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JAMB Use of English 1991 past questions and answers

98 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.

Question 1

Comprehension
JAMB 1991 Passage I: Young people going deaf
The young are not listening to their elders, and perhaps they never have. But now it happens that, with many of them, the reason may be medical. The young aren't listening because they can't hear. Just as nagging parents have long suspected, otologists (hearing specialists) now report that youngsters are going deaf as a result of blasting their eardrums with electronically amplified rock 'n' roll.

The hearing specialists used to worry about loud noise as a cause of deafness only in industrial and military situations. They knew that eight hours of daily exposure, year in and year out, to the din of the proverbial boiler factory, would eventually result in permanent hearing loss. Riveters were particularly susceptible. Then they learned that the same thing happened to aviators. After the advent of jets, the hazard applied to ground crews at airports and flight-deck personnel aboard aircraft carriers– hence the introduction of insulated, noise-absorbing plastic earmuffs.

In discotheques and rock 'n' roll joints, the trouble is not so much in the instruments themselves, or the close quarters. The blame goes to the electronic amplifiers. An old-fashioned military band, playing a march in Ramat Park, generated as much sound. But the sound was not amplified and was dissipated in the open air. A trombonist sitting in front of a tuba player might be a bit deaf for an hour or so after a concert, then his hearing returned to normal. A microphone hooked up to a public address system did not appreciably increase the hearing hazard. What he did was multiple microphones and speakers, and the installation of internal microphones in such instruments as guitars and bousoukis.

The young are not listening to their elders because

  1. A.they never have
  2. B.their parents nag constantly
  3. C.they are permanently deaf
  4. D.they appear to be going deaf
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (they appear to be going deaf)

Explanation

The passage says the young aren't listening because they can't hear: specialists report they are going deaf from amplified music.

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Question 2

Comprehension

'Just as nagging parents have long suspected' implies that the parents suspected that

  1. A.their children did not listen to them
  2. B.children could not hear properly after listening to amplified music
  3. C.otologists were always right
  4. D.children were disobedient because they did not listen to their parents
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (children could not hear properly after listening to amplified music)

Explanation

What the parents suspected is what the otologists now report: loud amplified music has damaged the children's hearing.

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Question 3

Comprehension

What is the result of being subjected to the din of the proverbial boiler factory for a prolonged length of time?

  1. A.A loss of hearing which will never improve
  2. B.Total deafness eight hours a day
  3. C.Temporary deafness
  4. D.Hearing loss which can be corrected by medical treatments
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (A loss of hearing which will never improve)

Explanation

The passage says years of such exposure 'would eventually result in permanent hearing loss', i.e. hearing that never improves.

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Question 4

Comprehension

'The same thing happened to aviators'. This excerpt, according to the passage, means

  1. A.that riveters were particularly susceptible
  2. B.industrial and military deafness
  3. C.that continued loud noise resulted in deafness
  4. D.that working in a boiler factory affected one's hearing
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (that continued loud noise resulted in deafness)

Explanation

'The same thing' refers back to hearing loss caused by long exposure to loud noise, which aviators also suffered.

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Question 5

Comprehension

What is the difference between an old-fashioned military band on the one hand and discotheque and rock 'n' roll joints on the other?

  1. A.One is old-fashioned while the other is modern
  2. B.One produces sounds for marching, the other for disco
  3. C.One has drums, the other has guitars
  4. D.One produces amplified sounds, the other does not
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (One produces amplified sounds, the other does not)

Explanation

The writer blames electronic amplifiers: the military band's sound was not amplified, while the disco's is.

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Question 6

Comprehension
JAMB 1991 Passage II: Why study the humanities
The preparation which a study of the humanities can provide, stems from three observations about education in our world of accelerating social and technological change. First, with the rate of change, we cannot hope to train our students for specific technologies. That kind of vocational education is obsolescent. By the time the students graduate, the technologies will have moved on. If our education consists of narrow training, we will not be prepared to change. Second, and paradoxically, what our students desire from their education is preparation for specific careers – business, engineering, medicine, computer programming and the like, but we will not be able to train them for a life-long career. Their confronting the depressed job market gives our students a certain anxiety, but the solution they seek in vocational training is not sufficient. Third, we sense in our students a narrowing materialism, with the good life defined in terms of material comforts. Education, then means learning to do a job which will make money. I see in this definition a limiting sense of what education and thus life offer, a definition which excludes joy and meaning.

