PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE,  REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FORM FOUR TERMINAL EXAMINATION 

Code:024 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

TIME: 3:00HR MAY 2026

Instructions

1. This paper consists of three 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. Question 10 is compulsory.
3. Section A carries sixteen (16) marks, section B carries fifty four (54) marks and section C carries thirty (30) marks.
4. Cellularphones and any unauthorized materials are not allowed in the examination room.
5. All writings should be in blue or black ink while drawings should be in pencil.
6. Write your Examination Number on every page of your answer booklet(s)

SECTION A(16 Marks)

Answer all questions fromthis section

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

(i) Our literature teacher asked form three students to arrange the events when composing a story. Unfortunately, the students were not aware of it. He decided to call you as a form four student to help them. How would you arrange the events properly?

1. Exposition, Rising action, Falling action ,Climax, Resolution
2. Exposition, Falling action, Rising action, Denouement, Climax
3. Exposition, Falling action, Climax, Rising action, Resolution
4. Exposition, Rising action,Climax,Fallingaction,Denouement 
5. Exposition,Climax,Rising action, Falling action, Resolution

(ii) The following are the importance of stage directions in a play or drama except  

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

(iii) If characters in literary works make mistakes which lead them to problems, such experiences make us cautious once we face a similar situation that is likely to lead us to make the same mistake. What function of literature is this?

1. Criticizing
2. Educating
3. Influencing
4. Entertaining
5. Liberating

(iv) Professor Kigwa composed a poem that expresses strong feelings about a personwho lost his two sons as a result of cruelty done by some top leaders in his society. How do we technically call the kind of poem composed by Professor Kitope?

1. Epic poem
2. Lyric poem
3. Sonnet poem
4. Didactic poem
5. Dramatic poem

(v) In his novel “House Boy”, Ferdinand Oyono began introducing the main character called Toundi by saying “my name is Toundi Ondoua, I was born in a family of Mr. and Mrs. Ondoua ……” Which point of view am I using?

1. First person point of view
2. Second person point of view
3. Third person point of view
4. Limited third person point of view
5. Omniscient point of view

(vi) One of the Muslim scholars wrote the history of the Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him). What do we technically call such history?

1. Autobiography
2. Memoir
3. Bibliography
4. Reference
5. Biography

(vii) Umuofia villagers sing songs to express their grief during funeral or memorial rites. Their song can be referred to as

1. Nuptials
2. Dirges
3. Hymns
4. Panegyric
5. Lullabies

(viii) During the stage performance of a certain drama, an actress called sister Maanan comes with a packet of cigarettes, a lighter, an ash tray and a bottle of Coca Cola. In drama, such things are referred to as………….

1. Curtains
2. Costumes
3. Props
4. Scripts
5. Acts

(ix) While watching a serial, each episode had an exciting ending which left the audience in suspense and anxious not to miss the next episode. Identify the dramatic technique used to achieve this effect.

1. Pen portrait
2. Motif
3. Aside
4. Soliloquy
5. Cliffhanger

(x) The author of a literary work sometimes wants to make his/her readers feel as if he/she is directly talking to them. What literary device does the author use to achieve this effect?

1. Rhetorical question
2. Archaism
3. Antithesis
4. Overstatement
5. Understatement

Answers

2. Match the descriptions of tones in LIST A with the corresponding types of tones in LIST B by writing the letter of the correct response beside the item number in the answer booklet provided.

Answers

SECTION B (54 Marks)

 Answer All questions in this section

3. With examples, briefly explain the following literary concepts:

1. What is the importance of curtain in dramatic performance?
2. How is literature applicable in business content? Give an example.
3. What is the use of legend story in Tanzanian contemporary society?
4. Why is drama more effective than other literary genres?
5. Why some people think that poetry is more difficult than other literary genres? Give a reason.
6. Which is more important between form and content when reading literary work? Give a reason.

4. (a)What do you under stand by the term “Diction” as it is used in literary works?

(b)Briefly explain with examples any five(5)way son how diction is used in literature.

5. With vivid examples, describe any six (6) sense devices and their effectiveness in literary works.

6. By using six (6) points with examples, briefly explain how literature as an artistic work can be useful in the fight against different challenges and problems facing Tanzanian societies.

7. Ikemefuna claims that oral literature is losing its originality in the modern world of advanced science and technology. Support his argument with six (6) points.

8. Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow:

New Baby

My baby brother makes so much noise
that the Rottweiler next door Phoned up to complain.
My baby brother makes so much noise
That all the big green frogs

Came out the drains
My baby brother makes so much noise
That the rats and the mice
Wore headphones
My baby brother makes so much noise that 
I can’t ask my mum a question, 
So much noise that sometimes.

I think of sitting the cat on top of him 
In his pretty little cot with all his teddies 
But even the cat is terrified of his cries.
So, I have devised a plan. A sound proof room, 

A telephone to talk to my mum.
As mall lift to receive food and toys.
Thing is, it will cost a for tune.
The other thing is, the frogs have gone,
It’s not bad now. Not that I like him or anything.

Questions:

1. What is the content of the poem?
2. With evidence from the poem, elaborate three musical devices used in the poem.
3. If you were the persona ,what kind of oral songs would you advise your mother to sing to your baby brother? Why?
4. Comment on the rhyming scheme of the sixth stanza.

SECTION C (30 Marks)

Answer only two questions from this section. Question ten(10) is compulsory

LIST OF READINGS:

PLAYS

• The Lion and the Jewel - Wole Soyinka
• The Trials of Brother Jero - Wole Soyinka
• Dilemma of a Ghost - Ama Ata Aidoo
• The Government Inspector - N. Gogol

NOVELS

• A Walk in the Night and Other Stories - Alex La Gama
• Houseboy - Ferdinand Oyono
• The Old Man and the Medal - Ferdinand Oyono
• TheConcubine - ElechiAmadi

POETRY

• Selected Poems - Tanzania Institute of Education
• Growing up with Poetry - David Rubadiri

9. Use two poems you have read under this section to justify that poetry is rhythmical in nature. Give three (3) points from each poem.

10. With reference to two novels you have read under this section, review the impact of racism and oppression faced by Africans on the hands of white individuals. Give three (3) points from each reading.

11. Show how two plays you have read under this section depict the clash between African traditional customs and modernity. Give three (3) points from each play.

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FORM FOUR TERMINAL EXAMINATION 

024 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 

(For Both School and Private Candidates)

TIME: 3:00 HOURS, 2026

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 fifty four (54) marks and section C carries thirty (30) marks.
4. All writing must be in black or blue ink.
5. Communication device and any unauthorized materials are not allowed in the examination room.
6. 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 items (i) – (x), choose the correct answer from among the given alternatives and write its letter beside the corresponding item number in the booklet provided.

(i) Suppose that you are watching a Performance and you find yourself in a situation that you know more about it than the actors themselves. What do we call this technique?

1. Simple irony
2. Verbal irony 
3. Technical irony
4. Situational irony 
5. Dramatic irony

(ii) Obi told his wife Clara Okeke “You smell sweet darling.” Obi’s remark is a good example of:-

1. Auditory imagery 
2. Gustatory imagery 
3. Olfactory imagery
4. Visual imagery 
5. Tactile imagery

(iii) Efuru normally uses words that are difficult to say quickly because of its unusual sequence of sounds. This is to say that Efuru is very fond of using:-

1. Riddles. 
2. Tongue-twisters. 
3. Proverbs
4. Sayings. 
5. Idioms.

(iv) Wole Soyinka became very famous after composing his play “The Lion and the Jewel”. In this sense, Wole Soyinka is well known as:- 

1. Novelist
2. A play writer. 
3. A novel writer
4. A playwright. 
5. A poet.

(v) Help Moana and Mawi to identify a sub-genre of oral poetry among the following. 

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

(vi) Flora Nwapa, a female Nigerian writer published a short work of fiction, typically between 17,000 and 40,000 words. What title can best suit the work of fiction of such character?

1. Novella. 
2. Novel. 
3. Novelette. 
4. Short story. 
5. Play.

(vii) The God Father by Mario Puzo is a novel centers around solving a crime, uncovering secrets, and investigating an unknown event. How can you categorize this kind of story? 

1. Fantasy novel. 
2. Romantic novel. 
3. Mystery novel.
4. Historical novel. 
5. Science fiction

(viii) You read a story in which you find the narrator knows everything about all characters, including their thoughts, feelings, and backgrounds. In literature this technique is referred to as:-

1. The first-person point of view. 
2. The second-person point of view. 
3. Objective point of view.
4. Limited point of view.
5. Omniscient point of view.

