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JAMB Use of English 2009 past questions and answers

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

Question 1

Comprehension
JAMB 2009 Passage I: Radio and television for mass education
Nigeria is currently faced with two major problems which necessitate the use of the broadcast media to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for qualitative education in the country. These are population explosion and debilitating mass poverty. Population explosion in the country has greatly increased the need for more schools so much so that demand now far outstrips provision of educational opportunities, particularly at the post-secondary level. In addition, the Nigerian society is currently handicapped by a crippling economic crisis which has forced many people out of school as a result of growing inability to meet the cost of training, like tuition fees and boarding charges.

A way out of these problems lies in the provision of educational opportunities through the use of radio and television broadcasts. Only when radio and television are fully utilized for teaching and learning can the foundation be laid for mass education in the country. Besides, using radio and television to transmit educational programmes can cut the cost of education as boarding and tuition will become unnecessary for most beneficiaries. At the moment, many Nigerians are unable to enroll or stay on in school because of the high cost of education and because government is unable to provide the staggering amount needed to finance mass education via the traditional school system.

Also of importance is the fact that radio and television will offer good opportunities for the standardization of education in the country. At the moment, the best schools in terms of facilities and qualified teachers are concentrated in the urban centres to the detriment of the rural areas. This has given rise to imbalance and uneven distribution of qualitative education in the country, so much so that experienced and qualified teachers often reject posting to rural schools, while over-concentration leads to under-utilization of capable hands in urban schools. Since educational broadcasting involves the best brains producing and broadcasting educational materials from one central location and reaching out simultaneously to scattered audiences in the rural and urban areas, the quality of educational provision will be made even throughout the country.

The usual argument against the use of radio and television for teaching is the absence of immediate feedback which is thought to be essential for learning. But this handicap is more than compensated for by the listener's or watcher's ability to record and play back as often as he or she likes, any part of the lesson he or she may find confusing or difficult to understand. Besides, support facilities like telephone and postal services may be used to clarify difficulties or answer students' questions. In addition, since Nigeria is still largely an orate society, using radio and television for direct teaching will not pose a serious communication problem. A beginning must therefore be made to promote aggressive school broadcast in the country.

The passage suggests that the greatest problems of mass education in Nigeria are

  1. A.the absence of educational broadcasts and underutilization of urban teachers
  2. B.the reluctance of most teachers to work in rural areas and the fact that Nigeria is an orate society
  3. C.the absence of immediate feedback in the teaching process and lack of teaching facilities
  4. D.widespread penury and ever-increasing demand for formal education.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (widespread penury and ever-increasing demand for formal education.)

Explanation

The first paragraph says the two major problems are population explosion, which raises the demand for schooling, and debilitating mass poverty. 'Widespread penury' means widespread poverty, so D sums them up.

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Question 2

Comprehension

Which of the following can be concluded from the passage?

  1. A.The Nigerian government does not support the use of radio and television for teaching.
  2. B.Telephone and postal services are inimical to effective school broadcasting.
  3. C.The formal education system is more expensive than the non-school type.
  4. D.Nigerians reject teaching and learning through radio and television because of lack of immediate feedback.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (The formal education system is more expensive than the non-school type.)

Explanation

The writer says broadcasting can cut the cost of education because boarding and tuition fees become unnecessary. So ordinary schooling costs more than learning outside school by radio and television.

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Question 3

Comprehension

According to the passage, the major advantages of educational broadcasts may be summarized as

  1. A.mass outreach, reduced costs and equal educational opportunities
  2. B.mass education, reduced poverty level and qualitative education
  3. C.mass access to qualitative education and reduction of the crippling economic crisis
  4. D.increased number of schools, reduced cost of schooling and enhanced mass education.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (mass outreach, reduced costs and equal educational opportunities)

Explanation

Broadcasts reach many people at once, cut out boarding and tuition costs, and give rural and urban learners the same quality of teaching. That is mass outreach, reduced costs and equal opportunities.

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Question 4

Comprehension

From the last sentence of the passage, it can be deduced that educational broadcasting is

  1. A.unknown in Nigeria
  2. B.rarely used in Nigeria
  3. C.often used in Nigeria
  4. D.randomly used in Nigeria.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (rarely used in Nigeria)

Explanation

The last sentence says 'a beginning must therefore be made' to promote school broadcasts. This shows it is hardly used yet, so it is rarely used.

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Question 5

Comprehension

A suitable title for this passage is

  1. A.The Role of Radio and Television in Nigerian Education.
  2. B.Why Nigerian Teachers should Use Radio and Television for Teaching.
  3. C.The Need to Promote Teaching and Learning Through Radio and Television in Nigeria.
  4. D.Enhancing School Broadcasting for Effective Teaching and Learning in Nigeria.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (The Need to Promote Teaching and Learning Through Radio and Television in Nigeria.)

