JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Literature In English 2011
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2011 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In J.C. De Graft’s Sons and Daughters, what motivates Aaron’s decision to pursue a career in art despite his father’s opposition?

A. Desire for wealth
B. Passion for creative expression
C. Pressure from his siblings
D. Influence of Lawyer B
Explanation

Aaron’s pursuit of art in 'Sons and Daughters' is driven by his passion for creative expression, reflecting his self-will against his father’s preference for a conventional career.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

From its resolution of conflicts, J.C. De Graft’s Sons and Daughters can be described as

A. tragedy
B. comedy
C. farce
D. melodrama
Explanation

The conflicts in 'Sons and Daughters' are resolved in a light-hearted manner, with familial reconciliation, characteristic of a comedy, emphasizing harmony over tragedy.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The prevailing theme of J.C. De Graft’s Sons and Daughters is

A. love
B. affluence
C. social decadence
D. self-will
Explanation

The central theme of 'Sons and Daughters' is self-will, as characters like Aaron and Maanan pursue their personal ambitions despite familial expectations and societal pressures.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The final harassment of Maanan in J.C. De Graft’s Sons and Daughters takes place in

A. Ofosu’s office
B. Lawyer B’s house
C. Lawyer B’s chamber
D. Ofosu’s house
Explanation

Maanan’s final harassment occurs in Lawyer B’s chamber, where she faces coercion, highlighting her struggle for autonomy in the play.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In J.C. De Graft’s Sons and Daughters, the speaker in the quotation 'EVERYTHING in this room outrages my sense of beauty, undermines my will to create pictures of lasting appeal …' is

A. happy
B. frustrated
C. excited
D. tired
Explanation

The speaker, Aaron, expresses frustration, as the environment stifles his artistic creativity, evident in the tone of outrage and undermined will.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the speaker in the quotation 'FAREWELL – God knows when we shall meet again. I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins, That almost freezes up the heat of life, I’ll call them back again to comfort me. NURSE! – What should she do here? My dismal scene I need act alone. Come vial!' intends to

A. commit suicide
B. take a temporary harmful substance
C. escape from harsh realities of life
D. undergo self-punishment
Explanation

Juliet, the speaker, plans to take the vial’s contents to feign death, but her fear and context suggest a willingness to risk death, aligning with her intent to commit suicide if needed.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet reaches the point of denouement

A. at the family feast
B. when Romeo kills Paris at the tomb
C. at the reconciliation of the feuding families
D. when Romeo is informed of Juliet’s death
Explanation

The denouement of 'Romeo and Juliet' occurs when the Montagues and Capulets reconcile after the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet, resolving the central feud.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the news of Juliet’s death is brought to Romeo in Mantua by

A. Balthasar
B. Friar Lawrence
C. Boy
D. Friar John
Explanation

Balthasar, Romeo’s servant, informs him in Mantua of Juliet’s supposed death, prompting his return to Verona.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio can be described as

A. fraudulent
B. quarrelsome
C. gentle
D. kind-hearted
Explanation

Mercutio’s fiery temperament and involvement in conflicts, such as his fatal duel with Tybalt, characterize him as quarrelsome.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The plot of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is

A. simple
B. complicated
C. convoluted
D. chronological
Explanation

The plot of 'Romeo and Juliet' is complicated, involving multiple subplots, misunderstandings, and intertwining conflicts, such as the feud and secret marriage.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Ferdinand Oyono’s The Old Man and the Medal, the heavy downpour on the night of Meka’s investiture symbolizes

A. revelation
B. mockery
C. conviction
D. blessing
Explanation

The heavy downpour during Meka’s investiture symbolizes mockery, reflecting the hollow nature of the colonial honor bestowed upon him, undermining its significance.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Ferdinand Oyono’s The Old Man and the Medal, Vandermayer’s treatment of Meka during the medal ceremony primarily reflects

A. genuine respect for African traditions
B. colonial superiority and indifference
C. deep personal friendship
D. religious devotion
Explanation

