November 2018

November 29, 2018

WASSCE 2021 – 2025: Literature/Language Texts for Arabic, Edo, Efik and Hausa

You can get the Language/Literature texts for Arabic, Edo, Efik and Hausa for 2021 –2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) here.

Literature Texts for 2021 – 2025 WASSCE (or WAEC Examinations)

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has published the list of Literature texts for 2021 – 2025 academic sessions on its website. Recall that the current Literature texts used by the examination body will expire in the year 2020. Literature teachers are, therefore, advised to teach their SSS 1 and SSS 2 students with the literary texts listed below while their SSS 3 students are being taught with the Literature texts for 2016 – 2020 academic sessions.

Literature Texts for 2021 – 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)

African Prose

1. Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta

2. Unexpected Joy at Dawn by Alex Agyei-Agyiri (2018 Edition)

Non African Prose

1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronté

2. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

African Drama

1. Let me Die Alone by John K. Kargbo

2. The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka

Non African Drama

1. Look Back in Anger by John Osborne

2. Fences by August Wilson

African Poetry

1. "Black Woman" by Leopard Sedar Senghor

2. "The Leader and the Led" by Niyi Osundare

3. "The Grieved Lands" by Agostinho Neto

4. "The Song of the Woman of my Land" by Oumar Farouk Sesay

5. "Raider of the Treasure Trove" by Lade Wosomu

6. "A Government Driver on his Retirement" by Onu Chibuike

Non African Poetry

1. "The Good-Morrow" by John Donne

2. "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou

3. "The Journey of the Magi" by T.S Eliot

4. "Do not Go Gentle into the Good Night" by Dylan Thomas

5. "Binsey Poplars (Felled 1879)" by G.M. Hopkins

6. "Bat" by David H. Lawrence

Drama Text for Objective/Contextual Questions

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

November 28, 2018

25 Reasons We Love English Language Teachers

1. They open students' eyes and minds to a new world.

2. They celebrate the smallest milestones with their students.

3. They communicate with students who often don't speak their language.

4. They can speak more than one language.

5. Sometimes, they can listen to awkward translations without cracking a smile.

6. They can spot a misspelt word from a million miles away.

7. They know the difference between past tense, present tense, and future tense.

8. They can conjugate verbs in their sleep.

9. They let students watch TV shows in class for the sake of learning.

10. They let students listen to popular music in class for the sake of learning.

11. They let students watch movies in class for the sake of learning.

12. They have an archive of movie clips to teach nearly every element of grammar.

13. They know the difference between 'who' and 'whom' without having to look it up.

14. They have a perfect pronoun-antecedent agreement in their sentences.

15. They know the meaning of every idiom under the sun.

16. They appreciate a punny joke for its play on words.

17. They have mastered the art of talking about nearly every topic.

18. They are great at role-playing.

19. They often have to teach more than one subject.

20. They embrace the culture of their students.

21. They embrace the culture of the language they teach.

22. They are champions for diversity.

23. They recognize the value of seeing the world.

24. They come up with creative ways of teaching English.

25. They know the best place to find English language learning materials!

English language teachers are really amazing. A big thanks to all English language teachers.

Source: Teaching Revolution

The Difference between 'Prophecy' and 'Prophesy'

Despite the phonetic and semantic differences between these words, most English users still use them wrongly. For this purpose, I decided to publish this article.

The word 'prophecy' is a noun, and its last syllable, 'cy,' is pronounced sea. A prophecy is knowledge of the future – usually said to have come from a divine source.

Examples

1. The prophecies of the prophet have all come true.

2. Adaeze has the gift of prophecy.

On the other hand, the word 'prophesy' is a verb, and its last syllable, 'sy,' is pronounced sigh. To prophesy means to predict the future – usually with divine inspiration.

Examples

1. He prophesies a great war between East and West.

2. They prophesied that a flood would cover the Earth.

From the foregoing, while 'prophecy' solely functions as a noun, 'prophesy' solely functions as a verb. Therefore, it will be wrong to use 'prophecy' and 'prophesy' as a verb and a noun respectively.

November 22, 2018

Common English Errors: A Compilation of Tammy's Online English Tutorials 3

Hello guys, this is the episode 3 of Tammy's Online English Tutorials. If you missed the episodes 1 and 2, you can read them here and here respectively. Let's cruise!

1. You apportion BLAME, not 'blames.'

'Blame' is an uncountable noun; thus, it does not accept a plural marker.

2. "It's a shame" doesn't mean "you should feel embarrassed or ashamed over something." It simply means "It's unfortunate."