Our approach to the study of the humanities responds to these three related problems. In our changing, yet narrowing world, the teaching of the humanities finds one powerful justification – it teaches students how to think.

'Our world of accelerating social and technological change' means that

  1. A.our world is moving too fast socially and technologically
  2. B.our world is going through more rapid, social and technological change
  3. C.the social and technological change is more exhilarating than before
  4. D.the social and technological change is accelerating our world
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (our world is going through more rapid, social and technological change)

Explanation

'Accelerating change' means change that keeps getting faster, so the world is going through ever more rapid change.

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Question 7

Comprehension

What is the major weakness of training students for specific technologies?

  1. A.It trains students for only one type of career
  2. B.It helps students to acquire money later when they are employed
  3. C.It makes them anxious for a job in the market
  4. D.It cannot help students to cope with the rapid changes in the world
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (It cannot help students to cope with the rapid changes in the world)

Explanation

By the time students graduate the technologies will have moved on, so narrow training leaves them unprepared for change.

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Question 8

Comprehension

'We sense in our students a narrowing materialism' means that our students' concept of education is one that

  1. A.prepares them for money, joy and meaning
  2. B.makes them ready to confront the depressed job market
  3. C.only prepares them to acquire material comforts
  4. D.trains them for life-long career
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (only prepares them to acquire material comforts)

Explanation

The writer says students see the good life only in terms of material comforts, so education to them is just a way to get money.

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Question 9

Comprehension

According to the writer, a study of the humanities

  1. A.is accepted by present day students essential
  2. B.prepares students for specific careers
  3. C.provides a missing link in the technological education of our students
  4. D.is the best solution to the problem of unemployment
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (provides a missing link in the technological education of our students)

Explanation

The writer presents the humanities as answering the gaps left by narrow technical training: they teach students how to think.

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Question 10

Comprehension

What type of education does the writer advocate for our students?

  1. A.Vocational as well as technological education
  2. B.Business, engineering, medicine and computer programming
  3. C.Technological education plus the humanities
  4. D.Technological education only
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Technological education plus the humanities)

Explanation

The writer does not reject technical training but argues that the humanities must be added to it to teach students how to think.

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Question 11

Comprehension
JAMB 1991 Passage III: A child, wishes and loss
One fact that we have to comprehend is that, in our unconscious mind, we cannot distinguish between a wish and a deed. We are all aware of some of our illogical dreams in which two completely opposite statements can exist side by side – very acceptable in our dreams but unthinkable and illogical in our waking state. Just as our unconscious mind cannot differentiate between the wish to kill somebody in anger and the act of having done so, the young child is unable to make this distinction. The child who angrily wishes his mother to drop dead for not having gratified his needs will be traumatized greatly by the actual death of his mother — even if this event is not linked closely in time with his destructive wishes. He will always take part of or the whole of the blame for the loss of his mother. He will always say to himself — rarely to others – 'I did it. I am responsible. I was bad, therefore mummy left me.' It is well to remember that the child will react in the same manner if he loses a parent by divorce, separation or desertion.

Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce in which he may have an opportunity to see a parent again

This passage emphasizes

  1. A.child growing up in ignorance
  2. B.our unconscious mind
  3. C.a child's inability to distinguish between dream and reality
  4. D.illogical dreams
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a child's inability to distinguish between dream and reality)

Explanation

The main point is that a young child, like our unconscious mind, cannot tell a wish from a real deed, so he blames himself for a loss. Option C is the closest to this.

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Question 12

Comprehension

Our unconscious minds and dreams are alike in that

  1. A.both are out of our control
  2. B.both can accommodate contradiction
  3. C.neither functions in a continuous manner
  4. D.both deal with non-real issues
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (both can accommodate contradiction)

Explanation

In dreams two completely opposite statements can exist side by side, and the unconscious mind likewise cannot separate a wish from a deed: both accept contradiction.

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Question 13

Comprehension

The child would feel responsible for his mother's death even if it is unconnected with his wishes because

  1. A.He regards his wish as a curse
  2. B.He hates her and wants her dead
  3. C.His needs are not gratified
  4. D.He cannot distinguish between wish and reality
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (He cannot distinguish between wish and reality)

Explanation

The young child cannot separate wishing someone dead from actually causing the death, so he blames himself.

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Question 14

Comprehension

'Traumatized' as used in the passage means

  1. A.angered
  2. B.made happy and satisfied
  3. C.made sad and dejected
  4. D.made to feel guilty
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (made sad and dejected)

Explanation

To be traumatized is to be deeply hurt and upset by a shocking event; of the options, 'made sad and dejected' is closest.

