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JAMB Use of English 2007 past questions and answers

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

Question 1

Comprehension
JAMB 2007 Passage I: Advice to the idle
It is of no more use to give advice to the idle than to pour water into a sieve, but it strikes me that lazy people ought to have a large looking glass hung up where they are bound to see themselves in it. For sure, if their eyes are at all like mine, they will never bear to look at themselves long or often. The ugliest sight in the world is one of those thorough-bred loafers, who would hardly hold up his basin if it were to rain with porridge; and for certain, would never hold up a bigger pot than he wanted filled for himself.

Perhaps, if the shower should turn to beer, he might wake himself up a bit; but he would make up for it afterwards, since as a slothful man, he folds his hands in sleep and hates to get up even for his meals. Men like him ought to be treated like the drone which the bees drive out of their hives for inactivity and overdependence.

Every man ought to have patience and pity for poverty; but for laziness, a long whip might be better. This would be a healthy treatment for all sluggards, but there is no chance of some of them getting their full dose of this medicine, for they were born with silver spoons in their mouths, and like spoons will scarce stir their own tea unless somebody lends them a hand. They are like the proverbial dog that leaned his head against the wall to bark and, like lazy sheep, it is too much trouble for them to carry their own wool. If they could see themselves, it might by chance do them a world of good; but perhaps it would be too much trouble for them to open their eyes even if the glass were hung for them.

If I seem to hit hard at the sluggards, it is because I know they can bear it, for if they were seed on the threshing floor, you would thresh many days to get them out of the straw, for laziness is in their bones, and will show itself in their idle flesh, no matter what you do with them.

Adapted from Spurgeon, C.H.: John Ploughman's Talk

Which of the following explains the point being made in the second paragraph?

  1. A.The drone and the slothful often look themselves up in the mirror.
  2. B.The drone and the slothful are idle so they depend on others for their needs.
  3. C.The drone and the sluggards are lazy people who sleep a lot.
  4. D.The drone and the slothful hover around beehives because of their overdependence on honey.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (The drone and the slothful are idle so they depend on others for their needs.)

Explanation

The second paragraph compares the lazy man to the drone that bees drive out for inactivity and overdependence: both are idle and rely on others to feed them.

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Question 2

Comprehension

Which of the following represents the author's view in the passage?

  1. A.The slothful will not get out of bed unless someone wakes them up.
  2. B.Laziness leads to poverty so both should be rejected with equal vehemence.
  3. C.Idle and unproductive people should have no place in society.
  4. D.Loafers carry their basins about looking for who to fill them with food.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Idle and unproductive people should have no place in society.)

Explanation

The author says lazy men should be driven out like drones and treated with a whip, so he believes idle people have no place in society. He pities poverty, so B is wrong.

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Question 3

Comprehension

One conclusion that can be drawn from the opening paragraph is that

  1. A.it is a waste of time to advise a lazy man because he will always use a sieve to sift the advice
  2. B.lazy people are thorough-bred loafers who cannot even eat their porridge
  3. C.though lazy people have ugly faces, they like to see themselves in the mirror
  4. D.lazy people work only to satisfy their own immediate needs.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (lazy people work only to satisfy their own immediate needs.)

Explanation

The loafer 'would never hold up a bigger pot than he wanted filled for himself': he does just enough to meet his own immediate needs.

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Question 4

Comprehension

The expression if the shower should turn to beer, he might wake himself up a bit suggests that lazy people

  1. A.are gourmets
  2. B.are pleasure-loving
  3. C.have beer showers
  4. D.are inconsiderate.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (are pleasure-loving)

Explanation

The lazy man would only stir himself for something enjoyable like beer, so he is pleasure-loving.

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Question 5

Comprehension

From the argument in the last paragraph, it can be concluded that the sluggards are

  1. A.phlegmatic when advised
  2. B.weary of sound advice
  3. C.impervious to advice
  4. D.intolerant of good advice.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (impervious to advice)

Explanation

The last paragraph says laziness is in their bones and will show 'no matter what you do with them', so nothing you say gets through: they are impervious to advice.

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Question 6

Comprehension
JAMB 2007 Passage II: Secretaries then and now
In times past in Nigeria, being a secretary was perceived with utter disdain by many people. Other professionals such as teachers, lawyers, engineers, surveyors, estate officers and architects were revered. Many issues readily come to mind concerning the old perspective of secretaries as professionals.

One, they were regarded as people with little or no education. Indeed, many of them were said to be mere typists who learnt how to punch keys on the typewriters. They hardly had any formal education but obtained doubtful certificates. This was made possible because anyone could easily learn to be a typist under the shade of a tree or in a personal office of a retired secretary or a chief typist from any business organization. As long as a short piece of work could be typed almost accurately and in record time, one then became a secretary. This unrealistic practice – to call an unqualified person a secretary – might have been introduced and sustained by people who did not know who a secretary was. The educated secretaries obtained a minimum of the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or its equivalent from institutions in and outside Nigeria, particularly Great Britain, Canada or the United States of America.

