Literature in English Exam Questions for SS3 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 SS3 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 SS3 Second term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

Literature-in-English is a subject that helps students understand life through creative writing. It deals with written and spoken works that express human thoughts, emotions, and experiences in artistic form. By studying literature, students learn about different cultures, moral values, and human relationships as presented in poems, plays, and prose narratives.

The subject develops learners’ imagination, critical thinking, and communication skills. It also helps them appreciate the beauty of language and the power of words to educate, entertain, and inspire. Through Literature-in-English, students are introduced to great writers, both local and foreign, and are encouraged to form independent opinions about themes, characters, and situations in literary works.

In essence, Literature-in-English is not just about reading stories or poems; it is about understanding human life, society, and the world through the lens of creativity and expression.

Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS3 Second Term

Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS3 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 SS3 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: Objective Test

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

1. Pick out the odd item
A. Actors                 B. Stage
C. Dialogue             D. Chapters

2. In a literary work, a clown normally
A. directs the action
B. creates comic relief
C. supports the protagonist
D. creates the atmosphere

3. Pick the odd item
A. The Lion and the Jewel
B. The Black Hermit
C. Murder in the Cathedral
D. Robinson Crusoe

4. The term used for the unravelling of the complications of the plot at the end of a literary work is
A. climax             B. denouement
C. conflict           D. tension

5. A speech delivered by a character who is alone on the stage is
A. a soliloquy          B. a chorus
C. a dialogue           D. an aside

6. The persons created or presented in a literary work are
A. heroes              B. clowns
C. actors               D. characters

7. Pick the odd item
A. fiction             B. monologue
C. aside               D. soliloquy

8. Dialogue is the predominant feature of
A. genre              B. drama
C. Poetry             D. prose

9. A character who creates humour in a play is a
A. flat character           B. heroine
C. round character       D. clown

10. A situation in which the audience knows more than the character does, is an instance of
A. comic-relief
B. interior monologue
C. dramatic irony
D. poetic license

11. Pick the odd item from the list below
A. Night Rain
B. Things Fall Apart
C. Stanley Meets Mutesa
D. Nightfall in Soweto

12. A play that is full of exaggerated ridicule and laughter is called
A. farce
B. comedy
C. tragi-comedy
D. masque

13. In a play, a long speech by a single character in the presence of other characters is called
A. soliloquy           B. monologue
C. aside                 D. prologue

14. A group of actors in a play is called
A. characters         B. cast
C. chorus               D. prompters

15. The main female character in a play is called
A. hero             B. heroine
C. clown           D. antagonist

16. The character that opposes the hero in a novel is called the
A. protagonist         B. antagonist
C. villain                   D. clown

17. A short speech at the end of a play is the
A. epilogue            B. denouement
C. peroration          D. conclusion

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

19. A play that thrives on exaggeration of humour, plot and character is a
A. mime             B. tragedy
C. farce               D. lampoon

20. A verbal irony occurs when a speaker on stage
A. intends more than he says
B. is alone
C. tries to deceive the audience
D. is misunderstood

21. An “Aside” occurs when a speaker on stage
A. addresses another speaker
B. mumbles words intended for the audience only
C. mumbles words heard by the audience and actors
D. reveals his intentions

22. The climax in a literary work is the
A. middle of the work
B. beginning of the story
C. central part of the dialogue
D. most intense point of the conflict

23. Which of the following is not a type of drama?
A. burlesque          B. resolution
C. tragedy              D. pantomime

24. The main effect of comedy on an audience is
A. anxiety            B. sadness
C. laughter          D. suspense

25. The three elements of drama are
A. character, plot, episode
B. dialogue, chorus, plot
C. character, action, setting
D. character, monologue, plot

26. A play is fully realized when it is
A. studied            B. memorized
C. acted               D. read

27. The essential function of a tragedy is to make people
A. laugh at mankind
B. think and feel more deeply
C. think and laugh.
D. know their enemies

28. The introductory part of poem is the a play, a novel
A. epilogue            B. plot
C. setting               D. prologue

29. A character whose actions are predictable in a literary work is
A. a round character
B. a flat character
C. the hero
D. the villain

30. A play in which characters act through gestures and facial expressions is a
A. pantomime         B. burlesque
C. farce                    D. melodrama

31. Characterisation refers to
A. how characters are grouped
B. the readers’ opinions of the characters
C. how characters are depicted
D. the roles played by the characters

