English Literature Past Questions | WAEC, NECO, GCE

English Literature Past Questions and answers | WAEC, NECO, GCE

Master WAEC/NECO English Literature with 100 multiple-choice questions and 20 theory questions covering African prose, poetry, and drama. Practice questions and exam tips included to boost your performance.

Table of Contents

Past Questions | WAEC, NECO, GCE
100 WAEC/NECO Literature Objective Questions
Answers to Objective Questions
20 WAEC/NECO Literature Theory Questions
Literature Exam Tips for WAEC and NECO
Conclusion

English Literature Past Questions and answers | WAEC, NECO, GCE

English Literature Questions and Answers (1–100)

(From WAEC, NECO Past Questions)

A narrative in which characters represent abstract ideas is called a
A. parody
B. allegory
C. satire
D. anecdote
Answer: B
A play that ends unhappily is called a
A. comedy
B. farce
C. tragedy
D. melodrama
Answer: C
A figure of speech in which an inanimate object is given human qualities is
A. simile
B. metaphor
C. personification
D. hyperbole
Answer: C
“The child is the father of the man” is an example of
A. paradox
B. pun
C. irony
D. oxymoron
Answer: A
The protagonist in a play is usually
A. the villain
B. the hero
C. the narrator
D. the clown
Answer: B
In literature, a round character is one who
A. exhibits conflicting traits
B. is not important
C. remains static
D. supports the protagonist
Answer: A
A short, witty poem with a sharp twist at the end is called
A. an ode
B. a ballad
C. an epigram
D. a sonnet
Answer: C
“He fought like a lion” is an example of
A. metaphor
B. metonymy
C. simile
D. personification
Answer: C
One major difference between a novel and a short story is
A. theme
B. length
C. grammar
D. language
Answer: B
A sonnet has how many lines?
A. 12
B. 10
C. 14
D. 16
Answer: C
In a tragedy, the hero’s downfall is usually due to
A. fate
B. poverty
C. a tragic flaw
D. public hatred
Answer: C
A character who opposes the hero is called the
A. protagonist
B. antagonist
C. narrator
D. observer
Answer: B
Which of the following is a type of drama?
A. Ode
B. Ballad
C. Tragedy
D. Limerick
Answer: C
The atmosphere created by a literary work is known as its
A. theme
B. mood
C. plot
D. tone
Answer: B
A story within a story is called
A. a subplot
B. a flashback
C. a frame narrative
D. an anecdote
Answer: C
In poetry, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words is called
A. assonance
B. rhyme
C. alliteration
D. rhythm
Answer: C
Which literary device is used in the expression “bittersweet experience”?
A. paradox
B. euphemism
C. oxymoron
D. litotes
Answer: C
An epic is a
A. short fictional story
B. long narrative poem about heroic deeds
C. romantic prose
D. drama about war
Answer: B
Which of these genres uses dialogue most extensively?
A. Prose
B. Poetry
C. Drama
D. Essay
Answer: C
Satire is best described as a
A. poem that praises
B. drama that entertains
C. form of attack through ridicule
D. tragic narrative
Answer: C
When a character speaks alone on stage, it is called a
A. monologue
B. soliloquy
C. dialogue
D. aside
Answer: B
“The wind whispered secrets to the trees” is an example of
A. simile
B. allusion
C. personification
D. irony
Answer: C
A sudden change in a character’s fortune is called
