PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SECONDARY EXAMINATION SERIES

FORM FOUR MID TERM EXAMINATION - 2025

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

TIME: HOURS                                                    MARCH-APRIL, 2025

Instructions

1.   This paper consists of sections A, B and C with a total of eleven (11) questions.
2.   Answer all questions in sections A and B and two (2) questions from section C.
3.   Section A carries sixteen (16) marks, Section B carries fifty-four (54) marks and Section C carries thirty (30) marks.
4.   Cellular phones and any unauthorized materials are not allowed in the examination room.
5.   Write your Examination number on every page of your answer sheet(s). 

SECTION A (16 MARKS)

Answer all questions in this section

1.   For each of the item (i) - (x), choose the correct answer from among the given alternatives and write its letter beside the item number in the answer sheet provided.

i. A person whose profession is to express opinions about the good and bad qualities of books, music, or who examines and judges the qualities of literary works?

A. Critic              

B. Director            

C. Playwright              

D. Comedian  

E. Author 

ii. What does this poetic live stand for?  “Ten bucks you say I owe you?”

A. Irony               

B. Litotes               

C. Sarcasm               

D. Paradox  

E. Rhetorical question 

iii. Which of the following examples best shows metaphor?

A. Ashura became an angel on her wedding ceremony

B. Mwajabu is as fast as a snake

C. Baroka was like a lion in the story

D. Juma is like a giraffe 

E. The Indian hair is like the grass

iv. Identify the type of poetry which is composed to be sung for a dead person. 

A. Didactic poetry      

B. Epic poetry         

C. Ode poetry  

D. Sonnet poetry        

E. Elegy poems

v. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which words are contradicting. Which of the following is not an oxymoron?

A.They are coming like buzzing bees

B. She is in hateful love 

C.The fire cold completion has begun 

D. We played a bittersweet game yesterday 

E. If you want peace prepare for war

vi. A number of actors acted a film on the stage, whereby Kaligo started using his body movement and facial expression to convey a message without speaking. This refers to as..............

A. Creation            

B. Point amine                 

C. Acting                 

D. Mime  

E. Aside

vii. I walked around the town and find the poster with the statement, "The dog of the king, is the king of other dogs" I stared at that poster and asked to myself why they used those words and i decided to walk away. In literature the statements of such kind are known as........

A. Idioms               

B. Analogy                 

C. Proverbs                

D. Sayings 

E. Riddles

viii. A participant in a story who is described by another participant or an author is known as: 

A. Stock character            

B. Eponymous character            

C. Expository character 

D. Flat character

E. Round character 

ix. Artists include……

A. a poetess      

B. a literary writer      

C. a person who presents his ideas, emotions and social issues artistically to warn, educate or criticize.

D. Singers                        

E. all are answers

x. Is the act of directly addressing either the audience or some of the characters present on the stage?

A. Prompt             

B. Aside              

C. Contrast             

D. Stage direction  

E. Dramatizing

2.   Match the descriptions of poetic terms in List A with the correct terms in List B by writing the letter of the correct response beside the corresponding item number in the answer sheet(s) provided.

SECTION B (54 Marks)

Answer all questions in this section

3.   The following statements hold functions of literature in the society, mention which function is portrayed in each of the statement

1.    If you marry him, sure I tell you, you will regret …………
2.   How come a civil servant is drinking alcohol during working hours ...................
3.    If you want to harvest plenty of maize, you have to apply fertilizer at least three times, clean the farm and sleeping while watching it …………………
4.   This type of food, the way we greet each other, were practiced by our ancestors, we will not stop until the coming generation does the same ……………
5.    I like the way that artist dresses, speaks, sings, dances and walks.  It is real interesting ………
6.     Amina likes visiting diamond hall every weekend to watch comedy show organized by famous comedian like Joti and Masanja. At the end of the show she returns home happily with a lot of joy ……

4.   Compose a poem of two stanzas by using the following poetic devices

1.    Irregular rhyme
2.   Anaphora
3.    Alliteration
4.   Hyperbole
5.    Personification
6.     Imagery

5.   Write the correct answer for each of the following

1.    Why is title important in literary works?
2.   Why literature uses literal language to portray the intended messages?
3.    Why is poetic diction applied in poetry?
4.   Why most poets prefer to use repetition in their works?
5.    Why is climax important in the development of plot in any literary works?
6.     Why literature is an art?

6.   “Science and Technology have been a blessing to many sectors including education sector, but a disgrace to oral literature”. In six points support the statement.

