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Ilieva Emilia and Waveney Olembo (Ed.) - When The Sun Goes Down and Other Stories.
'In an effort to retract one’s unthoughtful action, one suffers.'
Drawing illustrations from the story, “The Retraction” by Stanley Onjenzani Kenani, write an essay in response to his statement
Date posted:
June 11, 2019
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Margaret Ogola,The River and The Source.
'Parental guidance is important in shaping up one’s destiny.' Drawing illustrates from the novel The River and The Source by Margaret Ogola. Write an essay illustrating the truth of this statement
Date posted:
June 11, 2019
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Drama : Betrayal in the city –Francis Imbuga.
Impunity is the order of the day in most African states. Drawing illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s
Betrayal in the city, write an essay in support of this statement
Date posted:
June 11, 2019
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Francis Imbuga: Betrayal in the City.
'Many countries in Africa are burdened with bad governance'. Justify this statement using illustrations from Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City.
Date posted:
June 11, 2019
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Longhorn (Ed): When The Sun Goes Down and other stories from Africa and Beyond
Sandisile Tshuma highlights very serious issues that not only affect Zimbambwe but also Africa as a continent. Drawing illustrations from Tshuma’s story, 'Arrested Development,' Write a composition supporting this statement.
Date posted:
June 10, 2019
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The Betrayal in the City by Francis Imbuga.
'Many African leaders are dictatorial to cover up for their inadequacies.'
Date posted:
June 10, 2019
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Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
SINGER: So many words are said, so many left unsaid.
The soldier has come Where he comes from, he does not say.
Hear what he thought and did not say:
“The battle began, gray at dawn, grew bloody at noon.
The first man fell in front of me, the second behind me, the third at my side.
I trod on the first, left the second behind, the third was run through by the captain.
One of my brothers died by steel, the other by smoke.
My neck caught fire, my hands froze in my gloves, my toes in my socks.
I fed on aspen buds, I drank maple juice, I slept on stone, in water.”
SIMON: I see a cap in the grass. Is there a little one already?
GRUSHA: There is, Simon. There’s no keeping that from you. But please don’t worry, it is not mine.
SIMON: When the wind once starts to blow, they say, it blows through every cranny. The wife need
to say no more. (GRUSHA looks into her lap and is silent)
SINGER: There was yearning but her was not waiting.
The oath is broken. Neither could you why.
Hear what she thought but did not say:
“While you fought in the battle, soldier,
The bloody battle, the bitter battle
I found a helpless infant
I had not the heart to destroy him
I had to care for a creature that was lost
I had to stoop for breadcrumbs on the floor
I had to break myself for that which was not mine
That which was other people’s
Someone must help!
For the little tree needs water
The lamb loses its way when the shepherd is asleep
And its cry is unheard!'
SIMON: Give me back the cross I gave you. Better still, throw it in the stream. (He turns to go.)
GRUSHA: (getting up) Simon Shashava, don’t go away! He isn’t mine! He isn’t mine! (She hears the
children calling.) What’s the matter, children?
Questions.
1. Place the extract in its immediate context.
2. With illustrations from the extract make notes on experiences during the war expounded in the extract.
3. 'But please don’t worry it is not mine,' Who is it in the statement and explain why Grusha says it is not hers?
4. Explain the mood of the extract.
5. How are Grusha and Simon potrayed in the extract?
6. What is the role of the Singer in this extract?
7. Identify and illustrate one theme from extract.
8. Grusha tells Simon Shashava, “Don’t go away! He isn’t mine! He isn’t mine!” From elsewhere in
the play, quote the instances where she states the opposite.
Date posted:
June 7, 2019
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Drama
Francis Imbuga, Betrayal in the City.
'The outside of one cell may as well be the inside of another.'
Discuss the relevance of the above statement basing your answer from Franchis Imbuga’s, Betrayal in the City.
Date posted:
June 7, 2019
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Read the narrative below and answer the questions that follow.