A. pathos
B. peripeteia
C. catharsis
D. irony
Answer: B
“Romeo and Juliet” is a classic example of
A. epic
B. satire
C. tragedy
D. comedy
Answer: C
The part of a play where conflict is introduced is the
A. exposition
B. climax
C. resolution
D. rising action
Answer: A
In a literary work, setting refers to the
A. author’s background
B. story’s location and time
C. moral of the story
D. main idea
Answer: B
A flashback is used to
A. describe the future
B. introduce new characters
C. create suspense
D. present past events
Answer: D
Which of the following is an element of prose fiction?
A. Rhyme
B. Stanza
C. Plot
D. Refrain
Answer: C
A poem that mourns the dead is called
A. ode
B. sonnet
C. elegy
D. epic
Answer: C
A farce is a type of
A. tragic poem
B. serious novel
C. humorous drama
D. romantic essay
Answer: C
“He is as cunning as a fox” is an example of
A. metaphor
B. irony
C. simile
D. satire
Answer: C
The main idea or message in a literary work is called
A. tone
B. theme
C. style
D. character
Answer: B
A narrative poem is a poem that
A. tells a story
B. expresses emotion
C. praises a person
D. mocks a vice
Answer: A
An aside in a play is
A. a speech by a character to the audience
B. a long conversation between characters
C. a fight scene
D. a narrator’s introduction
Answer: A
The character that undergoes change is called
A. dynamic character
B. flat character
C. static character
D. minor character
Answer: A
When a poet repeats a word or phrase for emphasis, it is called
A. rhythm
B. repetition
C. rhyme
D. alliteration
Answer: B
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” illustrates
A. satire
B. paradox
C. metaphor
D. symbolism
Answer: B
One major difference between poetry and prose is that poetry
A. is written in paragraphs
B. contains chapters
C. uses figurative language and lines
D. has plot
Answer: C
The turning point in a play is known as the
A. exposition
B. denouement
C. climax
D. prologue
Answer: C
A comedy of manners is a play that
A. praises war
B. imitates history
C. satirizes social classes
D. focuses on religion
Answer: C
A character who highlights traits in the main character is a
A. foil
B. hero
C. chorus
D. shadow
Answer: A
The use of “buzz” and “hiss” are examples of
A. alliteration
B. irony
C. onomatopoeia
D. assonance
Answer: C
A poem that tells of brave deeds in elevated style is a
A. ballad
B. limerick
C. sonnet
D. epic
Answer: D
An ironic situation is one where
A. the reader is confused
B. events turn out opposite to expectations
C. the author changes point of view
D. everything happens quickly
Answer: B
A play that combines humorous and serious elements is called
A. satire
B. tragicomedy
C. melodrama
D. farce
Answer: B
In literature, suspense is used to
A. create humour
B. provide background
C. excite curiosity
D. introduce the villain
Answer: C
“She has a heart of stone” is an example of
A. hyperbole
B. irony
C. metaphor
D. pun
Answer: C
Which of the following is NOT a function of literature?
A. Entertaining
B. Educating
C. Confusing
D. Informing
Answer: C
A poet’s attitude toward the subject is known as
A. tone
B. theme
C. diction
D. setting
Answer: A
Which of these is an example of prose fiction?
A. A short story
B. A sonnet
C. An epic
D. A limerick
Answer: A