32. In a literary work, the foil is one who
A. complements another character
B. contrasts with another character
C. introduces the conflict
D. resolves the conflict

33. Dramatis personae refers to
A. audience          B. characters
C. chorus              D. cast

34. A situation where an audience is aware of an action a character is ignorant of is
A. dramatic irony
B. comic relief
C. aside
D. satire

35. The sudden reversal of a character’s fortune in literary work is
A. denouement        B. hamartia
C. hubris                  D. peripeteia

36. Comic relief occurs in
A. comedies             B. pastoral
C. romance              D. tragedies

37. The end of a performance is followed by
A. call
B. a curtain raiser
C. epilogue
D. amimotnega interlude

38. The chorus normally features prominently in
A. poetry              B. the epic
C. the novel          D. drama

39. A short play performed in the pause between the act of a longer play is
A. denouement           B. interlude
C. prologue                 D. epilogue

40. A dramatist is someone who ……….. plays
A. writes             B. commissions
C. directs            D. promotes

41. Something a character says on stage that is meant for the audience alone is
A. an epilogue
B. a mime
C. a soliloquy
D. an aside

42. A dramatic performance without words is
A. a mime
B. an aside
C. a monologue
D. a soliloquy

43. A short play performed between the acts of a bigger play for entertainment is
A. an in media res
B. an interlude
C. an incantation
D. a deus-ex-machina

44. In drama, catharsis is the
A. change of setting
B. conflict between two characters
C. resolution of conflict
D. purging of emotions from tension

45. Disguise in drama mostly portrays the theme of
A. known identity
B. plain identity
C. parallelism.
D. mistaken identity

46. An aside in drama is used mostly to create a sense of
A. admiration           B. conspiracy
C. greatness             D. superiority

47. The literary term describing individuals in a work of literature is
A. character           B. protagonist
C. narrator             D. villain

48. A character that is built around a single idea or quality is a….. character
A. choral             B. flat
C. heroic             D. sound

Read the extract below and answer Questions 49 to 53
Jonsey: (By himself centre right, looking skulky)
How does anyone keep faith with himself in such an ill made place?
Ba-a-ssyl
Bassy: Here Anything the matter?
Jonsey: (Moves front stage centre right) Your mayoral hopeful

49. Jonsey’s opening speech illustrates
A. aside           B. epilogue
C. mime          D. Soliloquy

50. In the Town Hall is the
A. atmosphere       B. location
C. setting               D. Stage

51. Bassy is a ………. in the play
A. character            B. director
C. narrator              D. producer

52. Jonsey’s speech Your mayoral hopeful is addressed to
A. the audience        B. Bassy
C. himself                 D. no one

53. The speeches of Jonsey and Bassy illustrate
A. dialogue              B. epilogue
C. monologue          D. prologue

54. Resolution in a literary work is also referred to as
A. events that increase action
B. the complication
C. events that increase tension
D. final outcome

55. The moon looked on the massacre in horror! Illustrates
A. epilogue
B. pathetic fallacy
C. prologue
D. transferred epithet

56. A dramatic performance with scenes played by body movements or gestures without words Is known as
A. comedy              B. panegyric
C. melodrama        D. pantomime

57. The major divisions in a play are
A. acts               B. chapters
C. scenes          D. stanzas

58. The part of the theatre in front of the curtain is the
A. backstage
B. balcony
C. center stage
D. proscenium

59. A story which explains a natural phenomenon is
A. legend             B. parable
C. myth                D. fiction

60. “Forty hands descended on the devilish head” illustrates
A. epigram              B. synecdoche
C. metonymy          D. allegory

SECTION B: Essay / Theory

INSTRUCTION – Answer all questions in this section. Write your answers clearly and show working where necessary.

Redemption Road
1. Examine Bendu’s role in the novel
2. Comment on the role of Judge Dagoseh in the novel

So the path Does not Die
3. Examine the impact of home in the novel
4. Discuss Fina and Cammy’s aborted wedding in the novel

Once upon an Elephant
1. Discuss the theme of tyranny in the play
2. How does the character of Iya Agba contribute to the development of the play?

The Marriage of Anansewa
3. Discuss the theme of poverty in the play
4. Give a character portrait of Ananse in the play

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 SS3 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 SS3 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 SS3 Second term. Use the comments section to let me know if you have any question you would want me to clarify or discuss further.