Two, they were mostly women and very few male secretaries, who suffered more humiliation than their female counterparts. They were regarded as men who did not succeed in life and did the work that normally women were supposed to do.

Three, and deriving from the second reason, secretaries were, as a matter of fact, very close to their bosses. Most people, including husbands of secretaries, regarded such a mode of interaction as tempting – a kind of constant closeness which might engender a deliberate or unintentional amorous relationship between superior and subordinate officers. Quite often, such a situation could not be ruled out when body contact was established inadvertently or deliberately between two people of opposite sex especially when either one or both people were attractive and attracted to each other. Moreover, we often talk of the devil and the havoc he is capable of causing in the lives of people, particularly the unguarded ones.

In today's world, these points of view concerning secretaries are fading fast. Now, there is a clear distinction between a typist and a secretary. Modern secretaries are trained in polytechnics and universities. Gone are the days when secretaries were taught only the art of punching the typewriters and various filing systems. They are also encouraged to take training courses other than secretarial duty. Many secretaries have had their training in faculties of business administration, law, arts and mass communications of universities. They take relevant courses in administration and other social science departments that enhance their personality, carriage, interpersonal relations and office management. Obviously, secretaries, including the male ones, are more important and well respected today than in the past.

The writer seems to suggest that

  1. A.secretaries were best trained by retired chief typists
  2. B.there was nothing wrong in having males as secretaries
  3. C.the Ordinary National Diploma was sufficient for secretaries
  4. D.only graduates who studied abroad were secretaries.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (there was nothing wrong in having males as secretaries)

Explanation

The writer notes that male secretaries were once humiliated, then ends by saying secretaries, 'including the male ones', are now respected, implying there is nothing wrong with men in the job.

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Question 7

Comprehension

Modern secretaries are different from the old ones because they

  1. A.are able to become graduates of various universities
  2. B.may become teachers in polytechnics and universities
  3. C.are more educated and better exposed to professional training
  4. D.can use modern gadgets such as computers and other machines.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (are more educated and better exposed to professional training)

Explanation

The last paragraph says modern secretaries are trained in polytechnics and universities and take extra courses, so they are better educated and trained.

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Question 8

Comprehension

The expression utter disdain, as used in the passage, means

  1. A.professional misconduct
  2. B.undue criticism
  3. C.deserved respect
  4. D.complete contempt.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (complete contempt.)

Explanation

'Utter' means complete and 'disdain' means contempt, so the phrase means complete contempt.

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Question 9

Comprehension

The expression unguarded ones, as used in the passage, refers to

  1. A.the devil and all his cohorts
  2. B.husbands of female secretaries
  3. C.two people who may be attracted to each other
  4. D.the female secretaries and their bosses.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (two people who may be attracted to each other)

Explanation

The devil causes havoc in the lives of people, 'particularly the unguarded ones', meaning people who drop their guard: the two people of opposite sex attracted to each other in the previous sentence.

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Question 10

Comprehension

Which of the following statements can be deduced from the passage concerning the old perspective of secretaries?

  1. A.They did not deserve to be addressed as secretaries.
  2. B.One could see that they were well educated.
  3. C.They were highly respected by other professionals.
  4. D.The training they received from retired professionals was sufficient.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (They did not deserve to be addressed as secretaries.)

Explanation

The writer calls it 'unrealistic' to call an unqualified typist a secretary, so many of the old ones did not deserve the title.

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Question 11

Comprehension
JAMB 2007 Passage III: Bird flu in Nigeria
While trying desperately to cope with the scourge of the dreaded HIV/AIDS virus, the human race was once again beset with the problem of grappling with another fast-spreading and lethal pandemic called bird flu. Also called avian influenza, bird flu's vicious strain, H5NI, was spread from birds to humans and could be as deadly as HIV/AIDS. The pandemic had ravaged many countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East resulting in a high death toll in livestock, but as yet with a few human casualties.

As the pandemic made its steady spread, there was the fear that, if it ever got to Africa, the consequences would be devastating in view of the continent's lack of infrastructure and money to keep it in control. This fear was consequent upon African countries' unenviable response to emergencies in the past, like droughts in some sahelian countries or flooding along the coast. It was against this frightening background that many Nigerians were thrown into panic following the announcement on Wednesday the 8th of February, 2006, that the bird flu had indeed entered Nigeria.