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Question 15

Comprehension

From the child's point of view, in what way is death likened to a divorce?

  1. A.Both are losses
  2. B.Both are temporary
  3. C.Both would involve his mother
  4. D.He feels responsible in each case
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Both are temporary)

Explanation

The passage says a child sees death as an impermanent thing, little different from a divorce after which he may see the parent again.

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Question 16

Comprehension
JAMB 1991 Passage IV: A statistics textbook
Undergraduate students in Psychology and Education come to their first course in statistics with diverse expectations of and backgrounds in mathematics. Some have considerable formal training and quantitative aptitude and look forward to learning statistics. Others — perhaps the majority, including some of those who aspire to postgraduate studies — are less confident in their quantitative skills. They regard a course in statistics as a necessary evil for the understanding or carrying out of research in their chosen fields, but an evil nonetheless.

The third edition, like its predecessor, is directed primarily at the latter audience it was written with the conviction that statistical concepts can be described simply without loss of accuracy and that understanding of statistical techniques as research tools can be effectively promoted by discussing them within the context of application to concrete data rather than as pure abstractions. Further, its contents are limited to those statistical techniques that are widely used in the literature of Psychology and to the principles underlying them. The changes that have been made in this edition reflect both the results of our teaching experience and the increasing prominence being given by statisticians to certain topics. Thus our discussion of some procedures, particularly those in the realm of descriptive statistics, which students grasp easily, have been shortened or rearranged. The treatment of other topics has been expanded. Greater emphasis has been placed on sampling theory, hypothesis testing, and the notion of statistical power.

The book discussed in this passage is about

  1. A.psychology and education
  2. B.mathematics for undergraduate students
  3. C.quantitative skills for postgraduate studies
  4. D.statistical procedure relating to research
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (statistical procedure relating to research)

Explanation

The book teaches statistical techniques as research tools for students of Psychology and Education.

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Question 17

Comprehension

The expression, 'necessary evil', means that

  1. A.evil is essential in studying the subject discussed
  2. B.studying the subject is an unpleasant experience which must be endured
  3. C.only those who are evil can understand the subject
  4. D.those lacking in quantitative skills see the subject as an evil.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (studying the subject is an unpleasant experience which must be endured)

Explanation

A 'necessary evil' is something unpleasant that you must put up with because you need it.

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Question 18

Comprehension

From the passage, we learn that the book discussed has been

  1. A.reprinted twice
  2. B.published three times
  3. C.rewritten three times
  4. D.revised twice
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (revised twice)

Explanation

It is the third edition, so after the first edition it has been revised twice (second and third editions).

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Question 19

Comprehension

The changes that were made in the book were motivated by

  1. A.professional experience and popularity of topics
  2. B.teaching experience and statisticians' views of some topics
  3. C.the examination results of previous generation of students
  4. D.the need to avoid areas which students grasp easily
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (teaching experience and statisticians' views of some topics)

Explanation

The passage says the changes reflect the authors' teaching experience and the prominence statisticians give to certain topics.

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Question 20

Comprehension

It can be inferred from the passage that the book was written by

  1. A.an educational psychologist
  2. B.more than one author
  3. C.a prominent statistician
  4. D.a professor of statistics.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (more than one author)

Explanation

The writers say 'our teaching experience' and 'our discussion', so there is more than one author.

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Question 21

Comprehension
JAMB 1991 Passage V: Communication in organizations
All too often, there is deference between what we say and what we think we have said, and between how we feel we have handled people and how they think they have been treated. When such 'gaps' occur between the intent and the action, it is often stated that there has been 'a break-down in communication'. Sometimes the break-down is allowed to become so serious that the gap becomes a chasm, relatives in family ceasing to speak to one another, managements and trade unions refusing to meet, or governments recalling ambassadors when relations between states reach a low ebb.

In fact, sometimes when people communicate, either as individuals or within groups, problems inevitably occur; instructions may be impossible to carry out, offence is taken at a particular remark, a directive is ambiguously phrased or people's attitudes are coloured by jealousy, resentment or frustration.

During the past fifty years, industrial, commercial and public service organizations have grown prodigiously to meet the needs of advanced technological societies. Sometimes as many as 10,000 people work on one site, or one company employs more than 50,000 people. Clearly, good communications are essential to the efficient operations of any organization, and vital to the fulfilment of all those who commit their working lives to it.

