JAMB Literature in English Past Questions and Answers (CBT Practice)

Introduction

Literature in English is one of the major arts subjects offered in JAMB (UTME). It focuses on the study of prose, drama, poetry, literary appreciation, figures of speech, literary devices, and the interpretation of literary texts. To excel in JAMB Literature, students must understand literary terms, genres, themes, characterization, and poetic techniques. This set contains 100 JAMB-standard objective questions with properly shuffled options A–D and correct answers.

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OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

Instruction: Choose the correct option A–D.

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1–25: Literary Appreciation and Genres

1. Literature is best defined as
   A. scientific writing only B. imaginative and creative writing C. legal writing only D. historical records only
   Answer: B

2. The three major genres of literature are
   A. prose, drama and poetry B. fiction, dictionary and essay C. novel, newspaper and poetry D. biography, drama and law
   Answer: A

3. A novel belongs to the genre of
   A. poetry B. drama C. prose D. folklore
   Answer: C

4. A play is a form of
   A. prose B. drama C. poetry D. essay
   Answer: B

5. Poetry is mainly written in
   A. acts and scenes B. chapters C. verses and stanzas D. paragraphs only
   Answer: C

6. A short story is a form of
   A. prose B. poetry C. drama D. satire only
   Answer: A

7. Folklore is usually
   A. scientific knowledge B. traditional stories passed down generations C. legal documents D. political speeches
   Answer: B

8. A fable usually teaches
   A. mathematics B. a moral lesson C. geography D. science
   Answer: B

9. The central idea of a literary work is known as
   A. plot B. setting C. theme D. climax
   Answer: C

10. The sequence of events in a story is called
    A. characterization B. plot C. setting D. theme
    Answer: B

11. The time and place of a story is known as
    A. setting B. theme C. climax D. conflict
    Answer: A

12. The persons represented in a literary work are called
    A. actors B. spectators C. characters D. narrators only
    Answer: C

13. A major character in a literary work is known as the
    A. villain B. protagonist C. narrator D. foil
    Answer: B

14. The character opposing the protagonist is the
    A. antagonist B. narrator C. chorus D. actor
    Answer: A

15. Characterization refers to
    A. arrangement of events B. presentation of characters C. choice of setting D. use of dialogue only
    Answer: B

16. The highest point of tension in a plot is the
    A. exposition B. climax C. resolution D. setting
    Answer: B

17. The conclusion of a literary work is called
    A. resolution B. exposition C. conflict D. complication
    Answer: A

18. Conflict in literature refers to
    A. agreement among characters B. struggle between opposing forces C. setting of events D. narration only
    Answer: B

19. Internal conflict occurs within a character's
    A. village B. family C. mind D. community
    Answer: C

20. External conflict occurs between
    A. thoughts only B. opposing characters or forces C. dreams only D. emotions only
    Answer: B

21. The author of a literary work is also called the
    A. reader B. writer C. actor D. audience
    Answer: B

22. A biography is the story of a person's life written by
    A. himself B. another person C. a judge D. a teacher only
    Answer: B

23. An autobiography is written by
    A. another person B. the subject himself or herself C. an editor D. a historian only
    Answer: B

24. A narrative poem tells a
    A. joke B. story C. law D. speech
    Answer: B

25. A dramatic poem combines elements of
    A. prose and journalism B. drama and poetry C. science and poetry D. history and prose
    Answer: B

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26–50: Literary Devices and Figures of Speech

26. A metaphor is a comparison made
    A. using "like" or "as" B. without using "like" or "as" C. through exaggeration D. through contradiction
    Answer: B

27. "He is as brave as a lion" is an example of
    A. metaphor B. simile C. irony D. satire
    Answer: B

28. Personification gives human qualities to
    A. people B. animals only C. non-living things D. heroes only
    Answer: C

29. Hyperbole means
    A. understatement B. exaggeration C. comparison D. repetition
    Answer: B

30. Irony occurs when
    A. words mean exactly what they say B. expectation differs from reality C. characters sing D. events are repeated
    Answer: B

31. Alliteration is the repetition of
    A. vowel sounds B. consonant sounds at the beginning of words C. ideas D. sentences
    Answer: B

