UNEB UCE Literature Past Papers Year 2017 ( Paper 1 )

1. FRANCIS IMBUGA: Betrayal in the City

MULILI: Yes cousin; but why you sits out without body-guard?

BOSS: Why have you come? Another tender problem, is it?

MULILI: No, no tender problem. They all fears when you spoken to them on the telephone box.

BOSS: Why have you left the meeting then?

MULILI: Honest to God, I don’t know how to begins. I have no tongue to talk.

BOSS: Come on, get on with it.

MULILI: Boss, you are cousin and I tells you this. Things have spoil. Don’t trust anybody, not even me.

BOSS: You talk straight or go back to the meeting. I put you on the committee for obvious reasons and I expect y ou to report directly to me if something should seem to be going wrong. What is the matter?

MULILI : I can’t believe it even now. It is a big ugly matter I tells you. Do you know Kabito? He be like Jere.

BOSS: I know many Kabitos.

MULILI: I am saying the one on the entertain committee.

BOSS: What about him?

MULILI: That one, he be a green grass in the snake.

BOSS: Watch what you say, Kabito is one of  my lost loyal subjects

MULILI: Oho! That what you thinks. You thinks I just leave meeting for little reason. He colour your name in blood in front of whole committee. You see, in first place, he come to meeting full of alcoholism.

BOSS: Drunk, is he?

MULILI : Completely finished. He shout to everybody and say you rob him milk tender.

BOSS: He can’t have possibly said that.

MULILI : One God in heaven! He say you ruins the economic of Kafira. That you hides million in foreign country.

BOSS: Who? Kabito?

MULILI: A green grass in the snake, I tells you.

BOSS: I keep money in foreign lands? Who gave him the information? (Grabs Mulili) Just how much does Kabito know about my private life? No, perhaps he was only joking. A kind of trick to lure the others into speaking their mind.

MULILI: Joking? Boss you jokes yourself. That man even say you try to get that Regina by force.

BOSS: Tumbo must have a hand in this.

MULILI: No Tumbo himself tell him: “Hey, Kabito that is high slandering,” but Kabito just shout louder. It was alcoholism.

BOSS: That is no excuse. He must be the one who poisoned Mercedes’ mind. That woman as never been so rude to me before. Who told her about that girl?

MULILI : I CAN’T KNOW. But I suspects kabito.

BOSS: When a man plays with fire, he gets burned. He will serve as an example to others that may have hot mouths like him.

a) What happens immediately before the passage?

b) What does the passage reveal about the character of the following:

     i) Boss

     ii) Mulili?

c) With illustrations, identify any two themes brought out in the passage.

d) Briefly describe the events that immediately follow the passage.

2. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: The Merchant of Venice

Mislike me not for my complextion,

The shadow’s livery of the burnish’d sun,

To whom I am a neighbor and near bred.

Bring me the fairest creature northward born,

5 Where Phoebus’ fire scare thaws the icicles,

And let us make incision for your love

To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.

I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine.

I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine

Hath fear’d the valiant; by my love I swear

10 The best-regarded virgins of our clime

Have lov’e it too. I would not change this hue,

Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.

In terms of choice I am not solely led

By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.

15 Besides, the lottery of my destiny

Bars me the right of voluntary choosing.

But if my father had not scanted me.

And hedg’d me by his wit to yield myself

His wife who wins me by that means I told you,

20 Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair

As any comer I have looked on yet

For my affection.

Even for that I thank you.

Therefore I pray you lead me to the caskets

To try my fortune. By this scimitar,

25 That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince

That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,

I would o’er-stare the sternest eyes that look,

Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,

 Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,

30 Yea, mock the lion when a roars for prey,

To win thee, lady. But alas the while,

If Hercules and Lichas play at dice

Which is the better man, the greater throw

May turn by fortune from the weaker hand.

35 So is Alcides beaten by his rage,

And do may I, blind Fortune leading me,

Miss that which one unworthier may attain,

And die with grieving.

Youmust take your chance,

And either not attempt to choose at all

40 Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong,

Never to speak to lady afterward

In way of marriage: therefore be advis’d.

Morocco

Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.

a) i) Who is Morocco?

    ii) Why is Morocco here?

b) In what way is Morocco different from other suitors?

c) What does the passage reveal about Morocco’s character?

d) What are your feelings towards;

    i) Morocco,

    ii) Portia?

3. MEJA MWANGI: Carcase for Hounds

“The keys’, he demanded, waving the gun.

The man shook his head and loudly wet his pants.