Long, long time ago animals and birds spoke just like men do. When God had to stop them speaking, he
made birds sin, like this chrrip! Chrrip……… Lions to roar like this graagh! Graagh! And hyenas to howl like
this huuu! Huuu!
And do you blame God? Listen to what naughty hyena who had gone two days without any meat did. He had
been wondering up and down the hills when he suddenly stopped, nose in the air, one foot raised.
Do I smell, eh…………smell food? He slowly raised his head to the skies as if to say, “Please God, let me
find some food, even one rotting bone will do.”
Slowly, he followed the smell, sniffing hard, stopping now and again, over grinning wider as the smell
became stronger. “Here at last”, He said as he came in sight of a calf that seemed dead, flies buzzing over its
excrement.
“God, no time to waste. Who knows the owner may be around. Oh, no, 3 see it is secured to a tree with a
“Mukwa” I’ll take my time.
Ha, I am tired too, come to think of it. God gave us pretty strong senses of smell, generous old…… man.
Still I do think some people tend to exaggerate, now who was it saying the other day ‘ati’ God is the giver of
everything and that we should be grateful. O.K.
Tell me, did God give this calf? Did you God? I found it myself, smelled my way there, all the way. Nice calf
too, rather thin but it will do. I’ll take the head home and make soup with herbs. I especially like ‘muthathii’,
and I see one over there.
OK. Here we go, where shall I start, this lovely neck? No, I know, I will start with the ‘mukwa’ then I’ll get
on to the soft stuff, the tail, the rump, ‘Mahu’……….'
After chewing up half of the ‘mukwa’ the hyena brushed his teeth with the twig of a ‘muthiga’ a tree of
stimulate his appetite. He stepped on the calf’s tail, stuffed it in his mouth and ‘snap’ it went. The calf which
was only very sick and tired shot up and bolted away in the twinkling of an eye.
The hyena rubbed his eyes, ambled after the disappearing calf and soon fell
down in exhaustion. He looked up again to the heaven, tried to speak but no words came. Hyenas have never
been able to speak ever since…….
(a) Categorise this narrative and give a reason for your classification.
(b) Identify and explain two characteristics of oral narratives evident in this story
(c) Describe two character traits of the hyena as depicted in the narrative.
(d) Identify one economic aspect of the community described in this narrative and give a reason for your
answer.
(e) What moral lesson do we learn from this narrative?
(f) Give a proverb with the same moral lesson as this narrative.
(g) If you are asked to go and collect this story in the field, state:
(i) Three things you would do before the actual field trip.
(ii) Two problems you are likely to encounter
Date posted:
May 28, 2019
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Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow.
Bertolt Brecht: The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
AZDAK: Listen! Am accused instigating war? Ridiculous! Am saying ridiculous!
That enough? If not, have brought lawyers. Believe five hundred.
(He points behind him, pretending to be surrounded by lawyers) requisition all available seats for
lawyers! (The IRONSHIRTS laugh:the FAT PRINCE joins in).
NEPHEW (to the IRONSHIRTS): You really wish me to try this case? I find it rather unusual from the taste angle,
I mean.
FIRST IRONSHIRT: Lets go!
FAT PRINCE: (smiling): Let him have it, my little fox?
NEPHEW: All right. People of Grusinia versus Grand Duke. Defendant, what have you got to
say for yourself?
AZDAK: Plenty. Naturally, have read war lost. Only started on the advice of
patriots. Like Uncle Arsen Kazbeki. Call Uncle Arsen as witness.
FAT PRINCE (to the IRONSHIRTS. Delightedly): what a madcap!
NEPHEW: Motion rejected. One cannot be arraigned for declaring a war, which
every ruler has to do once in a while, but only for running a war badly.
AZDAK: Rubbish! Did not run it at all! Had it run! Had it run by Princes!
Naturally, they messed it up.
NEPHEW: Do you by any chance deny having been commander in chief?
