Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

You’re welcome to our school exams series where we provide you with termly examination questions in different subjects. In today’s post, we will focus on Literature in English exam questions. We will cover Literature in English exam questions for JSS3 First term with answers. This means that we’ll be providing you with answers to the questions at the end. Also, you will get a few success tips on how to pass Literature in English examinations with flying colors. Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on Facebook. (Like and Follow Page)

Introduction to Literature in English as a School Subject

Before we venture into Past Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

Literature in English is the study of written and spoken works of art expressed in the English language. It includes poetry, drama, and prose, and it helps students to understand human experiences, values, and culture through creative expression. As a school subject, it develops students’ ability to read, analyze, and appreciate different kinds of texts.

The subject also improves language skills such as reading, speaking, and writing, while teaching moral lessons, critical thinking, and imagination. Through stories, poems, and plays, students learn about themselves, their society, and the wider world.

Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term are divided into two sections:

• Section A
• Section B

The first section, namely, Section A is the objective test, and students are expected to attempt all questions in the section. Section B is the theory part, and students are expected to follow specific instruction and answer the required number of questions.

Note that what you have below are JSS3 Literature in English First Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 1st term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

SECTION A: Objectives

Instruction: Answer all questions in this section by choosing from the options lettered A—D. Each question carries equal marks.

1. What is an allusion?
A. Thinking you see something but its not actually there
B. Comparison made between two things to show how they are alike in some respects
C. Reference to a statement, a person, a place or an event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, science of pop-culture
D. Repetition of similar vowel sounds that are followed by different consonant sounds, especially in words that are close together in a poem.

2. What is an analogy?
A. Language that appeals to the sense
B. Word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be understood on a literal level
C. Comparing two things using like, as or than
D. Comparison made between two things to show how they are alike in some respects

3. What is assonance?
A. Repetition of similar vowel sounds that are followed by different consonant sounds, especially in words that are close together in a poem
B. Person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for something beyond itself as well.
C. The process of revealing the personality of a character in a story
D. Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

4. What is a figure of speech?
A. Figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion or to create a comic effect
B. Contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality, between what is said and what is really meant, between what is expected to happen and what really does happen, or between what appears to be true and what is really true
C. Word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be understood on a literal level
D. Use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning

5. What is a flashback?
A. Repetition of the same or very similar consonant sounds in words that are close together in a poem
B. Expression peculiar to a particular language that means something different from the literal meaning of each word
C. Scene in a movie, play, short story, novel, or narrative poem that interrupts the present action of the plot to flash backward and tell what happened at an earlier time
D. Word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be understood on a literal level

6. What is a hyperbole?
A. Statement or situation that seems to be a contradiction but reveals a truth
B. Language that appeals to the sense
C. Figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion or to create a comic effect
D. Fixed idea or conception of a character that does not allow for any individuality

7. What is an idiom?
A. Kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were a human
B. Contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality-between what is said and what is really meant, between what is expected to happen and what really does happen, or between what appears to be true and what is really true
C. Scene in a movie, play, short story, novel, or narrative poem that interrupts the present action of the plot to flash backward and tell what happened at an earlier time
D. Expression peculiar to a particular language that means something different from the literal meaning of each word

8. What is imagery?
A. Word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be understood on a literal level
B. Language that appeals to the senses
C. Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, using a word such as like, as or than
D. Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, in which one thing becomes another thing without the use of the word like, as than, or resembles

9. What is irony?
A. Contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality-between what is said and what is really meant, between what is expected to happen and what really does happen, or between what appears to be true and what is really true
B. Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, in which one thing becomes another thing without the use of the word like, as than, or resembles
C. Use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning
D. Repetition of the same or very similar consonant sounds in words that are close together in a poem

10. What is a metaphor?
A. Repetition of similar vowel sounds that are followed by different consonant sounds, especially in words that are close together in a poem
B. Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, using a word such as like, as or than
C. Use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning
D. Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, in which one thing becomes another thing without the use of the word like, as than, or resembles

11. What is onomatopoeia?
A. Use of a word whose sound imitates or suggests its meaning
B. Kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were a human
C. Repetition of similar vowel sounds that are followed by different consonant sounds, especially in words that are close together in a poem
D. Word or phrase that describes one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be understood on a literal level

12. What is a paradox?
A. Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, in which one thing becomes another thing without the use of the word like, as than, or resembles
B. Statement or situation that seems to be a contradiction but reveals a truth
C. Person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for something beyond itself as well
D. Scene in a movie, play, short story, novel, or narrative poem that interrupts the present action of the plot to flash backward and tell what happened at an earlier time