The announcement itself was a sequel to the death of a large number of birds in a farm in Kaduna State whose samples were diagnosed at the National Veterinary Institute, Vom, Plateau State, and confirmed at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Diagnostic Centre in Rome, Italy. Several follow-up actions had been taken to try and halt the spread of the virus in the country, such as the immediate quarantine of the affected farms, the killing and disposal of all infested and surviving birds in affected farms and the restriction of movement of people in and outside such farms. Commendable as these measures were, many Nigerians still dreaded the chicken and had already excluded its meat from their menu. As a result, poultry farmers in Nigeria were counting their losses instead of producing more protein and smiling to the bank with good sales.

To return to the status quo ante and restore the confidence of Nigerians in poultry products, additional measures were suggested, namely the close monitoring of migratory birds which flock into the country at different times of the year, the proper caging of all free-range birds and appropriate sanctioning of defaulting owners, not restricting the monitoring of poultry farms in the country to the urban centres only, the upward review of the compensation paid to farmers whose birds had been destroyed to cushion the effects of their loss, the strict enforcement of the restriction on the importation of poultry products and, lastly, the leadership demonstrating, by example, that it was safe to eat poultry products by serving them at dinners and banquets during state functions.

From the third paragraph, the steps taken to check the spread of bird flu in Nigeria were

  1. A.monitoring all poultry farms, quarantining affected farms and killing and disposing of affected birds
  2. B.restricting movement, paying compensation and caging free-range birds
  3. C.isolating ravaged farms, destroying and disposing of affected birds and restricting movement
  4. D.public enlightenment, controlling migratory birds and killing infested birds.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (isolating ravaged farms, destroying and disposing of affected birds and restricting movement)

Explanation

Paragraph three lists the actions taken: quarantining (isolating) affected farms, killing and disposing of the birds and restricting movement of people. Monitoring farms was only suggested later.

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Question 12

Comprehension

Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

  1. A.Nigeria's handling of the bird flu pandemic justified African countries' inability to cope with the disaster.
  2. B.If it had not been quickly controlled, bird flu might have proved more deadly than HIV/AIDS.
  3. C.The death of many poultry birds led to the discovery of bird flu in Nigeria.
  4. D.Poultry farms in Nigeria had been quarantined.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (The death of many poultry birds led to the discovery of bird flu in Nigeria.)

Explanation

The announcement followed the death of many birds on a Kaduna farm, whose samples were tested and confirmed as bird flu.

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Question 13

Comprehension

From the passage, it can be inferred that

  1. A.Nigerians no longer consumed poultry products as a result of bird flu
  2. B.bird flu had already resulted in a high human and livestock death toll
  3. C.bird flu in Nigeria was first discovered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Diagnostic Centre
  4. D.the Kaduna poultry farmer who lost many birds was not adequately compensated by government.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (the Kaduna poultry farmer who lost many birds was not adequately compensated by government.)

Explanation

The writer suggests an upward review of the compensation paid to farmers whose birds were destroyed, which implies that what they got was not enough. B is wrong because human casualties were few.

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Question 14

Comprehension

The expression To return to the status quo ante refers to the

  1. A.killing of birds as a result of bird flu and its effects on poultry farmers
  2. B.bird flu pandemic that had ravaged many countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East
  3. C.condition of things prior to the incidence of bird flu
  4. D.state of affairs following the bird flu pandemic in Nigeria.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (condition of things prior to the incidence of bird flu)

Explanation

'Status quo ante' is Latin for 'the state in which things were before', so it means returning to how things were before bird flu came.

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Question 15

Comprehension

A suitable title for this passage is

  1. A.Livestock and Human Casualties of the Bird Flu Pandemic in Nigeria
  2. B.Controlling the Bird Flu Pandemic in Nigeria
  3. C.HIV/AIDS and the Bird Flu Pandemic in Nigeria
  4. D.The Ravaging Effects of Epidemics in Nigeria.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Controlling the Bird Flu Pandemic in Nigeria)

Explanation

Most of the passage describes the steps taken and suggested to halt bird flu in Nigeria, so it is about controlling the pandemic.

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Question 16

Cloze Passage
JAMB 2007 Passage IV: The Ofala festival (cloze)
Ofala is a festival that is celebrated in virtually every Igbo community in Nigeria. It is the king's own festival during which he shows himself to his people, many of whom have probably not ...16... eyes on him for a long time.

The morning of the Ofala sees large crowds ...17... in the palace arena. Suddenly a cannon ...18... repeatedly. Rich ...19... from the royal musicians fills the air. The Igwe emerges like the rising sun, ...20... in white-bordered gold and black robes. The Igwe then begins the ...21... dance with his wife. Followed by his entourage, he dances round the arena ...22... and praises of the crowd. Finally, the Igwe takes his seat and his people begin to ...23.... 'Igweee! You will live long ...24...,' they declare, bowing respectfully before him. The Igwe ...25... their homage by touching their backs with the royal fly whisk. Exhausted, the Igwe rises. 'Igweeee,' the crowd hails. He waves his fly whisk for the last time and heads straight back to the palace with his entourage.