Answers to Section B (Theory)

1. Examine Bendu’s role in the novel.

Bendu plays an important role in Redemption Road. She is presented as a caring, hardworking and determined woman who struggles to survive in a society destroyed by war. Through her character, the author shows the suffering of women and children during and after the civil conflict.

Bendu serves as a symbol of hope and endurance. Despite the hardship she faces, she refuses to give up on life. She supports and encourages other people around her, especially those who have lost hope because of poverty and violence. Her courage inspires others to continue fighting for a better future.

She also contributes to the development of the plot through her relationship with other characters. Bendu’s experiences reveal the terrible effects of war such as hunger, displacement and emotional pain. Her role helps readers understand the need for peace, unity and reconstruction in society.

Furthermore, Bendu represents the voice of ordinary citizens who suffer because of bad leadership and corruption. She desires justice and fairness and believes that society can still recover from its problems. Her determination makes her one of the memorable characters in the novel.

2. Comment on the role of Judge Dagoseh in the novel.

Judge Dagoseh plays the role of a courageous and upright judicial officer in Redemption Road. He stands for justice, truth and accountability in a society filled with corruption and abuse of power.

One of his major roles is to ensure that criminals and oppressors are punished according to the law. He believes strongly in fairness and does not allow fear or intimidation to influence his judgment. Through his actions, the author presents him as a symbol of integrity.

Judge Dagoseh also contributes to the theme of justice in the novel. At a time when many leaders are corrupt and selfish, he remains committed to doing what is right. His character shows that society can only achieve peace and progress when justice is allowed to prevail.

In addition, he influences the lives of other characters positively. His decisions expose evil deeds and encourage victims to believe in the legal system. He therefore serves as an important force for social reform and moral order in the novel.

3. Examine the impact of home in the novel.

In So the Path Does Not Die, the idea of home has a strong impact on the characters. Home is presented as a place of identity, love, security and cultural values. It shapes the attitudes and behaviour of many characters in the novel.

For Fina, home plays an important role in her upbringing. The values and training she receives from her family influence her decisions and relationships with others. Her attachment to home also affects the way she reacts to life outside her community.

Home also serves as a source of emotional support. During difficult moments, characters often remember their families and cultural roots for encouragement. This helps them to remain connected to their traditions and beliefs despite modern influences.

Furthermore, the novel shows that problems within the home can affect individuals negatively. Conflicts, misunderstandings and family pressure contribute to some of the challenges faced by the characters. The author therefore presents home as both a place of comfort and a source of tension.

Generally, the impact of home in the novel helps to develop the themes of culture, identity, morality and family responsibility.

4. Discuss Fina and Cammy’s aborted wedding in the novel.

Fina and Cammy’s aborted wedding is one of the major incidents in So the Path Does Not Die. The event reveals the challenges associated with relationships, family expectations and cultural beliefs in society.

The planned marriage between Fina and Cammy fails because of misunderstandings and hidden problems surrounding their relationship. Family interference and societal pressure also contribute to the cancellation of the wedding. This creates emotional pain and disappointment for both characters.

The aborted wedding helps to develop the plot of the novel. It changes the direction of the lives of Fina and Cammy and affects their future decisions. The incident also exposes the weaknesses in their relationship and the lack of proper understanding between them.

In addition, the failed wedding highlights the theme of frustration and broken expectations. The author uses the event to show that love alone may not be enough to sustain a marriage when trust, communication and family support are lacking.

The incident finally teaches important lessons about patience, honesty and the need for maturity in relationships.

5. Discuss the theme of tyranny in the play.

The theme of tyranny is strongly portrayed in Once upon an Elephant. The play shows how leaders misuse power to oppress innocent people and deny them freedom and justice.

The rulers in the play use fear, intimidation and violence to control the people. They do not listen to the opinions of others and they punish anyone who opposes them. This abuse of authority creates suffering and unhappiness in society.

The theme of tyranny is also seen in the way ordinary citizens are treated unfairly. The people live in fear because they are denied their rights and opportunities. The leaders are selfish and care more about protecting their power than serving the community.

Through this theme, the playwright criticizes bad leadership and dictatorship in society. The play teaches that tyranny leads to conflict, fear and destruction. It also encourages people to stand against oppression and fight for justice and freedom.

6. How does the character of Iya Agba contribute to the development of the play?

Iya Agba plays an important role in the development of Once upon an Elephant. She is presented as a wise, experienced and outspoken woman who understands the problems facing society.

