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 SS2 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 YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)
Table of Contents
Introduction to Literature-in-English as a School Subject
Before we venture into Past Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS2 First term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:
Literature-in-English is the study of written and spoken works that express human thoughts, emotions, and experiences through creative use of language. It exposes students to prose, poetry, and drama — the three main genres of literature — and helps them to appreciate how writers use words to entertain, inform, and educate.
As a school subject, Literature-in-English trains students to read critically, think deeply, and communicate effectively. It develops imagination, moral awareness, and emotional sensitivity by allowing learners to see life from different perspectives. Through stories, poems, and plays, students learn about human nature, culture, and society.
Ultimately, Literature-in-English is not just about reading books; it is about understanding life through words, and using that understanding to become more thoughtful, articulate, and creative individuals.
Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS2 First Term
Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS2 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 SS2 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: Objective Test
Instruction: Answer all questions in this section by choosing from the options lettered A—D. Each question carries equal marks.
1. Which of the following is NOT one of the three major forms of literature?
A. Poetry B. Drama
C. Prose D. Rhyme
2. The device that gives human qualities to non-human things is called:
A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Irony
3. In drama, the term ‘protagonist’ means the:
A. Main character around whom the action revolves
B. Comic relief character
C. Chorus leader
D. Playwright
4. Which poetic term describes a repeated consonant sound at the beginning of words?
A. Assonance
B. Alliteration
C. Onomatopoeia
D. Enjambment
5. A sonnet is best described as:
A. A long narrative poem about heroes
B. A short song or lyric of eight lines
C. A 14-line poem usually written in iambic pentameter
D. A free-verse poem without a fixed form
6. In Shakespeare’s plays, a soliloquy is:
A. A short comic scene between two characters
B. A speech in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud when alone
C. A stage direction for scene change
D. A special sound effect
7. Which of the following is an example of dramatic irony?
A. A simile comparing two things
B. The audience knows a character’s secret but the character does not
C. A poem ending with a rhyming couplet
D. A character speaking in verse
8. The phrase “a grave mistake” used to mean “a serious mistake” is an example of:
A. Metaphor B. Symbolism
C. Hyperbole D. Irony
9. Which element of fiction deals with time and place of action?
A. Theme
B. Setting
C. Tone
D. Characterisation
10. In Poetry, ‘stanza’ refers to:
A. The rhyme scheme
B. A verse or group of lines forming a unit
C. The poem’s title
D. The narrator’s voice
11. Which device is shown in the line “the buzzing bees”?
A. Alliteration
B. Assonance
C. Metaphor
D. Personification
12. A reliable narrator is one who:
A. Lies to the reader on purpose
B. Gives an accurate and trustworthy account of events
C. Is always the protagonist
D. Speaks only in dialogue
13. In literature, ‘theme’ primarily refers to:
A. The plot’s sequence of events
B. The central idea or underlying message of a work
C. The title of the work
D. The setting
14. The effect created when a line of poetry continues to the next line without a pause is called:
A. End-stop B. Enjambment
C. Caesura D. Refrain
15. Which of the following best defines ‘satire’?
A. A serious description of nature
B. A literary mode that ridicules human vice or folly with the intent to correct
C. A form of tragic drama
D. An ancient oral epic
16. In George Bernard Shaw’s play “Arms and the Man”, the Swiss soldier who is practical and unsentimental is:
A. Captain Bluntschli
B. Major Petkoff
C. Nicola
D. Raina
17. The poetic term for a repeated phrase or line, often used in songs, is:
A. Couplet B. Refrain
C. Quatrain D. Strophe
18. Which of the following identifies a first-person narrator?
A. Uses “I” and “we” when telling the story
B. Is always omniscient
C. Uses “he” and “she” only
D. Is outside the story
19. In drama, a “foil” character is one who:
A. Shares identical traits with the protagonist
B. Contrasts with another character to highlight particular qualities
C. Is the chorus leader
D. Writes the prologue
20. The line “He is a lion in battle” is an example of:
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Hyperbole
D. Personification
21. Which of the following best describes ‘imagery’ in poetry?
A. The poem’s rhyme scheme
B. Language that appeals to the senses to create mental pictures
C. The title of the poem only
D. The number of stanzas
22. In prose, ‘climax’ refers to:
A. The beginning of the story
B. The turning point or highest moment of tension
C. The conclusion of the story
D. The narrator’s description of setting
23. Which device involves an exaggeration for emphasis or effect?
A. Understatement
B. Hyperbole
C. Metonymy
D. Ellipsis
24. The dramatic form that presents events through acted dialogue and stage directions is:
A. Prose B. Non-fiction
C. Drama D. Poem
25. In poetry, the term ‘meter’ refers to:
A. The poem’s meaning
B. The rhythmic structure of lines based on stressed and unstressed syllables
C. The number of stanzas only
D. The title’s punctuation
26. Which of the following is a feature of a tragic hero in classical drama?
A. Complete moral perfection
B. A fatal flaw (hamartia) that leads to downfall
C. Supernatural powers only
D. Lack of conflict
27. In the poem “Once Upon a Time” by John Okpara (commonly studied as “Once Upon a Time” by Gabriel Okara / African modern poems), a major theme is:
A. The conflict between outward politeness and inner honesty
B. The praise of modern technology only
C. Instructions on farming
D. A scientific explanation of nature
28. An ‘aside’ in drama is:
A. A long descriptive passage by the stage manager
B. A short remark by a character intended for the audience or to himself, unheard by other characters
C. The stage direction to open the curtain
D. A musical interlude
29. Which figure of speech substitutes the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant (e.g., “the crown” for “the king”)?
A. Metaphor
B. Synecdoche
C. Metonymy
D. Personification
30. Which of the following best describes a narrative’s ‘point of view’?
A. The author’s biography
B. The perspective from which the story is told (first, second, third person)
C. The number of chapters
D. The time setting
31. In poetry, ‘assonance’ is the repetition of:
A. Initial consonant sounds
B. Vowel sounds within nearby words
C. Entire words only
D. Rhyming at line ends only
32. Which of the following is true of an epic?
A. It is a short lyric poem
B. It usually deals with heroic deeds and events of national importance
C. It is always written in sonnet form
D. It never contains gods or supernatural elements
33. In a play, the ‘exposition’ is the part where:
A. The action reaches its peak
B. Background information about characters and setting is given
C. The plot is resolved
D. The curtain falls
34. The term ‘tone’ in literature most closely means:
A. The rhyme pattern
B. The writer’s attitude toward the subject or audience
C. The length of sentences
D. The number of characters
35. Which device uses words that imitate natural sounds (e.g., “buzz”, “clang”)?
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Alliteration
C. Antithesis
D. Enjambment
36. In Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, Okonkwo’s character is primarily driven by:
A. A desire for musical fame
B. Fear of appearing weak and a desire to uphold traditional masculinity
C. A wish to become a poet
D. Interest in foreign commerce
37. The dramatic term ‘catastrophe’ usually refers to:
A. A humorous ending
B. The disastrous conclusion of a tragedy, such as death or downfall
C. The introduction of characters
D. The stage directions only
38. Which of the following best describes an archetype in literature?
A. A minor character with no purpose
B. A recurring symbol, character type, or pattern that appears across cultures and genres
C. A rhyme type
D. A modern slang word
39. The poetic device that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as” is:
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Irony
D. Personification
40. A play whose central purpose is to amuse and often ends happily is called:
A. Tragedy B. Comedy
C. Epic D. Pastoral
41. Which of the following identifies the dramatic structure written by Shakespeare with five parts?
A. Four acts only
B. Five acts structure often used in classical drama
C. Ten acts normally
D. One continuous act
42. Which literary term describes the use of one word in place of another that sounds like it (e.g., “scent” and “sent”)?
