JAMB 2019 English Language · Question 117

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen" A child's choice of career is a matter of

Options

  1. A.glamorous desire
  2. B.passion
  3. C.public perception as to the success rate and earnings of a profession
  4. D.parental discretion

Answer: B. passion

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: This is a literature-in-English question on Bolaji Abdullahi's Sweet Sixteen. It asks what the text suggests a child's choice of career should depend on.

Explain the concept: In Sweet Sixteen, the central character, Sixteen (Sadiq), faces pressure from his father, who wants him to study a prestigious course. The play's theme is that parents should not force careers on their children. Choosing a career should come from the child's own interests and inner drive. It should not be based on glamour, prestige, or what the parents want.

Solution, going through the options:

  • A. Glamorous desire: The play criticizes chasing prestige and glamour, so this is not the message.
  • B. Passion: The child's own passion, meaning genuine interest and talent, is the right basis for a career. This matches the theme.
  • C. Public perception of success rate and earnings: This reflects the mistaken thinking that drives many parents' choices. It is not what the play endorses.
  • D. Parental discretion: The play argues against parents imposing their will, so this is wrong.

**Answer: B. Passion.

Exam tip: For literature questions on themes, ask what the author is warning against. In Sweet Sixteen, the warning is against forcing careers on children, so the answer will be the one that puts the child's own interest first. Words like "passion" and "interest" usually point to the right option.

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