For this reason, management specialists and behavioural scientists have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analysing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and to creating good communication climates and systems.

As a result of the current structure of societies and economies, most of us will spend our working lives in an organization – for many of us it will be a large one. If we are to understand our working environment, it is essential that we become good communicators with social skills

People and Communication by D. W. Evans

Which of the following titles best sums up the passage?

  1. A.The need for effective communication
  2. B.Break down in communication
  3. C.communication in technological societies
  4. D.Bad communication practices
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The need for effective communication)

Explanation

The passage builds up to the point that good communication is essential and that we must become good communicators.

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Question 22

Comprehension

According to the passage, which of the following are NOT likely to contribute to a break down in communication?

  1. A.People's attitudes and feeling
  2. B.Ambiguously phrased instructions.
  3. C.Managements and trade unions
  4. D.Management specialists and behavioural scientists.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (Management specialists and behavioural scientists.)

Explanation

Management specialists and behavioural scientists study bad communication and try to create good communication systems; they solve the problem rather than cause it.

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Question 23

Comprehension

From the text, it can be inferred that a good communicator needs to

  1. A.Create favourable communication conditions
  2. B.Get the technological systems to work efficiently
  3. C.Call a spade a spade
  4. D.Be able to address 10,000 workers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Create favourable communication conditions)

Explanation

The passage stresses 'creating good communication climates and systems', so a good communicator creates favourable conditions for communication.

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Question 24

Comprehension

'Chasm' as used in the passage means

  1. A.Serious eruption
  2. B.Disaster
  3. C.Wide difference
  4. D.Disagreement
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Wide difference)

Explanation

A chasm is a deep, wide gap; here it means the gap between people has become very wide.

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Question 25

Comprehension

The most essential tool of communication not specifically mentioned in this passage is

  1. A.Specialization
  2. B.Environment
  3. C.Writing
  4. D.Language
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (Language)

Explanation

Language is the basic tool of all communication, spoken or written, yet the passage never names it; writing is only one way of using language.

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Question 26

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word in italics: I am happy to inform you that your boys are conscientious

  1. A.Industrious
  2. B.carefree
  3. C.careful
  4. D.corrupt
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (carefree)

Explanation

Conscientious means careful and serious about one's duties; the opposite is carefree (not bothered).

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Question 27

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word in italics: My father is a very prosperous businessman

  1. A.ungrateful
  2. B.unscrupulous
  3. C.unskilful
  4. D.unsuccessful
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (unsuccessful)

Explanation

Prosperous means successful and wealthy, so the opposite is unsuccessful.

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Question 28

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word in italics: The hostess greeted her guests in a very relaxed manner

  1. A.energetic
  2. B.athletic
  3. C.stiff
  4. D.perplexed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (stiff)

Explanation

A relaxed manner is easy and informal; the opposite is stiff (formal and tense).

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Question 29

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word in italics: Ayo takes his studies rather lightly

  1. A.humorously
  2. B.tediously
  3. C.carefully
  4. D.seriously
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (seriously)

Explanation

To take something lightly is not to treat it as important; the opposite is to take it seriously.

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Question 31

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: There is no love lost between Hassan and Hassana

  1. A.dislike each other
  2. B.are head over heels in love
  3. C.will love each other
  4. D.are still good friends
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (dislike each other)

Explanation

'There is no love lost between them' is an idiom meaning they dislike each other.

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Question 32

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Whether the village head should identify himself with the activities of religious denominations has remained a burning question

  1. A.a subject of discord
  2. B.a perennial issue
  3. C.a matter of serious controversy
  4. D.a sensitive matter.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a matter of serious controversy)

Explanation

A burning question is a hotly debated issue, i.e. a matter of serious controversy.

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Question 33

Sentence Interpretation

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: I would rather not attend the party

  1. A.detest attending
  2. B.do not have the enthusiasm to attend
  3. C.must not attend
  4. D.have a choice to attend or not to
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (do not have the enthusiasm to attend)

Explanation

'I would rather not attend' expresses a preference not to go, i.e. a lack of enthusiasm for going.

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Question 34

Sentence Interpretation

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: If Garba had listened to advice, he would not have had to be rushed to the hospital

  1. A.deliberately desired to be rushed
  2. B.was in a position to have prevented the need to be rushed
  3. C.was rushed against his wish
  4. D.was given a cheque, but preferred to go.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (was in a position to have prevented the need to be rushed)

Explanation

The sentence means that by taking advice Garba could have prevented the need to be rushed to hospital.

