Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 Second 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 Second 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)

Introduction to Literature in English as a School Subject

Before we venture into Past Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 Second 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 Second Term

Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 Second 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 Second Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 2nd 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. Short introductory speech delivered as part of a play is called
A. a preamble
B. a prologue
C. an introduction
D. an epilogue

2. The major distinctive feature of drama is
A. dialogue         B. setting
C. epilogue         D. plot

3. In drama, comic relief often occurs in
A. comedies
B. tragedies
C. historical plays
D. romantic plays

4. A struggle between opposing forces in a story or play is
A. conflict         B. denouement
C. comedy        D. tragedy

5. Conflict in a literary work begins to unfold with
A. climax              B. episode
C. exposition        D. resolution

6. Soliloquy is a…… technique
A. descriptive        B. dramatic
C. narrative           D. poetic

7. The …… produces comic relief in drama.
A. chorus              B. protagonist
C. antagonist        D. clown

8. A short play is also called a
A. farce            B. novelette
C. playlet         D. slapstick

9. A character whose actions or qualities serve to heighten those of the hero through contrast is
A. an adversary
B. a protagonist
C. an antagonist
D. a foil

10. One of the following is used to develop character
A. Climax          B. Atmosphere
C. Setting         D. Dialogue

11. A curtain raiser is an introductory performance that is
A. not part of the main play
B. the first part of the main play
C. not separate from the play
D. the first part of the final scene

12. ……… in drama operates against a character who is unaware of a situation which the audience know about
A. Verbal irony
B. Dramatic irony
C. Satire
D. Parody

13. The protagonist is the
A. author         B. villain
C. hero            D. speaker

14. Verbal irony occurs when a speaker on stage
A. says the opposite of what the speaker mean
B. is misunderstood.
C. tries to deceive the audience
D. is alone

15. A humorous scene in a play intended to ease tension is
A. climax          B. tragi-comedy
C. comedy       D. comic relief

16. Which of the following is not a type of play?
A. Tragedy
B. Tragic flaw
C. Comedy
D. Tragi- comedy

17. In drama, ‘denouement’ is the same as
A. resolution        B. climax
C. anti-climax       D. conflict

18. Lines and stanzas are to poetry as action and dialogue are to
A. music          B. prose
C. fiction         D. drama

19. The performers in a play constitute the
A. chorus            B. characters
C. audience        D. cast

20. A speech in a play in which a character speaks his or her thoughts alone is
A. a monologue         B. an aside
C. a soliloquy             D. an epilogue

21. The performers in a play constitute the
A. chorus          B. characters
C. audience      D. cast

22. An individual who acts, appears or is referred to as playing a part in a literary work is a
A. villain           B. character
C. clown           D. narrator

23. ………in drama operates against a character who is unaware of a situation which is known to the audience
A. Verbal irony
B. Dramatic irony
C. Satire
D. Parody

24. The use of dialogue creates a/an effect
A. humorous         B. poetic
C. ironic                 D. dramatic

25. The clash of interest that originates from opposing forces in literature is
A. climax          B. denouement
C. conflict        D. aside

26. A major character whose flaws combine with external forces that lead to his downfall is a
A. flat character
B. round character
C. romantic hero
D. tragic-hero

27. Which of the following is not a drama?
A. Burlesque           B. Resolution
C. Pantomime         D. Opera

28. _________ is fundamental to a play or novel
A. Mime               B. Conflict
C. Flashback        D. Epilogue

29. A short single act drama is called
A. opera          B. allusion
C. farce           D. playlet

30. In drama, the ……..creates humor
A. hero          B. clown
C. villain        D. chorus

31. The leading character in a literary work is the
A. foil                   B. villain
C. antagonist       D. protagonist

32. The concluding part of a play where the conflict is resolved is the
A. resolution         B. enjambment
C. denouement     D. climax

33. An essential feature of drama is
A. soliloquy         B. conflict
C. irony               D. aside

34. A character whose flaws combined with external forces lead to his suffering is a
A. heroine       B. tragic-hero
C. hero            D. protagonist

