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WAEC Literature In English 2018
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2018 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

The main character in a play or novel is

A. A villain
B. A protagonist
C. A narrator
D. An antagonist
Explanation

The protagonist is the central character who drives the plot forward.

2
Question 2 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

A dramatic performance with only bodily movements and no speech is a

A. Farce
B. Mime
C. Slapstick
D. Burlesque
Explanation

Mime relies on gestures and body language without dialogue.

3
Question 3 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Before a play is performed, it is

A. Auditioned
B. Applauded
C. Rehearsed
D. Recited
Explanation

Rehearsals prepare actors for the live performance.

4
Question 4 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

A play that moves the audience to pity and fear is a

A. Comedy
B. Farce
C. Pantomime
D. Tragedy
Explanation

Tragedy evokes catharsis through pity and fear, as per Aristotle.

5
Question 5 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

A sonnet has a final couplet when it has

A. A sestet
B. An octave
C. Two sestets
D. Three quatrains
Explanation

The Shakespearean sonnet consists of three quatrains followed by a couplet.

6
Question 6 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

'He is my most beloved enemy' illustrates

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

Oxymoron combines contradictory terms for effect.

7
Question 7 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

The cast appears at the end of a play for the

A. Musical
B. Curtain call
C. Intermission
D. Introduction
Explanation

The curtain call allows the audience to applaud the performers.

8
Question 8 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Diction is a writer's choice of

A. Style
B. Syntax
C. Rhythm
D. Words
Explanation

Diction specifically refers to the selection and use of words.

9
Question 9 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

A poem which celebrates simple country life is a

A. Dirge
B. Ode
C. Epic
D. Pastoral
Explanation

Pastoral poetry idealizes rural and pastoral life.

10
Question 10 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the lines below from an unknown poem and answer the question that follows: 'Oh spite! Oh Hell!! I see you are all bent / To set against me for your merriment.' The lines illustrate

A. Epitaph
B. Epigram
C. Apostrophe
D. Allusion
Explanation

Apostrophe involves direct address to an abstract idea or inanimate object.

11
Question 11 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Hamartia, in a literary work, refers to a hero's

A. Tragic flaw
B. Inordinate ambition
C. Strength of character
D. Good works
Explanation

Hamartia is the fatal flaw leading to the hero's downfall.

12
Question 12 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the lines below from an unknown poem and answer the question that follows: 'Who lied in the chapel / Now lies in the Abbey.' The dominant device used is

A. Paradox
B. Pun
C. Chiasmus
D. Zeugma
Explanation

Pun plays on the double meaning of 'lied' (told lies and lay down).

13
Question 13 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

A short play performed during the pause between the acts of a longer play is

A. An interlude
B. An epilogue
C. A prologue
D. An interval
Explanation

An interlude is a brief entertainment between acts.

14
Question 14 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

'Weeping Willow' illustrates

A. Dramatic monologue
B. Pathetic fallacy
C. Transferred epithet
D. Dramatic irony
Explanation

Pathetic fallacy attributes human emotions to nature.

15
Question 15 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown text and answer the questions that follow: 'But the towering earth was tired of sitting in one position. She moved suddenly and the houses crumbled, the mountains heaved horrible, and the work of a million years was lost.' The predominant figure of speech in the extract is

A. Oxymoron
B. Personification
C. Contrast
D. Paradox
Explanation

Personification gives human attributes to the earth and mountains.

16
Question 16 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown text and answer the questions that follow: 'But the towering earth was tired of sitting in one position. She moved suddenly and the houses crumbled, the mountains heaved horrible, and the work of a million years was lost.' The extract is about

A. An earthquake
B. A flood
C. An explosion
D. A storm
Explanation

The description matches an earthquake's effects.

17
Question 17 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown text and answer the questions that follow: 'But the towering earth was tired of sitting in one position. She moved suddenly and the houses crumbled, the mountains heaved horrible, and the work of a million years was lost.' The effect of the extract is conveyed through the use of

A. Antithesis
B. Parallelism
C. Conceit
D. Climax
Explanation

Climax builds intensity to the final catastrophic loss.

18
Question 18 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

'Beware her faintly failing health, and gentle gallands around her speed' illustrates

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

Alliteration uses repeated initial sounds like 'f' and 'g'.

19
Question 19 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

The eight-line part of a Petrarchan sonnet is the

A. Quatrain
B. Octave
C. Octameter
D. Quartet
Explanation

The Petrarchan sonnet divides into an octave and sestet.

20
Question 20 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

The metrical beat in 'The Splendor falls on castle walls' by Alfred Lord Tennyson is

A. Anapaestic
B. Dactylic
C. Trochaic
D. Iambic
Explanation

The poem uses dactylic rhythm for a falling effect.

21
Question 21 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

The expression 'door hugged the couple' illustrates

A. Euphemism
B. Personification
C. Litotes
D. Onomatopoeia
Explanation

Personification attributes human action to the door.

22
Question 22 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown text and answer the questions that follow: 'The couple stood at the departure lounge... How would he explain it to himself?' The narrative technique is

A. First person
B. Stream of consciousness
C. Third person
D. Interior monologue
Explanation

The story is narrated from an omniscient external viewpoint.