Passage IV, gap 16: It is the king's own festival during which he shows himself to his people, many of whom have probably not ________ (16) eyes on him for a long time.

  1. A.lied
  2. B.lay
  3. C.lain
  4. D.laid
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (laid)

Explanation

The idiom is 'to lay eyes on', and after 'have' we need the past participle of lay, which is 'laid'.

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Question 17

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 17: The morning of the Ofala sees large crowds ________ (17) in the palace arena.

  1. A.were gathered
  2. B.gather
  3. C.to be gathering
  4. D.gathers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (gather)

Explanation

After 'sees large crowds' we need the bare infinitive: 'sees large crowds gather'.

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Question 18

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 18: Suddenly a cannon ________ (18) repeatedly.

  1. A.booms
  2. B.shoots
  3. C.knocks
  4. D.bangs
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (booms)

Explanation

The deep, loud sound of a cannon is described as a boom.

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Question 19

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 19: Rich ________ (19) from the royal musicians fills the air.

  1. A.vibration
  2. B.gyration
  3. C.explosion
  4. D.percussion
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (percussion)

Explanation

Royal musicians play drums and gongs, which are percussion; 'rich percussion' is the music that fills the air.

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Question 20

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 20: The Igwe emerges like the rising sun, ________ (20) in white-bordered gold and black robes.

  1. A.royally
  2. B.resplendent
  3. C.dazzled
  4. D.surrounded
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (resplendent)

Explanation

'Resplendent' means splendid and shining, which suits someone emerging like the rising sun in gold robes.

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Question 21

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 21: The Igwe then begins the ________ (21) dance with his wife.

  1. A.traditional
  2. B.social
  3. C.royal
  4. D.cultural
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (royal)

Explanation

It is the king's own dance at his festival, so it is the royal dance.

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Question 22

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 22: Followed by his entourage, he dances round the arena ________ (22) and praises of the crowd.

  1. A.from the cheers
  2. B.at the cheer
  3. C.with the cheers
  4. D.to the cheers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (to the cheers)

Explanation

We dance 'to' music or cheers, so the phrase is 'to the cheers and praises of the crowd'.

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Question 23

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 23: Finally, the Igwe takes his seat and his people begin to ________ (23).

  1. A.pay their respects
  2. B.spray him with gifts
  3. C.observe his steps
  4. D.pay their tolls
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (pay their respects)

Explanation

The people then bow and greet him, which is paying their respects.

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Question 24

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 24: 'Igweee! You will live long ________ (24),' they declare, bowing respectfully before him.

  1. A.at the throne
  2. B.on the throne
  3. C.by the throne
  4. D.in the throne
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (on the throne)

Explanation

A king sits 'on the throne', so the greeting is 'You will live long on the throne'.

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Question 25

Cloze Passage

Passage IV, gap 25: The Igwe ________ (25) their homage by touching their backs with the royal fly whisk.

  1. A.answers
  2. B.responds
  3. C.acknowledges
  4. D.replies
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (acknowledges)

Explanation

You acknowledge homage; 'responds' and 'replies' would need 'to', and 'answers' does not fit.

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Question 26

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: He deprecated the attempts made to unseat him.

  1. A.despised
  2. B.challenged
  3. C.resisted
  4. D.condemned.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (condemned.)

Explanation

To deprecate something is to express strong disapproval of it, which is to condemn it.

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Question 27

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The striking workers have vowed not to return to work until the decision is reversed.

  1. A.rescinded
  2. B.implemented
  3. C.dismissed
  4. D.reverted.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (rescinded)

Explanation

To rescind a decision is to cancel or reverse it.

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Question 28

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The police are not happy with the growing number of depraved people around the politician.

  1. A.violent
  2. B.immoral
  3. C.indolent
  4. D.loquacious
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (immoral)

Explanation

Depraved people are morally corrupt, that is, immoral.

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Question 29

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The last criticism at the rally was made in ignorance.

  1. A.uninformed
  2. B.objective
  3. C.unimpeachable
  4. D.impeccable.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (uninformed)

Explanation

Something said in ignorance is said without the facts, that is, uninformed.

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Question 30

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The astute businessman neatly fended off questions about his private life.

  1. A.asked
  2. B.explained
  3. C.welcomed
  4. D.sidestepped
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (sidestepped)

Explanation

To fend off questions is to avoid or deflect them, that is, to sidestep them.

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Question 31

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: We were warned not to indulge in recriminations.

  1. A.counter-charges
  2. B.indiscretions
  3. C.accusations
  4. D.frivolous allegations.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (counter-charges)

Explanation

Recriminations are accusations made in reply to someone who has accused you, that is, counter-charges.

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Question 32

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The shortage of petrol was a perennial problem.