35. The climax in a literary work is the
A. middle
B. beginning
C. central part of the dialogue
D. peak of the conflict

36. Dramatis personae is the same as
A. chorus        B. prompter
C. foil              D. cast

37. Catharsis is normally associated with
A. pantomime     B. tragedy
C. comedy           D. farce

38. Drama is meant to
A. teach manners only
B. criticize
C. educate and entertain
D. be read and acted only

39. The author’s attitude towards the subject being treated is
A. mood           B. tone
C. feeling          D. atmosphere

40. One of the following makes use of gesture only:
A. comedy           B. lampoon
C. mime               D. satire

41. An epilogue
A. introduces a play
B. develops character
C. sums up a play
D. introduces characters

42. In a play, unfolding events reach their peak in the
A. climax             B. denouement
C. catharsis         D. conflict

43. “But at my back I always hear Time’s winged chariot hurrying near” illustrates
A. metaphor          B. apostrophe
C. oxymoron         D. metonymy

44. The most exciting and tense part of a story is the
A. epilogue           B. climax
C. prologue           D. exposition

45. A dramatic performance with only bodily movements and without words is
A. a mime             B. an aside
C. a soliloquy        D. an opera

46. When characters talk to each other, it is referred to
A. soliloquy         B. monologue
C. dialogue         D. recitation

47. The main character in a play or novel is the
A. protagonist        B. narrator
C. villain                 D. antagonist

48. A dramatic performance with only bodily movements and no speech is a
A. farce               B. mime
C. slapstick          D. burlesque

49. Before a play is performed, it is
A. auditioned          B. applauded
C. rehearsed           D. recited

50. A play that moves the audience to pity and fear is a
A. comedy               B. farce
C. pantomime         D. tragedy

51. The cast appears at the end of a play for the
A. musical interlude
B. curtain call
C. intermission
D. introduction

52. Hamartia, in a literary work refers to…….
A. a hero’s tragic flaw
B. inordinate ambition
C. strength of character
D. good works

53. A short play performed during the pause between the acts of a longer play is
A. an interlude         B. an epilogue
C. a prologue           D. an interval

54. A play is watched by a/an
A. congregation          B. group
C. audience                 D. entourage

55. A struggle between opposing forces in a literary work is the
A. plot                B. conflict
C. climax            D. denouement

56. The dominant device used in drama is
A. stage direction           B. dialogue
C. characterization         D. soliloquy

57. Characters in a play that the author uses as vehicle for commentary is
A. chorus               B. dancers
C. drummers         D. singers

58. The overwhelming confidence and pride that leads to the fall of the protagonist is
A. catharsis            B. ego
C. hamartia.           D. hubris

59. A piece of writing or speech at the beginning of a work of art is the
A. prologue             B. dialogue
C. monologue         D. epilogue

60. ‘The king has joined his ancestor’ is an example of
A. euphemism           B. Eulogy
C. malapropism         D. trilogy

SECTION B: Essay

Part 1:  Computer Master

1. Who was the Computer Master?
2. Who was a victim of rape by the Computer Master?
3. ‘Don’t allow any man to see your thighs’
I) Who made the statement?
ii) To whom
4. Who was the new parish priest at St Gabriel Church?
5. Who authored the story?

Part 2: Scars in the Lineage

1. Who was the protagonist in the story?
2. Whose daughter was killed in the story?
3. Where was the lifeless body of the girl dumped for wild animals?
4. Give the name of the two warring communities
5. Which punishment was meted out to the evil man discussed in the story?

Part 3: Capital D

1. Who was a philanthropist in the story?
2. Who was the determined child of Mr Isioma?
3. What did he study in the University?
4. Which community did he come from?
5. What does the letter ‘D’ stand for?

Part 4: Verdict

1. Who was a victim of assassination in the story?
2. Who plotted the coup?
3. Who was the hired assassin?
4. How much was he paid to execute the assassination job?
5. What was the verdict pronounced by the judge?

Answers to Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 Second 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 Second 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 Second term. Use the comments section to let me know if you have any questions you would want me to clarify or discuss further.

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

Passing your Literature in English exam questions for JSS3 Second 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: Secondly, 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.

It’s a wrap!

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

Best wishes.