The following question is based on Khadija Abububakar Jalili's The Life Changer. The use of the expression Notes of Salvation is

Analyze the question

The question asks what kind of figure of speech or expression "Notes of Salvation" is in Khadija Abubakar Jalil's The Life Changer. We need the option that best describes how the phrase works.

Explain the concepts

• Irony: the intended or actual meaning differs from, or contradicts, what the words seem to say. Something presented as a rescue turns out to bring harm or disappointment.
• Euphemism: a mild word used in place of a harsh or unpleasant one, such as "passed away" for "died".
• Anachronism: something placed in the wrong historical period.
• Honorific: a title or word expressing respect, such as "Alhaji" or "Chief".

Solve step by step

1. "Notes" here refers to money (bank notes), and "salvation" means rescue or deliverance.
2. The phrase presents money as something that will save the characters. In the novel, the money tied to the characters' troubles does not bring real salvation. It is linked to moral compromise, suffering and unfulfilled hopes.
3. The gap between what the phrase promises (rescue) and what actually happens makes it ironic.
4. Elimination: • It does not soften an unpleasant word, so it is not a euphemism. • Nothing in it is out of its time period, so it is not anachronistic. • It is not a title of respect, so it is not an honorific.

I'm working from memory of the novel's themes rather than the exact passage.

Answer: A. ironic

Exam tip: For "the use of the expression ___ is" questions, ask whether the words promise one thing while the story delivers the opposite. If so, the answer is usually ironic. Also revise the definitions of euphemism, anachronism and honorific, since JAMB often uses them as distractors.