2026 Grade 10 Literature in English Mid Term 2 Exam with Marking Scheme

This paper covers the following topics:

• Section A
  • Oral Literature — definition, functions in Kenyan society, genres (riddle, proverb, tongue twister), features of short forms
  • Poetry vs. prose — main differences, poetical devices (alliteration)
  • Performance elements in Oral Narratives — elements, importance of recording in fieldwork
  • Autobiography vs. biography — based on Dear Mama by Kinyanjui Kombani; structural elements of a personal journal
  • Literary terms — persona, setting, onomatopoeia in Kenyan fiction
• Section B
  • Oral Narrative — “The Clever Hare and the Greedy Hyena”: classifying the narrative, character traits of Hare, features of oral narratives, moral lesson, use of ideophones and similes
  • Poetry Appreciation — “The Nairobi Traffic” from Voices from the Woods by Christopher Okemwa: persona, rhyme scheme, figurative language, mood
  • Novel Excerpt — The Parting Clouds by Ken Kamoche: setting, theme of Change vs. Tradition, contrasting views of Mzee Munene and Kariuki, imagery of the road, cultural values
  • Play Excerpt — Dreams Denied by James Karuga: conflict, symbolism of props (tattered certificate, apron), themes, contribution of stage directions to characterization
• Total Marks: 80 (Section A: 30 marks; Section B: 50 marks)
• Structure:
  • Section A (30 marks) — Short-answer questions covering oral literature, poetry, and prescribed texts; all compulsory
  • Section B (50 marks) — Three subsections: Oral Narrative (15 marks), Poetry Appreciation (10 marks), Novel Excerpt (15 marks), and Play Excerpt (10 marks); all compulsory
• File Format: MS WORD