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JAMB Use of English 2005 past questions and answers

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

Question 1

Comprehension
JAMB 2005 Passage I: Eye behaviour
One of the most potent elements in body language is eye bahaviour. You shift your eyes, meet another person's gaze or fail to meet it - and produce an effect out of all proportion to the trifling muscular effort you have made. When two people look searchingly into each other's eyes, emotions are heightened and the relationship tipped toward greater intimacy.

In normal conversation, each eye contact lasts only about a second before one or both individuals look away. Because a longer meeting of the eyes is rare, it is weighted with significance when it happens and can generate a special kind of human-to-human awareness. Most of the time, a lingering look is interpreted as a sign of attraction and this should be scrupulously avoided except in appropriate circumstances. A young woman once complained, 'That man makes me so uncomfortable, half the time when I glance at him he's already looking at me - and he keeps right on looking'.

Proper street behaviour requires a balance of attention and intention. You are supposed to look at a passer-by just enough to show that you are aware of his presence. If you look too little, you appear haughty or furtive; too much and you are inquisitive. Usually what happens is that people eye each other until they are about eight feet apart, at which point both cast down their eyes.

Much of eye behaviour is so subtle that we react to it only on the intuitive level. This has been demonstrated in elaborate experiments. Subjects sit and talk in the psychologist's laboratory, innocent of the fact that their eye behaviour is being observed from behind a one-way vision screen. In one fairly typical experiment, subjects were induced to cheat while performing a task, then were interviewed and observed. It was found that those who had cheated met the interviewer's eyes less often than was normal, an indication that 'shifty eyes' can actually be a tip-off to an attempt to deceive.

However, none of the 'facts' of eye behaviour are cut and dried, for there are variations between individuals. People use their eyes differently and spend different amounts of time looking at others. Besides, no pattern of eye behaviour is precisely predictable in any normal conversation.

Adapted from McQuade (1969), Thinking in Writing, p 167

The young woman in the passage was uncomfortable because

  1. A.the man appeared to be showing interest in her by his prolonged eye contact
  2. B.the man's short and sharp gazes would tip the relationship toward greater intimacy
  3. C.strangers who made the man's type of eye contact were likely to be dangerous
  4. D.she was allergic to eye contact.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (the man appeared to be showing interest in her by his prolonged eye contact)

Explanation

She complains that the man keeps looking at her. The passage says a lingering look is read as a sign of attraction, so his long stare seemed to show interest in her.

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Question 2

Comprehension

The reason given for the non-finality of research results on eye contact is

  1. A.lack of concord and foresight among psychologists who carry out research on eye movement
  2. B.lack of uniformity in eye behaviour and the variability of contact situation
  3. C.that some subjects cheat during experiments, thus invalidating research findings
  4. D.that research findings on eye contact have not been subjected to further empirical tests.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (lack of uniformity in eye behaviour and the variability of contact situation)

Explanation

The last paragraph says the 'facts' are not cut and dried because people use their eyes differently and no pattern is predictable. That is a lack of uniformity.

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Question 3

Comprehension

From the expression proper street behaviour requires a balance of attention and intention, it can be concluded that

  1. A.even among strangers, attitudes and purposes can be deduced from eye behaviour
  2. B.before walking the streets one must balance one's shifty eyes
  3. C.when intimate groups meet in the streets, eye contact is usually longer
  4. D.there is a balance between those with longer eye contact and those with shorter eye contact.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (even among strangers, attitudes and purposes can be deduced from eye behaviour)

Explanation

Looking too little seems haughty and looking too much seems inquisitive, so strangers read our attitude and intention from how we look at them.

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Question 4

Comprehension

Which of the following can be concluded from the opening paragraph?

  1. A.The effects of eye contact are always overwhelming
  2. B.Eye behaviour is one of the non-verbal ways of communicating.
  3. C.Eye movement is the most potent means of expressing intimacy
  4. D.People are always offended by searching eye contact.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Eye behaviour is one of the non-verbal ways of communicating.)

Explanation

The passage opens by calling eye behaviour one of the most potent elements in body language, which is communication without words.

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Question 5

Comprehension

From the findings of the research described in the passage, one can reason that

  1. A.innocent people maintain longer eye contact than the guilty ones
  2. B.guilty people make less frequent gazes during interrogation
  3. C.'shifty eyes' are equally induced by innocence and guilt
  4. D.a feeling of guilt is occasioned by 'shifty eyes'.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (guilty people make less frequent gazes during interrogation)

Explanation

In the experiment, subjects who had cheated looked the interviewer in the eye less often than normal. So guilty people make fewer gazes when questioned.