32. Assonance is the repetition of
    A. vowel sounds B. consonants only C. words only D. phrases only
    Answer: A

33. Onomatopoeia refers to words that
    A. exaggerate meaning B. imitate sounds C. compare objects D. criticize society
    Answer: B

34. "Buzz," "hiss," and "bang" are examples of
    A. metaphor B. onomatopoeia C. irony D. satire
    Answer: B

35. Satire is used to
    A. praise society B. criticize human weaknesses C. narrate history D. create suspense only
    Answer: B

36. Euphemism is the use of
    A. harsh expressions B. mild expressions for unpleasant ideas C. exaggerated language D. poetic rhythm only
    Answer: B

37. Oxymoron combines
    A. similar ideas B. contradictory words C. long phrases D. repeated sounds
    Answer: B

38. "Deafening silence" is an example of
    A. irony B. oxymoron C. metaphor D. simile
    Answer: B

39. Symbolism involves the use of
    A. signs representing deeper meanings B. direct narration only C. exaggeration only D. repetition only
    Answer: A

40. Imagery appeals mainly to the reader's
    A. senses B. religion C. politics D. education
    Answer: A

41. Mood refers to the
    A. author's name B. atmosphere of a work C. title of a text D. plot structure only
    Answer: B

42. Tone refers to the writer's
    A. attitude toward a subject B. handwriting C. education D. age
    Answer: A

43. Repetition is used mainly for
    A. emphasis B. confusion C. shortening texts D. hiding meaning
    Answer: A

44. Pun is based on
    A. wordplay B. symbolism C. narration D. conflict
    Answer: A

45. Apostrophe is addressing
    A. a living listener only B. an absent person or thing C. a crowd only D. a narrator only
    Answer: B

46. Rhyme refers to similarity in
    A. ideas B. ending sounds C. plot D. setting
    Answer: B

47. Rhythm in poetry is created by
    A. sound patterns B. chapters C. scenes D. narration only
    Answer: A

48. A stanza in poetry is similar to a
    A. chapter B. paragraph C. scene D. act
    Answer: B

49. Blank verse is written in
    A. rhymed lines only B. unrhymed metrical lines C. prose form D. dialogue form
    Answer: B

50. Free verse is poetry with
    A. strict rhyme scheme B. no fixed meter or rhyme pattern C. dramatic scenes D. chapters
    Answer: B

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51–100: Drama, Poetry and Prose Analysis

51. Drama is primarily meant for
    A. singing only B. performance on stage C. reading newspapers D. writing essays
    Answer: B

52. A tragedy usually ends in
    A. happiness B. disaster C. marriage D. celebration
    Answer: B

53. A comedy is intended to
    A. create laughter B. cause fear C. teach science D. present laws
    Answer: A

54. Tragic flaw is known as
    A. catharsis B. hamartia C. chorus D. irony
    Answer: B

55. Catharsis refers to
    A. emotional purification B. plot structure C. dialogue D. symbolism
    Answer: A

56. Soliloquy is a speech delivered by
    A. two actors B. a character alone on stage C. the audience D. the narrator
    Answer: B

57. Aside is a statement meant for
    A. another character B. audience only C. chorus D. narrator
    Answer: B

58. Stage directions are instructions for
    A. readers only B. performers and directors C. critics only D. publishers
    Answer: B

59. The division of a play into major parts produces
    A. chapters B. acts C. verses D. paragraphs
    Answer: B

60. A scene is a subdivision of an
    A. act B. stanza C. chapter D. paragraph
    Answer: A

61. The narrator who uses "I" is
    A. third-person narrator B. first-person narrator C. omniscient narrator D. objective narrator
    Answer: B

62. Omniscient narrator knows
    A. one character only B. everything about characters and events C. nothing about events D. audience thoughts only
    Answer: B

63. Suspense keeps readers
    A. relaxed B. eager to know what happens next C. confused permanently D. bored
    Answer: B

64. Flashback refers to
    A. future events B. return to past events C. climax D. resolution
    Answer: B

65. Foreshadowing hints at
    A. past events B. future events C. setting only D. conflict only
    Answer: B

66. Diction refers to the writer's
    A. handwriting B. choice of words C. title D. setting
    Answer: B

67. Theme of corruption deals with
    A. misuse of power B. love only C. war only D. religion only
    Answer: A

68. Theme of betrayal involves
    A. loyalty B. breaking trust C. education D. peace
    Answer: B

69. Theme of love focuses on
    A. affection and relationships B. government only C. conflict only D. politics only
    Answer: A