Vandermayer’s condescending and dismissive treatment of Meka during the ceremony highlights colonial superiority and indifference, typical of the novel’s critique of colonialism.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Ferdinand Oyono’s The Old Man and the Medal, the subject of description in the lines 'As he opened and shut his mouth his lower jaw went down and came up, puffing up and then deflating the skin under his chin' is

A. the high commissioner
B. M. Pipinakis
C. the white chief
D. M. Fouconi
Explanation

The description refers to M. Fouconi, a colonial official, whose physical mannerisms are detailed during the medal ceremony in the novel.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood, for attempted murder, Nnaife was jailed for

A. four months
B. three months
C. five months
D. two months
Explanation

Nnaife is sentenced to four months in prison for attempted murder, as detailed in the novel.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood, Nwokocha Agbadi is famous for his oratorical powers and

A. height
B. treachery
C. illiteracy
D. wealth
Explanation

Nwokocha Agbadi is renowned in the novel for his oratorical skills and wealth, which enhance his social standing.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood, the handing over of a baby boy in a dream to Nnu Ego by her personal god signifies

A. reincarnation
B. future blessing
C. idol worship
D. doom
Explanation

The dream where Nnu Ego’s personal god hands her a baby boy symbolizes a future blessing, foreshadowing her role and fulfillment as a mother.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four draws a picture of

A. a useless past
B. a totalitarian future
C. an unstable moment
D. a peaceful atmosphere
Explanation

'Nineteen Eighty-Four' portrays a dystopian totalitarian future, where the Party exercises absolute control over society.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, Winston’s rebellion against the Party is primarily driven by his desire for

A. personal wealth
B. intellectual freedom
C. political power
D. social equality
Explanation

Winston’s rebellion is fueled by his desire for intellectual freedom, seeking to think independently and resist the Party’s oppressive thought control.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, Room 101 symbolizes a place of

A. rest
B. fun
C. humiliation
D. torture
Explanation

Room 101 represents a place of ultimate torture, where prisoners face their deepest fears to break their resistance.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four can be described as

A. optimistic
B. antagonistic
C. persuasive
D. pessimistic
Explanation

The novel’s bleak portrayal of a totalitarian future, with no hope of rebellion succeeding, marks it as pessimistic.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Adeoti’s Naked Soles, Adeoti writes that the carnival of naked soles dances through

A. a scorching sun
B. a dirty room
C. blooming thorns
D. a cloudy atmosphere
Explanation

Adeoti’s poem describes the 'carnival of naked soles' dancing through a 'scorching sun,' symbolizing the harsh struggles of the oppressed.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Rubadiri’s An African Thunderstorm, the thunderstorm begins with

A. rain from the west
B. clouds from the east
C. rain from the east
D. clouds from the west
Explanation

The poem opens with the thunderstorm’s approach, marked by 'clouds from the west,' setting the scene for its dramatic arrival.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The theme of Acquah’s In the Navel of the Soul is

A. the conflict of traditions
B. ensuring that traditions were strictly observed
C. the futility of man and his tradition
D. the strength in diversity of culture and traditional views
Explanation

Acquah’s poem explores the conflict between traditional practices, particularly around cultural rituals, and modern influences.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In Kuene’s A Heritage of Liberation, the persona is concerned with the

A. people’s struggle for survival
B. criticism of modern tradition
C. intolerance of the new generation
D. celebration of African tradition
Explanation

The persona in Kuene’s poem reflects on the people’s struggle for survival and liberation, emphasizing resilience and freedom.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

Lanko’s End of the War portrays the

A. silence of
B. uselessness of praise singers
C. irony of life
D. arrangement of war
Explanation

Lanko’s poem highlights the irony of life, particularly the futility and contradictions experienced at the war’s end.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The statement ‘Woman cannot exist except by man, what is there in that to vex some of them so?’ from the poem Give Me The Minstrel’s Seat exemplifies

A. litotes
B. rhetorical question
C. transferred epithet
D. synecdoche
Explanation

The statement is a rhetorical question, designed to provoke thought about gender roles without expecting a direct answer.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

Marvell, in To His Coy Mistress, uses the imagery of

A. appreciation of God’s power
B. underscoring life’s transience
C. condemn the lady
D. scare the lady
Explanation

Marvell’s imagery, such as time’s fleeting nature, underscores life’s transience, urging the lady to seize the moment (carpe diem).