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Question 6

Comprehension
JAMB 2005 Passage II: Life on the moon
It is not possible to admit that there is life of any sort on the moon. It is a world that is completely and utterly dead, a sterile mountainous waste on which, during the heat of the day, the sun blazes down with relentless fury, but where during the long night the cold is so intense that it far surpasses anything ever experienced on earth.

These hard facts are conveniently ignored by those who believe that it would be possible to shoot a rocket containing human beings to the moon, from which the human explorers could land and explore some portion of the moon's surface. The explorers would need to be encased in airtight suits and provided with oxygen apparatus to enable them to breathe. Even supposing that they could protect themeselves against the great heat by day and the extreme cold at night, a worse fate might be in store for them unless their suits were completely bullet-proof. For they would be in danger of being shot by a shooting star. The average shooting star or meteor, which gives so strongly the impression of a star falling from the sky, is a small fragment of matter, usually smaller than a pea and often no longer than a grain of sand. Space is not empty but contains great numbers of such fragments. The earth, in its motion round the sun, meets many of these fragments, which enter the atmosphere at a speed many times greater than that of a rifle bullet. The meteor, rushing through the air, becomes intensely heated by friction and is usually completely vapourised before it penetrates within a distance of twenty miles from the surface of the earth. Many millions of these fragments enter our atmosphere in the course of a day, but the atmosphere protects us from them. On the moon, however, they fall to the surface and so great is their number that the lunar explorers would run a considerable risk of being hit.

The difficulties that would have to be encountered by anyone who attempted to explore the moon — assuming that it was possible to get there – would be incomparably greater than those that have to be faced in the endeavour to reach the summit of Mount Everest. In two respects only would the lunar explorers have the advantage. In the first place, movement would be less fatiguing because gravitational pull of the moon is not very great, the weight of the moon being only about one eightieth of that of the earth. The second advantage the lunar explorer would have over the climbers on Mount Everest would be the absence of strong winds to contend with. The moon having not atmosphere, there can be no wind; nor, of course, can there be any noise, for sound is carried by the air. The moon is a world that is completely still and where utter silence prevails.

Adapted from Harold Spencer: Life on Other Worlds

The argument put forward by the writer is that

  1. A.life exists on other worlds.
  2. B.it is untenable to claim that life exists on the moon
  3. C.The mountains on the moon are incomparably greater than the summit of Mount Everest
  4. D.lunar exploration is as difficult as climbing Mount Everest.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (it is untenable to claim that life exists on the moon)

Explanation

The passage begins by saying it is not possible to admit any life on the moon, a dead and sterile world. Claiming life there cannot be defended.

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Question 7

Comprehension

From the passage, it can be inferred that

  1. A.lunar explorers are usualy exposed to inexplicable difficulties
  2. B.the moon is an unproductive world
  3. C.lunar explorers can only use bullet-proof suits on the moon
  4. D.the stars shoot arrows indiscriminately on the moon.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (the moon is an unproductive world)

Explanation

The moon is described as a sterile mountainous waste where nothing lives or grows, so it is unproductive.

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Question 8

Comprehension

According to the writer, life on earth is made be arable because of the presence of the

  1. A.meteors
  2. B.gravity
  3. C.atmosphere
  4. D.mountain tops
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (atmosphere)

Explanation

The atmosphere protects the earth from meteors, gives air to breathe and evens out heat and cold. The moon has no atmosphere and so has no life.

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Question 9

Comprehension

The two advantages lunar explorers are said to have over climbers of Mount Everest are less fatigue and the

  1. A.absence of severe gravitational pull
  2. B.absence of atmospheric canopy
  3. C.weightless nature of the moon
  4. D.absence of high winds
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (absence of high winds)

Explanation

The second advantage named is the absence of strong winds, because the moon has no air.

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Question 10

Comprehension

Which of the following is true according to the passage?

  1. A.The moon is a hard surface like the earth
  2. B.Like the earth, the moon is not a lifeless world
  3. C.Meteors grow on the surface of the moon like the vegetation on earth
  4. D.The moon and the earth are different worlds.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (The moon and the earth are different worlds.)

Explanation

The moon is airless, silent, lifeless and extremely hot and cold, unlike the earth, so they are very different worlds.