23
Question 23 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown text and answer the questions that follow: 'The couple stood at the departure lounge... How would he explain it to himself?' 'How would he explain it to himself?' exemplifies

A. Hyperbole
B. Parallelism
C. Rhetorical question
D. Understatement
Explanation

A rhetorical question is posed for effect, not requiring an answer.

24
Question 24 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown text and answer the questions that follow: 'The couple stood at the departure lounge... How would he explain it to himself?' The writer's attitude towards James is one of

A. Sympathy
B. Distrust
C. Support
D. Disapproval
Explanation

The tone suggests criticism of James's actions.

25
Question 25 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown text and answer the questions that follow: 'The couple stood at the departure lounge... How would he explain it to himself?' The setting is

A. The couple's home
B. A modern hotel
C. The airport
D. A school
Explanation

The departure lounge indicates an airport setting.

26
Question 26 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown poem and answer the questions that follow: 'Poison ivy came up like a rose / in red and thorny garb... Now my dream is a locked-up serenade.' The mood of the persona is one of

A. Contempt
B. Hilarity
C. Despondency
D. Hopefulness
Explanation

The persona expresses sadness and loss over unrequited love.

27
Question 27 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown poem and answer the questions that follow: 'Poison ivy came up like a rose / in red and thorny garb... Now my dream is a locked-up serenade.' The theme of the poem is

A. Love in the garden
B. The acceptance
C. The rising moon
D. Unrequited love
Explanation

The poem explores the pain of rejected affection.

28
Question 28 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown poem and answer the questions that follow: 'Poison ivy came up like a rose / in red and thorny garb... Now my dream is a locked-up serenade.' The envy of the persona's friends is expressed in the

A. Avid touch
B. Clipped wings
C. Green and frosty eyes
D. Song-filled air pocket
Explanation

'Green' implies envy, 'frosty' cold disapproval.

29
Question 29 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown poem and answer the questions that follow: 'Poison ivy came up like a rose / in red and thorny garb... Now my dream is a locked-up serenade.' Line 2 is in iambic

A. Trimeter
B. Tetrameter
C. Pentameter
D. Hexameter
Explanation

The line 'in red and thorny garb' follows iambic pentameter.

30
Question 30 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from an unknown poem and answer the questions that follow: 'Poison ivy came up like a rose / in red and thorny garb... Now my dream is a locked-up serenade.' The last line illustrates

A. Parallelism
B. Contrast
C. Hyperbole
D. Metaphor
Explanation

The serenade as a locked-up dream is a metaphorical image.

31
Question 31 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare and answer the questions that follow: [Context: Act 1, Scene 3]. Just before this, Iago advises Othello to

A. Stay there
B. Go in
C. Show concern
D. Be fair
Explanation

Iago urges Othello to enter the council confidently.

32
Question 32 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare and answer the questions that follow: [Context: Act 1, Scene 3]. 'By Janus' is

A. Flashback
B. Foregrounding
C. An allusion
D. Euphemism
Explanation

Janus, the two-faced god, alludes to duplicity.

33
Question 33 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare and answer the questions that follow: [Context: Act 1, Scene 3]. The news Othello receives is that he must

A. Set sail for Cyprus
B. Reconcile with Brabantio
C. Prepare a military strategy
D. Appear before the council
Explanation

Othello is summoned to the duke's council.

34
Question 34 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare and answer the questions that follow: [Context: Act 1, Scene 3]. The duke is in council that night because of

A. Brabantio's complaint
B. Iago's demotion
C. The Turkish threat
D. Cassio's dismissal as lieutenant
Explanation

The Turkish invasion prompts the urgent council.

35
Question 35 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare and answer the questions that follow: [Context: Act 1, Scene 3]. Later on, Brabantio accuses Othello of

A. Being unfair to Iago
B. Instigating a brawl
C. Stealing his daughter
D. Being a knave
Explanation

Brabantio claims Othello used witchcraft to seduce Desdemona.

36
Question 36 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 3: 'Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence...' The speaker is

A. Brabantio
B. Duke
C. Montano
D. Lodovico
Explanation

The Duke offers advice to the lovers.

37
Question 37 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 3: 'Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence...' He is responding to

A. Montano
B. Iago
C. Roderigo
D. Brabantio
Explanation

The Duke addresses Brabantio's concerns.

38
Question 38 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 3: 'Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence...' The setting is

A. A council chamber
B. Venice, a street
C. Another street outside the Sagittary
D. The citadel of Cyprus
Explanation

The scene occurs in the Duke's council chamber in Venice.

39
Question 39 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 3: 'Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence...' 'These lovers' refers to

A. Iago and Emilia
B. Cassio and Bianca
C. Roderigo and Desdemona
D. Othello and Desdemona
Explanation

The Duke refers to Othello and Desdemona as lovers.

40
Question 40 of 40
WAEC · Literature In English · 2018

Read the excerpt below from Othello by William Shakespeare, Act 1, Scene 3: 'Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence...' The expression 'lay a sentence' means

A. Decide who is guilty
B. Offer criticism
C. Give advice
D. Speak politely
Explanation

It means to offer wise counsel or proverb-like advice.

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