3. The man is cunning, not CUNNY; he takes things (too) seriously, not (too) SERIOUS. Learn to use these words correctly!

4. A student who is about to graduate or receive a degree is called a GRADUAND, not a "GRADUANT."

5. Which have you been saying?

OIL MAY (MARKET)❎

OIL MILL (MARKET)✅

6. SAY: "On a platter" or "On a silver platter."

DON'T SAY: On a platter of gold.

Example: Tammy got his admission on a (silver) platter.

7. Did you know that the letter 'f' in 'OF' is pronounced /v/, not /f/? Yes! This simply means that 'OF' is pronounced /ov/, not the way it is spelt.

8. How have you been writing this?

In other to ❎

In order to ✅

Example: "I teach people in order to learn."

9. Please, note that "fiancé" and "fiancée" are pronounced the same way: /fi-on-say/ or /fi-an-say/.

10. How have you been writing this?

Inspite of ❎

In spite of✅

11. Do you use "wicked" as a verb? For example, "You like to wicked someone. If you wicked me, I will wicked you." Please, STOP IT.

12. Your smartphone has a TOUCHSCREEN, not a "SCREEN TOUCH." Stop saying "SCREEN TOUCH."

13. Father, may affliction never rise up the second time in the mouths of those who still make use of this expression: "She/He is jealousing me."

14. "Delve" is the appropriate term, not "dive." You don't DIVE into an issue or a topic (of discussion); you DELVE into it.

15. If you still make ends meet in spite of the hardship,

SAY: I am surviving.

DON'T SAY: I am managing.

16. Never spell "Good luck" as "Goodluck" except you are referring to the former President of Nigeria.

17. Did you know that the correct idiom is, "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know"? There is no "angel" in this idiom.

18. IDIOM

(Never) bite more than you can chew. ❎

(Never) bite off more than you can chew. ✅

19. And you don't WET your appetite; you WHET it.

Both words have the same sound but different meanings and spellings. Take note of this when you write.

20. To ask someone who is upset to calm down,

SAY: Pull yourself together.

DON'T SAY: Put yourself together.

21. This is Nigeria where someone can rain insults on you for saying they are LOCAL.

Please, note that "LOCAL" is not an insulting word.

22. As a student,

DON'T SAY: I'm running an MA or a PhD programme.

SAY: I (am) enrolled in an MA or a PhD programme.

23. Don't say "The shirt/trousers is BOGUS" except it is fake.

"BOGUS" does not mean "oversize"; it means fake or counterfeit.

24. As a student, you don't OFFER a course; you TAKE a course. It is your institution that OFFERS a course.

25. Before you ask someone to shut up, try to know the difference between QUIET and QUITE! It is 'Keep QUIET,' not 'Keep QUITE.'

November 21, 2018

How to Get 1GB for N200 on MTN Pulse InstaBinge Bundle

It is no news that Instagram is one of the social networking apps that sucks the hell out of our data volumes anytime we visit it. As a result, most social media users have avoided this platform like the way rats avoid cats. Fortunately, from the look of things, MTN is here to settle this long-lasting enmity through a special offer known as MTN Pulse InstaBinge.

MTN Pulse InstaBinge bundle is an Instagram bundle that allows Pulse customers enjoy access to Instagram anytime of the day at a special rate. It comes in two bundles (valid for 24hrs): 250MB for N100 and 1GB for N200. The offer is restricted to Pulse users. In other words, you have to migrate to MTN Pulse by dialing *406*1# before you can enjoy this offer.

How to Subscribe to MTN Pulse InstaBinge

You can subscribe to any Pulse InstaBinge bundle using either of the following methods:

1. Dial *406# and select your preferred InstaBinge plan.

2. Send INSTD1 to 131 for InstaBinge Lite bundle and INSTD2 to 131 for InstaBinge Heavy bundle.

How to Check Your InstaBinge Data Balance

To check your InstaBinge bundle balance, dial *559*39#.

Why We Celebrate Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Mr. Jonathan left power over 3 years ago. There is no Nigerian president, dead or alive, whose birthday celebration has ever resounded like his, not even the present emperor. Nature favoured him. Some of the reasons Jonathan is celebrated are stated below:

1. He believes in Rule of Law

This attitude is simply shown in the manner activities around him have been conducted. Jonathan is recorded as the only ex president in Nigeria whose wife has been under prosecution after leaving office. His cousins and nephews are not spared. Just recently, a court in Nigeria acquitted one of his relatives on the trump up charges brought against him by EFCC. Despite the seeming political bitterness, just one phone call from Jonathan to the relevant authority could have stopped the prosecution of his loved ones, but as his nature exhibits, he would rather allow the rule of law prevails. Even the almighty Mr. Integrity has defended his appointed thieves even when they were caught red handed stealing public funds. But no, Jonathan would rather strengthen institutions than create strong men.