He believed him. The fighting was dying done outside. As yet none of his men had followed him. They were waiting for the signal. He turned his men attention to the glass door, transferred the Patchett to his left shoulder and charged. Like a frenzied rhino he tore through the glass and and wood. He stumbled on the splinters, staggered and got back on his feet next to the steel cage of the armory. A dim light within lit up dark steel cases of ammunition and rows of guns, including a group of brand new .303s.

He took the grenade from his pocket, wedged it against the heavy lock and pulled the pin. He bolted back out of the office, through to the outer office. As he came out into the cold air he heard somebody run over the gravel. The desk clerkwas scrambling towards the gate. The gate light was still one and he was clearly visible. Haraka let him have it. he fairly flew into the air, then crash-landed in a messof flesh and bones.

Then came the booming explosion, muffled in the bowels of the offices. Debris was spread far, through the outer office. Before the smoke had cleared, Haraka stormed into the armoury and looke round. Most of the arms were in order. No secondary explosion had occurred. He went for his men.

Round the black a few huts were on fire. Men women and children screamed incessantly. As he watched, the southern watchtower exploded into flames, its grass thatch burning like matchsticks. Instantly all the shooting died out. Men came running to the general. He led them inside the office. In the armory they forced ammo open and transferred the deadly cargo into bags for easier transportation. Every fighter was to take two new rifles besides a share of everything else. In less than half an hour after the commencement of the attack they were ready to leave. Back to the safety of the bamboo.

“Ready?” Haraka asked Naguru.

The lieutenant looked round at the waiting fighters. About forty of them, ragged, haggard-looking, weary but showing that hypnotized fierceness they always took on in action.

‘Careful with those,’ Nguru said to one man handling hand-grenades.

Then he turned to the general.

‘Ready.’

‘We shall take the most direct route,’ General Haraka told his men. ‘Carefully, light-footed. You have done a good job. If we beat the rain all will be well. If the rain beats us, a trail will be left.’

He looked round commandingly.

‘Now, move.’

The men took off on sure feet, heading fast for the main gate. They passed by the three bodies of the gate-keepers and the radio operator and went east towards Mount Kenya jungle. They left behind a ravaged police post and a lot of dead policemen, some still in their burning huts.

The cold rain-wind sang in their ears. The storm above waited as though for orders to strike the ground below. Half-way across the plains the first heavy drops fell.

‘Nguru,’ Haraka spoke suddenly.

‘Yes. general,’ the other answered in the dark.

‘Was it bad?’

‘No, general.’

The rain pelted down.

‘How many did we lose?’

‘Not many. I don’t really know, though.’

Another pause. the northern wind now raged full blast driving the rain faster, harder.

‘Three went down at the southern tower,’ Nguru said.

General Haraka for the hundredth time wished Kimamo were with him.

a) What happens immediately before the passage?

b) Describe the character of Haraka as brought out in the passage.

c) With illustrations, identify any two themes brought out in the passage.

d) Why does Haraka wish Kimamo were with him and where is Kimamo now?

e) What happens immediately after the passage?

Dearest Mummy,

I am very delighted to write to you Mummy. I know this letter will surprise and at the same time relieve you of your grief; but Mummy I want to first begin by asking for your forgiveness. I asked you to grant me permission for a visit to my Aunt in Jinja but instead I showed deceit and filial ingratitude by lying and disrespecting you. I followed James up to Bungatira because I love him. But in what I did, I declare he is completely innocent. He did not connive with me in any way. My visit to his home caused a great stir and difficulty for the whole family including James. So mummy, do not blame him; the wrong entirely upon my head.

My stay here has been hard but I was happy with it. I thought that it was the only way I could frustrate father’s intention of marrying me to a white-man. But mummy, pray that father should forgive me. I was given hard work to discourage and scare me. I weeded, grounded millet, fetched water and faced hardships of different kinds. They did not use force, they did it with the hope that I would get scared then surrender my determination to get married to James. Although I was unused to all these, I did the best I could and won admiration.

I was rivaled by or it is better to put out that I rivaled a local girl. The repercussion was disastrous for me because I got a severe burn. But God touched me, I healed and I am well again. I am glad to mention that our marriage has been approved and James will become my beloved husband. I am planning to return home. I know that the situation there is tense but I still want to regain my health. I will comein a week’s time. But mum, keep this a secret from father till I come. Let me confide in you for James’ sake.

Once again I am reiterating that did of my own free will. All the blame is but my own. So please, relax and be convinced that your daughter is well and God willing. will see you soon.

