SS1 Literature Exam Questions- First Term

Prepare for SS1 Literature examination with our comprehensive first-term questions and answers. Boost your grades with our expertly curated study materials and past questions.

SS1 Literature Examination Past Questions

FIRST TERMINAL EXAMINATION FOR ACADEMIC SESSION

LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH

GRADE 10

SECTION A

1. Which of the following is common to all forms of literature? A. language B. chorus C. action D. narrator
2. The three major forms of literature are A. tragedy, comedy, tragi-comedy B. poetry, drama, folktales C. drama, lyric, prose fiction D. poetry, drama, prose
3. Beauty in poetry depends mainly on A. expression and rhythm B. length and theme C. vowels and consonants D. mood and verse form
4. Read the extract below and answer this question.

Read Also: SS1 English Exam Questions & First Term

But the towering earth was tired of sitting in one position. She moved, suddenly, and the houses crumbled, the mountains heaved horribly, and the work of a million years was lost.

5. The predominant figure of speech in the above extracts is A. Oxymoron B. Metaphor C. Simile D. Personification
6. The subject matter of the above extract is A. earthquake B. house movement C. Sea waves D. storm
7. The image depicted in the extract is one of A. destruction B. merriment C. happiness D. admiration
8. ‘The birds fly high over the hills beyond the corn fields.’ The poetic device used in the above extract is A. assonance B. alliteration C. metaphor D. metonymy
9. A poem written or rendered in praise of a person or thing is called A. a lyric B. an ode C. an elegy D. a panegyric
10. The choice of appropriate words to convey the thoughts of an author is called A. idiomatic language B. setting C. figure of speech D. diction
11. The state of mind of a poet can be described as A. style B. mood C. setting D. theme
12. Which of the following is a likely source of traditional oral poetry? A. Theatre B. fiction C. books D. songs
13. In a novel, the antagonist is A. a fully developed character B. a flat character C. the main female character D. the archrival of the hero

Read the extract below and answer this question.

The pattering rain was kicking up little

explosions of dust in the glade. He heard the

faint whisper of the stream as it stole across

the land and disappeared into the bush.

14. The figure of speech underlined in line 3 is A. assonance B. consonance C. onomatopoeia D. alliteration
15. Which of the following is an African poet? A. Dennis Brutus B. William Wordsworth C. Rober Frost D. W.B.Yeats
16. In a play, a long speech by a single character in the presence of other characters is called A. soliloguy B. monologue C. aside D. prologue
17. A play that is full of exaggerated ridicule and laughter is called A. farce B. comedy C. tragi-comedy D. masque
18. Pick the odd item from the list below A. tragedy B. comedy C. epilogue D. tragi-comedy
19. A group of actors in a play is called A. characters B. cast C. chorus D. prompters
20. A novel is usually written in A. prose B. verse C. scenes D. stanzas
21. What distinguishes a novel from a play is A. characters B. setting C. narration D. theme
22. Which of the following best describes Literature? It A. tells the story of great men and women B. is a reflection of man’s life in society C. is a record of past events D. describes what never happened and cannot happen
23. The literary device in the statement – ‘Students are to come to class with their Shakespeare’ is called A. metonymy B. litotes C. synecdoche D. personification
24. The first-person narrator is usually A. the protagonist B. a villain in the novel C. the antagonist D. a character in the novel
25. Which of the following is closest to the novel? A. the short story B. fable C. tale D. epic
26. “The people’s voices rutted like pigs in the mud” is an example of A. simile B. metaphor C. personification D. metonymy

Read the extract below and answer the question.

That age is best which is the first

When youth and blood are warmer

But being spent, the worse, and worst

Times still succeed the former.

27. The rhyme scheme is known as A. abba B. abab C. aabb D. bbaa

Read the extract below and answer the question.

That age is best which is the first

When youth and blood are warmer

But being spent, the worse, and worst

Times still succeed the former.

28. This kind of rhyme scheme is known as A. alternate B. irregular C. free verse D. couplet
29. A poem of 14 lines is known as a A. quatrain B. octave C. sestet D. sonnet
30. A play on words is A. innuendo B. humour C. pun D. jest

SECTION B

Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate answers.

31. “The opportunity knocked at his door” is an example of ___________
32. _________ is the opposite of hyperbole.
33. ________indicates two opposing words utilized inside a single sentence to create levity.
34. ‘Everyone thinks my runny nose is funny, but it’s snot’ is an example of _________
35. __________ addresses a subject that is not present in the work.
36. The statement ‘Your hands are as clean as mud’ illustrates _________
37. ________ is the usage of a mild word in substitution of something that is more explicit or harsh when referring to something unfavourable or unpleasant.
38. ‘She’s as old as the hills’ is an example of __________ figure of speech.
39. __________ approves and interprets the play script. He is the head of the creative team.
40. ________ provides clothing for the overall appearance of a character or performer.

SECTION C: THEORY

Instruction: answer any five questions from this section

1. Write short notes on the following theatre personnel
2. Playwright
3. Director
4. Stage manager
5. Property manager
6. Make-up designer
7. Read the poem below and analyse the elements of poetry (title, imagery, theme, rhyme scheme) from the text.

“Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

3. In your own words, explain the following words;
4. Suspense
5. Antagonist
6. Protagonist
7. Soliloquy
8. Flashback
9. Discuss in detail, the forms of drama.
10. Explain any five elements of prose.
11. Differentiate between fiction and non-fiction with copious examples
12. Explain some characteristics of Romantic, metaphysical and modern poems