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Question 11

Comprehension
JAMB 2005 Passage III: FESTAC and an indigenous national language
The Second World and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) was staged in Nigeria in 1977. At the colloquium organised during the festival, various issues affecting the development of the black world, including the inability of most independent African nations to make a clean break with the language of colonialism, were discussed by seasoned intellectuals. It was resolved then that each African country should assign important functions to its major indigenous languages in order to facilitate the selection of one of them to replace the colonial language at the national level. This, it was hoped, could bring about the much-needed unity and national integration. Besides, since the different European languages in use were considered to be unsuitable for the expression of African cultural values, African countries were urged to promote their cultures in their local languages.

As they put it, no language could effectively express an experience if the experience does not occur in that language; therefore, a campaign should be mounted, as a matter of urgency, to give impetus to the promotion of African languages. The media in each country, it was suggested, should spearhead the quest for an indigenous national language by educating, motivating and mobilizing their government and people towards the selection of an appropriate local language.

This, in itself, was a recognition that the media – a term usually applied in reference to all the important agencies of mass information and entertainment, like the press, the radio and the television – wield tremendous and immeasurable power through their ability to mobilize the people and modify their behaviour, particularly towards important national issues. Regrettably, the media in Nigeria are yet to take up such major roles that would facilitate the emergence of an indigenous national language in the country.

Which of the following is true according to the passage?

  1. A.The sole purpose of FESTAC was to discuss the language problems of Africa and the blackworld
  2. B.The media in Africa can enforce indigenous national languages
  3. C.National unity and cohesion will be enhanced through an indigenous national language.
  4. D.Colonial languages are to blame for all the problems of Africa.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (National unity and cohesion will be enhanced through an indigenous national language.)

Explanation

The colloquium hoped that replacing the colonial language with an indigenous one would bring much-needed unity and national integration.

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Question 12

Comprehension

This as used in paragraph one refers to

  1. A.the indigenous language
  2. B.each African country
  3. C.the media in Africa
  4. D.the colonial language
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (the indigenous language)

Explanation

'This' points back to the selection of one indigenous language to replace the colonial language, which was hoped to bring unity.

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Question 13

Comprehension

According to the passage, the colonial language is

  1. A.inadequate for African cultural expression
  2. B.effective for national unity and cohesion
  3. C.restricted as a result of political independence
  4. D.superior to African languages.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (inadequate for African cultural expression)

Explanation

The European languages were considered unsuitable for expressing African cultural values.

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Question 14

Comprehension

The writer's opinion of the media in Nigeria is that they

  1. A.favour the use of English instead of a Nigerian language
  2. B.have made little or no attempt to promote the local languages
  3. C.lack the power to mobilize the government and people of Nigeria
  4. D.cannot facilitate the emergence of a local national language
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (have made little or no attempt to promote the local languages)

Explanation

The writer regrets that the Nigerian media are yet to take up the role of promoting an indigenous national language.

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Question 15

Comprehension

A suitable title for this passage is

  1. A.Africans and FESTAC Colloquium
  2. B.African Intellectuals and Colonialism
  3. C.The Media and the Language Problem of Africa
  4. D.The Media and Cultural Expression in Africa and the Black World
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (The Media and the Language Problem of Africa)

Explanation

The passage is about Africa's need for indigenous national languages and the role the media should play in it.

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Question 16

Cloze Passage
JAMB 2005 Passage IV: Democracy (cloze, gaps 16–25)
The superiority of democracy over other forms of government has long been established. From its Greek origins the term 'democracy' has been defined as a political .....16..... based on fair representation and liberty for the individual. The .....17..... of liberty and equitable representation are rooted in the definition given by Aristotle of Greece about 2500 years ago. In the words of Aristotle, 'The basis of a democratic .....18..... is liberty.' Aristotle also emphasised the democratic .....19..... of 'freedom based on equality'. More than 2000 years after Aristotle, the tenets of liberty, justice and equitable representation continue to .....20......

From the time of the Greek city - states to the emergence of the modern nation-states, the fundamentals of democratic rule have remained universal .....21...... In the western hemisphere, revolutionary struggles were waged to enthrone democracy over .....22..... rule. Among these were the American Revolution of 1776, the French Revolution of 1789 and the Haitian Revolution of 1804, the first of such projects to be .....23..... by a black nation.

The American President, Abraham Lincoln, in the famous Gettysburg Address, .....24..... the essential features of democratic .....25..... when he defined democracy as a 'government of the people, by the people, for the people'.

Adapted from The Guardian, Oct. 10, 2003. p.54

Passage IV, gap 16: From its Greek origins the term 'democracy' has been defined as a political ________ (16) based on fair representation and liberty for the individual.

  1. A.pattern
  2. B.system
  3. C.influence
  4. D.hegemony
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (system)

Explanation

Democracy is a system of government, so 'political system' is the natural phrase.