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Question 35

Sentence Interpretation

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Aduke: Ngozi, let's visit the market. Ngozi: if you insist, Aduke,

  1. A.is very willing to accompany Aduke
  2. B.must accompany Aduke
  3. C.is not keen on going with Aduke
  4. D.is pretending not to be interested in going with Aduke
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (is not keen on going with Aduke)

Explanation

Saying 'if you insist' shows reluctant agreement: Ngozi will go but is not keen.

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Question 36

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The new leader hands out an olive branch

  1. A.sues for peace
  2. B.gives out branches of the olive tree
  3. C.challenges his opponents to a fight
  4. D.blesses his supporters.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (sues for peace)

Explanation

An olive branch is a symbol of peace; to hand one out is to offer or seek peace.

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Question 37

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: When you go to a foreign country to study, you will discover that life there is not a bed of roses.

  1. A.as pleasant as one thought
  2. B.a bed with roses
  3. C.an unmitigated disappointment
  4. D.as expected
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (as pleasant as one thought)

Explanation

'Not a bed of roses' means not as easy or pleasant as one might think.

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Question 38

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Because our representative is immature and biased, he takes a jaundiced view of our problems

  1. A.hazy
  2. B.unclear
  3. C.prejudiced
  4. D.bleak
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (prejudiced)

Explanation

A jaundiced view is one coloured by bias or resentment, i.e. prejudiced.

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Question 39

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The president has sent his regrets. He is unable to attend the meeting

  1. A.explanations
  2. B.anxieties
  3. C.unhappiness
  4. D.apologies
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (apologies)

Explanation

To send one's regrets is to politely apologise for not being able to attend.

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Question 40

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The woman acted courageously when she was attacked by thieves

  1. A.shyly
  2. B.fearlessly
  3. C.timidly
  4. D.carelessly
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (fearlessly)

Explanation

Acting courageously means acting bravely, without fear.

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Question 41

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: We all have both good and bad characteristics. Either is, however, easily manifested in times of crisis

  1. A.demanded
  2. B.highlighted
  3. C.submerged
  4. D.determined.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (highlighted)

Explanation

Manifested means shown clearly; 'highlighted' (brought out clearly) is closest.

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Question 42

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The sea wave continue to ________ the cliff on the west coast constantly

  1. A.impair
  2. B.rub
  3. C.knock
  4. D.erode
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (erode)

Explanation

Waves wear away rock gradually; the verb for this is 'erode'.

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Question 43

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The college bus was travelling at a high ________ when the accident occurred

  1. A.velocity
  2. B.acceleration
  3. C.rapidity
  4. D.speed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (speed)

Explanation

The usual collocation for a vehicle is 'travelling at a high speed'.

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Question 44

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Note that only senior members of staff have the ________ of using the toilet upstairs.

  1. A.permission
  2. B.occasion
  3. C.privilege
  4. D.habit
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (privilege)

Explanation

A special right given only to some people is a privilege; 'have the privilege of' is the correct expression.

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Question 45

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The chief priest will ________ the men into the cult tonight

  1. A.indoctrinate
  2. B.usher
  3. C.convert
  4. D.initiate
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (initiate)

Explanation

Admitting new members into a cult or society with rites is to 'initiate' them into it.

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Question 46

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Jimoh is noted for his ________ attitude to his seniors at school

  1. A.receptive
  2. B.respectful
  3. C.respective
  4. D.respectable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (respectful)

Explanation

An attitude showing respect towards seniors is 'respectful'; 'respectable' means deserving respect and 'respective' means belonging to each.

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Question 48

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The police report was ________ to that of the eye witness

  1. A.contrary
  2. B.inconsistent
  3. C.different
  4. D.congruent
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (contrary)

Explanation

'Contrary to' is the correct idiom; 'inconsistent' takes 'with' and 'congruent' takes 'with', so only 'contrary' fits 'to'.

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Question 49

Pronouns

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The African extended family system gives security to ________ members

  1. A.his
  2. B.her
  3. C.its
  4. D.their
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (its)

Explanation

The possessive refers to 'the system', a singular non-human noun, so 'its' is correct.

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Question 50

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): I know I ________ read more, but I am tired

  1. A.may
  2. B.ought to
  3. C.would
  4. D.could
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (ought to)

Explanation

'Ought to' expresses duty: I know I should read more.

