According to the novel, Aliya's Father favourites singer was ___________

Analyze the question This is a literature-in-English question on JAMB's recommended novel, The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli. It asks for a detail from the text: the favourite singer of Aliya's father. You can't work this out by reasoning. You have to recall it from the book.

Explain the concept JAMB often tests small details like a character's habits, tastes and relationships, not just the main plot. The setting and the characters' backgrounds can help you narrow down the options.

Solution

• Wizkid and Tu-face are contemporary Nigerian pop and R&B artists. They are less likely to be the favourite of an older father in a northern, culturally traditional setting.
• Fela Anikulapo is a Nigerian Afrobeat legend, but he is strongly tied to Lagos and Yoruba political and cultural life, which is a weaker fit for this setting.
• Ali Farka Toure is a Malian blues and Sahelian musician, whose music fits the northern, Sahel-influenced cultural world of the novel.

I can't quote the exact passage from memory.

Answer: B. Ali Farka Toure'

Tip: For detail questions on set texts, make a short list of each character's traits, habits and relationships (such as favourite things, jobs and places). Review it just before the exam. Setting and cultural background can also help you eliminate options when your memory is shaky.