  1. A.a recurring
  2. B.a seasonal
  3. C.an annual
  4. D.an incurable.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (a recurring)

Explanation

A perennial problem keeps coming back year after year, so it is a recurring one.

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Question 33

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The rest of the boys admire Olu's verve.

  1. A.intelligence
  2. B.work
  3. C.handsomeness
  4. D.energy.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (energy.)

Explanation

Verve is enthusiasm and liveliness, so energy is closest.

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Question 34

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: He holds on firmly to his hackneyed view of life.

  1. A.wayward
  2. B.principled
  3. C.obsolete
  4. D.positive.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (obsolete)

Explanation

A hackneyed view is stale and overused; of the options, obsolete (out of date) is closest.

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Question 35

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: I visited Amina umpteen times in her college, but she never came to me.

  1. A.often
  2. B.seldom
  3. C.twice
  4. D.occasionally.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (often)

Explanation

'Umpteen times' means a great many times, that is, often.

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Question 36

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The debt the company incurred became rather intolerable.

  1. A.inevitable
  2. B.unprecedented
  3. C.insupportable
  4. D.dangerous.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (insupportable)

Explanation

Intolerable means too much to bear, which is the meaning of insupportable.

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Question 37

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The tax rebate was a concession given to the civil servants.

  1. A.a donation
  2. B.an allowance
  3. C.an incentive
  4. D.an emolument.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (an allowance)

Explanation

A concession here is a special allowance or reduction granted to a group, so 'an allowance' fits best.

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Question 38

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Beads of sweat ran down Ngozi's armpit.

  1. A.Pools
  2. B.Springs
  3. C.Ponds
  4. D.Rivulets.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (Rivulets.)

Explanation

The sweat 'ran down', so the drops are pictured as tiny trickling streams, which are rivulets.

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Question 39

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The noise across the road drowned the sound of the keyboard in my room.

  1. A.neutralized
  2. B.overshadowed
  3. C.balanced
  4. D.equalized.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (overshadowed)

Explanation

A louder noise that drowns a sound overpowers it so that it cannot be heard; 'overshadowed' expresses this.

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Question 40

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Things may change soon, but at the moment our economic situation is precarious.

  1. A.redeemable
  2. B.buoyant
  3. C.uncertain
  4. D.unattractive.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (uncertain)

Explanation

Precarious means unstable and uncertain.

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Question 41

Consonants

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

  1. A.horse
  2. B.house
  3. C.loss
  4. D.reason.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (reason.)

Explanation

The final 's' in 'shoes' is /z/, as is the 's' in 'reason'; the others have /s/.

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Question 42

Consonants

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

  1. A.end
  2. B.thin
  3. C.think
  4. D.edge.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (think)

Explanation

The 'ng' in 'English' contains the sound /ŋ/, which is also the 'n' sound in 'think'.

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Question 43

Consonants

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

  1. A.Thomas
  2. B.three
  3. C.they
  4. D.mouth.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (they)

Explanation

The 'th' in 'clothe' is voiced /ð/, as in 'they'; 'three' and 'mouth' have /θ/ and 'Thomas' has /t/.

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Question 44

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the letter(s) underlined: potable

  1. A.paw
  2. B.pot
  3. C.port
  4. D.post.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (post.)

Explanation

The 'o' in 'potable' is the diphthong /əʊ/, as in 'post'.

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Question 45

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the letter(s) underlined: blue

  1. A.book
  2. B.root
  3. C.foot
  4. D.look.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (root)

Explanation

'Blue' has the long vowel /uː/, as in 'root'; 'book', 'foot' and 'look' have short /ʊ/.

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Question 46

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the letter(s) underlined: pear

  1. A.dear
  2. B.year
  3. C.there
  4. D.near.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (there)

Explanation

'Pear' has the diphthong /eə/, as in 'there'; 'dear', 'year' and 'near' have /ɪə/.

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Question 47

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The refugees were received at the transit camp.

  1. A.passage
  2. B.permanent
  3. C.temporary
  4. D.nearby.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (permanent)

Explanation

A transit camp is a temporary stopping place; the opposite is permanent.

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Question 48

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The man paid a large sum to redeem his mortgaged property.

  1. A.ransom
  2. B.acquire
  3. C.pawn
  4. D.recover.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (pawn)

Explanation

To redeem property is to get it back by paying; to pawn it is to give it up as security, the opposite.

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Question 49

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Lami and her husband are simply munificent.

  1. A.wealthy
  2. B.angry
  3. C.happy
  4. D.niggardly.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (niggardly.)

Explanation

Munificent means very generous; the opposite is niggardly (mean, stingy).

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Question 51

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The police demanded a factual account of the accident.

  1. A.a supportive
  2. B.an admissible
  3. C.an uncorroborated
  4. D.an undisguised.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (an uncorroborated)

Explanation

A factual account is backed by facts; an uncorroborated one has no facts to confirm it.