AZDAK: Not at all! Always was commander-in-chief. At birth shouted at wet nurse. Was
trained drop turds in toilet, grew accustomed to command.
Always commanded officials rob my cash box. Officers flog soldiers only on
command.
IRONSHIRTS (clapping): He’s good! Long live the Grand Duke!
FAT PRINCE: Answer him according to the dignity of the law. Defendant, preserve the dignity of
the law!
AZDAK: Agreed. Command you proceed with trial!
NEPHEW: It is not your place to command me. You claim that the Princes forced you to declare
war. How can you claim then that they-er- “messed it up”.
AZDAK: Did not send enough people. Embezzled funds. Sent sick horses.
During attack, drinking in whorehouse. Call Uncle Arsen as witness.
NEPHEW: are you making the outrageous suggestions that the Princes of this
country did not fight?
AZDAK: No. Prince fought. Fought for war contracts
FAT PRINCE: (jumping up): That’s too much! This man talks like a carpet weaver!
AZDAK: Really? Told nothing but truth.
FAT PRINCE: Hang him! Hang him!
FIRST IRONSHIRT (pulling the PRINCE down): Keep quiet! Go on, excellency!
NEPHEW: Quiet! Now render a verdict; you must be hanged! By the neck! Having
lost war!
AZDAK: Young man, seriously advise not fall publicly into jerky clipped speech. Cannot be watchdog
if howl like wolf. Got it? If people realize Princes
speak same language as Grand Duke, may hang Grand Duke and prince, huh? By the way,
must overrule verdict. Reason? War lost, but not for Princes. Princes won their war. Got
3,863,000 piasters for horses not delivered, 8,240,000 piasters for food supplies not produced.
Are therefore victors. War lost only for Grusinia, which is not present in this court.
(a) 'am accused instigating war?' Explain the circumstances that led the speaker to say these words.
(b) Why do you think the nephew is reluctant to try the case?
(c) Explain who according to the extract is responsible for instigating the war.
(d) Discuss at least two dominant themes in this extract.
(e) Identify and illustrate two character traits of Arsen Kazbeki as brought out in this extra
(f) Pick out two stylistic devices and comment on their effectiveness.
(g) Explain the ironic twist that takes place in this extract.
(h) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
(i) I find it rather unusual. (Add a question tag)
(ii) Defendant, preserve the dignity of the law.
(Rewrite in the passive).
(iii) 'It is not your place to command me.'
(Rewrite in indirect speech.)
Date posted:
May 28, 2019
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Longhorn Publishers: When The Sun Goes Down and Other Stories from Africa and beyond
'Terror gangs bring about devastation to any society.' Write an essay in support of this statement with close reference to Moses Isegawa’s story ‘The War of the Ears’.
Date posted:
May 28, 2019
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Read the genre below and answer the questions that follow.
‘Slipperiness knows no king.
i). Classify the above genre .
ii). What is the most appropriate audience for the above genre.
iii). What would be lost if the above genre is translated into another language.
Date posted:
May 28, 2019
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Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
The Man, His Son and The Squirrel
There was a certain town whose only occupation was catching squirrels (ground squirrels). There was a man in
this town who excelled at catching squirrels. One squirrel was so smart that it eluded everyone in town. It was said
that only this man said to his son, “Come, let’s go to catch the squirrel.” They took an axe; they found the squirrel
near its hole. Then the squirrel ran and entered its hole. They searched out all the holes, then they stopped them
up. Then the man said to his son, “Don’t let the quirrel get out of its hole.” He answered, “Okay.” But one hole
wasn’t stopped up, and the squirrel escaped. When it escaped, the father came to his son and said to him, “Why
did you let it escape? If I go home now, I will be ashmed.” He grabbed the axe and struck his son. Then he went
on his way and left his son unconscious. Ants began to fill his eyeballs an his ears; vultures were circling above
him.