A. Malapropism
B. Pun
C. Spoonerism
D. Irony
43. The device in which a single speaker in poetry expresses thoughts aloud is called:
A. Elegy
B. Dramatic monologue
C. Ode
D. Ballad
44. Which of the following is a typical question style in WAEC/NECO objective sections?
A. Short essay requiring citations
B. Multiple choice questions testing devices, authors, themes and plot details
C. Practical laboratory test
D. Oral presentation only
45. The play “The Tempest” by Shakespeare opens with:
A. A banquet scene
B. A storm and shipwreck at sea
C. A courtroom scene
D. A wedding only
46. In poetry, a ‘couplet’ is:
A. Two successive lines that usually rhyme and have the same meter
B. A stanza of four lines
C. The poem’s title only
D. A musical instrument mentioned in a poem
47. The term ‘characterisation’ in prose or drama refers to:
A. The description and development of a character’s personality and traits
B. The number of acts in a play
C. The poem’s rhyme scheme
D. The list of characters only
48. Which of the following is NOT a poetic foot?
A. Iamb B. Trochee
C. Octave D. Anapest
49. The device that expresses the opposite of what is meant, often for satirical effect, is:
A. Metaphor B. Irony
C. Hyperbole D. Repetition
50. In reading literature critically, which question helps identify theme?
A. Who wrote the book only?
B. What central idea or message does the writer explore?
C. How many pages is the book?
D. What is the font type used?
51. The poem “Daffodils” (I wandered lonely as a cloud) by William Wordsworth celebrates:
A. Industrial progress
B. The beauty of nature and the poet’s memory of it
C. Military conquest
D. Urban architecture
52. Which device is used when a story begins in the middle of events, leaving earlier events to be explained later?
A. Deus ex machina
B. In medias res
C. Flashback only
D. Foreshadowing only
53. Which of the following best describes free verse poetry?
A. Strict meter and rhyme throughout
B. Poetry without regular meter or rhyme, often closer to natural speech
C. Always fourteen lines long
D. A poem with only one stanza
54. The phrase “she sailed through the exam” is an example of:
A. Literal language only
B. Idiom or figurative expression meaning she did very well
C. Direct quotation
D. Stage direction
55. In the study of drama, a ‘stage direction’ is:
A. Dialogue spoken by the hero
B. Instructions in the script for movement, setting or lighting
C. A kind of rhyme scheme
D. The play’s main theme
56. Which of the following is a typical mark of a modernist poem?
A. Strict classical form only
B. Experimentation with form and fragmentation of voice or images
C. Use of only old English vocabulary
D. Complete avoidance of metaphor
57. Which of the following statements about the narrator in a story is FALSE?
A. The narrator may be unreliable.
B. The narrator is always the author.
C. The narrator determines what the reader knows and when.
D. There can be multiple narrators in a work.
58. Which term describes a short play, often with a moral, performed as part of folk tradition?
A. Tragedy
B. Morality play or folk drama
C. Novel
D. Sonnet
59. The use of an object, character, or event to represent a larger idea is known as:
A. Symbolism
B. Onomatopoeia
C. Irony
D. Alliteration
60. Which of the following is most useful when answering an essay question on a set text?
A. Memorising random quotations without context
B. Using relevant quotations with explanation and linking to the question
C. Ignoring the question and writing plot summary only
D. Writing about a different book
Read Also: Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS1 First Term
SECTION B: Essay / Theory
INSTRUCTION – Answer only three (3) questions in this section, question 1 is compulsory. Write your answers clearly and show working where necessary.
The rain had stopped, but the smell of wet earth still hung in the air. From the doorway, Mama stood watching the narrow path that led to the market square. Her wrapper was tied loosely around her waist, and her eyes followed the path as though she could summon her son home by mere will. It had been three days since Chike left for the city, promising to return with money for the new roof. Each evening she waited, and each evening the sun went down behind the same crooked palm tree without bringing him back.
Inside the small hut, the younger children whispered to one another. They had seen the worry in Mama’s face and heard the long sighs that escaped her lips. “He will come, Mama,” Ada said softly, but her own voice trembled. The room smelled of smoke and rain; the pot on the fire hissed as the last drops of water turned to steam. From somewhere in the distance, a cock crowed too early, confused by the strange calm after the storm.
Mama finally turned from the doorway, her eyes glistening. She sat beside the dying fire and stared into it as if it could speak. “The city changes people,” she murmured, half to herself. “But my Chike is not like the others. He will remember.” The words hung in the air, fragile as the smoke rising to the thatched roof. Outside, the path lay empty under the fading light, winding into the forest like a promise waiting to be kept.
1. Read the passage above and answer the following questions.
a. In clear, connected paragraphs, explain the narrative voice.
b. Identify two dominant literary devices used in the passage.
c. Discuss how those devices contribute to the passage’s overall meaning.
