Question 2
ComprehensionJAMB 1995 Passage I: Why I have not left the country
Whenever I have had to ask myself the question why I have not left this country for good, many answers rush to my mind, each striving to be recognized as being the most cogent. I am reminded of the popular slogan that 'this country belongs to us all', for which reason every Nigerian must join hands in trying to salvage it. I try to dismiss the argument by reasoning that it is foolhardy attempting to lend a helping hand where one's services are apparently not required. Then I am reminded that if I left the country in a hurry just because of our political instability and economic hardships, my commitments to my family and extended family at home would suffer. I reply by saying that as soon as I got settled abroad, I would arrange for my family to join me. Other financial problems at home would be taken care of by my regular remittances. Would I then never think of going back home in future? Not until the situation in the country improved considerably, I would answer. And who did I expect to carry on with the task of national rehabilitation when the likes of me are all out of the country? Those who messed up the country in the first place, I would argue. And so on. This dialogue of self has been going on for the last ten years or so, meanwhile, I am yet to leave the country.
When I wonder how many people share my kind of mental experience, I realize that we must be very few. For not many have the slightest opportunity of absconding from the country; they do not have the place to run to, nor do they have the means of escape. Even among the elite who consider this possibility, the uncertainty of a future outside their fatherland intimidates. And so we all end up staying and mumbling
When I wonder how many people share my kind of mental experience, I realize that we must be very few. For not many have the slightest opportunity of absconding from the country; they do not have the place to run to, nor do they have the means of escape. Even among the elite who consider this possibility, the uncertainty of a future outside their fatherland intimidates. And so we all end up staying and mumbling
The expression 'each striving to be recognized as being the most cogent' means each
- A.trying to prove its superiority
- B.determined to prove that is the most acceptable
- C.resolved not to be dislodged
- D.attempting to show that it is the brightest
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A (trying to prove its superiority)
Explanation
Each answer is competing to be seen as the best and most convincing, i.e. trying to prove it is superior to the others.