2. He built our democracy

Jonathan has been a toast of African leadership because of his role in Nigerian elections. It's on record that the freest and fairest election Nigeria has had(apart from the aborted 1993 general election) took place under his watch. His readiness to deliver the best election began when he declined the call to sack Attahiru Jega, his then appointee who was obviously working against his reelection. He maintained that Jega was the most suitable umpire at that material time and, therefore, ignored all the calls for his sack. The election went against him as speculated. Instead of weeping, Jonathan praised himself for giving Nigeria a hope for democracy. Under his watch, some states Governorship elections were conducted without his interference and won by opposition parties. Same cannot be said of this present government.

3. He is celebrated for his "weaknesses"

Today, the same reasons Jonathan was criticised are the same reasons he has become an international hero. We see him as the weakest president Nigeria has ever had because of his calm nature. But in his weaknesses, he made a point that's been archived for generation to come. His gesture is being taught in political science classes as examples of good democratic indices. They deny him the praises in politics but embedded them as case studies in educational curriculum as Democratic yardsticks.

4. He saved Nigerians

People don't understand the impact of Jonathan's action in conceding defeat in the 2015 election. It's widely agreed by political analysts that Jonathan helped in averting the great loom that was to befall Nigerians. But we haven't paid attention to where the seeming loom was coming from. Those who pretend today to be working for the interest of Nigerians were the same persons who were set to destroy everyone should they lose the election. Hell was ready to overshadow Nigeria. Intelligence reports were available to Jonathan's government. The only way to have averted the danger was to either concede defeat or sacrifice the heads of those set for war. He chose to go in the bloodless way because according to him, "his ambition to remain president is not worth the blood of any Nigerian."

5. He adores his wife and respects womanhood

This is the part of his style I love most. His fondness and admiration for his wife despite all the insults and accusations of her expressional deficiencies is a wow. One can hardly sight Sir J anywhere without his wife beside him. He has built his life around his wife that sometimes I wonder whether he can survive losing his wife.

Aside this, it's on record that no government since the inception of Nigeria has given women opportunity to serve in government like Jonathan's did. In 2015, he has set the pace to increase compulsory women appointments into his government to 35%. If not that the few women left in this present administration are battling hard, women should have been totally relegated to the kitchen and the bedroom.

6. He is meek, calm and humble

No one who has had encounter with Jonathan would not sing this song. The convoy of the Governor of Nassarawa State was once interrupted by the vehicle of a lady along the express way. The Governor came out of his vehicle and ordered that the woman be brutalised. He, thereafter, came on national TV to defend his callousness.

This is Jonathan whose convoy was attacked many times in the North before and during campaigns. He left the scenes without any form of retaliation. The president of the most populous black nation would have razed down fire, and heaven will not fall. But only Jonathan can be Jonathan.

To us, Mr. Jonathan represents a bundle of peace, good news, simplicity, forthrightness, unity and an inspiration to our generation. May celebration never depart from Jonathan.

November 19, 2018

Why It Is Wrong to Frequently Visit a Dictionary for the Meanings of New Words While Reading a Passage

No one can deny the fact that anyone who wants to be successful in learning the English Language needs a good English dictionary. Such a dictionary should be a source of information – information that is not generally available in grammar books. It should not only contain a list of words and their meaning, but also a lot of information that can help a learner to speak and write good English.

In order to use a word correctly, the reader needs to know how to link it with other words in a sentence. He should also know the structures that often precede or follow it, and whether it is formal or informal. This will help him to choose what word is appropriate for a particular context. The dictionary is, therefore, an invaluable aid to reading as well as writing skills.

If the meaning of a particular word in a passage impedes the overall comprehension of the main ideas presented in it, then a dictionary should be used. Most teachers must have observed a widespread tendency among their students to attack a new passage by reading it word by word, stopping to reach for a dictionary whenever they come across a word they do not know. This is a wrong approach; the dictionary should be used as a last resort. The main objective of reading a passage is not to define specific words but to understand the ideas and concepts of the passage. The frequent use of a dictionary tends to focus the reader’s attention on words when he should be concentrating on understanding the main ideas of the passage. Efficient reading implies obtaining the greatest amount of information from the passage in the shortest time possible. The frequent use of a dictionary takes too much time – time that can better be employed in getting an overall understanding of the passage.