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Question 52

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The suggestions he made were very unobtrusive.

  1. A.forceful
  2. B.helpful
  3. C.sincere
  4. D.reasonable.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (forceful)

Explanation

Unobtrusive means not drawing attention, low-key; the opposite is forceful.

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Question 53

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Mr. Adeyemo is quite a conceited young man.

  1. A.a resourceful
  2. B.a practical
  3. C.an experienced
  4. D.an unassuming.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (an unassuming.)

Explanation

Conceited means proud of oneself; unassuming means modest, the opposite.

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Question 54

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The stadium was seething with people when we entered.

  1. A.filled
  2. B.crowded
  3. C.empty
  4. D.noisy.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (empty)

Explanation

'Seething with people' means packed and bustling; the opposite is empty.

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Question 55

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The Vice-Chancellor relinquished power at the end of his term.

  1. A.abandoned
  2. B.wielded
  3. C.gave up
  4. D.clung on to.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (clung on to.)

Explanation

To relinquish power is to give it up; to cling on to it is the opposite.

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Question 56

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The students were undeterred by the noisy lecture environment.

  1. A.frustrated
  2. B.encouraged
  3. C.discouraged
  4. D.challenged.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (discouraged)

Explanation

Undeterred means not discouraged, so its opposite is discouraged.

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Question 57

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: For anything to do with academic work, he has a great aversion.

  1. A.conversion
  2. B.attention
  3. C.contempt
  4. D.predilection.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (predilection.)

Explanation

An aversion is a strong dislike; a predilection is a liking, the opposite.

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Question 58

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The study he carried out of the problem was quite comprehensive.

  1. A.detailed
  2. B.sketchy
  3. C.inscrutable
  4. D.complete.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (sketchy)

Explanation

A comprehensive study covers everything; a sketchy one is thin and incomplete.

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Question 59

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The man advised his wife to steer a middle course in the argument between her and her employers.

  1. A.be recalcitrant
  2. B.be unrepentant
  3. C.be compromising
  4. D.be unrelenting.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (be recalcitrant)

Explanation

Steering a middle course means being willing to compromise; being recalcitrant (stubbornly refusing to cooperate) is the opposite.

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Question 60

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Do not be discouraged by failure in life.

  1. A.overjoyed
  2. B.dissuaded
  3. C.actuated
  4. D.disoriented.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (actuated)

Explanation

To be discouraged is to lose the drive to act; to be actuated is to be moved or motivated to act.

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Question 61

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Otokpa took after his late father who was a teetotaller.

  1. A.a drunk
  2. B.careless
  3. C.a disciplinarian
  4. D.sober.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (a drunk)

Explanation

A teetotaller never drinks alcohol; a drunk drinks too much.

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Question 64

Word Stress

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

  1. A.adVERtisement
  2. B.advertiseMENT
  3. C.adverTISEment
  4. D.ADvertisement.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (adVERtisement)

Explanation

In standard British English 'advertisement' is stressed on the second syllable: ad-VER-tise-ment.

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Question 65

Word Stress

Choose the option that has the stress on the first syllable.

  1. A.intact
  2. B.integral
  3. C.negotiate
  4. D.about.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (integral)

Explanation

IN-te-gral is stressed on the first syllable; in-TACT, ne-GO-tiate and a-BOUT are not.

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Question 66

Word Stress

Choose the option that has the stress on the first syllable.

  1. A.conduce
  2. B.renewal
  3. C.calendar
  4. D.reproduce.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (calendar)

Explanation

CA-len-dar is stressed on the first syllable; con-DUCE, re-NEW-al and re-pro-DUCE are not.

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Question 67

Word Stress

Choose the option that has the stress on the first syllable.

  1. A.understand
  2. B.address
  3. C.afternoon
  4. D.taxi.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (taxi.)

Explanation

TA-xi is stressed on the first syllable; un-der-STAND, af-ter-NOON and ad-DRESS are not.

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Question 68

Word Stress

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

  1. A.superior
  2. B.surcharge
  3. C.slaughter
  4. D.superman.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (superior)

Explanation

su-PE-ri-or is stressed on the second syllable; SUR-charge, SLAUGH-ter and SU-per-man are stressed on the first.

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Question 69

Word Stress

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

  1. A.education
  2. B.individual
  3. C.agriculture
  4. D.cinderella.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (agriculture)

Explanation

AG-ri-cul-ture is stressed on the first syllable, while e-du-CA-tion, in-di-VI-du-al and cin-de-REL-la are stressed on the third.

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Question 70

Word Stress

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

  1. A.cigarette
  2. B.European
  3. C.evacuee
  4. D.expedite.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (expedite.)

Explanation

EX-pe-dite is stressed on the first syllable; ci-ga-RETTE, Eu-ro-PE-an and e-va-cu-EE are stressed late in the word.

