2026/2027 NECO Literature in English Questions and Answers (Objective and Prose)
Paper I
Objective Test
Instructions
- Answer all questions.
- Choose the correct answer from options A–D.
- Each question carries one mark.
1. Literature is best defined as
A. scientific writing only
B. imaginative writing that expresses human experiences and ideas
C. newspaper reporting
D. business correspondence
2. Which of the following is not a major genre of literature?
A. Drama
B. Poetry
C. Prose
D. Geography
3. A novel is a form of
A. poetry
B. prose fiction
C. drama
D. biography only
4. The main purpose of a setting in literature is to show
A. only the names of characters
B. the time, place, and environment of a story
C. the author’s biography
D. the book’s publisher
5. A character who opposes the protagonist is called the
A. narrator
B. antagonist
C. chorus
D. audience
6. The sequence of events in a literary work is known as the
A. plot
B. diction
C. imagery
D. rhythm
7. The highest point of tension in a story is the
A. exposition
B. climax
C. resolution
D. introduction
8. The final outcome of a story is called the
A. conflict
B. denouement
C. flashback
D. suspense
9. A story that teaches a moral lesson through animals is called a
A. satire
B. fable
C. lyric
D. sonnet
10. The central message of a literary work is its
A. chapter
B. theme
C. title
D. cover
11. Which literary device gives human qualities to non-living things?
A. Irony
B. Personification
C. Hyperbole
D. Euphemism
12. “The wind whispered through the trees” is an example of
A. metaphor
B. personification
C. simile
D. paradox
13. “He is as brave as a lion” illustrates
A. simile
B. irony
C. symbolism
D. climax
14. Which literary device involves deliberate exaggeration?
A. Hyperbole
B. Euphemism
C. Oxymoron
D. Pun
15. The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of nearby words is called
A. assonance
B. alliteration
C. onomatopoeia
D. rhyme
16. A play is primarily written to be
A. memorized only
B. acted before an audience
C. translated
D. summarized
17. The conversation between characters in a play is known as
A. narration
B. dialogue
C. imagery
D. stanza
18. A speech delivered by a character alone on stage to reveal inner thoughts is called a
A. chorus
B. soliloquy
C. aside
D. prologue
2026 NECO Objective & Prose – Literature in English Questions and Answers
19. A poem consisting of fourteen lines is generally known as a
A. ballad
B. ode
C. sonnet
D. elegy
20. The regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry is known as
A. meter
B. symbolism
C. prose
D. conflict
21. The narrator who uses “I” and tells the story from personal experience is using
- A. third-person narration
- B. first-person narration
- C. omniscient narration
- D. dramatic narration
22. A narrator who knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters is called
- A. limited narrator
- B. unreliable narrator
- C. omniscient narrator
- D. objective narrator
23. The atmosphere or emotional feeling created in a literary work is known as the
- A. plot
- B. mood
- C. climax
- D. setting
24. The author’s attitude toward a subject or character is referred to as the
- A. theme
- B. tone
- C. conflict
- D. diction
25. A return to an earlier event in a story is called
- A. foreshadowing
- B. suspense
- C. flashback
- D. climax
26. A hint about what may happen later in a story is known as
- A. irony
- B. foreshadowing
- C. satire
- D. symbolism
27. Which of the following is a form of conflict?
- A. Character vs. Character
- B. Character vs. Self
- C. Character vs. Society
- D. All of the above
28. The choice of words used by a writer is called
- A. diction
- B. imagery
- C. meter
- D. conflict
29. Words that imitate natural sounds are examples of
- A. alliteration
- B. metaphor
- C. onomatopoeia
- D. irony
30. “The classroom was a zoo” is an example of
- A. simile
- B. metaphor
- C. personification
- D. hyperbole
31. A poem that expresses personal feelings and emotions is called a
- A. lyric poem
- B. dramatic poem
- C. epic poem
- D. narrative poem
32. A long narrative poem that celebrates heroic deeds is an
- A. ode
- B. elegy
- C. epic
- D. sonnet
33. A poem written in memory of a dead person is called an
- A. ode
- B. elegy
- C. lyric
- D. ballad
34. The group of lines in a poem is called a
- A. paragraph
- B. chapter
- C. stanza
- D. scene
35. A play that ends in the downfall of the main character is a
- A. comedy
- B. farce
- C. tragedy
- D. pantomime
36. A humorous play with a happy ending is generally called a
- A. tragedy
- B. comedy
- C. elegy
- D. satire
37. Instructions in a play that tell actors how to move, speak, or behave are called
- A. dialogues
- B. stage directions
- C. monologues
- D. prologues
38. A character’s long speech directed to another character or the audience is called a
- A. soliloquy
- B. aside
- C. monologue
- D. chorus
39. The process by which a writer reveals the personality of a character is known as
- A. symbolism
- B. characterization
- C. narration
- D. exposition
40. A literary work that uses ridicule to criticize human weaknesses or social problems is called
- A. satire
- B. tragedy
- C. epic
- D. lyric
2026 NECO Objective & Prose – Literature in English Questions and Answers
41.
The lesson or moral that a literary work communicates is known as the
A. conflict
B. theme
C. suspense
D. plot
42.
A work of literature that tells a story using ordinary language is classified as
A. prose
B. poetry
C. drama
D. rhetoric
43.
A short prose narrative with few characters and a single major event is called a
A. novella
B. short story
C. biography
D. autobiography
44.