Instead of turning to the last resort, the reader should continue reading. Very often, the meaning of an unfamiliar word can be guessed from the context in which it is used. The passage may give a definition, cite examples or describe the circumstances surrounding the use of such a word well enough for him to know what it means. After reading the whole passage, the reader may realize that he has understood the important ideas presented without knowing the meaning of every word. If, after reading the entire passage, the reader is still unable to guess the meaning of a word from the context, then he should study the structure of the word. The word may be a compound word which, when broken into its component parts, can be easily understood.

If, after exhausting these approaches, the reader still does not understand the meaning of a word, and if this word is vital to the comprehension of the whole passage, then and only then, should he refer to a dictionary.

WAEC, 2010.

November 09, 2018

BYS Civil Service Commission: Result of the Written Examination

The Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission has, on its website, published the list of successful applicants who sat for its recruitment examination in August, 2018. This list is comprised of applicants who scored 70% and above. As a result, these applicants are qualified for the next phase of the recruitment exercise.

BYS Civil Service Commission: List of Successful Applicants Who Sat for the Entry Examination

SEE ALSO: THE TIMETABLE FOR THE SECOND APTITUDE TEST

CHECK THE NAMES OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR THE 2018 RECRUITMENT

Recall that the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, in June this year, directed the State's Civil Service Commission to commence the recruitment exercise of 1000 young graduates across the eight Local Government Areas in the State. As such, an entry examination was scheduled on Tuesday, August 21, Wednesday, August 22, and Thursday, August 23, 2018 for 12,335 cleared applicants.

If you sat for that examination, you can check your result using either of the links below.

BRASS LGA

EKEREMOR LGA (EKELGA)

KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA LGA (KOLGA)

November 07, 2018

The Meaning and Types of Pronoun

A pronoun is a word that is used in place or instead of a noun to avoid repetition.

Examples

1. Emeka lives in Abuja.

2. He lives in Abuja.

pro

‘He,’ in the second example, is a pronoun because it is used instead of the noun, “Emeka.” There are different types of pronoun:

· Personal pronoun.
· Reflexive pronoun.
· Possessive pronoun.
· Relative pronoun.
· Interrogative pronoun.
· Demonstrative Pronoun.
· Indefinite pronoun.

Personal Pronoun

A personal pronoun is a pronoun that is associated primarily with a person or persons. It may be singular or plural.

Person	Number	Subject	Object
First	Singular	I	Me
Second	Singular	You	You
Third	Singular	He/She/It	Him/Her/It

First	Plural	We	Us
Second	Plural	You	You
Third	Plural	They	Them

Types of Personal Pronoun

1. First Person

The first person is the person speaking or reporting, e.g. I, we. The object forms are: me and us respectively.

2. Second Person

The second person is the person being spoken to or being addressed, e.g. You.

3. Third Person

The third person is the person being spoken about or being addressed, e.g., he, she, it, they. The object forms are: him, her, it and them respectively.

Reflexive Pronoun

A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that refers to the noun or pronoun that precedes it in a sentence. The preceding noun or pronoun is usually the subject of the sentence.

Examples

1. Emeka slapped himself.

2. They are talking to themselves.

In the sentences above, ‘himself’ and ‘themselves’ are reflexive pronouns because they refer to ‘Emeka’ and ‘They’ respectively. Other examples of reflexive pronouns are: myself, itself, herself, yourselves, yourself, ourselves.

Possessive Pronoun

Possessive pronouns are pronouns that are used to show ownership, e.g., my, our, mine, ours, his, hers, their, theirs, your, yours.

Relative Pronoun

A relative pronoun is a pronoun that gives extra or additional information about the noun which it precedes, e.g., who, whom, which, whose, that, what.

Interrogative Pronoun

Interrogative pronouns are pronouns that are used to ask questions. They include: what, which, who, whose, why, whom, where etc.

Demonstrative Pronoun

Demonstrative pronouns are pronouns that point at nouns. They are four in number: this, that, these, those. Demonstrative may also be singular or plural.

Singular	Plural
This	These
That	Those

While ‘this’ is used to point at singular nouns that are closer to the speaker, ‘that’ is used to point at singular nouns that are farther from the speaker. On the other hand, whereas ‘these’ is used to point at plural nouns that are closer to the speaker, ‘those’ is used to point at plural nouns which are farther from the speaker.

Indefinite Pronoun

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that refers to no particular person or thing. It is usually in singular form, e.g., anyone, everyone, everybody, anybody, someone, nobody, somebody, anything, nothing, everything, all, some, any, each etc.