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Question 17

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 17: The ________ (17) of liberty and equitable representation are rooted in the definition given by Aristotle of Greece about 2500 years ago.

  1. A.principles
  2. B.examples
  3. C.purposes
  4. D.statements
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (principles)

Explanation

Liberty and fair representation are the basic ideas, or principles, on which democracy rests.

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Question 18

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 18: In the words of Aristotle, 'The basis of a democratic ________ (18) is liberty.'

  1. A.instinct
  2. B.population
  3. C.law
  4. D.state
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (state)

Explanation

Aristotle is talking about a democratic state, a country governed democratically.

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Question 19

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 19: Aristotle also emphasised the democratic ________ (19) of 'freedom based on equality'.

  1. A.issue
  2. B.law
  3. C.ideal
  4. D.form
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (ideal)

Explanation

Freedom based on equality is a value democracy aims for, so it is an ideal.

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Question 20

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 20: More than 2000 years after Aristotle, the tenets of liberty, justice and equitable representation continue to ________ (20).

  1. A.draw up
  2. B.hold sway
  3. C.move on
  4. D.swing up
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (hold sway)

Explanation

'Hold sway' means to remain powerful or dominant, which fits ideas that still rule today.

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Question 21

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 21: From the time of the Greek city - states to the emergence of the modern nation-states, the fundamentals of democratic rule have remained universal ________ (21).

  1. A.values
  2. B.practices
  3. C.subjects
  4. D.elections
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (practices)

Explanation

The fundamentals of democratic rule are things that are done everywhere, so they remain universal practices.

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Question 22

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 22: In the western hemisphere, revolutionary struggles were waged to enthrone democracy over ________ (22) rule.

  1. A.liberal
  2. B.individual
  3. C.autocratic
  4. D.collective
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (autocratic)

Explanation

Revolutions replaced autocratic rule, where one person holds absolute power, with democracy.

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Question 23

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 23: Among these were the American Revolution of 1776, the French Revolution of 1789 and the Haitian Revolution of 1804, the first of such projects to be ________ (23) by a black nation.

  1. A.practised
  2. B.undertaken
  3. C.supervised
  4. D.introduced
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (undertaken)

Explanation

A revolution is a project that is undertaken (carried out).

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Question 24

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 24: The American President, Abraham Lincoln, in the famous Gettysburg Address, ________ (24) the essential features of democratic governance when he defined democracy as a 'government of the people, by the people, for the people'.

  1. A.multiplied
  2. B.delineated
  3. C.simplified
  4. D.complicated
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (simplified)

Explanation

Lincoln's short definition put the features of democracy in simple words, so he simplified them.

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Question 25

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 25: …the essential features of democratic ________ (25) when he defined democracy as a 'government of the people, by the people, for the people'.

  1. A.governance
  2. B.government
  3. C.nation
  4. D.motion
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (governance)

Explanation

Lincoln was defining democracy as a way of governing, so the features are those of democratic governance.

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Question 26

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: If the rain hadn't fallen, we wouldn't have missed the match

  1. A.The rain is falling, so we will miss the match.
  2. B.The rain fell, so we didn't watch the match.
  3. C.The rain fell, so we watched the match.
  4. D.The rain didn't fall, so we didn't watch the match.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (The rain fell, so we didn't watch the match.)

Explanation

'If it hadn't fallen' tells us it did fall, and 'wouldn't have missed' tells us we did miss the match.

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Question 27

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The class was tired of the new boy jawing away all the time.

  1. A.He bit off people's jaws
  2. B.He was always chewing in the class.
  3. C.He was always making trouble for the class.
  4. D.He talked continuously in the class
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (He talked continuously in the class)

Explanation

To 'jaw away' is informal for talking on and on.

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Question 28

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The new Headmaster hoped that his men would pull together

  1. A.He expected that the men would cooperate with him
  2. B.He thought that the men would compose themselves at work
  3. C.He was certain that they would resign en masse
  4. D.He was certain that their condition would improve under him
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (He expected that the men would cooperate with him)

Explanation

To 'pull together' means to work together as a team, and 'hoped' matches 'expected'.

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Question 29

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: If the trader paid in full, his order was not pruned down.

  1. A.The trader who made full payment did not have his order reduced
  2. B.The trader who made some payment did not have his order delayed.
  3. C.Unless the trader paid in full his order would be rejected.
  4. D.As the trader did not increase his order, he did not need to pay in full
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The trader who made full payment did not have his order reduced)

Explanation

'Pruned down' means cut or reduced; full payment meant the order was not reduced.