In the afternnon, the headman of a rich caravan arrived at the spot. When he arrived, he setp up camp. Then he got
up and went for a stroll and saw the boy. He called his slaves to take him and have him washed and shaved. The
boy recovered. The headman had no offspring. When he took the boy, he decided that he would make him his son.
He sent a message to the chief of the town, telling him that he had an offspring, that he was happy he had become
a complete man, and that he would now receive the gifts due to him.
The chief said, “This is a lie. He is not his son. If he is his son, then let him come that I can see.” Then the
headman arrived in town. The chief gave his sons horses worth ten pounds. He said, “Go and join the son of the
headman. Have a race. When you finish give these horses away” (forcing him to do the same). They did it and
they returned. the next day, the chief again gave them horses worth ten pounds. They did as the day before. They
did it five times. They ran out of horses. Then the chief said, “Indeed, it is his son I have run out of horses. If it
weren’t his son, he wouldn’t agree to let him give his own horses away to match the presents.” Then the chief
summoned his daughter. The Gralladima brought his to help. The Madaki also gave, and the Makama gave.
Altogether, four wives. The chief gave a big house. The headman came and brought twenty concubines and gave
to his son. There was continuous feasting.
Then one day the son saw his father, the one who had knocked him down with the axe because of the squirrels.
The father came to the house of his son and said, “Throw away your gown and start catching squirrels.” The
slaves of the headman said, “This is a crazy man, let us all strike him.” The boy said to him, “This is my father,
the one who sired me.” The headman said, “I have already lied to the chief. Let us keep that secret. I will give
your father wealth. Let him go home. Should he want to see you, let him come to visit you. If you want to see him,
then you can go and visit him.” The real father said he did not agree. Then the headman said, “Well then, let us go
out in the countryside.” They went. The headman unsheathed his sword. He handed it to the son, and said, “Kill
one of the two of us.” Here ends the story
Questions
(a) (i) Classify the above narrative.
(ii) What are the characteristics of the above classification?
(iii)What is the function of this narrative?
(b) Identify and illustrate any three features of oral narrative evident in the story.
(c) Give one economic activity that is undertaken by the community referred to in this narrative.
(d) Describe the character of the following:
(i) The young man
(ii) his father
(e) Whom do your think would be the most appropriate audience of this story.
(f) What is the moral lesson of this narrative?
Date posted:
May 24, 2019
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Read the oral poem below and respond to the questions that follow.
A BAREFOOT BOY
A barefoot boy! I mark him at his play…
For May is here once more, and so is he,…
His dusty trousers, rolled half to the knee,
And his bare ankles grimy, too, as they:
Cross- hatchings of the nettle, in array
Of feverish stripes, hint vividly to me
Of woody pathways winding endlessly
Along the creek, where even yesterday
He plunged his shrinking body – gasped and shook
Yet called the water ‘warm’ with never lack
Of joy. And so, half enviously I look
Upon this graceless barefoot and his track,…
His toe stubbed…, his big toe-nail knocked back
Like unto the clasp of an old pocketbook.
i) Identify and illustrate two devices that make the poem musical.
ii) How would you effectively recite line 13 of this poem?
iii) Which word would you stress in line 12? Give a reason
Date posted:
May 24, 2019
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The Short Story: Longhorn (E.D) 'When the Sun Goes Down and other stories from Africa and Beyond.
With illustrations from Sandisile Ishuma’s story 'Arrested Development' show how appropriate the title
'Arrested Development' is to the story.
Date posted:
May 23, 2019
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The Caucasian Chalk Circle: Literary Appreciation
Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow
GRUSHA : Simon!
SIMON : Is that Grusha Vasnadze?
GRUSHA : Simon!
SIMON (formally): A good morning to the young lady. I hope she is well.
GRUSHA (getting up and bowing low): A good morning to the soldier. God be thanked he has returned in good
health.
SIMON : They found better fish, so they didn’t eat me said the haddock
GRUSHA : Courage, said the kitchen boy. Good luck, said the hero
SIMON : How are things here? Was the winter bearable? The neighbor considerate?
