WAEC 2026 Literature-In-English Questions and Answers (OBJ & Essay) – May/June

WAEC 2026 Literature-In-English Questions and Answers (OBJ & Essay) – May/June

Preparing for the WAEC 2026 Literature-In-English obj and essay questions and answers – May/June requires a solid understanding of literary texts, genres, and critical appreciation skills. This guide provides you with likely objective and essay questions along with well-structured answers to help you excel in your examination.

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WAEC 2026 Literature-In-English Questions and Answers (OBJ & Essay) – May/June SECTION A: OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (20)

Choose the correct answer from the options A–D.

1. Literature is best defined as
   A. Scientific writing
   B. Imaginative expression of life
   C. Historical documentation
   D. Mathematical analysis
   Answer: B

2. A tragedy is a play that
   A. Ends happily
   B. Contains songs only
   C. Ends in sorrow or catastrophe
   D. Is written in prose
   Answer: C

3. The main character in a literary work is called
   A. Antagonist
   B. Protagonist
   C. Narrator
   D. Chorus
   Answer: B

4. A poem of fourteen lines is known as
   A. Ode
   B. Ballad
   C. Sonnet
   D. Epic
   Answer: C

5. The opposite of a protagonist is
   A. Villain
   B. Antagonist
   C. Hero
   D. Actor
   Answer: B

6. “The wind whispered softly” is an example of
   A. Simile
   B. Metaphor
   C. Personification
   D. Irony
   Answer: C

7. A narrative poem that tells a story is called
   A. Ode
   B. Ballad
   C. Lyric
   D. Sonnet
   Answer: B

8. Drama is primarily meant to be
   A. Read silently
   B. Sung loudly
   C. Performed on stage
   D. Written in verse only
   Answer: C

9. The use of “like” or “as” in comparison is
   A. Metaphor
   B. Simile
   C. Irony
   D. Euphemism
   Answer: B

10. A story with animal characters is called
    A. Myth
    B. Fable
    C. Legend
    D. Epic
    Answer: B

11. The setting of a story refers to
    A. Characters
    B. Plot
    C. Time and place
    D. Theme
    Answer: C

12. A brief story with a moral lesson is
    A. Novel
    B. Epic
    C. Fable
    D. Ode
    Answer: C

13. The emotional quality of a literary work is called
    A. Tone
    B. Plot
    C. Setting
    D. Style
    Answer: A

14. A play written in verse form is
    A. Prose drama
    B. Tragic drama
    C. Verse drama
    D. Comic drama
    Answer: C

15. A long narrative poem about heroic deeds is
    A. Ode
    B. Epic
    C. Lyric
    D. Sonnet
    Answer: B

16. The sequence of events in a story is
    A. Theme
    B. Plot
    C. Setting
    D. Tone
    Answer: B

17. Irony occurs when
    A. Words mean the opposite
    B. Words are repeated
    C. Words rhyme
    D. Words are exaggerated
    Answer: A

18. A humorous play is called
    A. Tragedy
    B. Comedy
    C. Epic
    D. Farce
    Answer: B

19. A writer of a poem is called
    A. Author
    B. Poet
    C. Playwright
    D. Critic
    Answer: B

20. The central idea of a literary work is
    A. Plot
    B. Theme
    C. Tone
    D. Style
    Answer: B

WAEC 2026 Literature-In-English OBJECTIVE Questions and Answers – May/June SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (20)

1. Define literature.

Answer: Literature is the imaginative and creative expression of human experiences, thoughts, and emotions through written or spoken language.

2. Mention the three major genres of literature.

Answer: Prose, Poetry, and Drama.

3. Explain the term “plot.”

Answer: Plot is the arrangement of events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

4. What is a theme?

Answer: Theme is the central message or idea conveyed in a literary work.

5. Define character and characterization.

Answer: Character refers to individuals in a story, while characterization is how the writer develops and portrays them.

6. What is poetry?

Answer: Poetry is a form of literature that uses rhythm, imagery, and figurative language to express ideas and emotions.

7. Explain drama.

Answer: Drama is a form of literature meant for performance on stage, involving dialogue and action.

8. What is a metaphor?

Answer: A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”

9. Differentiate between tragedy and comedy.

Answer: Tragedy ends in sorrow, often involving the downfall of the hero, while comedy ends happily and aims to entertain.

10. What is setting?

Answer: Setting refers to the time and place in which a story occurs.

11. Define irony.

Answer: Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning is different from the actual meaning.

12. What is a sonnet?

Answer: A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.

13. Explain the term “narrator.”

Answer: A narrator is the person or voice telling the story.

14. What is personification?

Answer: Personification is giving human qualities to non-human objects.

15. Define prose.

Answer: Prose is ordinary written language without metrical structure.

16. What is conflict in literature?

Answer: Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces in a story.

17. Explain the term “tone.”

Answer: Tone is the writer’s attitude toward the subject or audience.

18. What is an epic?

Answer: An epic is a long narrative poem about heroic deeds.

19. Define imagery.

Answer: Imagery is the use of descriptive language to create mental pictures.

20. What is a fable?

Answer: A fable is a short story, often with animals, that teaches a moral lesson.