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Question 71

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Because of his ________ nature, Ayo was tricked out of his wristwatch.

  1. A.kind
  2. B.pliable
  3. C.uncompromising
  4. D.uncalculating
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (pliable)

Explanation

A pliable person is easily persuaded or influenced, which is why Ayo could be tricked.

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Question 72

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): He says he ________ find me a job, but will accommodate me.

  1. A.could not
  2. B.was not able to
  3. C.is not able to
  4. D.cannot be able to
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (is not able to)

Explanation

'Says' and 'will accommodate' are present and future, so the matching form is 'is not able to'. 'Cannot be able to' is a double modal.

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Question 73

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The idle steward could not see ________ on the wall, and he lost his job.

  1. A.the writing
  2. B.what will be written
  3. C.the handwriting
  4. D.what is written
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (the writing)

Explanation

The idiom 'to see the writing on the wall' means to notice the signs of coming trouble.

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Question 74

Pronouns

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): ________ went to the stadium to watch a football match.

  1. A.Amadi and me
  2. B.Amadi and I
  3. C.Me and Amadi
  4. D.Amadi and myself
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Amadi and I)

Explanation

The subject of the sentence needs the subject pronoun 'I', placed after the other person: 'Amadi and I'.

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Question 75

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): If he arrived late, everyone ________ him.

  1. A.would have blamed
  2. B.will blame
  3. C.would blame
  4. D.must blame
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (would blame)

Explanation

With a past simple 'if' clause (second conditional), the main clause takes 'would' + verb: 'would blame'.

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Question 76

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): When they examined his body, they found that he ________.

  1. A.had been dead
  2. B.had been dying
  3. C.died
  4. D.was dead
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (was dead)

Explanation

At the time they examined him, his state was that he was dead, so 'was dead' is correct.

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Question 77

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The rain fell for days ________.

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

Answer: C (on end)

Explanation

'For days on end' is the fixed expression meaning for many days without stopping.

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Question 78

Direct and Indirect Speech

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Yesterday in the hall, Ola said that ________ his watch.

  1. A.he had mislaid
  2. B.he had forgot
  3. C.he has misplaced
  4. D.he have lost
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (he had mislaid)

Explanation

Reported speech after 'said' moves back to the past perfect: 'he had mislaid'. 'Had forgot' and 'have lost' are wrong forms.

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Question 79

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Government should invest more in ________ training.

  1. A.teacher's
  2. B.teacher
  3. C.teachers
  4. D.teachers'
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (teacher)

Explanation

'Teacher training' is a compound noun in which 'teacher' acts as an adjective, so no apostrophe is needed.

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Question 80

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The team has benefitted from the coach's ________ of experience.

  1. A.minefield
  2. B.reservoir
  3. C.wealth
  4. D.world
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (wealth)

Explanation

The usual expression is 'a wealth of experience', meaning a great deal of experience.

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Question 81

Adjectives and Adverbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): There was ________ any traffic as he drove home.

  1. A.hardly
  2. B.normally
  3. C.usually
  4. D.no
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (hardly)

Explanation

'Hardly any' means almost none; 'no any' is wrong.

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Question 82

Verb Forms

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): I look forward to ________ you next week.

  1. A.seen
  2. B.seeing
  3. C.be seeing
  4. D.see
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (seeing)

Explanation

In 'look forward to', 'to' is a preposition, so it is followed by the -ing form: 'seeing'.

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Question 83

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The girl cannot speak with a clear voice; she is always ________.

  1. A.blabbing
  2. B.vociferating
  3. C.stuttering
  4. D.gesticulating
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (stuttering)

Explanation

Stuttering means repeating sounds when speaking, which is why her voice is not clear.

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Question 84

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The politician ________ the family of the deceased.

  1. A.greeted
  2. B.condoled
  3. C.wept over
  4. D.commiserated with
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (commiserated with)

Explanation

To commiserate with someone is to express sympathy for their loss. 'Condoled' would need 'with' after it.

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Question 86

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Our soldiers are starting to zero ________ the enemy.

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

Answer: B (in on)

Explanation

The phrasal verb is 'zero in on', meaning to aim at or focus on.

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Question 87

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): My father has been away on a journey but my mother says she ________ he ________ this Friday.

  1. A.expects/would arrive
  2. B.expected/will arrive
  3. C.expects/will arrive
  4. D.expected/would arrive
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (expects/will arrive)

Explanation

'Says' is present, so 'expects' follows, and a future arrival 'this Friday' takes 'will arrive'.

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Question 88

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Kola was fined; ________ thieves were given a jail sentence.

  1. A.the rest of the
  2. B.rest
  3. C.the rest
  4. D.rest of the
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (the rest of the)

Explanation

The full phrase is 'the rest of the thieves'.