7.   Give the meaning of the following literary terms:

1.    Ordinary language
2.   Literary devices
3.    Characterization
4.   Dirge
5.    Novella
6.     Rhythm

8.   Explain six (6) unique features that deviates poetry from a novel?

SECTION C (30 Marks)

Answer two questions in this section

9.   With no doubt you come across with Amope of  “The trials of brother jero”  and Sidi of  “The lion and the jewel”  what three motives (each from one character) would you be motivated in? And why?
10. “Figures of speech not only color the poems but have essential usefulness to the readers” verify the statement above by using two poems.
11. “For any justice and righteous community to be into being someone must sacrifice himself or herself for the wellbeing of the minority”. By using two novels covered under this section, justify the above statement by using three points from each reading.

PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SECONDARY EXAMINATION SERIES

MID TERM EXAMINATION AUG/SEPT 2024

FORM FOUR LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

Time  3HRS

INSTRUCTIONS

1.               This paper consists of three section A, B and C
2.               Answer all questions in section A and B and only two questions in section C
3.               Write  your name on every  page of your sheet

SECTION A (16 Marks)

  Answer all questions in this section.

1. For each of the items  (i)-(x), choose  the correct answer among the given alternatives and   

     write its letter beside the item number in the answer booklet provided

i) Joshua read a play called “Kinjeketile” which addresses the event of “The Majimaji war” that really happened in the history of the then Tanganyika involving the southern tribes under the leadership of Kinjeketile Ngwale. What kind of a play did he read?

1.              Melo drama.
2.               Tragic comedy drama.
3.              Tragedy drama.
4.             Historical drama.
5.               Comedy drama.

ii) The beauty is brought into literature through language. This beauty found in literature 

     is referred as                                                                                                                                             

1.              Creativity
2.               Message
3.              Art
4.             Aesthetic
5.               Society

iii) ‘He wasn’t slow to accept the offer’ – meaning he was quick to accept the offer. This 

      statement best describes:- 

1.              A personi?cation.
2.               An overstatement.
3.              A litotes.
4.             An understatement.
5.               An irony.

     iv)    One of the following is not a feature of oral literature

1.              it is expressed through the word of mouth
2.               it existed before the invention of writing
3.              it relies on the story teller who performs it in front of the audience
4.             it has only three genres
5.               it involves actual communication between performer and the audience

v) Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan describes Dr Ally Hassan Mwinyi’s life. This writing is an example of:- 

1.              Fiction
2.               Episode
3.              Epic
4.             Autobiography
5.               Biography

vi) A somber song or lament expressing mourning or grief, such as would be appropriate for performance at a funeral is called:-

1.              Ode
2.               Dirge
3.              Epic
4.             Iamb
5.               Lyric

vii) In a play “The lion and the jewel” the beautiful girl of ilujinle “Sidi” is invited by the village Chief Baroka to sup with him, she is blackmailed by him that he is impotent and so she agrees, though ?nally she ?nd out that Baroka is not impotent as she is raped. Which of the literary terms below best describes the scenario existed?

1.              Point of view
2.               Verbal irony
3.              Situational irony
4.             Satire
5.               Dramatic irony

viii) Last week our Literature in English teacher asked every one of us to write a story that explains why tortoise’s shell is not smooth. What type of oral narratives did the teacher tell us to write?

1.              Fable
2.               Folklore
3.              Folktale
4.             Myth
5.               Legend

ix) When I was in Form Three, I read a novel in which the author had used witches, elves, goblins, sorcerers, dwarves and fairies as its characters. What kind of novel is this?

1.              Mystery
2.               Fantasy
3.              Romantic
4.             Science ?ction
5.               Historical

x) The following are the importance of stage directions in a play or drama except:-

1.              They help the playwright to instruct the actors or actresses on what to do while on stage.
2.               They help the reader to understand the play, characters and setting of the play.
3.              They provide privacy to the actors/actresses
4.             They describe how characters should feel and show their feelings.
5.               They indicate when and how the characters enter and exit.

2. Match the descriptions in LIST A with the corresponding common terms used in plays in LIST B by writing the letter of the correct response beside the item number in the answer booklet(s) provided.

SECTION B (54 marks)

Answer all questions in this section

3.  Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:

    Time of Martyrdom           - David Diop.

    The white killed my father

    My father was proud

    The white raped my mother

    My mother was beautiful.

     The white beat my brother under the sun of the roads

     My brother was strong

     The white turned with black blood.

     His hands red with black blood.

     And said in his master’s voice

     “Boy” an easy chair, a towel, water!

                    QUESTIONS.

1.                  What is the poem about?
2.                 What type of poem is this? Give a reason to your answer.
3.                  Briefly explain two themes found in the poem.
4.                 Briefly explain two poetic devices used in the poem
5.                  Is this poem relevant to your society?
6.                    What is the tittle of the poem?

