Observation

A. Candidates were asked to write an expository essay on the Palm Tree. They were able to highlight the uses of the palm but could not define it appropriately. Their responses were expected to include the following: the type of soil it is planted on, how long it takes to bear fruits and the period it bears fruits, where the fruit is located on the tree, etc.
The important points required include: - that she does not know the intricacies of marriage yet, - that university education helps girls to be more outspoken, - that stopping half way would make her myopic in thinking, - that she would have learnt more after the university education to enable her get a better job, etc.
    Most candidates that attempted this question tried and but could not give enough relevant points.

B.  This is an essay on a proverb. Many candidates that wrote on this topic could not explain clearly the meaning of the proverb but illustrated it with good short stories.

C.  Candidates were asked to write their argument for or against the motion, ‘It is good to marry more than one wife’. Some were able to point out in favour of the motion that polygamy aids having large family/ children to help in farm work, people that will help in bearing the family’s burden; but failed to state that it aids in accumulation of gifts and properties cum many in-laws.
In the motion against, they could not point out that some women have extramarital affairs, that the man’s properties are always scrambled for after his death, that some of the wives can team up against the man and some men at times find it difficult to know all their children..

D.  This is a dialogue between a teacher and a farmer. Many who attempted this question were able to state the present conditions of their professions, the benefits, the problems they are encountering but could not mention the future plans for improvement.
Most of the candidates that attempted this question did not balance their arguments.

E.   Candidates were required to write to their father requesting money. Many who wrote on this mentioned how much they needed, how they would spend the money, when they need it and problems they could encounter if the money was not sent.
The candidates that attempted this question adopted the correct format but failed to talk about the time and manner in which Ebola came into Nigeria.