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JAMB Use of English 1978 Question 43

Question 43

Sentence Interpretation

If my father had not arrived, I would have starved. This sentence means

  1. A.my father did arrive and I didn't starve
  2. B.I had to starve because my father didn't come
  3. C.my father didn't arrive and I didn't starve
  4. D.I should have starved but I didn't
  5. E.I had starved before my father arrived
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (my father did arrive and I didn't starve)

Explanation

'If my father had not arrived, I would have starved' describes an unreal past: in fact the father did arrive, so I did not starve.