4. What are the possible challenges facing oral literature as a result of the advancement of science and technology? Give six (6) points.

5. Write the correct answer for each of the items (a) – (f) in the answer booklet provided.

1.                  Why is the title of the literary work important?
2.                 What makes literature inseparable from the society?
3.                  How can allusion be applied in a literally works?
4.                 Why do poets use simile in their works?
5.                  Why do writers use personification in their works?
6.                    How is the style important to a novelist?

6. Explain six (6) basic features that differentiate play from other genres.

7. Write short answer for each of the item (a) – (f) in the answer booklet provided:

1.                  The most existing part of event of a narrative in which suspense and tension are resolved.
2.                 A short interesting story about a real person or event.
3.                  A puzzling question, statement or description especially one which intends to test the respondents cleverness.
4.                 Displays of humor whose words I narratives or dialogue make the audience laugh.
5.                  Why is the exposition important in the development of plot in a literary work?
6.                    When the author uses Flashback as one of the techniques of literature. How does her/ his work expected to be?

8.  As Form four student you have met your friend James who is studying Literature in English in Form three but he is not able to distinguish the following literary concept. How can you help him by giving him relevant examples?

1.                  Play and Drama
2.                 Fiction and non fiction
3.                  Ordinary language and consonance
4.                 Poet and persona
5.                  Figurative language and Literal language
6.                    Poetic license and Poetic devices

SECTION C: (30)Marks

Answer two (2) questions from this section.

9. Analyse the use of musical/sound devices in two poems you have read and appreciated. Give three points from each poem.

10. With reference of THE DILEMA OF THE GHOST and THE LION AND JEWEL, Culture is said to be dynamic, there are some of traditions and customs which are outdated, do you agree or disagree? prove your arguments with the support of the books. (Give 03-points for each).

11. With reference from TWO novels you have read, choose two PROTAGONISTS one from each book and show why we should sympathize with them (Give 03-points from each character).

THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FORM FOUR MID TERM EXAMINATION 

MARCH, 2023

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

TIME 3:00 HRS

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This paper consists of section A, B and C
2. Answer all questions in section A and B and three (3) questions from section C
3. Section A carry 15 marks, B carry 40 marks and section C carry 45 marks

SECTION A (15 Marks)

1. Choose the correct answer among the given alternatives.

1. Is all about the beauty of literature that is to say how something is formed for purpose of attracting reader or audience

1. Literature
2. Poetry
3. Creativity
4. Imagination

2. The following are the relationship between language and literature EXCEPT.

1. Language is the medium of communication through which literature express it self
2. It is language that makes literature beautiful
3. Literature helps to increase number of words in a language
4. Literature educates society

3. These are stories which re originated in ancient time especially those one dealing with ideas or beliefs

1. Legends
2. Folk tale
3. Myths
4. Fables

4. Is a puzzle whose meaning is hidden

1. Proverbs
2. Sayings
3. Anecdote
4. Riddles

5. When the author uses first person point of view it means

1. He or she is a participant in a story
2. Is not a participant in a story
3. Is nothing in the story
4. Is there for purpose in the story

6. Kick the bucket, it means someone died this is an example of

1. Chants
2. Proverbs
3. Idiom
4. Riddle

7. Is a prose narrative which is shorter than a Novel restricted in characterization and situation

1. Novella
2. Short story
3. Fiction
4. Point of view

8. Naomi is performing a drama in front of the class, while she is performing the whole class, laugh from the beginning to the end of performance. Which type of drama is this?

1. Comedy drama
2. Tragedy drama
3. Melo drama
4. Tragic comedy

9. Is the piece of information which express deep feelings and emotion in stanza and verse form

1. Poet
2. Poem
3. Poetry
4. Persona

10. It refers to the choice and arrangement of words in a poem.

1. Language use
2. Poetic diction
3. Characteristics of poetry
4. Tradition poetry.

2. Match the items in List A with correct responses in List B by writing the letter of the correct response in the answer sheet provided

SECTION B (40 Marks)

3. Define the following literary terms

1. Euphemism
2. Hyperbole
3. Allusion
4. Symbolism
5. Metaphor

4. Read the following poem and then answer the questions that follow

The shaped women – By Charles Mloka 

She has a long neck like the head of giraffe,

She has lovely eyes attracting sex,

She has beautifully black body like the mahogany log;

She has lively legs majestically walking, 

She has smiling face greeted by everyone,

She nicely dressed looking like an angel,

She is really shaped, my God! Her eyes!

She is well formed, my God! her hollow cheeks!

