Which of the following character dies while giving birth to her son?

Analyzing the question

This is a literature question from JAMB English. It asks which character dies while giving birth to her son. The question doesn't name the text, which is a problem, because the answer depends on the book. The names Salma and Talle suggest a Northern Nigerian setting, and Talle is a character in The Virgin or similar... but I can't pin the text down with full certainty.

Working through the options

• Salma: a female name, but in the texts where I recall her, she does not die in childbirth.
• Talle's mother: if Talle is the son in question, his mother dying at his birth fits the phrase "dies while giving birth to her son." This is a common plot device, as the child is raised without the mother.
• Ada: a common Igbo name, which doesn't fit the Northern setting of Salma and Talle, so it is likely from another text.
• Tomiwa: a Yoruba name, likewise from a different setting.

Reasoning

The phrase "her son" points to a named son whose mother is identified through him. Option B is the only one defined by her relationship to a son (Talle).

Answer: B. Talle's mother

Tip: In JAMB literature questions, always note which prescribed text the question comes from. Link each character to the key events in the plot (births, deaths, marriages). If you're unsure, look for the option whose description fits the wording of the question, as in this case, where "her son" connects directly to "Talle's mother." Also revise your prescribed texts' character lists before the exam.