Jamb Literature in English 1998 Past Questions and Answers

Question 11:

• JAMB 1998

This question is based on selected poems from D. Ker, C. Maduka et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa, Wole Soyinka (ed.): Poems of Black Africa, K.E. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.): A Selection of African Poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.): A Pageant of Longer Poems.
''They too are the earth
Under snakeskin shoes and Mercedez tyres'.
Niyi Osundare uses the lines above to describe the

A. Material for the shoes of the poor
B. Repulsive snakeskin-like bodies of the poor
C. Hope of the oppressed for a better life
D. Oppression of the dispossessed

Question 12:

• JAMB 1998

This question is based on selected poems from D. Ker, C. Maduka et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa, Wole Soyinka (ed.): Poems of Black Africa, K.E. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.): A Selection of African Poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.): A Pageant of Longer Poems.
Kofi Awoonor's 'Songs of Sorrow' is concerned with devastation because

A. The poet had fought in many wars
B. Of the destruction of part of Africa by the weather
C. Of the impact of white domination on parts of Africa
D. Of the destruction of the shrines of the ancestors

Question 13:

• JAMB 1998

This question is based on selected poems from D. Ker, C. Maduka et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa, Wole Soyinka (ed.): Poems of Black Africa, K.E. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.): A Selection of African Poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.): A Pageant of Longer Poems.
Dzogbesa Lisa in Kofi Awoonor's 'Songs of Sorrow' can be equated to

A. Salvation
B. Despondence
C. Poverty
D. Fate

Question 14:

• JAMB 1998

This question is based on selected poems from D. Ker, C. Maduka et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa, Wole Soyinka (ed.): Poems of Black Africa, K.E. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.): A Selection of African Poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.): A Pageant of Longer Poems.
''O incomprehensible God!
Shall my pilot be''
These lines in Okara''s ''The Call of the River Nun'' reveal a religious undertone which also expresses the

A. Mystery of existence
B. Omnipotence of God
C. Duality of life
D. Inevitability of death

Question 15:

• JAMB 1998

This question is based on selected poems from D. Ker, C. Maduka et al (eds.): New Poetry from Africa, Wole Soyinka (ed.): Poems of Black Africa, K.E. Senanu and T. Vincent (eds.): A Selection of African Poetry and E.W. Parker (ed.): A Pageant of Longer Poems.
In Mtshalis 'The Washerwoman's Prayer' the condition of the woman is portrayed through

A. Irony
B. Juxtaposition
C. Comparison
D. Metaphor