(ix) Ngugi required his students to give an example of poetic license. Only one student from the whole class managed to make it, identify such a correct response.

1. Land lord! land lord! 
2. You ain’t gonna be able to say a word. 
3. It’s a wonder you don’t fall down.
4. He’s trying to ruin the government.
5. Man threatens land lord.

(x) Madenge and Kipepe composed a poem with repetition of a phrase in specific position of different stanzas. Which poetic device enabled them to do so?

1. Alliteration. 
2. Consonance. 
3. Assonance. 
4. Refrain. 
5. Reiteration.

Answers

2. Match the diagram and description of components of form in List A with the corresponding literary terms in List B by writing the letter of the correct response beside the corresponding item number in the answer booklet provided.

Answers

SECTION B (54 Marks)

Answer all questions in this section

3. (a) What do you understand by the term “short stories” as it is used in literary works? 

(b) Briefly explain any five (5) characteristics of short stories.

4. Read the following story carefully and answer the questions that follow:-

One day, a proud goat laughed at a quiet cow in the field. “You are too slow and useless,” said the goat loudly. The cow remained calm and continued eating grass. Other animals watched as the goat jumped around proudly. The goat kept showing off its strength and speed. It made fun of the cow again and again. The cow did not respond and stayed peaceful. Soon, the farmer came to the field.

He was looking for a strong and reliable animal. All the animals became quiet and waited.

The farmer observed the animals carefully. He noticed the calm and hardworking cow first. The goat tried to impress the farmer by jumping. But the farmer did not like the goat’s behavior. He chose the cow to help him on the farm. The goat was left behind feeling embarrassed. It realized that pride had cost it a good chance. From that day, the goat changed its behavior. It learned to be humble and respectful to others.

Questions

1. What genre of oral literature is this story? Give one reason.
2. Name one characteristic of the genre mentioned in (i) 
3. Identify the protagonist and antagonist of the story.
4. Suggest a suitable title for the story.
5. What is the moral of the story?
6. Do you think stories like this have any relevance in today’s society? How?

5. (a) Madam Kichuna taught her students that stage directions play significant roles in a play or drama. As one of Literature in English experts, provide four (4) points to verify her claims.

(b) Maisarah thinks that costumes have nothing to do in literary works but just a wastage of time. Prove her wrong by pointing out at least any two of their functions.

6. Mbena was assigned by his teacher to use different sources in defining and providing examples for several literary devices. Help him to accomplish the following remaining concepts:- 

1. Metaphor.
2. Simile.
3. Personification.
4. Onomatopoeia.
5. Symbolism.
6. Euphemism.

7. Briefly differentiate the following terms as used in appreciating plays:- 

1. Play and playwright. 
2. Act and scene.
3. Costumes and props.
4. Curtain and theatre.
5. Soliloquy and aside.
6. Stage directions and off-stage directions.

8. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:-

If we must die-let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in a inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot,

If we must die-oh let us nobly die
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain: then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honour us though dead!

Oh kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;
Though far outnumbered,
let us show our bravery And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying but fighting back!

Questions

1. What is the poem about?
2. What type of poem is this? Give a reason.
3. What can be the speaking voice of the poem?
4. Identify two possible themes from the poem.
5. Comment on the structure of the poem.
6. What message does the poem above provide?

SECTION C (30 Marks)

Answer two (2) questions from this section. Question eleven (11) is compulsory.

LIST OF READING

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 insector________Gogol, N

NOVELS

• Awalk in the night and other stories _________Guma , A
• House boy _________Oyono, F
• The old man and the medal _______Oyono, F
• The concubine ____________Amadi, E

POETRY

• Selected Poem _________________Tanzania Institute of Education
• Growing with Poetry________________Rubadiri , D.

9. African literary works sometimes reflect the hardships and experiences of Black people in America.’ Discuss the validity of this statement by drawing examples from any two novels you have studied, giving three (3) points from each text.

10. The writer’s pen is more powerful than a soldier’s gun in fighting against evils in the society. With reference to two plays, justify this assertion by giving three (3) points per reading.

11. Poets rely on stylistic devices as essential tools to effectively communicate important messages. Using two poems you have studied, explain how these devices help them to reach the target. Support your answer with three points from each poem.

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)