A. It takes an African village to bring up and socialize the child into the community. Nothing illustrates this more than the fact that children are sometimes allowed to spend holidays with relatives such as aunts, uncles or grandparents who live far away from home. The children are shown in a practical way the nature of kinship and the extent of familial and kinship relations. They get to know that they are part of a wide network of relatives, who are as important as the immediate family off rather, mother and siblings. Such networks are useful in case of calamities when a child loses one or both parents and is forced to relocate to live with relatives who will be responsible for his or her upbringing. The parents exhibit less of the possessiveness over children that characterizes Western society.
B. That adolescence brings with it challenges that ought to be handled carefully is appreciated by the society. Indeed, the initiation ceremonies that mark the transition from childhood to adulthood are primarily meant to address some of these challenges. Instructions during initiation focus on conduct and behaviour as well as duties and responsibilities on the part of the initiate for his/her own good and for the interests of the entire community.
C. Kinship and family interests take precedence over individual interests. Young people who go through the process of initiation from childhood to adulthood arc taught that life is worth living because the society is there for them in good and bad times. Those bond together are of the same age-grade. 'They have come of age as a group, been taught the historical information about the cultural group and its rituals, and been united by the rite that they have all gone through. In due course, they are supposed to marry and start raising a family. With the passage of time they in turn will become elders, taking over from the generation that preceded them in the initiation ceremony. Kinship networks are still a significant factor in the contemporary economy and politics. Waged employment is heavily influenced by familial and kinship tics.
D. Seniority in age is respected and admired because old age is associated with wisdom. Senior citizens therefore are accorded due respect in the light of the fact that they arc custodians of societal values. Their counsel is usually sought during times of crisis. They should not be argued with because their curse could ruin ones future. However, the respect and admiration also comes with certain responsibilities. As an elder an individual is supposed to be unemotional, sober and focused during a crisis or stressful times. As an arbiter an elder has to be candid and sincere in providing counsel. Also, as either father and grandfather, or mother and grandmother, the elder is supposed to be above partisan differences for his word and counsel to be accorded due respect and recognition. He is not supposed to engage in gossip. Thus while in general seniority is synonymous with honour, respect, admiration and wisdom, it is one's ability to manifest these qualities in old age that gives an individual elevated status in society.
E. Families strive to take good care of senior citizens because it sets a good example for young children. By treating their elders well, parents send a message to their children that they too would like to be accorded that honour, respect and good treatment in old age. Indeed, one of the important reasons for procreation in traditional society was to have somebody to look after you in old age. Children brought up well were considered an asset. It was considered rude for a young man to sit down while an old person was standing. The young person was supposed to give up a scat for the old person as a sign of respect. The parents themselves must set a good example by respecting and taking care of their own parents. When children see that their grandparents are treated well, they learn by example that they too are expected to take care of their parents in old age.
F. The elder is the pillar of both the nuclear and the extended family. Being the eldest living male descendant of the eldest son of the founder of the Un cage, he is the Un between the living and ancestors. He is supposed to unite the family so that the unity survives his death. He reinforces kinship ideology, maintains peace and presides over family gatherings, during which period he keeps members within bounds by insisting on customs, laws and traditional observances. He helps tosoda Uzc members of the family, immediate and extended, into the ways of the group. He represents the family whenever there arc communal lineage meetings. In this way elders unite family and kinship members. In their oral will, in the presence of other elders, they provide guidance on how land will be parceled out among family members, appeal for unity among family and kinship members and pass the baton of leadership to the next patriarch of the family. Thus, all members of the society take socialization seriously. That role transcends age and gender. This is because socialization contributes to cohesion.
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Question Focus: Detail question - role of the male elder in the family
Correct Answer: A
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage clearly says the elder provides guidance on how land will be parceled out among family members. This is exactly the same idea as giving advice on land distribution.
Passage Reference: In their oral will, in the presence of other elders, they provide guidance on how land will be parceled out among family members, appeal for unity among family and kinship members and pass the baton of leadership to the next patriarch of the family.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'provide guidance on how land will be parceled out' = Option: 'gives advice on how land is distributed'
Tips: When you see very specific duties like land or property, scan for concrete actions described in the passage.