The struggle between opposing forces in a literary work is known as
A. characterization
B. conflict
C. atmosphere
D. setting
45.
A surprise ending that is contrary to the reader’s expectation is an example of
A. irony
B. climax
C. flashback
D. exposition
46.
Words or expressions that appeal to the senses are examples of
A. symbolism
B. imagery
C. satire
D. irony
47.
Which of the following is an example of verbal irony?
A. Saying “What a beautiful day!” during a heavy storm.
B. A lion roaring in the forest.
C. A bird building a nest.
D. A child laughing happily.
48.
The person who tells the story in a literary work is called the
A. protagonist
B. narrator
C. antagonist
D. playwright
49.
A literary work written to record the life of another person is known as a
A. diary
B. autobiography
C. biography
D. memoir
50.
A speech made by a character directly to the audience while other characters are assumed not to hear is called
A. soliloquy
B. aside
C. dialogue
D. prologue
51.
The careful arrangement of words for artistic effect is referred to as
A. style
B. conflict
C. plot
D. mood
52.
The opposite of a protagonist in a literary work is the
A. narrator
B. antagonist
C. audience
D. chorus
53.
Which literary device involves comparing two unlike things without using “like” or “as”?
A. Simile
B. Hyperbole
C. Metaphor
D. Euphemism
54.
The expression “The stars danced across the sky” illustrates
A. personification
B. irony
C. symbolism
D. oxymoron
55.
A recurring object, idea, or image that carries symbolic meaning throughout a literary work is called a
A. motif
B. stanza
C. chapter
D. paragraph
56.
The division of a play into major parts is known as
A. scenes
B. acts
C. verses
D. stanzas
57.
In drama, a scene usually changes when there is a change in
A. title
B. publisher
C. location or time
D. author
58.
The emotional release experienced by the audience after the climax of a tragedy is known as
A. catharsis
B. climax
C. suspense
D. exposition
59.
Which of the following best describes a dynamic character?
A. A character who never changes.
B. A character who develops or changes during the story.
C. A character who appears only once.
D. A character without dialogue.
60.
One major function of literature in society is to
A. entertain, educate, and preserve culture
B. replace scientific knowledge
C. eliminate cultural traditions
D. discourage critical thinking
2026 NECO Objective & Prose – Literature in English Questions and Answers
Paper II
Prose Section
Instructions to Candidates
- Answer all questions.
- Read the passage carefully before answering.
- Support your answers with evidence from the passage where appropriate.
Prose Passage
As the first rays of sunlight spread across the village, the market square slowly came alive. Traders arranged their goods neatly on wooden tables while customers moved from one stall to another in search of the best bargains. Among them was Tunde, a hardworking young man who had inherited his father’s small grocery shop after his father’s death.
Although the business was modest, Tunde believed that honesty and perseverance would eventually bring success. He refused to cheat customers even when other traders increased prices unfairly. His integrity earned him the trust of many villagers, who preferred buying from his shop.
One afternoon, a wealthy businessman visited the market and observed Tunde’s dedication. Impressed by his sincerity and excellent customer service, the businessman offered him financial assistance to expand the shop. Within a few years, the small grocery store grew into one of the largest supermarkets in the town.
Tunde never forgot the struggles that shaped his journey. He regularly donated food and school materials to less privileged children and encouraged young entrepreneurs to remain hardworking, patient, and honest regardless of life’s difficulties.
Questions
Question 1
Identify the setting of the passage.
Model Answer
The setting is a village market that later develops into a growing town where Tunde operates his grocery business.
Explanation:
The passage opens by describing activities in the village market square, making it clear where the events occur.
Question 2
Who is the protagonist in the passage?
Model Answer
The protagonist is Tunde.
Explanation:
He is the central character around whom the events of the story revolve.
Question 3
Mention three qualities possessed by Tunde.
Model Answer
Tunde is:
- Honest
- Hardworking
- Patient
Other acceptable qualities include:
- Trustworthy
- Generous
- Dedicated
- Persevering
Explanation:
These traits are demonstrated through his refusal to cheat customers, commitment to his business, and willingness to help others.
Question 4
Why did customers prefer buying from Tunde’s shop?
Model Answer
Customers preferred buying from Tunde because he was honest, treated them fairly, and did not exploit them by charging unfair prices.
Explanation:
His integrity earned the confidence and loyalty of the villagers.
Question 5
What led to the expansion of Tunde’s business?
Model Answer
A wealthy businessman noticed Tunde’s honesty and dedication and provided him with financial assistance to expand his business.
Explanation:
The businessman rewarded Tunde’s good character after observing how he served customers.
Question 6
State the major theme of the passage.
Model Answer
The major theme is the rewards of honesty and hard work.
Other acceptable themes include:
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Kindness
- Success through diligence
Explanation:
The story shows that honesty and perseverance eventually lead to success and recognition.
Question 7
Identify two moral lessons from the passage.
Model Answer
- Honesty builds trust and long-term success.
- Hard work and perseverance can lead to greater opportunities.
Other acceptable lessons include:
- Success should be used to help others.
- Good character attracts support and respect.
Question 8
Suggest a suitable title for the passage.
Model Answer
Any suitable title that reflects the central idea may be accepted, for example:
- The Reward of Honesty
- Honesty Pays
- From a Small Shop to Success
- The Honest Trader
- Integrity Brings Success
Explanation:
Each title captures the passage’s focus on honesty, perseverance, and eventual success.