13. What is personification?
A. Kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman thing or quality is talked about as if it were a human
B. Fixed idea or conception of a character that does not allow for any individuality
C. Person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for something beyond itself as well
D. Figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion or to create a comic effect

14. Lost by Carl Sandburg

Desolate and lonely all night long
On the lake where fog trails and mist creeps
The whistle of a boat calls and cries unendingly
Like some lost child in tears and trouble
Hunting the harbour’s breast and the harbour’s eyes

The mood of this poem can best be described as which of the following?
A. Lighthearted    B. Disheartening
C. Bothersome     D. Optimistic

15. An idea, object or animal that is given the characteristics of a human.
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Alliteration
C. Simile
D. Personification

16. The author’s use of clues to hint what will happen later in the story
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Alliteration
C. Foreshadowing
D. Metaphor

17. The repeating of beginning consonant sounds is __________
A. Alliteration
B. Simile
C. Foreshadowing
D. Flashback

18. When the author goes back to an earlier time in the story and explains something that will help the reader understand the whole story better.
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Flashback
C. Metaphor
D. flashback

19. A comparison of two unlike objects using ‘like’ or ‘as’
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Alliteration
C. Simile
D. Flashback

20. Making comparison between two unlike objects without using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’
A. Metaphor      B. Flashback
C. burlesque      D. hendiadys

21. Using words that sound like the noises they make (e.g. buzz)
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Alliteration
C. consonance
D. prosody

22. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The black truck is a bullet on the highway.”?
A. Foreshadowing     B. Metaphor
C. Flashback              D. suspense

23. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The principal peacefully plays the piano at night to calm himself down.”?
A. Onomatopoeia   B. Alliteration
C. exposition           D. conflict

24. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The bar of soap was a slippery eel.”?
A. Metaphor        B. Flashback
C. apostrophe      D. eulogy

25. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The trees whispered my name while I sat in the forest.”?
A. aside          B. climax
C. bathos       D. Personification

26. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The dog’s loud bark shook the house.”?
A. hyperbole
B. onomatopoeia
C. personification
D. Foreshadowing

27. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The trees were dancing in the wind.”
A. Hubris      B. Personification
C. tragedy    D. farce

28. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The books were borrowed but never brought back!”?
A. Metre      B. Alliteration
C. iambic     D. Simile

29. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The dog is as big as a mouse!”?
A. irony        B. allusion
C. eclogue    D. lyric

30. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The 6th grader’s lunch fell to the floor with a splat.”?
A. Onomatopoeia
B. antonomasia
C. elevation
D. analogy

31. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “My Dad is a bear before his morning coffee.”?
A. Metaphor     B. Flashback
C. heresy           D. blockbuster

32. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “Climbing the stairs was like scaling a mountain”?
A. Metaphor
B. Flashback
C. Situational irony
D. Verbal irony

33. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The waves were walking closer and closer to our campsite as strong gusts moved them ashore.”?
A. act             B. Personification
C. scenery     D. imagery

34. What literary term is used in the following sentence – “The hiss of the snake scared me out of my boots.”?
A. Onomatopoeia
B. tone
C. diction
D. atmosphere

35. If a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics, this is called _________
A. Idiom       B. Personification
C. myth        D. Metaphor

36. Fictional tale with gods and heroes is _________.
A. Proverb
B. Epic hero
C. Short story
D. Myth

37. The patterns in literature found around the world are known as _________
A. hero
B. Archetype
C. vernacular
D. parallelism

38. A descriptive language used to re-create sensory experiences is _________.
A. Imagery
B. Dramatic irony
C. Metaphor
D. Simile

39. A deliberate exaggeration for the sake of effect is _________
A. Hyperbole      B. Idiom
C. Feudalism      D. Tragic flaw

40. Sayings that offer cultural wisdom and practical truths about life are _________
A. Moral      B. Proverb
C. Fable       D. Climax

41. An oral historian is also called _________
A. Story teller
B. Griot
C. Epic hero
D. Mythic hero

42. A feeling of tension or uncertainty cause by the actions in a story is _________
A. Climax
B. Resolution
C. Suspense
D. Rising action

43. The high point of interest or suspense in literature is _________
A. Falling action
B. Resolution
C. Suspense
D. Climax

44. A character that changes throughout the story is _________
A. Dynamic character
B. Static character
C. Mythic character
D. Epic hero

45. A kind of story, common to Germanic tribes, expresses the character of a people, prizes adventure more than accuracy, and performed long before it was written down is _________
A. Nonfiction
B. Narrative
C. Medieval epic
D. Indian fable

