How does Aliya show stereotype?

Analyze the question

This is a literary/comprehension question about a character, Aliya, and how she shows stereotype. We don't have the passage here, so we have to rely on the meaning of the key term and on what the options tell us.

Explain the concept

A stereotype is a fixed, oversimplified belief about a whole group of people, usually based on religion, tribe, gender, or race, and not on individual behaviour. For example, "all people from that tribe are stingy" or "all members of that religion think they are better than others."

The key test is: does the statement make a generalisation about a whole group?

Step-by-step solution

• A. She dislikes Rebecca and Bunmi. This is a personal dislike of two individuals. It is not a generalisation about a group, so it is not a stereotype.
• B. She says Christians think their religion is better than Islamic religion. This puts all Christians in one category and gives them one attitude. That is a generalisation about a whole group, which is a stereotype.
• C. She hates her chemistry teacher. This is about one person, so it is personal feeling, not a stereotype.
• D. She feels the other girls in her class are dumb. This is a negative judgement, but it is about particular classmates, not a social group defined by religion, tribe, or similar identity. It is closer to arrogance than stereotyping.

Answer

Option B is the one that shows a stereotype, because it applies one belief to an entire religious group.

Exam tip

When a question asks about stereotype, look for the option that uses words like "all," "they," or a group name (Christians, Muslims, Igbo, women, etc.) with a sweeping claim. Options about one or two named individuals are usually personal feelings, not stereotypes.