(Illustrate your points with short quotations from the passage where necessary.)
2. Discuss the extent to which humour is used to convey serious social critiques in a play you have studied for this term. In your answer, refer closely to two scenes and at least three characters from the play.
3. Choose two poems from the first-term list and compare how each poet explores the theme of identity. Your essay should focus on imagery, tone and diction.
4. With close reference to relevant episodes, discuss how a central character in one of your first-term novels or short stories changes (or fails to change) over the course of the narrative. Show how the author’s presentation of setting and other characters helps to shape that character’s development.
5. Define the following terms briefly and give one short example of each from any text you have read: (a) Foreshadowing, (b) Dramatic irony, (c) Stream of consciousness. Then, in a short paragraph, explain why understanding these terms helps a reader answer examination questions.
6. Select one African play and one non-African poem from this term’s reading. Discuss how each work engages with the idea of tradition versus change. In your answer, comment on theme, form, and language.
Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)
Answers to Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS2 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 SS2 First term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.
| Q.No | Ans | Q.No | Ans | Q.No | Ans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | 2 | B | 3 | A |
| 4 | B | 5 | C | 6 | B |
| 7 | B | 8 | D | 9 | B |
| 10 | B | 11 | A | 12 | B |
| 13 | B | 14 | B | 15 | B |
| 16 | A | 17 | B | 18 | A |
| 19 | B | 20 | A | 21 | B |
| 22 | B | 23 | B | 24 | C |
| 25 | B | 26 | B | 27 | A |
| 28 | B | 29 | C | 30 | B |
| 31 | B | 32 | B | 33 | B |
| 34 | B | 35 | A | 36 | B |
| 37 | B | 38 | B | 39 | B |
| 40 | B | 41 | B | 42 | A |
| 43 | B | 44 | B | 45 | B |
| 46 | A | 47 | A | 48 | C |
| 49 | B | 50 | B | 51 | B |
| 52 | B | 53 | B | 54 | B |
| 55 | B | 56 | B | 57 | B |
| 58 | B | 59 | A | 60 | B |
So here you have the answers to the objective section of Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS2 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)
1. Literary Appreciation
The passage is told through a third-person omniscient narrative voice. The narrator stands outside the story and describes both the external actions and the inner emotions of the characters. For instance, we see Mama’s physical posture at the doorway and also hear her thoughts when she murmurs, “The city changes people.” This perspective allows the reader to understand the emotional tension in the family and feel the depth of Mama’s longing for her son.
Two dominant literary devices used in the passage are imagery and personification. Imagery is seen in the vivid description of the setting — “The rain had stopped, but the smell of wet earth still hung in the air.” This creates a sensory experience that draws the reader into the atmosphere of waiting and uncertainty. Personification appears when Mama “stared into [the fire] as if it could speak.” This device gives life to the fire and symbolizes her silent hope for news or answers.
These devices contribute to the passage’s overall meaning by deepening the theme of waiting and faith. The strong imagery reflects the heaviness of time and mood, while personification mirrors Mama’s emotional connection to her environment. Together, they highlight the pain of separation and the fragile hope that defines her world.
2. Use of Humour for Social Critique in Drama
In many plays, humour is used not merely to entertain but to expose the weaknesses of society. In The Trials of Brother Jero by Wole Soyinka, humour is employed to criticize religious hypocrisy and moral corruption. For example, in the scene where Brother Jero flatters his followers while plotting for material gain, Soyinka makes the audience laugh and reflect at the same time. Similarly, in his interactions with Amope and Chume, humour reveals the greed, deceit, and self-delusion among so-called prophets. Through exaggerated language and comic situations, Soyinka effectively uses laughter as a tool for moral correction and social awareness.
3. Theme of Identity in Poetry
In Okot p’Bitek’s “Song of Lawino” and Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise”, both poets explore the theme of identity through strong imagery and confident tone. Lawino defends her African heritage against Western influence, using vivid imagery such as “the ways of the white man are strange.” Her tone is proud and assertive. Similarly, Angelou celebrates Black womanhood with resilient lines like “You may tread me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” Both poets use simple diction but powerful rhythm to express self-worth and cultural pride. While Lawino speaks from a communal and traditional voice, Angelou speaks from an individual and modern perspective, yet both affirm the strength of identity against oppression.
