JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Literature In English 2006
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2006 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The speaker in the excerpt 'Don’t panic. Be calm. If you are somehow upset, try to regain your composure.' is

A. Hopeless
B. Uncertain
C. Afraid
D. Confident
Explanation

The speaker’s calm tone and directive to maintain composure suggest confidence in handling a tense situation.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The literary device in 'The child is father of the man.' (William Wordsworth: My Heart Leaps Up) is

A. Paradox
B. Metaphor
C. Simile
D. Alliteration
Explanation

The contradictory statement that a child fathers a man implies childhood shapes adulthood, a paradox.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

Oshia in Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood represents

A. Western education
B. Traditional Igbo values
C. Economic hardship
D. Religious devotion
Explanation

Oshia’s pursuit of education and departure from traditional roles reflect the influence of Western culture.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

Meka’s disillusionment in Ferdinand Oyono’s The Old Man and the Medal stems from realizing the medal is

A. A symbol of colonial deception
B. A reward for loyalty
C. A mark of respect
D. A sign of success
Explanation

The medal represents the empty promises of the colonial regime, highlighting its manipulative nature.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' (Edward Bulwer-Lytton) is

A. Metaphor
B. Synecdoche
C. Hyperbole
D. Irony
Explanation

The direct comparison of pen (writing) to sword (violence) without ‘like’ or ‘as’ is a metaphor.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'The crown commands respect, but the scepter demands obedience.' is

A. Metonymy
B. Personification
C. Simile
D. Alliteration
Explanation

‘Crown’ and ‘scepter’ represent royalty and authority, a use of metonymy where objects stand for concepts.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'The moon wept tears of silver light.' is

A. Personification
B. Metaphor
C. Hyperbole
D. Synecdoche
Explanation

The moon is given the human ability to weep, a clear example of personification.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The metaphor in 'Time is a thief that steals our youth.' suggests time is

A. Destructive and inevitable
B. Generous and fleeting
C. Peaceful and restorative
D. Constant and predictable
Explanation

Comparing time to a thief implies it relentlessly takes away youth, emphasizing its destructive nature.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being.' (Percy Bysshe Shelley: Ode to the West Wind) is

A. Apostrophe
B. Simile
C. Metonymy
D. Oxymoron
Explanation

Addressing the West Wind as if it could respond is an apostrophe, a direct address to an inanimate entity.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The metaphor in 'He has a heart of stone.' portrays the person as

A. Emotionless and unyielding
B. Strong and resilient
C. Fragile and vulnerable
D. Warm and compassionate
Explanation

A heart of stone suggests a lack of empathy or emotional responsiveness.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.' (William Shakespeare: As You Like It) is

A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole
Explanation

The world is directly compared to a stage, a metaphor depicting life as a theatrical performance.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The main theme in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is

A. The clash of cultures
B. The rise of Christianity
C. Economic prosperity
D. Political corruption
Explanation

The novel explores the conflict between Igbo traditions and colonial influences, leading to societal disintegration.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

Adah’s move to England in Buchi Emecheta’s Second Class Citizen symbolizes her pursuit of

A. Personal freedom
B. Social status
C. Political power
D. Religious salvation
Explanation

Adah’s migration represents her quest for independence and opportunities beyond Nigeria’s constraints.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

Lakunle in Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel represents

A. Western modernization
B. Traditional authority
C. Economic ambition
D. Spiritual devotion
Explanation

Lakunle’s Western education and rejection of traditions contrast with the village’s values.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

In Lenrie Peters’ The Panic of Growing Older, the speaker’s primary concern is

A. Unfulfilled aspirations
B. Physical decline
C. Social isolation
D. Economic hardship
Explanation

The poem reflects anxiety about aging without achieving one’s dreams or potential.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

A literary work that mocks human vices or follies is called

A. Satire
B. Tragedy
C. Elegy
D. Epic
Explanation

Satire uses humor or irony to critique societal or individual flaws, exposing their absurdity.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

A narrative technique where events are presented out of chronological order is

A. Flashback
B. Foreshadowing
C. Stream of consciousness
D. Linear narrative
Explanation

Flashback disrupts chronological order to reveal past events, enriching the narrative.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

A poem expressing personal emotions in a lyrical form is called

A. Ode
B. Epic
C. Sonnet
D. Ballad
Explanation

An ode is a lyrical poem expressing deep emotion or reflection, often addressed to a subject.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

A long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds is called

A. Elegy
B. Ode
C. Epic
D. Sonnet
Explanation

An epic narrates a hero’s grand adventures, often with cultural significance (e.g., Homer’s Iliad).