Key Vocabulary:
- parceled out = divided
- guidance = advice
Question Focus: Detail question - checking responsibilities of the elder
Correct Answer: B
Passage Reference: He reinforces kinship ideology, maintains peace and presides over family gatherings, during which period he keeps members within bounds by insisting on customs, laws and traditional observances. He helps tosoda Uzc members of the family, immediate and extended, into the ways of the group. He represents the family whenever there arc communal lineage meetings. In this way elders unite family and kinship members. In their oral will, in the presence of other elders, they provide guidance on how land will be parceled out among family members, appeal for unity among family and kinship members and pass the baton of leadership to the next patriarch of the family. Thus, all members of the society take socialization seriously. That role transcends age and gender.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the passage talks about unity, customs, guidance and leadership, but it never says the elder must increase the family's wealth. This is a Not Given trap because it sounds logical, but it is not stated.
Tips: Do not choose answers just because they sound sensible in real life. Choose only what is written.
Key Vocabulary:
- reinforces = strengthens
Question Focus: Detail question - leadership role of the elder
Correct Answer: C
Passage Reference: In their oral will, in the presence of other elders, they provide guidance on how land will be parceled out among family members, appeal for unity among family and kinship members and pass the baton of leadership to the next patriarch of the family.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage says the elder passes the baton of leadership to the next patriarch. That clearly means handing over control to the next head of the family.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'pass the baton of leadership' = Option: 'hands over control'
Tips: Idioms like 'pass the baton' often hide answers. Always translate them into simple meaning.
Key Vocabulary:
- patriarch = male family leader
Question Focus: Detail question - scope of the elder's advice
Correct Answer: D
Passage Reference: He reinforces kinship ideology, maintains peace and presides over family gatherings, during which period he keeps members within bounds by insisting on customs, laws and traditional observances. He helps tosoda Uzc members of the family, immediate and extended, into the ways of the group. He represents the family whenever there arc communal lineage meetings.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the passage never mentions careers or jobs. Advice is about customs, unity and family matters, not individual career choices. This is a Not Given trap.
Tips: If a word like 'career' does not appear or is not clearly implied, be very careful.
Key Vocabulary:
- lineage = family line
Question Focus: Detail question - spiritual role of the elder
Correct Answer: E
Passage Reference: Being the eldest living male descendant of the eldest son of the founder of the Un cage, he is the Un between the living and ancestors.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage directly states that the elder is the link between the living and ancestors. The option uses different words but the same meaning.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'link between the living and ancestors' = Option: 'connects the living with their ancestors'
Tips: This is a classic synonym match. Different words, same meaning.
Key Vocabulary:
- ancestor = family member from the past
Question Focus: Detail question - enforcing traditions
Correct Answer: F
Passage Reference: He reinforces kinship ideology, maintains peace and presides over family gatherings, during which period he keeps members within bounds by insisting on customs, laws and traditional observances.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage says the elder keeps members within bounds by insisting on customs, laws and traditional observances. That means making sure people follow customs.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'insisting on customs' = Option: 'makes sure family members follow customs'
Tips: Look for verbs like 'insisting' or 'maintains' to identify responsibility roles.
Key Vocabulary:
- observances = practices
Question Focus: Detail question - socialization role
Correct Answer: G
Passage Reference: He helps tosoda Uzc members of the family, immediate and extended, into the ways of the group.
Why this is correct: This is correct because the passage says the elder helps socialize members of the family into the ways of the group. That is the same as training them in society's ways.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'socialize members into the ways of the group' = Option: 'trains family members in the ways of the society'
Tips: Words like 'socialize' often equal 'train' or 'teach' in IELTS.
Key Vocabulary:
- socialize = teach how to behave
Question Focus: Detail question - authority limits
Correct Answer: H
Passage Reference: He reinforces kinship ideology, maintains peace and presides over family gatherings, during which period he keeps members within bounds by insisting on customs, laws and traditional observances. He helps tosoda Uzc members of the family, immediate and extended, into the ways of the group. He represents the family whenever there arc communal lineage meetings. In this way elders unite family and kinship members. In their oral will, in the presence of other elders, they provide guidance on how land will be parceled out among family members, appeal for unity among family and kinship members and pass the baton of leadership to the next patriarch of the family.
Why this is correct: This is wrong because the passage does not say the elder assigns roles based on ability. It talks about guidance, unity and customs, not role assignment. This is a Not Given trap.
Tips: Be careful with added details like 'according to ability'. Added details often make answers wrong.
Key Vocabulary:
- arbiter = decision maker
General Tips:
- In multiple-answer questions, check every option carefully, not just the first correct ones you find.
- Only Matching Features can jump around the passage. This question stays in one section, mainly paragraph F.
- If an option adds extra detail not in the passage, it is usually wrong.
- Use the exact words in the passage to prove each choice before selecting it.
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