2026/2027 WAEC/GCE Literature-In-English 1 (Objective) and Literature-In-English 2 (Prose) Questions and Answers
PAPER 1
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (1–60)
General Literary Appreciation
1.
A novel is a literary work written in
A. verse
B. prose
C. drama
D. dialogue
Answer: B
2.
The main character in a literary work is called
A. foil
B. antagonist
C. protagonist
D. narrator
Answer: C
3.
A struggle between opposing forces in literature is known as
A. irony
B. conflict
C. climax
D. suspense
Answer: B
4.
The turning point of a story is called
A. exposition
B. denouement
C. climax
D. setting
Answer: C
5.
A literary work intended for stage performance is
A. prose
B. poetry
C. drama
D. satire
Answer: C
6.
The time and place of a story constitute its
A. plot
B. setting
C. theme
D. mood
Answer: B
7.
A poem that mourns the dead is
A. sonnet
B. ode
C. elegy
D. lyric
Answer: C
8.
The repetition of consonant sounds is called
A. alliteration
B. metaphor
C. pun
D. irony
Answer: A
9.
A comparison using “like” or “as” is
A. metaphor
B. simile
C. irony
D. euphemism
Answer: B
10.
A figure of speech that gives human qualities to non-living things is
A. satire
B. hyperbole
C. personification
D. paradox
Answer: C
11.
A narrative poem that tells a story is
A. ballad
B. ode
C. sonnet
D. lyric
Answer: A
12.
The central idea of a literary work is
A. theme
B. climax
C. setting
D. style
Answer: A
2026/2027 WAEC/GCE Literature-In-English 1 (Objective) and Literature-In-English 2 (Prose) Questions and Answers
13.
The opposite of protagonist is
A. narrator
B. antagonist
C. foil
D. author
Answer: B
14.
A fourteen-line poem is
A. ode
B. sonnet
C. lyric
D. elegy
Answer: B
15.
The author of a book is known as the
A. speaker
B. dramatist
C. writer
D. narrator
Answer: C
Questions on Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra
16.
Antony was one of the rulers of
A. Egypt
B. Rome
C. Greece
D. Persia
Answer: B
17.
Cleopatra was the Queen of
A. Ethiopia
B. Egypt
C. Rome
D. Carthage
Answer: B
18.
The play mainly explores
A. science and religion
B. love and political power
C. education and poverty
D. slavery and trade
Answer: B
19.
Antony’s rival in Rome was
A. Caesar Octavius
B. Enobarbus
C. Lepidus
D. Pompey
Answer: A
20.
Cleopatra is portrayed as
A. weak and timid
B. proud and charismatic
C. silent and passive
D. foolish and careless
Answer: B
21.
The author of So the Path Does Not Die is
A. Elma Shaw
B. Pede Hollist
C. Harper Lee
D. Chinua Achebe
Answer: B
22.
One major theme in So the Path Does Not Die is
A. migration and identity
B. space exploration
C. warfare only
D. industrialization
Answer: A
23.
The author of Redemption Road is
A. Elma Shaw
B. Buchi Emecheta
C. Ama Ata Aidoo
D. Zaynab Alkali
Answer: A
24.
Redemption Road focuses largely on
A. post-war recovery and survival
B. ancient kingdoms
C. scientific inventions
D. colonial taxation
Answer: A
25.
A recurring concern in both African prose texts is
A. human resilience
B. astronomy
C. mathematics
D. engineering
Answer: A
26.
The author of To Kill a Mockingbird is
A. Susanne Bellefeuille
B. Harper Lee
C. Jane Austen
D. Emily Bronte
Answer: B
27.
The novel addresses the issue of
A. racial injustice
B. space travel
C. warfare only
D. agriculture
Answer: A
28.
Scout Finch serves as the
A. antagonist
B. narrator
C. villain
D. foil
Answer: B
29.
Atticus Finch is portrayed as
A. corrupt
B. unjust
C. principled and courageous
D. selfish
Answer: C
2026/2027 WAEC/GCE Literature-In-English 1 (Objective) and Literature-In-English 2 (Prose) Questions and Answers
30.
Path of Lucas: The Journey He Endured is written by
A. Susanne Bellefeuille
B. Harper Lee
C. Dickens
D. Orwell
Answer: A
31.
“Time is a thief” is an example of
A. simile
B. metaphor
C. irony
D. alliteration
Answer: B
32.
Excessive exaggeration for effect is
A. hyperbole
B. pun
C. climax
D. paradox
Answer: A
33.
A contrast between appearance and reality is
A. irony
B. rhyme
C. rhythm
D. refrain
Answer: A
34.
Words that imitate natural sounds are
A. euphemism
B. onomatopoeia
C. allusion
D. metaphor
Answer: B
35.
Reference to another literary work is
A. allusion
B. climax
C. pun
D. satire
Answer: A
36.
The Marriage of Anansewa was written by
A. Efua Sutherland
B. Soyinka
C. Clark
D. Rotimi
Answer: A
37.
Ananse is best known for
A. honesty
B. wisdom and cunning
C. military power
D. wealth alone
Answer: B
38.
Once Upon an Elephant was written by
A. Bosede Ademilua-Afolayan
B. Soyinka
C. Clark
D. Shakespeare
Answer: A
39.
Dialogue is most associated with
A. poetry
B. prose
C. drama
D. biography
Answer: C
40.
A speech delivered by one actor alone is
A. monologue
B. refrain
C. stanza
D. irony
Answer: A
41.
The speaker in a poem is called the
A. author
B. persona
C. novelist
D. critic
Answer: B
42.
Not My Business was written by
A. Niyi Osundare
B. Okara
C. Kamara
D. Byron
Answer: A
43.
