Therefore, an author's story about himself is an autobiography.

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The first two lines of the given excerpt convey an impression of deception. The speaker uses the metaphor of ornamentation being a "gilded shore" that appears attractive and alluring, but ultimately leads to a "most dangerous sea" of deceit and danger. The words "gilded shore" suggest a superficial, shiny appearance that is not necessarily indicative of what lies beneath. This metaphor is used to convey the idea that material possessions and external appearances can be deceptive and hide dangerous truths. Therefore, the correct answer is deception.

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The phrase "put a sword in the heart of the land" is a metaphorical expression that suggests destruction. It means that something has caused great harm or damage to a place, in this case, the land. It creates a powerful image of violence and brutality, as if someone has plunged a sword directly into the heart of the land, inflicting a fatal wound. The use of the metaphor suggests that the damage caused was severe and has left a lasting impact. Therefore, the correct option is destruction.

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The theme of the poem is futility. The poem, "Futility" by Wilfred Owen, is about a soldier who has died in battle, and his comrades are attempting to move his body into the sun, hoping that the warmth of the sun might revive him. The speaker of the poem questions the point of life and the efforts of the sun to awaken the dead. The poem reflects the futility of war and the senseless loss of life. The final lines of the poem, "O what made fatuous sunbeams toil / To break earth's sleep at all?" highlight the theme of futility, as the speaker wonders why the sun bothers to shine at all if it cannot bring the dead back to life.

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The first line of the given excerpt illustrates a simile. The speaker compares himself to a "wilful youth" to express how careless and irresponsible he has been in repaying a debt owed to the person he is addressing. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as". In this case, the speaker is using "like" to make a comparison between himself and a wilful youth, to emphasize his carelessness. Therefore, the correct answer is simile.

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A short poem written on a tomb is an epitaph. An epitaph is a short text or poem honoring a deceased person, often inscribed on a tombstone or plaque. It usually includes the name of the person, their dates of birth and death, and a brief message or sentiment in their memory. Epitaphs can be serious or humorous, and may also include religious or philosophical elements.

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The odd item in the given options is "stanza". The reason for this is that "tragedy", "comedy", and "farce" are all genres of drama or literature, while "stanza" is a structural element of poetry. A stanza is a group of lines in a poem that are separated from other groups of lines by a line break. It is not a genre of literature, but rather a way of organizing and structuring poetry. Therefore, the correct answer is "stanza".

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The odd item is "metaphor". This is because an "elergy", "ballad", and "ode" are all types of poetry or musical forms, while "metaphor" is a literary device used in poetry and prose to make a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as". Therefore, "metaphor" doesn't fit in the category of poetry or musical forms, and is the odd one out among the given options.

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Diction refers to a writer's choice of words. It is the selection of words and phrases used in writing or speech. A writer's diction can influence the tone, mood, and overall effectiveness of their work. The choice of words can help to create a specific atmosphere or convey a particular message to the reader or audience. In other words, diction is the careful selection and arrangement of words to convey a certain meaning or emotion.

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The mood in the last two lines is one of lament. The speaker questions the purpose of the sun's efforts to "break earth's sleep" if it only leads to the death and destruction of those who are dear to him. The tone is mournful and sorrowful, expressing a sense of loss and regret.

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The person addressed in the given extract is Bassanio. In this scene from Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," Antonio is speaking to Bassanio and telling him that he is willing to have his people acknowledge Bassanio and Jessica in place of himself and Bassanio. After Antonio finishes speaking, Bassanio responds with the words "Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you," indicating that he is still present in the scene and is the person being addressed by Antonio. Therefore, the person addressed in this extract is Bassanio.

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The mood of the extract is one of gloom. The language used in the passage creates a somber atmosphere, with words like "thief," "sword," "drained," "slain," "defiled," and "slaughtered." The narrator is reminiscing about tragic events that have happened in his life, including the loss of his family members, which adds to the sense of sadness and despair in the passage.

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The underlined expression "wilful youth" is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as". In this case, the speaker is comparing themselves to a "wilful youth" to convey their sense of irresponsibility and lack of maturity in not having repaid a debt owed to the person they are speaking to. The use of the metaphor emphasizes the speaker's youthfulness and perhaps their lack of experience with managing their finances. Therefore, "wilful youth" is a metaphor that helps to convey the speaker's character and their relationship with the person they owe a debt to.

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The speaker in the given extract is Bassanio.

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The speech is an example of a monologue. A monologue is a long speech given by one character in a play or a movie, often revealing their innermost thoughts or feelings. In this particular speech, the character is expressing his feelings of deserving the lady in question and listing the reasons why he believes he is deserving of her.

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A recurrent image in a literary work that illustrates a theme is called a motif. A motif is a literary device that can be a word, an image, or a symbol that is repeated throughout a work of literature. It often contributes to the overall meaning or message of the work and helps to reinforce a central idea or theme. For example, in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," the mockingbird is a motif that represents innocence and the idea that it is a sin to harm something pure and innocent.

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The lady in the extract refers to Portia. In the given excerpt, the speaker is justifying his worthiness for the lady. The speaker mentions that he deserves the lady in birth, fortunes, graces, breeding, and most importantly, in love. Since Portia is the only lady in the play who has these qualities, it can be inferred that the lady referred to in the extract is Portia. Therefore, the correct answer is Portia.

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A long narrative which depicts country life is a pastoral. Pastoral is a literary work that portrays an idealized view of rural life. It often includes shepherds, rustic settings, and a focus on nature. Pastoral works often contrast the simplicity and beauty of the natural world with the corruption and complexity of urban life. Examples of pastoral works include Virgil's Eclogues, Edmund Spenser's The Shepheardes Calendar, and William Shakespeare's As You Like It.

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The phrase "a tender rose" is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. In this case, the person's sister is being compared to a rose, which is a delicate and beautiful flower. This comparison helps to convey the tenderness and vulnerability of the person's sister, who was defiled and slaughtered.