JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Literature In English 2024
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2024 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The moon draped a silver veil over the sleeping valley. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. alliteration
Explanation

The moon’s light is metaphorically described as a silver veil, implying its gentle covering without using 'like' or 'as'.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

Her courage was like a lion, fierce and unyielding in the face of danger. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

Courage is compared to a lion using 'like,' making it a simile.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The storm growled its discontent, hurling bolts of lightning at the earth. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. personification
B. metaphor
C. simile
D. alliteration
Explanation

The storm is personified as growling and hurling bolts, attributing human actions to it.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

His sorrow was an ocean, vast and deep, swallowing all hope. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. hyperbole
D. personification
Explanation

Sorrow is metaphorically described as an ocean, emphasizing its immensity.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The fleeting fame faded fast, leaving only echoes of glory. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. alliteration
B. metaphor
C. personification
D. synecdoche
Explanation

The repetition of 'f' sounds in 'fleeting fame faded fast' is alliteration.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The flag fluttered proudly, saluting the dawn with vibrant colors. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. personification
B. simile
C. metaphor
D. alliteration
Explanation

The flag is personified as fluttering proudly and saluting the dawn.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

Her tears could fill a river, carving a path through the stone of her resolve. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. hyperbole
C. personification
D. simile
Explanation

The exaggeration of tears filling a river is a hyperbole.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The scepter commanded the loyalty of the kingdom’s heart. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metonymy
B. synecdoche
C. personification
D. metaphor
Explanation

'The scepter' represents the king’s authority, a substitution known as metonymy.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The horizon swallowed the sun, cloaking the world in twilight’s embrace. The literary devices used in the excerpt above are

A. personification and metaphor
B. simile and alliteration
C. hyperbole and assonance
D. oxymoron and synecdoche
Explanation

The horizon is personified as swallowing the sun, and 'twilight’s embrace' is a metaphor for the gentle onset of evening.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

His hope was a fragile thread, stretched thin by the winds of doubt. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

Hope is metaphorically described as a fragile thread, emphasizing its vulnerability.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The bitter sweetness of victory left him both elated and empty. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

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

'Bitter sweetness' combines contradictory terms, making it an oxymoron.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The shadows danced in the candlelight, weaving tales of mystery. The literary devices used in the excerpt above are

A. personification and metaphor
B. simile and alliteration
C. hyperbole and assonance
D. oxymoron and synecdoche
Explanation

Shadows are personified as dancing, and 'weaving tales' is a metaphor for creating mysterious stories.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

Her words were arrows, piercing the armor of his pride. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

Words are metaphorically described as arrows, implying their sharp impact.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The kettle sang a cheerful tune as it warmed the quiet kitchen. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. personification
B. simile
C. metaphor
D. alliteration
Explanation

The kettle is personified as singing a tune.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

His ambition soared like an eagle, unbound by the chains of fear. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

Ambition is compared to an eagle using 'like,' making it a simile.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The poet’s voice was a torrent, flooding the room with raw emotion. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

The voice is metaphorically described as a torrent, emphasizing its intensity.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The cruel clock counted every second, indifferent to his desperation. The literary devices used in the excerpt above are

A. personification and alliteration
B. metaphor and simile
C. hyperbole and assonance
D. oxymoron and synecdoche
Explanation

The clock is personified as counting, and 'cruel clock counted' uses alliteration.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

He claimed to love her forever, yet left her the next day. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. irony
B. metaphor
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

The contrast between his claim and action creates verbal irony.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The harvest fed every mouth in the village, sustaining life through the winter. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metonymy
B. synecdoche
C. personification
D. metaphor
Explanation

'Every mouth' represents the villagers, a part standing for the whole, which is synecdoche.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The breeze sighed softly, mourning the fading flowers. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. personification
B. simile
C. metaphor
D. alliteration
Explanation

The breeze is personified as sighing and mourning.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

Her laughter was a sparkling stream, refreshing all who heard it. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

Laughter is metaphorically described as a sparkling stream.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The sweet sorrow of parting lingered in their farewell. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