46. A prose fiction characterized by fantasy, settings and royalty is _________
A. Medieval romance
B. Medieval epic
C. Indian literature
D. Archetypal literature

47. If the audience knows something the character does not know, this is called _________
A. Hyperbole
B. Dramatic irony
C. Parallelism
D. verbal irony

48. The use of strongly contrasting language is _________
A. vernacular     B. Foreshadow
C. Proverb         D. Antithesis

49. The art of characters using disguises, transformations, and tricks to hide their true identity is called _________
A. Protagonist
B. Antagonist
C. Villain
D. Disguised identity

50. The central figure of an epic story is _________.
A. Epic hero
B. Epic protagonist
C. Archetypal hero
D. Medieval hero

51. The defect of character that may lead to suffering or death is _________.
A. Heroic flaw
B. Downfall
C. Climax
D. Irony

52. A speaker in a story who says one thing but means another has used _________
A. Dramatic irony
B. Situational irony
C. Verbal irony
D. Hyperbole

53. A story written in the language of the people is said to be _________
A. English            B. Helpful
C. Vernacular      D. Ethical

54. A genre of events in a story whose outcome is different from what the speaker intended is a _________
A. Falling action
B. Resolution
C. Dramatic irony
D. Situational irony

55. A character that stays the same throughout a story is _________
A. Epic hero
B. Mythic hero
C. Dynamic character
D. Static character

56. The struggle between opposing forces in a story is _________
A. Fight            B. Climax
C. Suspense     D. Conflict

57. A brief simple tale that teaches a lesson about conduct of an Indian culture and often includes animal characters and a moral is called _________
A. Indian fable
B. Indian epic
C. Indian drama
D. Indian myth

58. A long narrative about the deeds and adventures of an Indian hero is _________
A. Indian epic
B. Indian fable
C. Indian myth
D. Indian short story

59. A weakness that causes the hero’s downfall is known as _________
A. Downfall
B. Pride
C. Pacify
D. Tragic flaw

60. The economic, political, and social system of medieval Europe was _________
A. Kings and Queens
B. Feudalism
C. Social classes
D. Lower class

SECTION B: Essay

PART I

INSTRUCTION – Answer all five (5) questions in this section.

1. Define allusion and give two examples from literature or everyday speech.

2. (a) Differentiate between a simile and a metaphor.
(b) Write one example each.

3. What is personification? Illustrate with three examples in sentences of your own.

4. Explain the term flashback in literature. Why do writers use it in their works?

5. State and explain any four (4) types of irony with suitable examples.

6. (a) What is a proverb?
(b) Give any four examples of African proverbs and state the lessons they teach.

7. Write short notes on the following terms:
(i) Dynamic character
(ii) Static character
(iii) Suspense
(iv) Climax

PART II (Based on Prescribed Texts)

General Instruction: Attempt all questions

The Computer Master
1. Who was the Computer Master?
2. Which school was discussed in the story?
3. Who was Mr. Abasike’s child in the story?
4. Who deceived her friend into immoral act?
5. How old was the pregnancy?

Revenge
1. Who died as a result of strange sickness?
2. Who was Ichie Ogwubuike in the story?
3. Where was the story set?
4. What was Ibua Ukpabi?
5. What kind of predicament befell Chilma in the story?
6. ‘More misfortunes are still going to befall you because of the atrocities you have committed against the innocent ones.’
a. Who said this?
b. To whom?

The Verdict
1. Who assassinated Chief Amadi in the story?
2. What Mr Ibe’s relationship with Chief Amadi in the story?
3. What verdict was pronounced on Mr Ibe by the judge?

Ordeal to Success
1. What was Amadi’s occupation in the story?
2. Who was Williams in the story?
3. In which community was the story set?
4. What course did Williams study in the university?

Read Also: JSS 3 NECO BECE 2025 Questions and Answers English Language

Answers to Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of Literature in English exam questions for JSS3 First term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.

So here you have the answers to the objective section of Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First term. Use the comments section to let me know if you have any questions you would want me to clarify or discuss further.

Answers to Section B (Theory)

PART I

1. Define allusion and give two examples from literature or everyday speech.
Allusion is a figure of speech that makes a brief reference to a person, event, place, or work of art, usually well-known. It is used to deepen meaning by linking the text to another context.
Examples:
(i) “He met his Waterloo in the final match.” (alluding to Napoleon’s defeat).
(ii) “She is as wise as Solomon.” (alluding to King Solomon in the Bible).