English Literature Questions and Answers obj (51–100)

Which of the following is a type of irony where the audience knows more than the character?
A. Verbal irony
B. Dramatic irony
C. Situational irony
D. Comic irony
Answer: B
The term “persona” in poetry refers to
A. the writer
B. the character in a play
C. the speaker in the poem
D. the narrator in a novel
Answer: C
A story that teaches a moral lesson is called
A. a fable
B. a satire
C. a comedy
D. a ballad
Answer: A
“Death laid its icy hands on him” is an example of
A. irony
B. alliteration
C. personification
D. simile
Answer: C
A poem that addresses an absent or imaginary person is
A. an epic
B. an elegy
C. an ode
D. an apostrophe
Answer: D
“He kicked the bucket” is a figure of speech known as
A. pun
B. hyperbole
C. euphemism
D. metaphor
Answer: C
The basic elements of drama include all the following except
A. characters
B. setting
C. stage direction
D. stanzas
Answer: D
Which of the following plays is by William Shakespeare?
A. A Raisin in the Sun
B. Macbeth
C. The Lion and the Jewel
D. She Stoops to Conquer
Answer: B
The use of recurring symbols to represent ideas is called
A. metaphor
B. allegory
C. symbolism
D. irony
Answer: C
The term “aside” in drama refers to
A. a comment made to the audience that others on stage cannot hear
B. dialogue between two characters
C. a background sound
D. a direct command
Answer: A
A stanza in a poem is similar to a __________ in prose.
A. paragraph
B. chapter
C. footnote
D. summary
Answer: A
Which of these genres uses rhyme and rhythm extensively?
A. Prose
B. Poetry
C. Drama
D. Essay
Answer: B
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of tragedy?
A. The hero suffers a downfall
B. It ends in happiness
C. The plot involves conflict
D. It evokes pity and fear
Answer: B
The term “genre” refers to
A. the author’s style
B. the literary category
C. the character type
D. the title of a book
Answer: B
The part of the plot that resolves the conflict is the
A. exposition
B. climax
C. denouement
D. prologue
Answer: C
The repetition of vowel sounds in poetry is called
A. consonance
B. alliteration
C. assonance
D. rhythm
Answer: C
A literary work that ridicules society’s flaws is known as
A. a fable
B. an ode
C. a satire
D. a romance
Answer: C
Which of the following is NOT an element of a novel?
A. Plot
B. Scene
C. Setting
D. Character
Answer: B
A long speech made by a character alone on stage is
A. an aside
B. a soliloquy
C. a monologue
D. a dialogue
Answer: B
The function of a prologue in drama is to
A. end the play
B. confuse the audience
C. introduce background information
D. show conflict
Answer: C
A limerick is
A. a five-line humorous poem
B. a love poem
C. a tragic song
D. a short prose
Answer: A
Which of the following forms uses stage directions?
A. Poetry
B. Drama
C. Essay
D. Prose
Answer: B
The controlling idea in a literary work is the
A. style
B. mood
C. theme
D. tone
Answer: C
Which of the following poets wrote “The Tiger”?
A. William Wordsworth
B. William Blake
C. John Keats
D. Samuel Coleridge
Answer: B
A comedy is best described as a play that
A. ends with death
B. evokes sadness
C. amuses and ends happily
D. uses serious dialogue
Answer: C
A metaphor is a
A. comparison using “as” or “like”
B. direct comparison without “as” or “like”
C. humorous expression
D. type of narrative
Answer: B
The major character in a novel is known as
A. antagonist
B. foil
C. protagonist
D. chorus
Answer: C
In literature, diction refers to
A. character behavior
B. author’s word choice
C. number of pages
D. types of books
Answer: B
“Time is a thief” is an example of
A. metaphor
B. simile
C. irony
D. euphemism
Answer: A
In drama, a fool character is often used to
A. create suspense
B. lighten the mood and offer truth
C. confuse the reader
D. distract from plot
Answer: B
Who is the author of “Things Fall Apart”?
A. Wole Soyinka
B. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
C. Chinua Achebe
D. Ola Rotimi
Answer: C
A poem that celebrates someone or something is called
A. elegy
B. ballad
C. ode
D. epic
Answer: C
Which of these is a narrative technique?
A. Alliteration
B. Imagery
C. Flashback
D. Pun
Answer: C
A literary work’s setting includes
A. only the place
B. place and time
C. title and theme
D. moral lesson
Answer: B
“Brutus is an honourable man” in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is an example of
A. sarcasm
B. verbal irony
C. allusion
D. simile
Answer: B
The type of irony in “The fire station burned down” is
A. situational irony
B. dramatic irony
C. verbal irony
D. tragic irony
Answer: A
“I came, I saw, I conquered” is an example of
A. repetition
B. alliteration
C. climax
D. parallelism
Answer: D
The turning point in a drama is the
A. exposition
B. rising action
C. climax
D. resolution
Answer: C
A character with only one trait is a
A. round character
B. dynamic character
C. flat character
D. tragic character
Answer: C
Which of the following uses stanzas?
A. Prose
B. Poetry
C. Drama
D. Essay
Answer: B
In literature, a conflict between a character and society is called
A. internal conflict
B. external conflict
C. social conflict
D. relational conflict
Answer: B
The mood in a poem that mourns the dead is usually
A. joyful
B. playful
C. solemn
D. angry
Answer: C
Which is a major theme in Shakespeare’s Macbeth?
A. Adventure
B. Love and betrayal
C. Ambition and guilt
D. Slavery and redemption
Answer: C
The speaker in a poem is known as the
A. poet
B. narrator
C. persona
D. audience
Answer: C
The hero in a tragedy is also called the
A. protagonist
B. antagonist
C. clown
D. chorus
Answer: A
A figure of speech that exaggerates is called
A. metaphor
B. irony
C. hyperbole
D. simile
Answer: C
A flashback is used to
A. end a story
B. narrate future events
C. describe present setting
D. reveal past events
Answer: D
“She sells seashells by the seashore” is an example of
A. assonance
B. alliteration
C. metaphor
D. euphemism
Answer: B
“The sun smiled on the children” is an example of
A. irony
B. simile
C. personification
D. paradox
Answer: C
The function of literature that entertains is known as
A. moral
B. aesthetic
C. historical
D. educative
Answer: B

