GENERAL LITERARY PRINCIPLES - Jamb Literature in English Past Questions and Answers

Question 216:

• JAMB 1989

This question is based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) Poems of Black Africa and D.I Nwoga (ed) West African Verse.
'And since we did not understand our dead since we have never listened to their cries
If we weep gently....'
What heart will listen to our clamouring 'Vanity' expresses

A. Regret and disappointment
B. Disillusion and despair
C. Disdain and disgust
D. Satisfaction and pleasure

Question 217:

• JAMB 1989

This question is based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) Poems of Black Africa and D.I Nwoga (ed) West African Verse.
The oilbean in Christopher Okigbo's 'The Passage refers to

A. One of the totems of Idoto
B. The only totem of Idoto
C. The abundance of oilbean trees by the river
D. The use of the oilbean for magical purposes

Question 218:

• JAMB 1989

This question is based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) Poems of Black Africa and D.I Nwoga (ed) West African Verse.
'...Ha! That motoka is motoka
It belongs to the Minister of Fairness
Who yesterday was loaded with a doctorate
At Makerere with whisky...
Plus I hear the literate thighs of an undergraduate'
The above stanza from Theo Luzuku's 'The Motoka' demonstrates that the minister is

A. Corrupt and immoral
B. A gifted doctoral graduate of Makerere
C. An owner of a motor-car which is laden with whisky
D. Underserving of the literate thighs of an undergraduate

Question 219:

• JAMB 1989

This question is based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) Poems of Black Africa and D.I Nwoga (ed) West African Verse.
In Agostinho Neto's 'Night', night basically symbolises

A. Political oppression
B. Social deprivation
C. Moral depravity
D. Spiritual decay

Question 220:

• JAMB 1989

This question is based on selected poems from Wole Soyinka (ed.) Poems of Black Africa and D.I Nwoga (ed) West African Verse.
In Odia Ofeimun's 'The Prodigals', the attitude of the returnees is best described as

A. Remorseful
B. Unrepentant
C. Hopeful
D. Despondent