GRUSHA : The winter was a trifle rough, the neighbor as usual Simon.
SIMON : May one ask if a certain person still dips her toes in the water when rinsing the linen?
GRUSHA : The answer is no. Because of the eyes in the bushes.
SIMON : The young lady is speaking of soldiers. Here stands the paymaster
GRUSHA : A job worth twenty piasters?
SIMON : And lodgings?
GRUSHA (with tears in her eyes) : Behind the barracks under the date trees
SIMON : Yes there. A certain person has kept her eyes open
GRUSHA : She has, Simon.
SIMON : And has not forgotten? (GRUSHA shakes her head) So the door is still on its hinges as they
say? (GRUSHA looks at him in silence and shakes her head again) What’s this? Is anything
not as it should be?
GRUSHA : Simon Shashava, I can never return to Nuka. Something has happened.
SIMON : What can have happened?
GRUSHA : For one thing, I knocked an Ironshirt down
GRUSHA : Simon Shashava, I am no longer called what I used to be called
SIMON (after a pause):I do not understand
GRUSHA : When do women change their names, Simon? Let me explain.
Nothing stands between us. Everything is just as it was. You must believe that.
SIMON : Nothing stands between us and yet there is something?
GRUSHA : How can I explain it so fast and with the stream between us?
Couldn’t you cross the bridge there?
SIMON : Maybe it’s no longer necessary
GRUSHA : It is very necessary. Come over on this side, Simon. Quick!
SIMON : Does the young lady wish to say someone has come too late?
a) Place this excerpt in its immediate context
b) Where is this scene taking place .
c) Discuss the relationship between Grusha and Simon in this excerpt.
d) 'May one ask if a certain person still dips her toes in the water when rinsing the linen?' In which other scene does
Simon use the very words to Grusha? Explain what was happening in that scene .
e) Grusha says she cannot go to Nuka because something has happened. Explain. .
f) Describe the character trait of Simon as brought out in this excerpt .
g) Explain the meaning of the following saying and word as used in the excerpt
i) They found better fish, so they didn’t eat me, said the haddock.
ii) Gaily
h) Identity and illustrate the major theme present in this excerpt
Date posted:
May 23, 2019
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She kept an antique shop-or it kept her.
Among Apostle spoons and Bristol glasses,
The faded silks, the heavy furniture,
She watched her own reflection in the brass
Salvers and silver bowls, as if to prove
Polish was all, there was no need for love.
And I remember how I once refused
To go out with her, since I was afraid.
It was perhaps a wish not to be used
Like antique objects .Though she never said
That she was hurt, I still could feel the guilt
Of that refusal, guessing how she felt.
Later, too frail to keep a shop, she put
All her best things in one long, narrow room.
The place smelt old, of things too long kept shut,
The smell of absences where shadows come
That can’t be polished. There was nothing then
To give her own reflection back again.
And when she died I felt no grief at all,
Only the guilt of what I once refused.
I walked into her room among the tall
Sideboards and cupboards-things she never used
But needed: and no finger-marks were there,
Only the new dust falling through the air.
a) Identify the persona in the above poem.
b) In note form, summarize what each stanza is talking about
c) Identify and briefly explain the use of any two images in the poem
d) What does the persona feel towards the subject matter?
e) What do the following lines mean in the poem?
'too frail to keep a shop'
'Only the new dust falling through the air'
f) Describe the tone the persona uses in the poem above
g) Explain the paradox in the line:
-things she never used
But needed:
h) Explain the persona’s sense of guilt
Date posted:
May 6, 2019
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SECOND OLYMPUS
From the rostrum they declaimed
On martyrs and men of high ideals
Whom they sent out
Benevorent despots to an unwilling race
Straining at the yoke
Bull dozers trampling on virgin ground
In blatant violation
They trampled down all that was strange
And filled the void
With half digested alien thoughts
They left a trail of red
Whatever their feet had passed
Oh, they did themselves fine
And struttled about the place
Self proclaimed demi- gods
From a counterfeit Olympus
One day they hurled down thunder bolts
On toiling race of earthworms
They might have rained own pebbles
To pelt the brats to death
But that was beneath them
They kept up the illusion
That they were fighting foes
Killing in the name of high ideals
At the inquest they told the world
The worms were becoming pests
Moreover, they said
They did not like wriggly things
Strange prejudice for gods.