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Question 30

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The men were not pawns in someone else's political game

  1. A.The action they executed was their idea
  2. B.The men used someone else's plan
  3. C.They were used by someone's political game
  4. D.They loved playing political games
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The action they executed was their idea)

Explanation

A pawn is someone used by others. Since they were not pawns, they acted on their own idea.

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Question 31

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The crisis ended as suddenly as it began

  1. A.The crisis had suddenly begun
  2. B.The crisis will not end suddenly
  3. C.The crisis stopped almost immediately.
  4. D.The crisis will stop immediately.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (The crisis stopped almost immediately.)

Explanation

It began suddenly and ended just as suddenly, so it stopped almost at once. The past tense rules out D.

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Question 32

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: One thing I will not be complaining about in my new job is a lack of excitement

  1. A.The job is bad.
  2. B.The job is exciting
  3. C.The job is not too exciting
  4. D.The job has been previously done
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (The job is exciting)

Explanation

If you won't complain about a lack of excitement, the job has plenty of excitement.

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Question 33

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The Governor parried all the questions put to him by the journalist.

  1. A.The Governor answered all the questions brilliantly.
  2. B.The Governor evaded all the questions
  3. C.The Governor failed all the questions
  4. D.The Governor mastered all the questions
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (The Governor evaded all the questions)

Explanation

To parry a question is to turn it aside skilfully without really answering it.

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Question 35

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The man puts his foot down whenever he is convinced of his action

  1. A.He desires to assert his will in the situation
  2. B.He makes his mark wherever he goes
  3. C.His attitude demonstrates someone who likes to oppress others around him
  4. D.He demonstrates firmness of character
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (He demonstrates firmness of character)

Explanation

To put your foot down is to be firm and refuse to give way.

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Question 36

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The teacher recounted two events that were analogous with each other

  1. A.similar with
  2. B.advantageous to
  3. C.distant from
  4. D.different from
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (different from)

Explanation

'Analogous with' means similar to, so the opposite is 'different from'.

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Question 37

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The Principal was filled with scorn when we gave our reason for coming late

  1. A.contempt
  2. B.sympathy
  3. C.anger
  4. D.pity
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (sympathy)

Explanation

Scorn is contempt for something; the opposite feeling is sympathy.

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Question 38

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: After fifty years, he could not find anyone who was contemporary with him at college

  1. A.strange to
  2. B.friendly with
  3. C.belonged to
  4. D.contested against
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (strange to)

Explanation

Being contemporary with someone means being there at the same time and knowing them; 'strange to' is the opposite idea among the options.

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Question 39

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Idris gives me a sour look every time I pass by him

  1. A.bad
  2. B.satisfactory
  3. C.friendly
  4. D.sinister
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (friendly)

Explanation

A sour look is unfriendly and bad-tempered; the opposite is a friendly look.

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Question 40

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The officer was given an invidious task

  1. A.vivid
  2. B.cruel
  3. C.pleasant
  4. D.difficult
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (pleasant)

Explanation

An invidious task is unpleasant and likely to cause resentment; the opposite is pleasant.

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Question 41

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The views of the plateau are in stark contrast to the workaday cottages below

  1. A.ordinary and uninteresting
  2. B.beautiful and interesting
  3. C.comfortable and fascinating
  4. D.ugly and unfascinating
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (beautiful and interesting)

Explanation

Workaday means ordinary and dull. The opposite is beautiful and interesting.

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Question 42

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The President can afford to dispense with some of his henchmen

  1. A.detractors
  2. B.body guards
  3. C.sycophants
  4. D.advisers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (detractors)

Explanation

Henchmen are loyal followers who support a leader; detractors criticise him, the opposite.

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Question 45

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Asabe bought a glossy pair of shoes

  1. A.smooth and shiny
  2. B.rough and dull
  3. C.smooth and shining
  4. D.rough and gummy
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (rough and dull)

Explanation

Glossy means smooth and shiny, so the opposite is rough and dull.

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Question 46

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Manu is hard to convince because he is an opinionated person

  1. A.an objective
  2. B.a subjective
  3. C.an imperative
  4. D.a discursive
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (an objective)

Explanation

An opinionated person sticks stubbornly to his own views. The opposite is an objective person who weighs facts fairly.

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Question 47

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Some people consider the leather upholstery and thick rugs a bit sumptuous

  1. A.expensive
  2. B.desirable
  3. C.lavish
  4. D.simple
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (simple)

Explanation

Sumptuous means rich and lavish; the opposite is simple.

