The Panic of Growing Older (Peters): JAMB Literature in English Questions, Answers & Notes

What The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) covers in the JAMB Literature in English syllabus

'The Panic of Growing Older' is a poem by the Gambian poet Lenrie Peters, and a set poem on the current JAMB list. Its central theme is ageing and the passage of time. As the title indicates, the poem conveys anxiety — even panic — about the approach of old age, stressing how swiftly and inevitably life moves from youth towards age. It is essentially a reflection on the transience of life and the certainty of ageing and mortality, and its tone is reflective and tinged with anxiety. (This pack tests the poem's poet, theme and tone rather than reproducing its lines.)

For The Panic of Growing Older (Peters), JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Recall the poet (Lenrie Peters) and the theme of ageing
• Explain the anxiety about time passing and life's transience
• Identify the reflective, anxious tone

Key facts & revision notes: The Panic of Growing Older (Peters)

These are the recurring points our The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• 'The Panic of Growing Older' is a poem by the Gambian poet Lenrie Peters.
• The poem reflects on ageing and the relentless passage of time.
• As the title indicates, the poem conveys anxiety — even panic — about the approach of old age.
• The poem stresses how swiftly and inevitably life moves from youth towards old age.
• It is a reflection on the transience of life and the certainty of ageing and mortality.
• The tone is reflective and tinged with anxiety about the passing of time and youth.

Worked examples

Three The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) is tested in JAMB Literature in English

Our The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) bank holds 6 questions (5 medium, 1 hard). JAMB Literature in English typically returns to The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on The Panic of Growing Older (Peters). If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one Literature in English item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in The Panic of Growing Older (Peters)

The errors that cost marks on The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) part of the JAMB Literature in English syllabus?

Yes. The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) is a recognised topic in the JAMB Literature in English syllabus, covering recall the poet (Lenrie Peters) and the theme of ageing. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 6 original, JAMB-standard The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about The Panic of Growing Older (Peters)?

'The Panic of Growing Older' is a poem by the Gambian poet Lenrie Peters, and a set poem on the current JAMB list. Its central theme is ageing and the passage of time. As the title indicates, the poem conveys anxiety — even panic — about the approach of old age, stressing how swiftly and inevitably …

How do I answer The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for The Panic of Growing Older (Peters). Practising timed The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB Literature in English The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start The Panic of Growing Older (Peters) practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME Literature in English syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.