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

To sustain the interest of readers, Lawrence in Bat uses

A. elision
B. hyperbole
C. suspense
D. oxymoron
Explanation

Lawrence employs suspense in 'Bat,' gradually revealing the bat’s nature and setting, captivating readers through tension and imagery.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In the excerpt ‘With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness. And three trees on the low sky’ from Eliot’s Journey of the Magi, the dominant literary device is

A. oxymoron
B. personification
C. hyperbole
D. alliteration
Explanation

The excerpt features alliteration with the repetition of 'r' in 'running stream' and 'b' in 'water-mill beating,' enhancing the poem’s rhythm.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The tone of Cope’s Sonnet VII is generally

A. persuasive
B. humorous
C. optimistic
D. mournful
Explanation

Cope’s Sonnet VII adopts an optimistic tone, celebrating poetry’s enduring value and its ability to inspire.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The large space above the proscenium in a theatre from which the scenes are controlled is called

A. aside
B. setting
C. anachronism
D. flies
Explanation

In theatre, the 'flies' is the space above the proscenium where scenery and lighting are controlled, facilitating scene changes.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The theme of the passage 'Good warriors make others come to them and do not go to others When you induce opponents to come to you, then their force is always empty, like attacking emptiness with fullness is throwing on eggs' from Zhang Yu’s The Art of War is

A. folly of soldiers
B. inspiration
C. spurring people to action
D. war
Explanation

The passage from 'The Art of War' focuses on strategic warfare, emphasizing tactical positioning in conflict.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The repetition of single words or phrases at the beginning of lines is

A. assonance
B. parallelism
C. onomatopoeia
D. alliteration
Explanation

Parallelism involves repeating single words or phrases at the beginning of lines to create rhythm and emphasis, often used in poetry.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

A ballad is meant to be

A. acted
B. sung
C. discussed
D. read
Explanation

A ballad is a narrative poem traditionally meant to be sung, often conveying stories of love or heroism.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

In drama, a dramaturge is someone who

A. writes or edits plays
B. features in a play
C. directs a play
D. acts in a film
Explanation

A dramaturge writes or edits plays, providing research and script development support to enhance the production.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

A travelogue is a work of art written

A. by a famous playwright
B. by a famous playwright before the death of the author
C. by an unpopular novelist
D. on a journey
Explanation

A travelogue is a literary work documenting a writer’s experiences and observations during a journey.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

Plays are basically meant to

A. change the world
B. keep people out of trouble
C. be read for pleasure
D. be presented on stage
Explanation

Plays are primarily written to be performed on stage, engaging audiences through live enactment.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

A character who re-enacts familiar experiences that readers easily identify with is

A. round character
B. flat character
C. stock character
D. static character
Explanation

A stock character is a stereotypical figure, like a villain or hero, that readers recognize from familiar narrative patterns.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The plot of a story generally refers to the

A. intrigue made by a character against the hero
B. way the writer ends the story
C. way in which the events of the story are organized
D. way in which the writer begins the story
Explanation

The plot is the organized sequence of events in a story, structuring the narrative to develop conflict and resolution.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2011

The metric pattern in a line of poetry with five stressed and five unstressed syllables is

A. trochaic decametre
B. dactylic metre
C. iambic pentameter
D. anapaestic metre
Explanation

Iambic pentameter consists of five iambs (unstressed-stressed syllable pairs), totaling five stressed and five unstressed syllables per line, common in English poetry.

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