2. (a) Differentiate between a simile and a metaphor.
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using words such as like or as.
A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using like or as.
(b) Examples:
Simile: “Her voice was as sweet as honey.”
Metaphor: “Time is a thief.”

3. What is personification? Illustrate with three examples in sentences of your own.
Personification is a figure of speech in which human qualities are given to non-human objects or abstract ideas.
Examples:
(i) The wind whispered through the trees.
(ii) The sun smiled down on us.
(iii) The alarm clock screamed at me this morning.

4. Explain the term flashback in literature. Why do writers use it in their works?
Flashback is a literary device where the writer interrupts the chronological sequence of events to describe something that happened at an earlier time.
Writers use flashback to:
– Provide background information.
– Explain the motivation of characters.
– Build suspense and deepen understanding of the story.

5. State and explain any four (4) types of irony with suitable examples.
(i) Verbal irony: When someone says the opposite of what they mean. Example: Saying “What a pleasant day!” during a heavy storm.
(ii) Dramatic irony: When the audience knows something the character does not. Example: In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is alive but Romeo does not.
(iii) Situational irony: When events turn out differently from what is expected. Example: A fire station burning down.
(iv) Cosmic irony (or irony of fate): When a higher power seems to manipulate events against human expectations. Example: A man saves for retirement but dies the day he retires.

6. (a) What is a proverb?
A proverb is a short, wise saying that expresses a truth, moral lesson, or cultural value.

(b) Examples of African proverbs and lessons:
(i) “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” – Lesson: Society should care for its members.
(ii) “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” – Lesson: No one knows everything; wisdom is shared.
(iii) “When the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches.” – Lesson: Problems at the foundation affect the whole.
(iv) “A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground.” – Lesson: Small achievements should not make one proud.

7. Write short notes on the following terms:
(i) Dynamic character: A character that undergoes significant change in personality, attitude, or understanding during the story.
(ii) Static character: A character that remains the same throughout the story without experiencing significant change.
(iii) Suspense: The feeling of tension and uncertainty created in a story that keeps the reader interested in what will happen next.
(iv) Climax: The highest point of interest, tension, or conflict in a story, usually the turning point before the resolution.

How to Pass Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

Passing your Literature in English exam questions for JSS3 First term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1) Know the Syllabus Focus

• Genres: Poetry, drama, prose.
• Core terms: simile, metaphor, personification, irony, imagery, allusion, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, flashback, tone, mood.
• Story elements: plot, setting, character, point of view, suspense, climax, theme.

2) Build Daily Reading Habits

• Read short poems and passages aloud. Mark striking words and images.
• After each reading, write three lines: what happened, the dominant device, the theme/moral.
• Keep a Literary Devices Notebook: definition + one clean example of your own.

3) Master Definitions with Examples

• Don’t cram only the meaning—add one fresh example you created. It helps you remember and apply.
• Link similar terms: simile vs metaphor, verbal vs situational vs dramatic irony.
• Use quick flashcards for 10–15 minutes daily.

4) Answering Objective Questions

• Read the stem carefully before looking at the options.
• Eliminate options that are off-topic or too broad.
• Watch for words like always, never, only—they often signal traps.
• If a device is named in an example, check the feature not the surface words (e.g., “buzz” → onomatopoeia).

5) Writing Strong Theory Answers

• Start with a clear definition in one or two lines.
• Add two relevant examples (from texts or your own clean sentences).
• Explain effect on meaning: How does the device create mood, tone, or emphasis?
• Use short paragraphs and signal words: Firstly, Also, Therefore.

6) Poetry, Prose, Drama Quick Guides

• Poetry: identify speaker, mood, tone, dominant device, and theme. Quote a short phrase to support your point.
• Prose: track plot order, flashbacks, conflict, character type (dynamic/static), and lesson.
• Drama: watch stage directions, dialogue, dramatic irony, and how scenes build to the climax.

7) Time Management in the Exam

• Scan all questions; start with the ones you know best.
• Keep objectives fast and steady; leave tricky ones and return later.
• For theory, plan with a 20–30 second outline, then write.

8) Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Giving examples without definitions—or definitions without examples.
• Confusing simile and metaphor, or the three types of irony.
• Writing long stories instead of focused answers.

Exam Day Checklist

• Two pens, ruler, eraser; write neatly.
• Define → illustrate → explain effect.
• Answer what the question asks, not what you wish it asked.

Final Word: Read daily, think clearly, give clean examples, and manage time. You will do well.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on JSS3 First Term Questions on Literature in English, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap.

Best wishes.