NECO 2011 ENGLISH LANGUAGE THEORY QUESTIONS

Hint

Content – 10marks

The candidate is required to write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper on the topic: The problem of kidnaping of law abiding citizens in my Country. For a mark of 6 and above, the candidate has to show an understanding of the term kidnaping and then state and discus fully at least, three points bordering on the problem of kidnaping and which may include the causes, effects on the victims of kidnaping and measures taken to stop it.

Organization – 10marks

Orderly presentation of material in well-developed and properly linked paragraphs is required here. An appropriate title should be provided. Also the writer’s full name should be given after title or at the end of the article. This aspect is marked out of 5 If a letter and not end article is written.

Expression – 20marks

The candidate should employ the used of appropriate diction and sentence types to present an interesting composition. The language should be formal. Use of slang or colloquialism is not allowed.

Mechanical Accuracy – 20marks

As instructed in General notes.

Hint

Content-10marks

The candidate is to write a letter to his/her elder brother who lives abroad but has not visited home for about twenty years describing some of the challenges that his/her family is currently facing and pleading with him to urgently assist in solving them. For a mark of 6 or above, the two parts i.e statement of at least three challenges being faced by the family and plea for the brother’s assistance must be present.

This aspect is marked out of 6 if a letter is not written or if only one part is treated.

Organization-10marksThe candidate is expected to observe the format for this type of letters as shown below:

• Addresses of the writer and date;
• Dear+ first name of the addressee; e.g. Brother, Audu, brother Audu
• Yours sincerely/ yours affectionately;
• Writer’s first name only.

Credit is given for the user of well-developed and properly-linked paragraphs. If the usual letter format is missing, this aspect is marked out of 6.

Expression -20marks

Appropriate words and sentence types should be used by the candidate to give clear expression to his idea and point.

Mechanical accuracy-10marks

As instructed in general notes.

Hint

Content-10marks

The candidate is required to write a story that ends with the expression:” I wish I had heeded the advice of my father”. Zero is awarded in this part if the story does not illustrate the saying.

Expression-20marks

As this is a narration, the use of the past tense form with consistency is demanded. Credit is given for appropriate use of a mixture of long and short sentences.

This part is marked out of 8 if the story does not illustrate the saying “I wish I had heeded the advice of my father”.

Organization-10marks

The events in the story and how they relate to one another should be presented in such an order as to give the story a beginning, a climax and a conclusion i.e  I wish I had heeded the advice of my father. Zero is awarded in this part if the story does not illustrate the saying.

Mechanical Accuracy-10marks

As instructed in general notes.

Hint

Content-10marks

As the chief speaker, the candidate is required to speak for or against the prop: National Youth Service Scheme Should be Scrapped.

For a mark of 6 or above, at least three adequately developed for or against the proposition will suffice. It is expected that right from the beginning, the candidate will take a definite stand and clearly state it. Zero is awarded if a candidate fails to take a definite stand.

Organization-10marks

As this is a debate, the candidate is expected to begin with the vocative. Good—–the chairman, the panel of judges, the Timekeeper, co- debaters etc. he/she should then state clearly the stand he/she is taking either for or against the proposition. This should be followed by statement and development of points to support his/her stand. Credit is given for candidate’s ability to successfully employ contrary points to buttress his/her own argument. Zero is awarded here if a candidate merely shuttles between the two opinions stand without taking a definite one. The conclusion should be or contain a re-affirmation of the candidates stand.

Expression-20marks

The candidate should through use of appropriate expressions demonstrate his/her awareness of the presence of an immediate audience. He/she should use simple, clear but correct expressions to communicate with and carry along the audience who are likely to be of varied backgrounds. Credit is given for moderate and appropriate use of rhetorical questions and other devices to arouse and sustain the audience’s attention and at the same time convince them.

Mechanical Accuracy-10marks

As instructed in general notes.