National Examinations Council
NECO Literature in English · Paper II — Drama & Poetry
Sat on a separate day.
8 exam-style questions, written to the National Examinations Council format and free to read. The answers are here too — what they do not tell you is how many you would get right with a clock running.
1. (a) Define a tragic hero. [4 marks]
(b) Explain five characteristics of a tragic hero. [10 marks]
(c) State three functions of the chorus in classical tragedy. [6 marks]
2. (a) Define stanza and state what is meant by a rhyme scheme. [5 marks]
(b) Explain five common poetic forms, stating one feature of each. [10 marks]
(c) State three effects of rhythm on a poem. [5 marks]
3. (a) Define stage direction. [3 marks]
(b) Explain five elements of stagecraft that contribute to a production. [10 marks]
(c) State four differences between a play read and a play performed. [7 marks]
4. (a) What is the persona in a poem? [4 marks]
(b) Explain five ways in which the persona shapes a reader's understanding. [10 marks]
(c) State three differences between the persona and the poet. [6 marks]
5. (a) Define soliloquy and state its purpose in drama. [5 marks]
(b) Explain five differences between a soliloquy and an aside. [10 marks]
(c) State three effects a soliloquy has on an audience. [5 marks]
6. (a) What is comic relief? [4 marks]
(b) Explain five ways a dramatist creates humour in a play. [10 marks]
(c) State three differences between farce and satire. [6 marks]
Reading these is not the same as sitting them.
Every question above is answerable given time. The exam does not give you time. Sit the whole paper on the real clock and the number you get back is the one that means something.
Sit it against the clock — freeExampaper is an independent study service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WAEC, NECO, JAMB or any examination body. Exam names and subject titles are used only to describe what each paper is for.