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Question 51

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Insects can become ________ to insecticides

  1. A.immunized
  2. B.resistant
  3. C.reticent
  4. D.immobilized
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (resistant)

Explanation

Insects that are no longer killed by a chemical become 'resistant to' it.

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Question 52

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The council chairman ________ the tension between the villagers and the tax collectors

  1. A.dispersed
  2. B.defused
  3. C.difused
  4. D.disputed.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (defused)

Explanation

To defuse tension is to calm it down; 'difused' is a misspelling.

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Question 53

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): If had been told of the matter earlier, I ________ there so late

  1. A.would not go
  2. B.should not go
  3. C.will not have gone
  4. D.would not have gone
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (would not have gone)

Explanation

A past unreal condition (had been told) takes 'would not have gone' in the main clause.

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Question 54

Concord

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Each of the candidates that came late ________ to complete ________

  1. A.have/this form
  2. B.are having/these forms
  3. C.have/ these forms
  4. D.has/this form
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (has/this form)

Explanation

'Each' is singular, so it takes 'has' and a singular 'this form'.

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Question 55

Prepositions

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): I wanted to avail myself ________ the opportunity of listening to the lecture, but the lecturer failed to turn up

  1. A.with
  2. B.for
  3. C.of
  4. D.at
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (of)

Explanation

The correct expression is 'avail oneself of' something.

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Question 56

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): I would have been surprised if you ________ the orange

  1. A.plucked
  2. B.have plucked
  3. C.had plucked
  4. D.did pluck
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (had plucked)

Explanation

'Would have been' in the main clause requires the past perfect 'had plucked' in the if-clause.

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Question 57

Sentence Structure

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): On getting to the seashore, ________

  1. A.it was empty
  2. B.nobody was there
  3. C.people had deserted the place
  4. D.he found nobody there
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (he found nobody there)

Explanation

The opening phrase 'On getting to the seashore' needs a subject who got there; only 'he found nobody there' supplies one.

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Question 58

Prepositions

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Little did Tunde realize that his frequent un-warranted reports about me were working ________ my advantage

  1. A.in
  2. B.to
  3. C.for
  4. D.against
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (to)

Explanation

The idiom is 'work to someone's advantage'.

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Question 59

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The Board has been having ________ series of meetings lately

  1. A.some
  2. B.a
  3. C.a lot of
  4. D.many
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (a)

Explanation

'Series' is used with the article 'a': 'a series of meetings'.

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Question 60

Conjunctions

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): ________ I know, nobody has seen any leopards in this area

  1. A.so far as
  2. B.in as much as
  3. C.provided
  4. D.even as
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (so far as)

Explanation

'So far as I know' means according to what I know.

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Question 61

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): ________ him in the crowd, I would have told you at once

  1. A.if I will see
  2. B.If I saw
  3. C.had I seen
  4. D.should I see
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (had I seen)

Explanation

A past unreal condition can be inverted: 'Had I seen him' = 'If I had seen him', which matches 'would have told'.

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Question 62

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Inyang has always been shy to speak ________

  1. A.in public
  2. B.publicly
  3. C.in the public
  4. D.with the public
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (in public)

Explanation

The fixed expression is 'speak in public', without 'the'.

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Question 63

Conjunctions

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): ________ his uncle helped him or not, he would still not be able to do it

  1. A.although
  2. B.if
  3. C.whether
  4. D.since
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (whether)

Explanation

'Whether ... or not' is the correct pairing.

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Question 64

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): I have only three tubers of yam ________ in the store, I cannot afford to give you any more

  1. A.still
  2. B.outstanding
  3. C.left
  4. D.remainder
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (left)

Explanation

'Left' means remaining: three tubers left in the store.

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Question 65

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Before the bill could be settled, Chuwang ________ all the money

  1. A.has spent
  2. B.will have spent
  3. C.had spent
  4. D.will spend
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (had spent)

Explanation

The spending happened before another past event (the bill could be settled), so the past perfect 'had spent' is needed.

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Question 66

Concord

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Either the chief of the village or the leader of the farmers ________ to be held responsible for the revolt

  1. A.were
  2. B.are
  3. C.is
  4. D.have
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (is)

Explanation

With 'either ... or', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, 'the leader', which is singular: 'is'.

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Question 67

Concord

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): We must observe that most of the support by other states ________ only marginal returns

  1. A.have yielded
  2. B.yield
  3. C.has yielded
  4. D.have yield.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (has yielded)

Explanation

'Most of' takes its number from the noun after it; 'support' is uncountable and singular, so the verb is 'has yielded'.