Questions
1) Who is being talked about in this poem? Give evidence.
2) With two evidences, discuss the poet’s general attitude towards the subject of the poem.
3) What do you understand by the following three lines?
'they trample down all that was strange
And filled the void with half digested alien thoughts?'
4) Who are referred to as 'toiling race of earthworms' and why
5) Discuss two stylistic devices used in the poem. Give their effectiveness
6) Explain the significance of the title.
7) What is the tone of the poem?
Date posted:
May 6, 2019
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The inmates
Huddled together
Cold biting their bones
Teeth chattering from the chill,
The air oppressive,
The smell offensive
They sit and they reflect
The room self contained
At the corner the ‘gents’ invites
With the nice fragrance of ammonia,
And fresh human dung,
The fresh inmates sit thoughtfully
Vermin perform a guard of honour
Saluting him with a bite here
And a bite there
‘Welcome to the world, they seem to say’
The steel lock of the door
The walls insurmountable
And the one torching tortuous bulb
Stare vacantly at him
Slowly he reflects about the consignment
That gave birth to his confinement
Locked in for conduct refinement
The reason they put him in prison
The clock ticks
But too slowly
Five years will be a long time
Doomed in the dungeon
In this hell of a cell
a) Who is the persona in the poem? (1 mark)
b) Briefly explain what the poem is about. (2 marks)
c) Identify and illustrate three aspects of style in the poem. (6 marks)
d) Give evidence from the poem which indicates the inmates are suffering. (3 marks)
e) Why is the fresh inmate in prison? (2 marks)
f) Identify and explain the mood of the new convict. (2 marks)
g) Explain the meaning of the following lines as used in the poem.
i) That gave birth to his confinement (1 mark)
ii) The room is self contained (1 mark)
h) What does the steel lock in the door and the insurmountable walls suggest? (2 marks)
Date posted:
May 3, 2019
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Read the following poem and then answer the questions that follow.
Song of Agony
I put on a clean shirt
And go to work
Which of us
Which of us will come back?
Four and twenty moons
Not seeing women
Not seeing my hand
Which of us
Which of us will die?
I put on a clean shirt
And go to work my contract
To work far away
I go beyond the mountain
Into the bush
Where the roads end
And the rivers run dry
Which of us
Which of us will come back?
Which of us
Which of us will die?
Questions
a) Who is the persona in the poem? Explain. (2 marks)
b) Briefly discuss the subject matter in this poem. (3 marks)
c) Identify two stylistic devices in the poem and show their effectiveness. (4 marks)
d) Show how the persona and the others suffer in the poem. Illustrate your answer. (4 marks)
e) What is the dominant mood in the poem? (2 marks)
f) Is the title of this poem suitable? Explain (3 marks)
g)Identify and explain one economic activity practiced by the persona’s community
Date posted:
May 3, 2019
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Explain the theme of tradition in the novel The River Between by Ngùgí wa Thiong'o
Date posted:
April 28, 2019
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Identify some themes based on some oral narratives
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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Describe some moral lessons derived from oral narratives appropriately.
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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State the importance of a song during narration
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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Identify some social/ socio-cultural, socio-economic and economic activities evident in some narratives.
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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State 5 ways of beginning a story in order to attract the attention of the audience
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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State and explain 4 classification of proverbs
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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Define the term translation and transcription in orature
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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Identify the things lost when a tongue-twister is translated
Date posted:
April 23, 2019
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List the key aspects of plot commonly evident in narratives
Date posted:
April 23, 2019