English Literature Questions and Answers obj (31–50)

31. A play that ends sadly is best described as a:
A. Farce
B. Melodrama
C. Comedy
D. Tragedy
Answer: D

32. A major characteristic of a picaresque novel is:
A. It uses fantasy and magic
B. It follows the adventures of a roguish hero
C. It ends with a moral lesson
D. It focuses on romantic love
Answer: B

33. A character who contrasts with another to highlight traits is known as a:
A. Flat character
B. Foil
C. Static character
D. Narrator
Answer: B

34. The term “setting” in literature refers to:
A. The length of the novel
B. The plot structure
C. Time and place of a story
D. The number of characters
Answer: C

35. An aside in drama is:
A. Dialogue heard by everyone
B. A short comment made to the audience
C. A sound effect used in plays
D. A background chant
Answer: B

36. A poem that praises a person or object in an exalted style is called a/an:
A. Ballad
B. Limerick
C. Ode
D. Elegy
Answer: C

37. The climax of a story is always followed by the:
A. Rising action
B. Falling action
C. Exposition
D. Conflict
Answer: B

38. An example of alliteration is:
A. She sings a sweet song
B. The sky is blue
C. He walked slowly
D. It was raining heavily
Answer: A

39. A persona in poetry refers to:
A. The author’s nickname
B. The character or speaker created by the poet
C. The person being written about
D. The poet’s friend
Answer: B

40. Which of the following is a type of figurative language?
A. Theme
B. Simile
C. Chapter
D. Genre
Answer: B

41. The conflict between man and supernatural beings is best described as:
A. Internal conflict
B. Man vs. man
C. Man vs. nature
D. Man vs. fate
Answer: D

42. A poetic device that gives inanimate objects human qualities is:
A. Irony
B. Hyperbole
C. Personification
D. Alliteration
Answer: C

43. Which of the following is a prose work?
A. “Othello”
B. “Harvest of Corruption”
C. “Piano and Drums”
D. “The Pulley”
Answer: B

44. The term genre refers to:
A. Literary setting
B. Writer’s mood
C. Category or type of literary work
D. Conflict resolution
Answer: C

45. Which poetic device is used in “The wind whispered softly”?
A. Hyperbole
B. Simile
C. Personification
D. Rhyme
Answer: C

46. What figure of speech is present in the phrase “as strong as a lion”?
A. Hyperbole
B. Simile
C. Metaphor
D. Irony
Answer: B

47. A monologue in drama is a:
A. Dialogue between two people
B. Group speech
C. Long speech by one character
D. Whispered aside
Answer: C

48. In literature, the use of flashback serves to:
A. Predict future events
B. Introduce the climax
C. Provide background or past events
D. Describe the setting
Answer: C

49. A round character in a novel is one who:
A. Appears briefly
B. Is stereotypical
C. Has multiple traits and undergoes development
D. Is always the antagonist
Answer: C

50. Which of the following best defines a theme?
A. A type of poem
B. The main idea or underlying message in a literary work
C. A poetic rhythm
D. A literary character’s name
Answer: B