Once Upon a Time was written by
A. Gabriel Okara
B. Soyinka
C. Shakespeare
D. Byron
Answer: A
44.
Still I Rise was written by
A. Maya Angelou
B. Sylvia Plath
C. Kamara
D. Adcock
Answer: A
45.
Digging was written by
A. Seamus Heaney
B. Byron
C. Shakespeare
D. Eliot
Answer: A
46.
The repetition of a line in a poem is
A. refrain
B. irony
C. pun
D. climax
Answer: A
47.
A stanza is
A. chapter in a novel
B. paragraph in poetry
C. speech in drama
D. scene in drama
Answer: B
48.
Rhyme contributes mainly to
A. sound effect
B. plot
C. characterization
D. setting
Answer: A
49.
Mood refers to
A. atmosphere created in a work
B. author biography
C. plot summary
D. theme only
Answer: A
2026/2027 WAEC/GCE Literature-In-English 1 (Objective) and Literature-In-English 2 (Prose) Questions and Answers
50.
Satire aims at
A. entertainment only
B. criticism through humour
C. narration only
D. description only
Answer: B
Advanced Literary Knowledge
51.
The sequence of events in a story is called
A. style
B. plot
C. diction
D. setting
Answer: B
52.
The choice of words by a writer is
A. diction
B. plot
C. climax
D. irony
Answer: A
53.
A character who contrasts with another is
A. foil
B. persona
C. narrator
D. hero
Answer: A
54.
The final resolution of a story is
A. climax
B. exposition
C. denouement
D. suspense
Answer: C
55.
A tragic hero usually possesses
A. perfection
B. a tragic flaw
C. immortality
D. supernatural powers
Answer: B
56.
The audience’s emotional release in tragedy is
A. catharsis
B. satire
C. irony
D. imagery
Answer: A
57.
Imagery appeals primarily to the
A. senses
B. government
C. economy
D. audience size
Answer: A
58.
The study of literature develops
A. critical thinking
B. farming skills only
C. engineering skills only
D. medical skills only
Answer: A
59.
A novel dealing with social issues is often called
A. social novel
B. lyric
C. elegy
D. sonnet
Answer: A
60.
Literature primarily reflects
A. human experiences and society
B. machines only
C. politics only
D. science only
Answer: A
PAPER 2
PROSE ESSAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SECTION A: AFRICAN PROSE
Question 1
Discuss the theme of migration and identity in So the Path Does Not Die.
Answer
Migration and identity constitute the central thematic concerns of the novel. Hollist examines the experiences of Africans who leave their homeland in search of better opportunities abroad. The novel portrays the difficulties migrants encounter, including cultural dislocation, discrimination, loneliness and the struggle to preserve their roots.
The author demonstrates that migration does not automatically guarantee success. Characters face emotional and psychological challenges as they attempt to adapt to foreign environments. Their experiences reveal the tension between maintaining traditional values and embracing new cultures.
Identity becomes a recurring concern because the characters constantly negotiate who they are. They are neither completely accepted abroad nor entirely detached from their homeland. Through these experiences, Hollist emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage and personal resilience.
The novel ultimately suggests that true identity is not lost through migration but can be strengthened through self-awareness, perseverance and connection to one’s roots.
Question 2
Examine the significance of hope and resilience in Redemption Road.
Answer
Hope and resilience are major themes in Redemption Road. Set against the background of post-conflict challenges, the novel explores how individuals rebuild their lives after experiencing trauma, suffering and loss.
The characters encounter numerous hardships, including poverty, emotional pain and social instability. Despite these difficulties, they continue striving for a better future. Their determination illustrates the strength of the human spirit.
The title itself symbolizes a journey toward healing and restoration. The road to redemption is not easy, but persistence enables the characters to overcome obstacles. Through their experiences, Elma Shaw demonstrates that recovery is possible even after devastating circumstances.
The novel therefore serves as a powerful statement about human endurance, forgiveness and the possibility of renewal.
2026/2027 WAEC/GCE Literature-In-English 1 (Objective) and Literature-In-English 2 (Prose) Questions and Answers
SECTION B: NON-AFRICAN PROSE
Question 3
Discuss racial prejudice as portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Answer
Racial prejudice is the dominant theme of the novel. Harper Lee exposes the deep racial inequalities existing in the American South. Through the trial of Tom Robinson, the author demonstrates how racial bias can influence justice and social relations.
Tom Robinson is falsely accused despite evidence suggesting his innocence. The case reveals how prejudice often overrides truth and fairness. The legal system, which should uphold justice, becomes influenced by racial discrimination.
Atticus Finch stands as a symbol of integrity and moral courage. He defends Robinson despite criticism and hostility from members of the community. Through Atticus, Harper Lee advocates equality, fairness and respect for human dignity.
The novel condemns racial injustice and encourages readers to challenge discrimination and prejudice wherever they occur.
Question 4
Evaluate the character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Answer
Atticus Finch is one of the most admired characters in modern literature. He embodies honesty, courage, wisdom and justice.
As a lawyer, he demonstrates professional integrity by defending Tom Robinson even though he knows public opinion is against him. His commitment to justice illustrates his belief that every individual deserves fair treatment before the law.
As a father, Atticus serves as an excellent role model to Scout and Jem. He teaches them tolerance, empathy and moral responsibility. He encourages them to understand people from different perspectives before judging them.
His calmness under pressure, respect for others and dedication to truth make him a symbol of ethical leadership. Through Atticus Finch, Harper Lee presents an ideal example of courage and moral excellence.
These essay questions reflect the style, depth and analytical approach commonly required in WAEC Literature-in-English examinations based on the 2026–2030 prescribed prose texts.