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Question 48

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The dramatist provided a satisfactory denouement to the play

  1. A.audition
  2. B.climax
  3. C.lavish
  4. D.simple
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (climax)

Explanation

The denouement is the final unravelling of a plot after its high point; the climax is the high point itself, the contrasting stage.

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Question 49

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Many Nigerians are wary of night journeys

  1. A.worried about
  2. B.unscared of
  3. C.satisfied with
  4. D.troubled about
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (unscared of)

Explanation

To be wary of something is to be careful or afraid of it. The opposite is unscared of.

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Question 50

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The proprietor accused Uche of silently acquiescing to the students' demands

  1. A.submitting to
  2. B.compromising on
  3. C.adjusting
  4. D.resisting
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (resisting)

Explanation

Acquiescing means accepting without protest; the opposite is resisting.

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Question 51

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: No wonder Sikemi later became a detective; she has been very observant

  1. A.curious
  2. B.perceptive
  3. C.inductive
  4. D.inquisitive
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (perceptive)

Explanation

An observant person notices details quickly, which is what 'perceptive' means.

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Question 52

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Nigeria has been playing a vital role in the political and economic development of Africa

  1. A.creditable
  2. B.crucial
  3. C.respectable
  4. D.laudable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (crucial)

Explanation

A vital role is an extremely important one, that is, crucial.

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Question 54

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Courteously, Ade stood back to let his teacher go first through the door

  1. A.Patiently
  2. B.Politely
  3. C.Carefully
  4. D.Calmly
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Politely)

Explanation

Courteously means with good manners, that is, politely.

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Question 55

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Many people used to live in poverty

  1. A.instability
  2. B.want
  3. C.difficult
  4. D.the slums
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (want)

Explanation

Poverty is a state of lacking money and basic needs. 'Want' has exactly this meaning, as in 'living in want'.

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Question 56

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Accountability is certainly a desirable quality in a politician

  1. A.Respectability
  2. B.Courage
  3. C.Responsibility
  4. D.Diligence
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Responsibility)

Explanation

Being accountable means being answerable for what you do, which is responsibility.

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Question 57

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The common practice among some media practitioners is to be sensational in their reporting

  1. A.prevalent
  2. B.rampant
  3. C.ordinary
  4. D.cogent
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (prevalent)

Explanation

A common practice is one that is widespread, that is, prevalent.

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Question 58

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: That fateful decision changed the company's outlook in many ways.

  1. A.wonderful
  2. B.disastrous
  3. C.uncontrollable
  4. D.unsuccessful
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (disastrous)

Explanation

A fateful decision has serious, often bad, consequences; 'disastrous' is closest.

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Question 59

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The accident victim received a superficial wound from the crash

  1. A.a serious
  2. B.a painless
  3. C.an internal
  4. D.an external
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (an external)

Explanation

A superficial wound is only on the surface of the body, so it is external rather than deep.

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Question 60

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The boxer fizzled out just in the sixth round

  1. A.knocked out his opponent
  2. B.showed off his talents
  3. C.became tired out fought on spiritedly
  4. D.surrendered rather disappointingly
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (surrendered rather disappointingly)

Explanation

To fizzle out is to end weakly and disappointingly.

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Question 61

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The manager described Mfon as a man of vehement character

  1. A.weak and uninterested
  2. B.strong and insistent
  3. C.troublesome and noisy
  4. D.clever and helpful
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (strong and insistent)

Explanation

Vehement means forceful and showing strong feeling, so strong and insistent.

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Question 62

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Obi's dog is old but still lively

  1. A.attractive
  2. B.howling
  3. C.barking
  4. D.frisky
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (frisky)

Explanation

Frisky means playful and full of energy, which is lively.

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Question 63

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: His taciturnity amazed everyone in the court during the legal tussle

  1. A.obliviousness
  2. B.reticence
  3. C.sensibility
  4. D.pervasiveness
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (reticence)

Explanation

Taciturnity is the habit of saying very little; reticence means the same.

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Question 64

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The greatness of the creator of the universe is always inexpressible to many adherents of certain faiths

  1. A.inevitable
  2. B.wonderful
  3. C.unbearable
  4. D.ineffable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (ineffable)

Explanation

Ineffable means too great to be described in words, which is inexpressible.

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Question 66

Direct and Indirect Speech

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Yesterday, my mother asked me....

  1. A.If I am tired
  2. B.are you tired?
  3. C.whether was I tired?
  4. D.If I was tired
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (If I was tired)

Explanation

Reported questions use 'if/whether' with normal word order, and the past 'asked' needs the past 'was'.

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Question 67

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The Bank Manager assured us that there was nothing to worry about.........