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Question 68

Verb Forms

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): She asked me whether I ________ the letter for her

  1. A.minded to post
  2. B.mind to post
  3. C.minded posting
  4. D.minded to posting
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (minded posting)

Explanation

'Mind' is followed by a gerund ('mind posting'), and reported speech after 'asked' takes the past 'minded'.

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Question 69

Concord

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The effort made by the principal to get the students to be serious in their studies ________

  1. A.are appreciated
  2. B.will appreciate
  3. C.is to appreciate
  4. D.is appreciated.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (is appreciated.)

Explanation

The subject is 'the effort' (singular) and it receives the action, so 'is appreciated'.

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Question 70

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): How I wish I ________ my mother's advice

  1. A.had heeded
  2. B.have heeded
  3. C.heed
  4. D.will heed.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (had heeded)

Explanation

A wish about the past takes the past perfect: 'I wish I had heeded'.

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Question 71

Concord

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Only observers from the Ministry of Works ________ allowed into the conference room

  1. A.is
  2. B.are
  3. C.have
  4. D.has been
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (are)

Explanation

The subject 'observers' is plural, so 'are allowed'.

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Question 72

Concord

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): A panel set up to probe the organization's activities ________ yet to sit

  1. A.are
  2. B.is
  3. C.will
  4. D.would
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (is)

Explanation

The subject is 'a panel' (singular), so 'is yet to sit'.

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Question 73

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The school will ________ for Easter in another six weeks

  1. A.break off
  2. B.break away
  3. C.break out
  4. D.break up
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (break up)

Explanation

When a school closes for a holiday it 'breaks up'.

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Question 74

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): His power supply was ________ from the mains because he did not pay his electricity bill

  1. A.blown out
  2. B.cut off
  3. C.put off
  4. D.put out.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (cut off)

Explanation

To disconnect a supply of electricity, water etc. is to 'cut it off'.

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Question 75

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): When you've finished using the telephone, please hang ________

  1. A.down
  2. B.up
  3. C.off
  4. D.on
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (up)

Explanation

To end a telephone call is to 'hang up'.

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Question 76

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): I do not intend to stay for long at the function. I only want to ________

  1. A.put in an appearance
  2. B.put up appearance
  3. C.show up appearance
  4. D.keep up appearance
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (put in an appearance)

Explanation

'Put in an appearance' means to attend an event briefly.

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Question 77

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The man rose to an important position as a result of ________ hard work

  1. A.sheer
  2. B.cheer
  3. C.share
  4. D.shear
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (sheer)

Explanation

'Sheer' means pure or nothing but: 'sheer hard work'.

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Question 78

Spelling

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Ebun Ojo ________ international fame as an actress

  1. A.aquired
  2. B.acquired
  3. C.acquared
  4. D.aqcuired
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (acquired)

Explanation

The correct spelling is 'acquired'.

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Question 79

Spelling

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The story on the lost jewel was quite ________

  1. A.unbelievable
  2. B.unbeliveable
  3. C.unbelieveable
  4. D.unbelivable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (unbelievable)

Explanation

The correct spelling is 'unbelievable' (believe + able, dropping the final e).

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Question 80

Spelling

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The patient is suffering from ________

  1. A.reumatism
  2. B.rheumantism
  3. C.rhuematism
  4. D.rheumatism
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (rheumatism)

Explanation

The correct spelling is 'rheumatism'.

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Question 81

Spelling

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The attitude of my students to ________ baffles me

  1. A.pronunciation
  2. B.pronounciation
  3. C.pronouceation
  4. D.pronounceation
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (pronunciation)

Explanation

Although the verb is 'pronounce', the noun is spelt 'pronunciation'.

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Question 82

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): When we got to the president's house, we were told that he ________ two days earlier

  1. A.may have left
  2. B.left
  3. C.had left
  4. D.has left
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (had left)

Explanation

His leaving happened before the past moment we arrived, so the past perfect 'had left' is used.

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Question 83

Verb Forms

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Atuk, without giving any hint as to what he intended to do, went and ________ himself

  1. A.hung
  2. B.hang
  3. C.hanged
  4. D.hunged.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (hanged)

Explanation

For killing a person by hanging, the past tense is 'hanged'; 'hung' is for objects.

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Question 84

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Provided you ________ to the market very soon, we shall be able to eat early enough

  1. A.shall go
  2. B.would go
  3. C.went
  4. D.go
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (go)

Explanation

An open condition about the future takes the simple present after 'provided': 'provided you go'.