Yours affectionately

Margaret.

a) What happens just before the passage?

b) Describe Margaret’s character as revealed in this passage.

c) With illustrations, explain the themes presented in the passage

d) What happens immediately after this passage?

5. Explain what makes Betrayal in the City a suitable title for the play.

6. Referring to Betrayal in the City, explain why Boss’ government in Kafira falls in the end.

7. With illustrations, identify three of the themes in the play, The Merchant of Venice.

8. Give the qualities that make Portia an admirable character in The Merchant of Venice.

9. Why do the freedom fighters consider it important to initiate the villagers?

10. In which ways is General Haraka a good military leader?

11. Explain the qualities that make Margaret Nagawa an admirable character in The Alien Woman.

12. Relate what happens in the novel, The Alien Woman, to what happens in your community.

13. What important lessons does the play, The Government Inspector teach?

14. Describe the character of Hlestakov as presented in the play, The Government Inspector.

15. Explain any three themes in the play, Voice of the People.

16. Referring to the play, Voice of the People, describe the character of Nasirumbi.

17. In which ways is A Cowrie of Hope a story of hope?

18. What challenges does Nasula face in life in the novel,  A Cowrie of Hope?

19. Explain the theme of tradition in the play, The Curse of the Sacred Cow.

20. How does the  Mutumo’s decision to visit Mwamba influence events in the play, The Curse of the Sacred Cow?

21. Describe the character of Elang Sima as brought out in Mema.

22. Describe three of the mos interesting events in the novel, Mema

23. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:

When my friend see me

He swells and pants like a frog

Because I talk the wisdom of the Bush!

He says we from the bush

Do not understand civilized ways

For we tell our women

To keep the hem of their dresses

Below the knee

we from the bush, my friend insists,

Do not know how to ‘enjoy’:

When we come to the civilized city,

Like nuns, we stay away from nightclubs

Where women belong to no men

And men belong to no women

And these civilized people

Quarrel and fight like hungry lions!

But, my friend, why do men

With crippled legs, lifeless eyes,

Wooden legs, empty stomachs

Wander about the streets

Of this civilized world?

Teach me, my friend the trick,

So that my eyes may not

See those whose houses have no walls

But emptiness all around;

Show me the wax you use

To seal your ears

To stop hearing the cry of the hungry;

Teach me the new wisdom

Which tells men

To talk about money and not love,

When they meet women;

Tell your God to convert

Me to the faith of the indifferent,

The faith of those

Who will never listen until

They are shaken with blows.

I speak for the bush:

I speak for the civilized _

Will you hear me?

a) Who is the speaker in the poem?

b) What is the poem about?

c) Describe what the speaker dislikes about the life of his friend

d) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the poem:

    i) He swells and pants like a frog

   ii) Like nuns, we stay away from nightclubs

   iii) Show me the wax you se to seal your ears.

e) What are your feelings towards the modern people described by the speaker?

24. Select a poem, you studied on the theme of Freedom and use it to answer the following questions:

a) State the title of the poem and the name of the poet.

b) What is the poem about?

c) Relate the theme of the poem to what happens in your community

d) Explain why you have chosen that particular poem.

A.D.AMATESHE: An Anthology of East African Poetry

25. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow:

Should I

Or should I not

Take the oath to love

For ever

5 This person I know little about?

Does she love me

Or my car

Or my future

Which I know little about?

10Will she continue to love me

When the future she saw in me

Cumbles and fades into nothing

Leaving the naked me

To love without hope?

15Will that smile she wears

Last through the hazards to come

When fate strikes

Across the dreams of tomorrow?

Or will she,

20 Like the clever passenger in a faulty plan,

Wear her life jacket

And jump out to save her life

Leaving me to crash into the unkwnown?

What magic can I use

25To see what lies beneath

Her angel face and well knit hair

To see her hopes and dreams

Before I take the oath

To love forever?

30 We are both wise chess players

She makes a move I make a move

And we trap each other in our secret dreams

Hoping to win against eachother.

a) What is the poemabout?

b) Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the poem:

    i) Crumbles and fades into nothing

   ii) Like the clever passenger in a faulty plane, wear her lie jacket

   iii) Her angel face,

c) Describe the speaker’s feelings towards the bride.

d) Relate the poem to what happens in your society.

26. Select a poem by Richard Ntiru or Noah K. Ndosi and use it to answer the following questions:

a) State the title of the poem.

b) Explain what the poem is about.

c) Why have you chosen that particular poem?

d) What lessons do you learn from that poem?