According to the novel, how would you describe Salma?

Analyzing the question

This is a literature-in-English question from the JAMB prescribed novel. The name "Salma" points to The Last of the Strong Ones? No. Salma is a character in Segun Ojewuyi's... no, she is the heroine of Sefi Atta? Let me be careful: the JAMB English novel for 2021 was The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli. In it, Salma is the central character, a young Northern Nigerian girl who is a victim of a deceitful and abusive situation involving Alhaji Sule.

The concept

Questions like "According to the novel" test recall of the text. There is no formula. You have to remember how the author describes the character's physical appearance. In The Life Changer, Salma is portrayed as a beautiful young girl, described as fair in complexion, tall and slim. That is a typical portrayal of a beautiful heroine in this story.

Eliminating options

• B (fair, short and fat): matches the complexion but not the build.
• C (dark, tall and slim): matches the build but not the complexion.
• D (dark, short and fat): matches neither.
• A (fair, tall and slim): matches the description of Salma as a beautiful, fair, tall, slim girl.

Note on certainty

I am recalling this from my memory of the text and cannot quote the exact passage. If you have the book, check the early chapters where Salma is first introduced to confirm the description.

Answer: A. fair complexioned skin, tall and slim

Exam tip: For "according to the novel" questions, read your set text at least twice, and make a short character profile card for each major character covering appearance, personality, role, and key events. Physical descriptions are easy marks if you note them as you read.