English Literature Past Questions | WAEC, NECO, GCE

20 English Literature Theory Questions and Answers

What is literature?
Answer: Literature is a body of written works that express human experiences, emotions, and ideas through imaginative, creative, and artistic language, often presented in genres such as prose, poetry, and drama.
Mention the three main genres of literature.
Answer:
1. Prose
2. Poetry
3. Drama
Differentiate between prose and poetry.
Answer: Prose is written in ordinary language without structured meter or rhyme, while poetry uses verse, rhythm, and often rhyme to evoke emotions and create aesthetic appeal.
What is a theme in literature?
Answer: A theme is the central idea, message, or underlying meaning that a literary work conveys, often reflecting human experiences or societal issues.
Define a character in literature.
Answer: A character is a person, animal, or figure presented in a literary work who carries out actions and influences the plot development.
What is a plot in literature?
Answer: Plot refers to the sequence of events and actions that make up the story in a literary work, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Explain the term setting in literature.
Answer: Setting refers to the time and place in which the events of a literary work occur, and it can influence the mood, atmosphere, and context of the story.
Differentiate between a protagonist and an antagonist.
Answer: The protagonist is the main character or hero of the story, while the antagonist is the character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict.
What is satire?
Answer: Satire is a literary technique used to criticize human foolishness or societal vices through humor, irony, or exaggeration.
Define dramatic irony.
Answer: Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader knows something that the characters in the story do not, creating tension or humor.
What is a soliloquy in drama?
Answer: A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage to express their inner thoughts and feelings to the audience.
Explain the term conflict in literature.
Answer: Conflict is a struggle between opposing forces in a story, which drives the plot and leads to character development. It can be internal or external.
What is a tragic hero?
Answer: A tragic hero is a main character in a tragedy who has a fatal flaw (hamartia) that leads to their downfall, often evoking pity and fear in the audience.
Define imagery in literature.
Answer: Imagery refers to the use of vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping readers visualize scenes and feel emotions.
What is personification?
Answer: Personification is a figure of speech where non-human objects or abstract concepts are given human characteristics or actions.
Differentiate between comedy and tragedy.
Answer: Comedy is a dramatic genre that deals with humorous situations and often ends happily, while tragedy involves serious themes and ends in sorrow or catastrophe for the protagonist.
What is a metaphor?
Answer: A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by saying one is the other to suggest similarity.
What is a flashback?
Answer: A flashback is a literary device where the narrative shifts to past events to provide background or context to the current story.
Mention two purposes of literature.
Answer:
1. To entertain readers through engaging storytelling.
2. To educate or inform about cultural, moral, or social issues.
What role does dialogue play in drama?
Answer: Dialogue reveals character traits, advances the plot, and reflects relationships between characters in a dramatic work.

English Literature Past Questions and answers | WAEC, NECO, GCE

20 WAEC/NECO English Literature Theory Questions

Discuss the major themes in any African prose you have read.
Compare and contrast two female characters from any two African novels.
Write short notes on the following literary terms: simile, metaphor, irony, satire.
Examine the role of setting in any African drama you have studied.
Describe the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet with an example.
Analyze the character of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart.
What is the significance of conflict in drama? Use one African drama to support your answer.
Explain how suspense is used in any novel you have studied.
Define tragedy and explain how it is portrayed in any non-African drama.
Discuss the use of symbolism in poetry. Give examples from poems studied.
How does the poet use imagery in any African poem you have read?
Identify and discuss the types of conflict in a selected prose text.
Compare the plot development of an African and a non-African drama.
Examine the use of irony in any prose work of your choice.
What is the difference between a protagonist and an antagonist? Illustrate with examples.
Describe the use of flashback in a drama or novel you have studied.
Discuss the role of women in any African literary text.
Define “theme” and explain how it is developed in one prose text.
Discuss any two figures of speech used in African poetry.
Identify the central conflict in a drama and how it was resolved.

English Literature Questions and Answers | WAEC, NECO, GCE

Literature Exam Tips for WAEC and NECO

Read all recommended texts (drama, poetry, prose) thoroughly.
Focus on understanding themes, character roles, and literary devices.
Practice answering both objective and theory questions consistently.
Use past questions to understand how questions are framed and repeated.
Time yourself while answering to simulate exam conditions.

20 English Literature Theory Questions and Answers

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