A narrative that extols the deeds of a heroic figure is a

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term for a narrative that extols (praises highly) the deeds of a heroic figure. The key words are "extols" and "heroic figure."

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Ballad: A narrative poem or song, often telling a story of love, tragedy, or adventure. It can be about a hero, but its defining feature is its form (storytelling in simple, songlike stanzas), not praise of a hero.
• Folktale: A traditional story passed down orally, often with a moral or supernatural elements. It is not specifically about praising a hero.
• Panegyric: A formal piece of writing or speech that praises a person or their achievements. The word comes from Greek, meaning a public speech of praise. It fits "extols" directly.
• Pastoral: Literature that portrays rural life, shepherds, and nature in an idealized way. It has nothing to do with heroes.

Step 3: Match to the question "Extols the deeds of a heroic figure" means praising someone's great achievements. This is the definition of a panegyric. In African oral tradition, praise poetry (such as Yoruba oriki) is a good example of panegyric: it celebrates the achievements and qualities of a person.

A ballad could be a distractor because ballads sometimes tell of heroes, but a ballad is defined by its narrative song form, while the word "extols" points to praise.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. panegyric.

Exam tip: In Literature in English, match the key verb in the question to the term. "Extol/praise" points to panegyric or eulogy, "lament for the dead" points to elegy, "rural life" points to pastoral, and "story in song" points to ballad.