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Question 85

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): He ________ by now, I can hear all the people shouting

  1. A.would have arrived
  2. B.must have arrived
  3. C.has arrived
  4. D.should have arrived
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (must have arrived)

Explanation

The shouting is evidence, so we make a confident deduction: 'he must have arrived'.

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Question 86

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): By the time the plane reaches Harare, it ________ in the air for twelve hours

  1. A.has been
  2. B.would be
  3. C.would have been
  4. D.should be
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (would have been)

Explanation

The intended sense is the future perfect (it will have been in the air twelve hours); of the options given, 'would have been' is the perfect form the key accepts.

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Question 87

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): If only Adoyi ________ what was good for him he could easily have avoided the tragedy

  1. A.has known
  2. B.have known
  3. C.knew
  4. D.had known
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (had known)

Explanation

'Could have avoided' refers to the past, so the condition takes the past perfect 'had known'.

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Question 88

Verb Forms

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): We saw Ifueko ________ an egg on the wall

  1. A.smashed
  2. B.smash
  3. C.smashing
  4. D.smashes
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (smash)

Explanation

After 'see someone', the bare infinitive describes a complete action: 'saw Ifueko smash an egg'.

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Question 89

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Many streets in the town ________ in need of lights at night

  1. A.stand
  2. B.stood
  3. C.have stood
  4. D.are standing
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (stand)

Explanation

This is a general present fact with a plural subject, so the simple present 'stand' fits.

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Question 90

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): I did not enjoy the party. If you had invited Tarlere, it ________ better organized

  1. A.had been
  2. B.would have been
  3. C.would be
  4. D.could be
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (would have been)

Explanation

A past unreal condition ('if you had invited') takes 'would have been' in the main clause.

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Question 91

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Sibi ________ novels since she came home

  1. A.is reading
  2. B.had been reading
  3. C.has read
  4. D.has been reading
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (has been reading)

Explanation

An activity that began in the past and continues now, with 'since', takes the present perfect continuous 'has been reading'.

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Question 92

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Asabe is overdue for retirement as she ________ in this college since 1954

  1. A.is teaching
  2. B.has been teaching
  3. C.taught
  4. D.was teaching
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (has been teaching)

Explanation

'Since 1954' with a situation that is still going on needs the present perfect continuous 'has been teaching'.

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Question 93

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The boy who stole the mango was given ________ by an eye witness

  1. A.out
  2. B.in
  3. C.away
  4. D.up
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (away)

Explanation

To 'give someone away' is to betray or reveal him.

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Question 94

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): After listening to the statements from the two students, the headmaster realized that it was a trivial argument that ________ a serious quarrel between them

  1. A.touched in
  2. B.drew up
  3. C.touched off
  4. D.brought up
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (touched off)

Explanation

To 'touch off' something is to start or trigger it: a small argument touched off a big quarrel.

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Question 95

Prepositions

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Mr and Mrs Akoka were sad and disappointed ________ the performance of their son

  1. A.about
  2. B.for
  3. C.at
  4. D.over
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (at)

Explanation

'Disappointed at' (or 'with') something is the usual expression.

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Question 96

Prepositions

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): When the transformer blew up, Saka threw himself down ________ his stomach

  1. A.at
  2. B.over
  3. C.to
  4. D.on
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (on)

Explanation

We lie or throw ourselves down 'on' our stomach.

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Question 97

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): I ran ________ an old friend of mine on Broad Street and brought him home

  1. A.into
  2. B.to
  3. C.over
  4. D.across
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (into)

Explanation

To 'run into' someone is to meet them by chance.

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Question 98

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): The spokesman confirmed that government would not give ________ to the demands of the trade union leaders

  1. A.up
  2. B.into
  3. C.onto
  4. D.in
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (in)

Explanation

To 'give in to' demands is to yield to them.

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Question 99

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): Many students have joined the ________ movement

  1. A.revivalists
  2. B.revival
  3. C.revivalist
  4. D.revivalist's
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (revival)

Explanation

A noun can be used before 'movement' to name it: 'the revival movement'.

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Question 100

Tenses

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s): If they had not all jumped out of the car just in time, they ________

  1. A.might have been perished
  2. B.will have perished
  3. C.were all going to perish
  4. D.would have perished
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (would have perished)

Explanation

A past unreal condition ('if they had not jumped') takes 'would have perished'; 'perish' is never passive.

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