She is really shaped, my God! Her ngudi!

She is well formed, whenever I see her I fall sick,

She walks as if the floor doesn’t touch her,

When she laughs you think she winks you,

When she cries you also break into tears, 

She is really shaped there is no model of hers.

 Questions

1. Briefly explain what the poem is about?
2. Briefly explain two literary devices found in the poem
3. What does it mean by the poet to say the Simile – she is “Looking like an Angel”
4. Which figure of speech fit in the verse which says “She walks as if the floor doesn’t touch her”
5. Is the poem relevant to our society? Give a reason for your answer

5. Write the correct answer for each of the item (a) – (e) in the answer sheet provided.

1. When a playwright uses mime as one of the devices of literature, how are his or her character expected to behave in the literary work?
2. Why is aesthetic important in a work of art? Briefly explain.
3. What is the major function of a setting in a literary work?
4. Why poetry employ economy of words? Brief explain.
5. Brief explain the third person point of view

6. Write short answer for each of the following item (a) – (e) in the answer sheet provided.

1. Why is the resolution important in the development of plot of a literary work? Brief explain
2. Why is foreshadowing used in drama or novels?
3. How is the dynamic character developed?
4. Using the concept of characterization, briefly explain the statement that “The novelist is a creator”
5. Why is diction important in literature? Briefly explain.

SECTION C (45 Marks)

Answer 3 questions from this section. Question number 7 and 10 are compulsory

LIST OF READINGS

Plays

• The Lion and the Jewel - Soyinka, W.
• Trials of Brother Jero - Soyinka, W.
• The Dilemma of a Ghost - Aidoo, A.A.
• The Government Inspector - Gogol,N.

Novels

• A Walk in the Night and Other Stories - Guma,A
• Houseboy - Oyono, F.
• The Old Man and the Medal - Oyono,F.
• The Concubine - Amadi, E.

Poetry

• Selected poem - Tanzani Institute of Education 
• Growing up with poetry - David Rubadiri

7. If you were given a chance to advice two main characters from any two novels read under this programme, what advice would you give for their betterment in life? Give three points from each novel

8. Choose two main characters from two novels and show how they reflect our everyday life situation. Write three points from each novel.

9. “With reference to the play ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ by Wole Soyinka and ‘The Trials of Brother Jero’ by Wole Soyinka, from each play analyse three themes that are found in each play and state reasons for choosing those themes.

10. Use different themes from two different poems and show their relevance to the present day Tanzania. Give three points for each

1. verse and regular rhythm
2. Regular and irregular rhythm
3. verse and regular rhythm
4. Verse and stanza

(viii) Onomatopeiaare sounds through

1. Cries
2. Imitation of people's walking
3. Imitation of sound.
4. Imitation of animal cries.

(ix) Whats is flashback?

1. Refers to articulation of words artistically
2. An interruption of the chronological sequence of events in a story
3. Is the mirror of the society in which produced
4. An interruption of people to the author.

(x )Which is the most correct answer for "Written literature" :

1. started during the invention of writings
2. started before Christ.
3. started after man started to walk by two limbs.
4. started during the existence man

2. Matching items. (5 marks)

Match the following item against column A and that in column B.

SECTION B( 40 MARKS)

SHORT ANSWERS

Answer all questions in this section.

3. What is literature? With examples describe (8) functions of literature in the society

4. What makes poetry peculiar from other genres of literature give 5 points.

5. Differentiate ordinary language from literary language. (05 points).

6. Write short notes on the following:

1. Imagery
2. Flat Character
3. Dramatic Character
4. Symbolism
5. Archaism

SECTION C (45 MARKS) 

POETRY, NOVEL AND PLAY 

Answer three questions from this section. 

Answer question 7 ,8 and choose one 01 from either 9 or 10

7. Use two NOVELS to show how the novelist have used the characters to convey the themes to their society. (Give 03-points from each poem)

8. With reference of THE DILEMA OF THE GHOST and THE LION AND THE JEWEL, Culture is said to be dynamic, there are some of traditions and customs which are outdated, do you agree or disagree ? prove your arguments with the support of the books. (Give 03-points for each)

9. With reference from TWO novels you have read, choose two PROTAGONISTS one from each book and show why should we sympathize with them (Give 03-points from each character).

10. Use the two poems "A FREEDOM SONG and BUILDING THE NATION" to show how the two poems have delivered the messages to the society. (Give 03-points from each poem)

THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FORM FOUR MID TERM EXAMINATION

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

Time: 3 Hours2022

Instructions

1. This paper consists of sections A, B and C with a total of ten (10) questions.

2. Answer all questions from sections A and B and three (3) questions from section C of which questions 7 and 8 are compulsory.