  1. A.as regard to the loan
  2. B.with regards to the loan
  3. C.in regard of the loan
  4. D.with regard to the loan
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (with regard to the loan)

Explanation

The standard phrase is 'with regard to' (or 'as regards'); 'regards' with an s is used only for greetings.

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Question 68

Adjectives and Adverbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The first prize was.....tray

  1. A.a carved wooden attractive
  2. B.a wooden attractive carved
  3. C.an attractive carved wooden
  4. D.a carved attractive wooden
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (an attractive carved wooden)

Explanation

Adjectives go in the order opinion, then other qualities, then material: attractive (opinion), carved, wooden (material).

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Question 69

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Tsadu always cautions that difficult jobs should be done.....

  1. A.step from step
  2. B.step by step
  3. C.steps after steps
  4. D.steps by steps
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (step by step)

Explanation

The fixed expression is 'step by step', meaning gradually, one stage at a time.

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Question 70

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): I was often angry......... Oche since he differed... me often

  1. A.with/to
  2. B.about/with
  3. C.against/from
  4. D.with/ with
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (with/ with)

Explanation

We are angry with a person, and we differ with someone when we disagree with them.

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Question 71

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): I am writing to you for......reasons

  1. A.concerned
  2. B.several
  3. C.plenty
  4. D.myriad of
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (several)

Explanation

'Several reasons' is correct; 'plenty' would need 'of', and 'myriad of' needs an article.

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Question 72

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): As we sat........ the silence, my eyes .......the room

  1. A.under/looked
  2. B.over/surrounded
  3. C.in/roamed
  4. D.along/observed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (in/roamed)

Explanation

We sit in silence, and eyes roam (wander) a room.

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Question 73

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Is it true that Okoro.......... when the gates were closed?

  1. A.had returned
  2. B.would return
  3. C.should return
  4. D.would have returned
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (had returned)

Explanation

Okoro's return happened before the gates were closed, so the past perfect 'had returned' is right.

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Question 74

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The public library has stopped....... books to readers

  1. A.borrowing
  2. B.lending
  3. C.renting
  4. D.loaning
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (lending)

Explanation

A library lends books; readers borrow them.

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Question 75

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): We won't leave until it......... raining

  1. A.will stop
  2. B.stopped
  3. C.stops
  4. D.has stopped
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (stops)

Explanation

After 'until' referring to the future we use the simple present: 'until it stops'.

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Question 76

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The........ event marked the beginning of a new life for the entire cabinet

  1. A.historical
  2. B.historicity of the
  3. C.historic
  4. D.history of the
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (historic)

Explanation

'Historic' means important and memorable; 'historical' just means connected with history.

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Question 77

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The train.......... before I arrived

  1. A.was leaving
  2. B.has left
  3. C.had left
  4. D.would leave
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (had left)

Explanation

The earlier of two past actions takes the past perfect: the train had left before I arrived.

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Question 78

Question Tags

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): You can travel on your own,........... ?

  1. A.isn't it
  2. B.can't you
  3. C.won't you
  4. D.shan't you
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (can't you)

Explanation

A positive statement with 'can' takes the negative tag 'can't you?'.

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Question 79

Verb Forms

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The man is refurbishing the flat with a view to......... it.

  1. A.sell
  2. B.selling
  3. C.have sold
  4. D.be selling
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (selling)

Explanation

In 'with a view to', 'to' is a preposition, so it is followed by the -ing form: selling.

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Question 80

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The Secretary-General was shocked at the number of ........

  1. A.child's soldiers
  2. B.childish soldiers
  3. C.children soldiers
  4. D.child soldiers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (child soldiers)

Explanation

The compound noun is 'child soldiers', with 'child' used like an adjective.

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Question 81

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): In spite of Shade's good looks, her hair is always.......

  1. A.unkept
  2. B.unkempt
  3. C.unwashed
  4. D.uncared for
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (unkempt)

Explanation

'Unkempt' (untidy) is the correct word; 'unkept' is a misspelling.

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Question 82

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): By the end of the football match today, we...... the best player

  1. A.could have known
  2. B.might have known
  3. C.will have known
  4. D.would have known
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (will have known)

Explanation

'By the end of today's match' is a future time, so the future perfect 'will have known' is needed.

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Question 83

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): It is African for a younger person to show......... to elders

  1. A.understanding
  2. B.indifference
  3. C.deference
  4. D.satisfaction
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (deference)

Explanation

Deference means polite respect, which young people show to elders in African culture.

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Question 84

Spelling

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): A nursery rhyme is used to teach pupils how to spell the word.........