4. Character Development in Prose
In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the central character, Okonkwo, changes from a respected and ambitious leader to a tragic figure destroyed by his own flaws. At the beginning, he is driven by fear of weakness and a desire to prove his strength. However, his pride and rigid adherence to tradition prevent him from adapting to change. The setting — a village undergoing cultural transformation — intensifies his internal struggle. Other characters such as Obierika serve as voices of reason, contrasting Okonkwo’s stubbornness. Achebe uses Okonkwo’s downfall to reveal the danger of pride and the tragedy of a man unable to reconcile personal values with societal change.
5. Literary Terms and Their Importance
(a) Foreshadowing: This is a device used to hint at future events in a story. Example: In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the witches’ prophecies foreshadow Macbeth’s rise and fall.
(b) Dramatic Irony: This occurs when the audience knows something the characters do not. Example: In Oedipus Rex, the audience knows Oedipus is the murderer he seeks before he does.
(c) Stream of Consciousness: A narrative style that presents a character’s thoughts and feelings in a continuous flow. Example: James Joyce uses this in Ulysses to reveal inner conflicts.
Understanding these terms helps readers recognize how authors build suspense, reveal character, and express meaning. It also enables students to analyze texts more effectively and answer examination questions with precision and depth.
6. Tradition versus Change in African and Non-African Literature
In Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame and William Wordsworth’s poem “The World Is Too Much with Us”, both writers explore the conflict between tradition and change. Rotimi adapts the Greek legend of Oedipus to a Yoruba setting, using proverbs and communal songs to show how modern arrogance challenges ancestral wisdom. Wordsworth, on the other hand, laments how industrial progress separates humans from nature. While Rotimi uses dramatic irony and dialogue to show tragedy born of pride and fate, Wordsworth employs sonnet form, gentle rhythm, and natural imagery to plead for a return to simplicity. Both works remind us that progress without respect for tradition often leads to loss — whether of identity or spiritual peace.
How to Pass Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS2 First Term
Passing your Literature-in-English exam questions for SS2 First term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:
1. Read the set texts well
- Read each play, poem and story at least twice. The first read is for plot; the second is for detail.
- Note key scenes, striking lines, and moments when characters change.
- Mark up the book — underline short quotations you can use in answers.
2. Learn the literary tools
- Be able to name and define devices: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, irony, tone, stanza, stanza, enjambment, etc.
- When you spot a device in a text, write down a one-line note on its effect (for example: “personification of the fire = shows Mama’s hope”).
3. Build a quotation bank
- Keep a page for each text with 6–10 short quotations and a one-line note about each quote’s use.
- Choose clear, flexible quotations you can use for theme, character or language questions.
4. Practice past questions
- Do past objective tests to build speed and accuracy.
- Answer essay questions under timed conditions (45–60 minutes). Mark yourself against a model answer.
5. Answering objective questions (Section A)
- Read the question and all options once before choosing.
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then pick the best among the rest.
- If unsure, mark and return — don’t waste too long on one item.
6. Structure for essay answers (Section B)
Use this simple 5-step plan for each essay:
- Plan (3–5 minutes): Jot down 3 main points and two quotations.
- Intro (3–5 lines): State the task, name the text and give a clear thesis (what you will show).
- Body (3 paragraphs): Each paragraph makes one point — explain, quote, and link to the question.
- Language & devices: In each paragraph point out one device and its effect.
- Conclusion (2–4 lines): Sum up and restate your main point briefly.
7. Time management in the exam
- Spend about 40–50 minutes on Section A (if many questions) and the rest on Section B as required by your paper.
- For each essay allow 40–50 minutes: 5–8 minutes planning, 30–40 minutes writing, last 5 minutes to proofread.
8. Language and presentation
- Write clearly. Short, correct sentences beat long, messy ones.
- Use present tense when discussing literature (e.g., “The author shows…”).
- Always give short quotations to support a point. Introduce each quote and explain it.
9. Common examiner traps — avoid them
- Do not retell the whole plot. Use only relevant plot points.
- Do not use quotations without explanation.
- Do not guess meanings — support claims with text evidence.
It’s a wrap!
If you need more clarification on SS2 First Term Questions on Literature-in-English, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap. Don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)
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