She contributes to the play by advising other characters and speaking against injustice. Her words often reflect wisdom and moral lessons which help the audience understand the message of the play. She is not afraid to condemn oppression and corruption.

Iya Agba also helps to move the plot forward through her interactions with other characters. She influences important decisions and encourages resistance against tyranny. Her presence adds seriousness and depth to the events in the play.

Furthermore, she represents the voice of tradition and community values. Through her character, the playwright shows the importance of wisdom, courage and truth in solving societal problems.

7. Discuss the theme of poverty in the play.

The theme of poverty is clearly presented in The Marriage of Anansewa. Ananse and his daughter, Anansewa, live in poor conditions and struggle financially. Their poverty influences many of the actions and decisions in the play.

Because of his poor condition, Ananse becomes desperate to improve his standard of living. This leads him to seek wealthy chiefs who can marry his daughter and provide financial benefits. His greed and trickery are largely motivated by poverty.

The play also shows how poverty can affect human relationships and moral behaviour. Ananse uses deceit and manipulation in his attempt to gain wealth. He even treats his daughter like a means of achieving financial success.

Through this theme, the playwright teaches that poverty can push people into making wrong decisions. At the same time, the play criticizes greed and excessive desire for wealth.

8. Give a character portrait of Ananse in the play.

Ananse is the central character in The Marriage of Anansewa. He is clever, cunning, humorous and highly manipulative. He uses his intelligence to deceive people for his personal gain.

One of Ananse’s major qualities is his love for wealth and comfort. Because of poverty, he devises different schemes to improve his financial condition. He sends marriage letters to several chiefs at the same time in order to benefit from their gifts and attention.

Ananse is also dramatic and entertaining. His actions create humour in the play and make him an interesting character. Despite his trickery, he is intelligent and knows how to persuade others.

However, Ananse can be selfish and dishonest. He often thinks about his own benefit without considering the feelings of others. His deceptive behaviour creates confusion and complications in the play.

In conclusion, Ananse is a memorable character who represents cunning, greed and survival in society. Through him, the playwright teaches important lessons about honesty and human behaviour.

How to Pass Literature-in-English Exam Questions for SS3 Second Term

Many students fail Literature not because it is hard, but because they read it the wrong way. Literature is not just about reading stories. It is about understanding, thinking, and expressing ideas clearly. If you follow the right steps, you can pass and even score very high.

1. Read All Your Recommended Texts

Do not depend only on class notes or summaries from friends. Read your drama, prose and poetry texts carefully. As you read, pay attention to:

• Main events in the story
• Important characters
• Themes and moral lessons
• Settings and conflicts
• Literary devices used by the writer

Students who read their texts personally understand examination questions better.

2. Study the Characters Properly

Many essay questions focus on characters and their roles in the text. Learn:

• The behaviour of each character
• Their strengths and weaknesses
• Their relationship with other characters
• How they contribute to the plot

For example, questions may ask you to discuss the role of a character or give a character portrait.

3. Understand the Themes

Themes are the major ideas discussed in a literary work. Common themes include:

• Poverty
• Corruption
• Love
• Betrayal
• Leadership
• Oppression
• Tradition and culture

Be able to explain how these themes are presented in your recommended texts.

4. Learn Literary Terms and Figures of Speech

Objective questions usually come from literary appreciation. Study literary terms such as:

• Irony
• Climax
• Conflict
• Plot
• Suspense
• Comic relief
• Dramatic irony
• Soliloquy
• Aside

Also understand figures of speech like metaphor, simile, personification and alliteration.

5. Practice Past Questions

One of the best ways to prepare is by solving past questions regularly. This helps you:

• Understand examination patterns
• Improve your speed
• Build confidence
• Identify important topics

The more questions you practice, the easier the examination becomes.

6. Learn How to Answer Essay Questions

When answering essay questions:

• Read the question carefully
• Go straight to the point
• Use simple and correct English
• Support your answers with events from the text
• Arrange your points properly

Avoid writing irrelevant stories that are not connected to the question asked.

7. Revise Poetry Carefully

For poetry, study:

• The theme of the poem
• The tone and mood
• Poetic devices
• The message of the poet

Read poems repeatedly so that you can understand them better.

8. Manage Your Time During the Examination

Time management is very important. Start with questions you understand well and avoid spending too much time on one question. Make your handwriting neat and easy to read.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on SS3 Second 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)

Best wishes.