Observation

This question demands that candidates describe the progression of Adah’s early education after the death of Pa.

Candidates were expected to mention the following points among others:

• The theme of patriarchy, racial discrimination and western education, all of which impose hurdles on women and black people’s quest for social mobility
• A description of Ada, the protagonist of the novel, and Pa, her father.

• Changes after Pa dies: Adah moves to live with her maternal uncle but conditions in her new home are harsh. Adah has a positive attitude to life.
• Adah desires and is determined to stay in school and continue her education
• Adah excels in the common entrance examination and earns a scholarship and is admitted into Methodist Girls High School.

Most answers touch on the above points and the candidates performed well.