 |
CHL821S - CHILDREN%27S LITERATURE - 2ND OPP - DECEMBER 2025 |
|
|
1 Page 1 |
▲back to top |
nAmlBIA unlVERSITY
OF SCIEnCE Ano TECHnOLOGY
FACULTY OF COMMERCE, HUMAN SCIENCES AND EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGES
QUALIFICATION: BACHELOR OF ENGLISH AND LINGUISTICS HONOURS
QUALIFICATION CODE: 08BENH
LEVEL: 8
COURSE: CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
SESSION: NOVEMBER 2025
COURSE CODE: CHL821 S
PAPER: THEORY
DURATION: 3 HOURS
MARKS: 75
SECOND OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER
EXAMINER
DR A. HAUTEMO
MODERATOR
PROF. S KRISHNAMURTHY
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer THREE questions.
2. Write clearly and neatly.
3. Each essay must be 700 words.
4. Number the answers clearly.
THIS EXAMINATION PAPER CONSISTS OF 3 PAGES
{Including this front page)
|
|
2 Page 2 |
▲back to top |
SECTION A: COMPULSORY
[25 MARKS]
QUESTION 1
[25 MARKS)
Conflict in literature is the central struggle between characters or competing forces,
such as man against nature, society or himself. The conflict is introduced in the
exposition, or the beginning of the story, and sets the stage for future events. Some
stories contain more than one conflict, but there's usually an underlying primary
struggle that the protagonist or protagonists must address.
Read the story below and discuss conflict and its role in driving the plot in children's
literature. Use relevant examples to justify your analysis.
Cinderella
In a faraway kingdom lived a kind and gentle girl named Ella. After her beloved mother died, her
father remarried a woman with two cruel daughters of her own. When Ella's father also passed
away, she was left at the mercy of her stepfamily.
They forced her to work day and night, cooking, cleaning, and mending their clothes. Covered in
ashes from sleeping by the hearth to keep warm, they mockingly called her Cinderella. Despite
her hardship, Cinderella remained hopeful and kind, even to the mice and birds who were her only
friends .
One day, an invitation arrived from the palace. The King was holding a grand ball so that his son,
the Prince, could choose a bride. The stepmother and stepsisters were thrilled, ordering
Cinderella to prepare their finest gowns.
" Oh, how I wish I could go to the ball," Cinderella sighed as she helped her stepsisters dress.
"You?" they laughed. "A ragged servant covered in cinders? You have nothing to wear and no way
to get there. Stay where you belong."
After they left, Cinderella wept in the garden. Suddenly, a shimmer of light appeared, and her Fairy
Godmother stood before her.
" Do not cry, my child," she said kindly. "You shall go to the ball."
With a wave of her wand , she transformed a pumpkin into a glittering coach and mice into
handsome white horses. A rat became a coachman, and lizards became footmen . Finally, she
touched Cinderella's rags, which became a breathtaking gown of silver and blue, and on her feet
appeared the most delicate glass slippers.
"There is one rule, " the Fairy Godmother warned. "This magic lasts only until midnight. You must
leave the ball before the clock strikes twelve ."
Cinderella arrived at the palace, and everyone wondered who the beautiful, mysterious princess
was. The Prince was captivated from the moment he saw her. He asked her to dance, and for the
whole evening, they danced together. Cinderella was happier than she had ever been .
In her joy, she lost track of time. The clock began to chime midnight, BONG! Remembering the
warning, she fled from the ballroom , down the palace steps. In her haste, one glass slipper slipped
from her foot, but she did not turn back. As the final bell struck, her coach turned back into a
pumpkin, her horses into mice, and her beautiful gown returned to rags . She ran home, clutching
the one remaining glass slipper.
The Prince was heartbroken and searched the kingdom for the owner of the tiny glass slipper. The
Duke visited every house, and when he arrived at Cinderella's home, the . stepsisters tried
desperately to squeeze their large feet into the delicate shoe, but it was no use.
" Are there no other young ladies in this house?" the Duke asked.
2
|
|
3 Page 3 |
▲back to top |
The stepmother scoffed, "Only Cinderella , the kitchen maid . She couldn 't possibly be the one."
But the Duke insisted. Cinderella was brought forward . As she sat down, she slipped her foot into
the slipper. It fit perfectly. She then drew the other slipper from her pocket and put it on.
The Duke knew he had found the true princess. The stepmother and stepsisters gaped in shock.
The Prince arrived and , seeing her true face again, knew his heart had been right. He asked
Cinderella to be his wife.
They were married in a grand ceremony. Cinderella , in her goodness, forgave her stepfamily, and
she and the Prince lived together in happiness and kindness for the rest of their days.
Moral: Kindness and a good heart are your truest beauty. Even in darkness, never stop believing in
hope.
SECTION B: ELECTIVE
[50 MARKS]
This section consists of three questions. Answer any Il:1lO. questions.
QUESTION 2
[25 MARKS]
To what extent is Achebe's Chike and the River a suitable novel for children? Support
your answer by referring closely to the text.
QUESTION 3
[25 MARKS]
What, in your opinion, is a fantasy book? Identify and discuss the characteristics of the
fantasy, the value for the children, and its features. Use of examples from Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory, by R. Dahl.
QUESTION4
[25 MARKS]
Write an essay in which you discuss any FIVE themes of the text Robinson Crusoe and
how they are related to post-colonial children's literature in Africa.
TOTAL MARKS [75]
END OF EXAMINATION
3