3. Section A carries fifteen (15) marks, section B forty (40) marks and section C carries forty five (45) marks.

4. Cellular phones and any unauthorized materials are not allowed in the examination room.

5. Write your Examination Number on every page of your answer booklet(s).

SECTION A (15 Marks)

Answer all questions in this section

1. For each of the items (i) - (x), choose the correct answer from among the given alternatives and write its letter beside the item number in the answer booklet provided.

(i) “She called his name a million times” is best referred to ____ in a literary work

1. Refrain
2. Personification
3. Hyperbole
4. Assonance
5. Legend

(ii) One of the following types of drama makes the reader happy after reading the work of art, which one is it?

1. Rhyming pattern
2. Comedy
3. Tragedy
4. Tragic Drama
5. Historical drama

(iii) One of the following statements explains the functions of literature which one is it?

1. Literature is interested in individual lifestyle of people
2. Literature talks badly of politicians
3. Literature educates the society
4. Literature praises people who did well in the past
5. Literature uses animals and inanimate things to represent human characteristics

(iv) Caleb wanted to write a story about Hillary, he opted to use animals to express characters of Hillary. What kind of literary terms best describes this narrative?

1. Legend
2. Anecdote
3. Hyperbole
4. Oral literature
5. Fable

(v) When reading a literary work, and meet the word “she behaved like a queen”. What literary term has been provoked here?

A. Simile B. Metaphor C. Assonance D. Alliteration E. Flashback

(vi) Which one of the following group of words make up literature?

1. Language, figures of speech, society
2. Society, genres, language
3. Language, art, genre
4. Society, art, language
5. Novels, poetry, play

(vii) The literary term “The world swallowed him” can be said to fall under which literary terminology?

1. Alliteration
2. Personification
3. Symbol
4. Anecdote
5. Sarcasm

(viii) One of the following elements of literature belongs to content, which one is it?

1. Plot
2. Language use
3. Character
4. Flashback
5. Theme

(ix) One of the following terminologies is used in poetry, which one is it?

1. Stage
2. Personal
3. Author
4. Plot
5. Rhythm

(x) _____ explains a situation whereby conflict is reached

1. Crisis
2. Climax
3. Resolution
4. Exposition
5. Solution

2. Match the descriptions in List A with the corresponding type of character in List B by writing the letter of the correct response beside the item number in the answer booklet provided

SECTION B (40 Marks)

Answer all questions in this section

3. Give very short notes, with examples, for the following literary terminologies

(a) Persona

(b) Onomatopoeia

(c) Play

(d) Act

(e) Prose

4. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow

TIME by Alicia Green

Who was I before?

I don’t remember

Nor do I want to

Remember a time without you

Where was I before?

I don’t remember

I just know

When I found you

I had come home

Questions

1. Who is the persona in this poem? Justify your answer
2. What is this poem about?
3. Comment on the language use, in this poem
4. How has rhetoric question been used in this poem?
5. What message does the poem carry?

5. Compare and contrast the following literary terms

1. Expository character and dramatic character
2. Form and content
3. Biography and autobiography
4. Assonance and alliteration
5. Hypocrisy and exploitation

6. Provide one literary word for the following group of words

1. Metonymy, alliteration, simile
2. Fable, myth, legend
3. Climax, crisis, resolution
4. Themes, message, relevance
5. Exploitation, Hypocrisy, love

SECTION C (45 Marks)

Answer three (3) questions from this section

Answer question 9 and 10 and choose one (1) from either question 7 or 8

LIST OF READINGS

Plays

The Lion and the Jewel - Soyinka, W.

The Trials of Brother Jero - Soyinka, W.

The Dilemma of a Ghost - Aidoo, A.A.

The Government Inspector - Gogol, N.

Novels

A Walk in the Night and Other Stories - Guma, A.

Houseboy - Oyono, F.

The Old Man and the Medal - Oyono, F.

The Concubine - Amadi, E.

Poetry

Selected poem - Tanzania Institute of Education

Growing up with poetry - David Rubadiri

7. Use one novel and make critical appreciation of it
8. Some characters are good at directing blames on people and situation whenever they fail to take individual responsibilities of their own actions. Use two characters, each from one novel and explain this statement in details
9. How can the literary term “relevance” be justified in any of the two plays you have attempted? Give three points from each of the two plays you have studied under this section to support your answer.
10. With the aid of two plays “The Lion and the Jewel” written by Wole Soyinka and “The Dilemma of A Ghost “written by Christina Ata Aidoo, explain how marriage is viewed in relation to our African setting. Give three points for each reading.