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Question 89

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): I ________ to pursue my education.

  1. A.did not chance
  2. B.did not have the opportunity
  3. C.was not chanced
  4. D.was not opportuned
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (did not have the opportunity)

Explanation

'Chance' and 'opportune' are not used as verbs like this; the correct expression is 'did not have the opportunity'.

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Question 90

Pronouns

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Didn't ________ draw your attention to the entry requirements?

  1. A.anyone
  2. B.everyone
  3. C.everybody
  4. D.nobody
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (anyone)

Explanation

Negative questions use 'anyone': 'Didn't anyone...?' 'Nobody' would make a double negative.

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Question 91

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: He could not have rewarded them more handsomely.

  1. A.He did not reward them very well.
  2. B.He rewarded them well, and he was also a good-looking man.
  3. C.He rewarded them very well.
  4. D.He spoke to them in a very generous way.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (He rewarded them very well.)

Explanation

'Could not have rewarded them more handsomely' means it was impossible to reward them better, so he rewarded them very well.

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Question 92

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: My advice to Tolu was: 'Look before you leap.'

  1. A.Tolu was advised to consider her opinions before reaching any decisions.
  2. B.Tolu was advised to consider the possible consequences before taking action.
  3. C.Tolu was advised to weigh her decisions by looking and leaping.
  4. D.Tolu was advised to leap only after looking.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Tolu was advised to consider the possible consequences before taking action.)

Explanation

The proverb means think about what could happen before you act.

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Question 93

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The official had allegedly been taking bribes.

  1. A.Some people accused the official of taking bribes.
  2. B.The official had been taking bribes without feeling any guilt.
  3. C.It was proved that the official had been taking bribes
  4. D.The official accused some people of taking bribes.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Some people accused the official of taking bribes.)

Explanation

'Allegedly' means it has been claimed but not proved, so people accused him.

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Question 94

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Emeka hardly ever holds with my view on good governance.

  1. A.Emeka sometimes opposes my idea of good governance.
  2. B.My view on what good governance is conforms with that of Emeka.
  3. C.Emeka never really supports my opinion of good governance
  4. D.Emeka may never hold a view which conflicts with mine on good governance.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Emeka never really supports my opinion of good governance)

Explanation

'Hold with' means agree with, and 'hardly ever' means almost never, so he almost never supports my view.

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Question 95

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The next village is at least 30 kilometres away.

  1. A.The next village is 30 kilometres away, possibly less.
  2. B.The next village is approximately 30 kilometres away.
  3. C.The next village is only 30 kilometres away.
  4. D.The next village is 30 kilometres away, or possibly more.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (The next village is 30 kilometres away, or possibly more.)

Explanation

'At least 30' means 30 is the minimum, so it could be more.

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Question 96

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The woman won't have lived through the night.

  1. A.It was likely that the woman died before morning.
  2. B.The woman survived her ordeal but not without some help.
  3. C.From all indications, the woman was taken much worse, though she overcame her ordeal.
  4. D.The woman might not have lived if she hadn't got the right support.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (It was likely that the woman died before morning.)

Explanation

'Won't have lived' expresses a confident guess about the past: she probably died before morning.

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Question 97

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: There's a door at either end of the building.

  1. A.The building has two ends and two doors.
  2. B.The building has two ends, but only one door.
  3. C.The building has two ends, but I do not know which of the two has a door.
  4. D.The building has many ends, each with a door.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The building has two ends and two doors.)

Explanation

'At either end' means at each of the two ends, so there are two doors.

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Question 98

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: We have to iron out our differences at once.

  1. A.We must clear up without delay our misunderstanding.
  2. B.We must ensure that our problems are eliminated at all costs.
  3. C.We have to settle our disagreement once and for all.
  4. D.We have to solve some of our problems for now.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (We must clear up without delay our misunderstanding.)

Explanation

'Iron out' means settle or clear up, and 'at once' means immediately, so we must clear up our differences without delay.

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Question 99

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: There should be a level playing field for women entering politics.

  1. A.Women should not be allowed to enter politics
  2. B.Sports facilities should be provided for women entering politics.
  3. C.Special privileges should be given to women who want to enter politics.
  4. D.Men and women should be able to compete in the political arena on an equal basis.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (Men and women should be able to compete in the political arena on an equal basis.)

Explanation

A 'level playing field' is a situation where everyone competes on equal terms.

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Question 100

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The country is holding its first free elections for five years.

  1. A.The last time the country held free elections was five years ago.
  2. B.The first free elections in the country have now taken five years to conduct.
  3. C.The country held elections five years ago but they were not free.
  4. D.There were elections in the country five years ago.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The last time the country held free elections was five years ago.)

Explanation

'The first free elections for five years' means there have been no free elections in the past five years, so the last free ones were five years ago.

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