JAMB 2023 Literature in English · Question 42

A structural arrangement of unit of composition by which one element of equal importance with another is similarly placed is called

Options

  1. A.repetition
  2. B.paradox
  3. C.refrain
  4. D.parallelism

Answer: D. parallelism

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for a term describing a structural arrangement where elements of equal importance are placed in a similar way, meaning they share the same grammatical or structural form.

Step 2: Explain the concept This is the definition of parallelism. It is the use of components in a sentence or passage that are grammatically or structurally alike. Ideas of equal weight are expressed in the same pattern.

Example: "Easy come, easy go" or "He came, he saw, he conquered." Each clause follows the same structure, and each idea carries equal importance.

Step 3: Check each option

  • A. Repetition: repeating a word, sound, or phrase for emphasis. It does not require equal elements in a matching structure.
  • B. Paradox: a statement that seems self-contradictory but contains truth, e.g. "The child is father of the man."
  • C. Refrain: a line or group of lines repeated at intervals in a poem or song, usually at the end of stanzas.
  • D. Parallelism: the balanced, similar arrangement of equally important elements. This matches the definition.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. parallelism.

Exam tip: When you see "equal importance" and "similarly placed" or "similar structure", think parallel, as in parallel lines that run side by side in the same way. For literary terms, match the key words in the definition: "contradiction" points to paradox, "repeated at intervals" points to refrain, and "balanced structure" points to parallelism.

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