70. Didactic literature aims to
    A. entertain only B. teach moral lessons C. create suspense only D. criticize leaders only
    Answer: B

71. Elegy is a poem written for
    A. celebration B. mourning the dead C. comedy D. satire
    Answer: B

72. Ode is a poem that
    A. praises a person or thing B. mocks society C. narrates history only D. tells jokes
    Answer: A

73. Sonnet consists of
    A. 10 lines B. 12 lines C. 14 lines D. 16 lines
    Answer: C

74. Ballad is usually
    A. lyrical and narrative B. dramatic only C. satirical only D. descriptive only
    Answer: A

75. Epic is a long poem about
    A. heroes and great deeds B. animals only C. romance only D. science only
    Answer: A

76. Lyric poetry expresses
    A. personal feelings B. political laws C. historical records D. scientific facts
    Answer: A

77. Protagonist means
    A. leading character B. villain C. narrator D. audience
    Answer: A

78. Antagonist is the
    A. supporter of hero B. opponent of hero C. narrator D. actor only
    Answer: B

79. Comic relief is used to
    A. increase tragedy B. reduce tension temporarily C. create conflict D. end a story
    Answer: B

80. Allegory is a story with
    A. hidden meanings B. no meaning C. direct narration only D. scientific facts only
    Answer: A

81. Motif is a recurring
    A. setting B. idea or image C. title D. chapter
    Answer: B

82. Theme differs from plot because theme is the
    A. sequence of events B. central message C. setting D. conflict
    Answer: B

83. A dynamic character
    A. never changes B. changes during the story C. is always a villain D. is always a hero
    Answer: B

84. A static character
    A. changes greatly B. remains unchanged C. narrates the story D. creates suspense
    Answer: B

85. Dialogue refers to
    A. speech between characters B. setting of a story C. narration only D. conflict only
    Answer: A

86. Monologue is a long speech by
    A. one character B. two characters C. audience D. narrator only
    Answer: A

87. Literary criticism involves
    A. analysis and evaluation of literature B. rewriting books C. printing books D. selling books
    Answer: A

88. A setting may be
    A. physical and social B. political only C. geographical only D. historical only
    Answer: A

89. Mood is created through
    A. language and imagery B. title only C. chapter arrangement only D. page length
    Answer: A

90. A foil character exists to
    A. highlight another character's qualities B. narrate events C. create setting D. write dialogue
    Answer: A

91. Theme of justice concerns
    A. fairness B. corruption C. betrayal only D. romance only
    Answer: A

92. Theme of oppression involves
    A. freedom B. unfair treatment and domination C. celebration D. loyalty
    Answer: B

93. A literary work may contain
    A. one theme only B. multiple themes C. no theme D. one character only
    Answer: B

94. Dramatic irony occurs when
    A. audience knows more than characters B. characters know more than audience C. nobody knows anything D. events are repeated
    Answer: A

95. Literary devices help to
    A. enrich meaning and style B. reduce understanding C. remove themes D. shorten plots
    Answer: A

96. An author may use symbolism to
    A. deepen meaning B. remove meaning C. avoid themes D. end stories quickly
    Answer: A

97. Setting can influence
    A. plot and characters B. title only C. author only D. audience only
    Answer: A

98. Literature reflects
    A. society and human experiences B. mathematics only C. science only D. geography only
    Answer: A

99. The study of literature develops
    A. critical thinking B. ignorance C. confusion D. illiteracy
    Answer: A

100. One major aim of literature is to
     A. entertain, educate and inform B. teach science only C. promote conflict only D. replace history
     Answer: A

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EXAM SUCCESS TIPS

• Master literary terms and definitions.
• Study figures of speech thoroughly.
• Understand themes, plot, setting, and characterization.
• Read recommended prose, drama, and poetry texts.
• Practice identifying literary devices in passages.
• Learn poetry appreciation techniques.
• Revise dramatic terms and stage conventions.
• Solve past JAMB Literature questions regularly.
• Practice under CBT timing conditions.
• Read carefully before selecting answers.