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

A poem mourning the death of someone is called

A. Ode
B. Elegy
C. Sonnet
D. Ballad
Explanation

An elegy laments the loss of a person or thing, expressing sorrow and reflection.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'Her laughter was music to his ears.' is

A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole
Explanation

Laughter is directly compared to music, a metaphor highlighting its pleasant effect.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'O Time, thou must untangle this, not I!' (William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night) is

A. Apostrophe
B. Metonymy
C. Synecdoche
D. Oxymoron
Explanation

Addressing Time as a person capable of resolving issues is an apostrophe.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The literary device in 'The caged bird sings of freedom.' (Maya Angelou: Caged Bird) is

A. Symbolism
B. Simile
C. Alliteration
D. Irony
Explanation

The caged bird symbolizes oppressed individuals yearning for freedom, a powerful symbol.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

In Christopher Okigbo’s The Passage, the water maid symbolizes

A. Spiritual guidance
B. Colonial oppression
C. Economic hardship
D. Social change
Explanation

The water maid represents a spiritual figure guiding the poet’s quest for identity.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!' is

A. Hyperbole
B. Metaphor
C. Synecdoche
D. Irony
Explanation

Exaggerating hunger to eating a horse is hyperbole, emphasizing extreme need.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'The White House issued a statement today.' is

A. Metonymy
B. Personification
C. Simile
D. Oxymoron
Explanation

‘White House’ represents the U.S. government, a metonymy where a place stands for an entity.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'His words cut deeper than a knife.' is

A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Hyperbole
D. Personification
Explanation

Comparing words to a knife using ‘than’ is a simile, highlighting their emotional impact.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'Cruel kindness broke her heart.' is

A. Oxymoron
B. Metaphor
C. Synecdoche
D. Alliteration
Explanation

‘Cruel kindness’ combines contradictory terms, an oxymoron showing conflicting actions.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'The soldier’s boots marched to victory.' is

A. Synecdoche
B. Metaphor
C. Personification
D. Hyperbole
Explanation

‘Boots’ represents the soldier, a synecdoche where a part stands for the whole.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The figure of speech in 'Oh, what a fine mess you’ve made!' is

A. Irony
B. Hyperbole
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration
Explanation

Calling a mess ‘fine’ is verbal irony, as the speaker means the opposite.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

In J.P. Clark’s The Casualties, the ‘casualties’ refer to

A. Victims of war
B. Economic losses
C. Environmental damage
D. Political corruption
Explanation

The poem addresses the human toll of the Nigerian Civil War, with ‘casualties’ symbolizing those affected.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The tone of Niyi Osundare’s The Leader and the Led is

A. Satirical
B. Mournful
C. Optimistic
D. Celebratory
Explanation

The poem uses animal imagery to mock ineffective leadership, adopting a satirical tone.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

In Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, the guillotine symbolizes

A. Justice and equality
B. Violence and oppression
C. Progress and reform
D. Love and sacrifice
Explanation

The guillotine represents the brutal violence of the French Revolution’s reign of terror.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The literary device in 'The thunder of his voice shook the hall.' is

A. Hyperbole
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Alliteration
Explanation

Exaggerating the voice’s impact as thunder shaking the hall is hyperbole.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

In Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame, Odewale’s tragic flaw is

A. Pride
B. Ignorance
C. Greed
D. Cowardice
Explanation

Odewale’s hubris and determination to defy fate lead to his tragic downfall.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The structure of a sonnet typically includes

A. 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme
B. Free verse with no fixed pattern
C. Four stanzas of equal length
D. A narrative with heroic themes
Explanation

A sonnet has 14 lines, often with a rhyme scheme like Shakespearean (abab cdcd efef gg).

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago’s motivation is primarily

A. Jealousy and ambition
B. Love for Desdemona
C. Loyalty to Othello
D. Fear of Cassio
Explanation

Iago’s envy of Cassio’s promotion and desire for power drive his manipulative actions.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The literary device in 'The stars winked at the lovers below.' is

A. Personification
B. Simile
C. Metaphor
D. Oxymoron
Explanation

The stars are given the human ability to wink, a form of personification.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The main conflict in Wole Soyinka’s The Trials of Brother Jero is

A. Religious hypocrisy vs. genuine faith
B. Political power vs. democracy
C. Tradition vs. modernity
D. Love vs. betrayal
Explanation

The play satirizes Brother Jero’s manipulation of followers, highlighting religious hypocrisy.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2006

The mood of Gabriel Okara’s Piano and Drums is

A. Nostalgic and conflicted
B. Joyful and celebratory
C. Angry and rebellious
D. Mournful and despairing
Explanation

The poem contrasts African drums and Western piano, evoking nostalgia for tradition and tension with modernity.

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