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

'Sweet sorrow' combines contradictory terms, making it an oxymoron.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The fire’s fierce flames flickered furiously. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. alliteration
B. metaphor
C. personification
D. synecdoche
Explanation

The repetition of 'f' sounds in 'fierce flames flickered furiously' is alliteration.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

His greed was a bottomless pit, devouring all he possessed. The literary devices used in the excerpt above are

A. metaphor and personification
B. simile and alliteration
C. hyperbole and assonance
D. oxymoron and synecdoche
Explanation

Greed is metaphorically a pit, and it is personified as devouring.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The throne demanded absolute obedience from every soul. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metonymy
B. synecdoche
C. personification
D. metaphor
Explanation

'The throne' represents the king or royal authority, a substitution known as metonymy.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The night’s silence screamed with unspoken fears. The literary devices used in the excerpt above are

A. personification and oxymoron
B. metaphor and simile
C. hyperbole and alliteration
D. assonance and synecdoche
Explanation

Silence is personified as screaming, and 'silence screamed' is an oxymoron.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

He boasted of conquering the world, but trembled at a spider’s web. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. irony
B. metaphor
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

The contrast between his boast and fear creates situational irony.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The festival filled the air with joyous clamor, a chorus of celebration. The mood created by the excerpt above is

A. somber
B. festive
C. tense
D. mysterious
Explanation

The description of joyous clamor and celebration suggests a festive mood.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The narrator’s voice quivered as she spoke of lost love, her words heavy with grief. The tone of the narrator in the excerpt above is

A. hopeful
B. sorrowful
C. indifferent
D. angry
Explanation

The quivering voice and heavy words indicate a sorrowful tone.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The warrior’s path was lined with trials, each challenge forging his spirit anew. The theme suggested by the excerpt above is

A. love and betrayal
B. growth through adversity
C. wealth and ambition
D. deception and revenge
Explanation

The trials forging the warrior’s spirit suggest the theme of growth through adversity.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The marketplace hummed with life, a vibrant mosaic of voices and colors. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. alliteration
Explanation

The marketplace is metaphorically described as a mosaic, implying its diversity.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The old bridge stood firm, a silent witness to the passage of time. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. personification
B. metaphor
C. simile
D. hyperbole
Explanation

The bridge is personified as a witness to time’s passage.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The narrator described the hero as a candle burning brightly in a world of darkness. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. alliteration
Explanation

The hero is metaphorically described as a candle, symbolizing hope.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The crowd’s silence was louder than any shout, heavy with anticipation. The literary devices used in the excerpt above are

A. oxymoron and metaphor
B. simile and alliteration
C. hyperbole and personification
D. assonance and synecdoche
Explanation

'Silence was louder' is an oxymoron, and its weight is metaphorically described.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The child’s laughter rang through the house, a melody of innocence. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. alliteration
Explanation

Laughter is metaphorically described as a melody, emphasizing its beauty.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The storyteller painted a world where dreams battled despair for supremacy. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. personification
B. metaphor
C. simile
D. hyperbole
Explanation

Dreams and despair are personified as battling, giving them human actions.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The desert stretched endlessly before them, a cruel reminder of their isolation. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. metaphor
B. simile
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

The desert is metaphorically described as a reminder, emphasizing its harshness.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The river whispered secrets to the ancient trees along its banks. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. personification
B. metaphor
C. simile
D. alliteration
Explanation

The river is personified as whispering secrets to the trees.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The poet’s vivid descriptions brought the forest to life, with every leaf shimmering in the reader’s mind. The literary device used in the excerpt above is

A. imagery
B. metaphor
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Explanation

Imagery creates a vivid mental picture of the forest, engaging the reader’s senses.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Literature In English · 2024

The tale unfolded a journey of self-discovery, as the protagonist shed her fears to embrace her true identity. The theme suggested by the excerpt above is

A. betrayal and redemption
B. personal growth
C. power and corruption
D. love and sacrifice
Explanation

The journey of shedding fears to embrace identity suggests the theme of personal growth.

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