  1. A.hipoppotemus
  2. B.hippoppotemus
  3. C.hipoppotamus
  4. D.hippopotamus
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (hippopotamus)

Explanation

The correct spelling is hippopotamus: double p after 'hi', single p's after that, and -amus.

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Question 85

Concord

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): You, who ....... convicted, should appeal.

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

Answer: D (are)

Explanation

The relative pronoun 'who' takes the verb form of 'you', so it needs 'are' (or 'have been'); has/is/was agree only with he/she/it.

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Question 87

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: guard

  1. A.gourd
  2. B.guide
  3. C.argue
  4. D.chat
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (argue)

Explanation

'Guard' has the long vowel /ɑː/, as in 'argue'.

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Question 88

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: luck

  1. A.lock
  2. B.lack
  3. C.brother
  4. D.turn
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (brother)

Explanation

'Luck' has the short vowel /ʌ/, the same sound as the 'o' in 'brother'. 'Turn' has the different long vowel /ɜː/.

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Question 89

Consonants

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: film

  1. A.salt
  2. B.walk
  3. C.Psalm
  4. D.chalk
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (salt)

Explanation

The 'l' in 'film' is pronounced, as in 'salt'; in walk, psalm and chalk the 'l' is silent.

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Question 90

Consonants

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: healthy

  1. A.father
  2. B.path
  3. C.they
  4. D.that
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (path)

Explanation

The 'th' in 'healthy' is voiceless /θ/, as in 'path'; the others have voiced /ð/.

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Question 91

Consonants

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: English

  1. A.singe
  2. B.impugn
  3. C.ink
  4. D.orange
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (ink)

Explanation

The 'n' in 'English' is said /ŋ/ before the g, just as the 'n' in 'ink' is /ŋ/ before k.

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Question 92

Word Stress

Choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options. The syllables are written in capital letters: jurisprudence

  1. A.JUrisprudence
  2. B.juRISprudence
  3. C.jurisPRUdence
  4. D.jurispruDENCE
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (jurisPRUdence)

Explanation

Jurisprudence is stressed on the third syllable: ju-ris-PRU-dence.

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Question 93

Word Stress

Choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options. The syllables are written in capital letters: suburbanite

  1. A.SUburbanite
  2. B.suBURbanite
  3. C.suburBAnite
  4. D.suburbaNITE
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (suBURbanite)

Explanation

Suburbanite keeps the stress of 'suburban', on the second syllable: su-BUR-ba-nite.

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Question 94

Word Stress

Choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options. The syllables are written in capital letters: departmentalize

  1. A.departMENtalize
  2. B.dePARTmentalize
  3. C.DEpartmentalize
  4. D.departmenTAlize
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (departMENtalize)

Explanation

Departmentalize keeps the stress of 'departmental', on the syllable MEN: de-part-MEN-ta-lize.

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Question 95

Word Stress

Choose the option that has the same stress pattern as the given word: refuse (noun)

  1. A.reform
  2. B.intact
  3. C.obscure
  4. D.phantom
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (phantom)

Explanation

The noun REfuse is stressed on the first syllable, like PHANtom; the others are stressed on the second.

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Question 97

Word Stress

Choose the option that has a different stress pattern from the others

  1. A.interpreter
  2. B.remarkable
  3. C.impossible
  4. D.criticism
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (criticism)

Explanation

in-TER-pre-ter, re-MARK-a-ble and im-POS-si-ble are stressed on the second syllable; CRI-ti-cism is stressed on the first.

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Question 98

Word Stress

Choose the option that has a different stress pattern from the others

  1. A.impound
  2. B.canoe
  3. C.subject (verb)
  4. D.knowledge
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (knowledge)

Explanation

im-POUND, ca-NOE and sub-JECT (verb) are stressed on the second syllable; KNOW-ledge is stressed on the first.

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Question 99

Emphatic Stress and Intonation

The word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates: Your mother CAN cook the meal

  1. A.Who will cook the meal?
  2. B.Can my father cook the meal?
  3. C.Isn't my mother able to cook the meal?
  4. D.What can my mother do?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Isn't my mother able to cook the meal?)

Explanation

Stressing CAN answers a doubt about whether she is able to cook.

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Question 100

Emphatic Stress and Intonation

The word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates: The EAGLES won the match

  1. A.Did the Eagles lose the match?
  2. B.Who won the match?
  3. C.What did the Eagles win?
  4. D.Did the Eagles win the match?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Who won the match?)

Explanation

Stressing EAGLES tells us who won, so it answers 'Who won the match?'.

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