2026 NECO Drama & Poetry – Literature in English Examination Questions and Answers

2026 NECO Drama & Poetry – Literature in English Examination Questions and Answers

PAPER III – DRAMA AND POETRY (Practice Paper)

Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes

Instruction: Answer ONE question from each section.

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SECTION A – AFRICAN DRAMA

Text: The Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland

Question 1

Discuss how Ananse’s greed and manipulation drive the action of the play. To what extent do these traits contribute to both the conflict and the resolution?

Model Answer

Ananse is portrayed as an intelligent but highly opportunistic father who sees his daughter’s beauty as a means of acquiring wealth and social prestige. Rather than allowing Anansewa to choose a husband freely, he simultaneously encourages several wealthy chiefs to seek her hand in marriage, hoping to maximize the gifts he receives.

His manipulation is evident when he sends identical acceptance letters to different chiefs while pretending that each has been uniquely favored. This deception creates dramatic irony because the audience knows what the chiefs do not.

The resulting conflict reaches its climax when the chiefs discover that they have all been deceived. To resolve the crisis, Ananse stages Anansewa’s “death,” relying on traditional customs to influence the chief he prefers.

The playwright uses Ananse’s actions to satirize greed, materialism, and the abuse of parental authority. At the same time, Ananse’s cleverness reflects the traditional trickster figure found in African folklore, making him both morally flawed and dramatically engaging.

SECTION B – NON-AFRICAN DRAMA

Text: An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley

Question 2

Examine the role of Inspector Goole as the playwright’s moral voice. How does he expose the failures of the Birling family?

Model Answer

Inspector Goole functions as the conscience of the play. Although presented as a police inspector, he symbolizes justice, social responsibility, and moral accountability.

Through systematic questioning, he reveals that every member of the Birling family contributed to Eva Smith’s suffering. Arthur Birling dismissed her from work; Sheila had her removed from another job; Gerald exploited her emotionally; Eric impregnated and abandoned her; and Mrs. Birling denied her charitable assistance.

Priestley uses the Inspector to challenge selfish capitalism and advocate collective responsibility. His famous message that “we are members of one body” reinforces the idea that society cannot thrive if individuals ignore the welfare of others.

The Inspector’s departure leaves the family divided. Sheila and Eric accept responsibility and begin to change, while Mr. and Mrs. Birling remain concerned only about their public reputation. This contrast highlights the play’s central moral lesson.

2026 NECO Drama & Poetry – Literature in English Examination Questions and Answers

SECTION C – AFRICAN POETRY

Text: Not My Business by Niyi Osundare

Question 3

Discuss how the poet condemns oppression and social indifference in “Not My Business.”

Model Answer

The poem presents a speaker who repeatedly ignores injustice directed at other members of society until oppression finally reaches him. The repeated expression “What business of mine is it?” illustrates dangerous indifference toward the suffering of others.

Osundare employs repetition to emphasize society’s unwillingness to defend victims of oppression. The imagery of soldiers dragging innocent people away creates fear and reveals the abuse of political power.

The final stanza marks a turning point when the speaker himself becomes the victim. This reversal teaches that silence in the face of injustice ultimately endangers everyone.

Major literary devices include:

• Repetition
• Irony
• Symbolism
• Imagery
• Contrast

The poem’s central themes include social responsibility, oppression, fear, dictatorship, and civic courage.

SECTION D – NON-AFRICAN POETRY

Text: Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

Question 4

Discuss the themes of resilience, dignity, and hope in Still I Rise. Show how poetic devices reinforce these themes.

Model Answer

Still I Rise celebrates resilience in the face of discrimination, humiliation, and historical injustice. The speaker refuses to be defeated despite repeated attempts to suppress her spirit.

The repeated refrain “I rise” symbolizes determination, hope, and triumph over adversity. Angelou compares herself to natural forces such as dust, moons, suns, and oceans to suggest that her strength is inevitable and unstoppable.

The poem’s confident tone encourages oppressed people to maintain self-worth regardless of prejudice or discrimination.

Important literary devices include:

• Repetition
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Rhetorical questions
• Symbolism
• Personification

Major themes include:

• Freedom
• Self-confidence
• Racial equality
• Human dignity
• Perseverance
• Hope

Suggested Marking Scheme (25 Marks Per Question)

These practice questions are based on the approved 2026–2030 prescribed texts and the established NECO Paper III structure, which requires candidates to answer one question from each of the four sections: African Drama, Non-African Drama, African Poetry, and Non-African Poetry.