Explanation

The whole passage argues that radio and television teaching should be promoted, ending with a call to begin it. Title C captures that argument.

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Question 6

Comprehension
JAMB 2009 Passage II: Nigerian pidgin
The standardization processes of Nigerian pidgin seems to have started during the post-colonial period. Naturally, Nigerian pidgin appears to be the first choice of most Nigerians in informal situations, especially when they are among those from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. Thus, the selection process has tactically taken place. Among all the languages used in Nigeria today, English inclusive, Nigerian pidgin could be said to be the most widely spoken. Evidence abounds in motor parks, parties, congregations, and most social occasions. There is also ample evidence in the electronic and print media, especially in political propaganda, campaigns and product advertisement. Thus, in terms of spread and extensive use, Nigerian pidgin could rightly be called a national lingua franca.

The use of Nigerian pidgin in contemporary Nigeria could be described as most productive, extensive and complex. It appears that the standardization processes - selection, codification, elaboration of functions and acceptance - which started in the post-colonial era, are now being completed in contemporary Nigeria. The reason for this assumption is simple-apart from its complex use as a lingua franca, language of media advertisement, social interaction, unofficial military training and limited literary output, Nigerian pidgin has attained widespread acceptability in the media, political propaganda and campaigns as well as in the soap operas. It is also the language of radio and television jingles. Most electronic media now use appreciable percentage of their airtime to cast news and give reports in Nigerian pidgin. Even though its use in some newspaper columns has declined, especially with the demise of the 'Waka About' column in the Daily Times, it is, however, found extensively in some newspaper advertisements.

In places like Warri, Sapele and Port Harcourt, there were reports that teachers at the lower primary level taught their pupils in Nigerian pidgin. This unofficial adoption of Nigerian pidgin as the language of the lower primary education by those teachers is justifiable considering the provision in the National Policy on Education, which states that, in addition to English, the major languages in the child's environment could be used at the elementary level of education. Similarly, Nigerian pidgin has become a language of religious preaching, especially, Christianity. In most rural and even urban centres where congregations are not all very well-educated, pastors resort to the use of Nigerian pidgin.

The use of Nigerian pidgin as a literary language tends to have started in the sixties with the works of Achebe, Soyinka and others. But it is in the contemporary times that it has become most widespread. The number of poems, novels and plays written and published in Nigerian pidgin is growing even more rapidly. Many more literary writers now attempt to experiment with the language. Therefore, the evidences of codification and elaboration of functions and the partial or tactical acceptance of Nigerian pidgin are clearly visible.

The reference to the National Policy on Education in the passage implies that

  1. A.the government recognizes Nigerian pidgin
  2. B.pidgin will continue to enjoy acceptance by many Nigerians
  3. C.it is simple to understand
  4. D.Nigerian pidgin is used at all levels.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (pidgin will continue to enjoy acceptance by many Nigerians)

Explanation

The policy allows the languages of the child's environment at the elementary level, which justifies teachers using pidgin. This official backing suggests pidgin will keep being accepted by Nigerians.

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Question 7

Comprehension

From the passage, which of the following is the most important reason why Nigerian pidgin is popular?

  1. A.It is used in social occasions.
  2. B.It has no ethnic affiliation.
  3. C.It is extensively used along the coast.
  4. D.It is used by many creative writers.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (It has no ethnic affiliation.)

Explanation

Pidgin is the first choice when Nigerians from different ethnic and language groups meet. It is popular because it belongs to no single ethnic group, so everyone can use it.

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Question 8

Comprehension

The style of this passage could best be described as

  1. A.narrative only
  2. B.narrative and expository
  3. C.persuasive and argumentative
  4. D.descriptive only.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (narrative and expository)

Explanation

The passage recounts how pidgin developed over time (narrative) while explaining facts about its use (expository).

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Question 9

Comprehension

According to the passage, the phrase lingua franca means

  1. A.Nigerian pidgin
  2. B.common language
  3. C.second language
  4. D.mother tongue.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (common language)

Explanation

A lingua franca is a language that people with different mother tongues use to talk to each other, that is, a common language.

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Question 10

Comprehension

The fact that Nigerian pidgin is used in primary education in places like Warri, Sapele and Port Harcourt suggests that it is

  1. A.universally accepted
  2. B.a lingua franca
  3. C.a language of instruction
  4. D.Nigeria's second lingua franca.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a language of instruction)

Explanation

Teachers in those towns taught their pupils in pidgin. A language used to teach in school is a language of instruction.

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Question 11

Comprehension
JAMB 2009 Passage III: Sleep debt
Millions of people today are in serious 'debt'. This debt can be a major factor in wrecking their cars, damaging their careers, and even ruining their marriages. It can adversely affect their health and lifespan. It is a deficit that contributes to immune suppression, creating susceptibility to various infections. Conditions as different as diabetes, heart disease, and extreme obesity, as well as other health problems, have been linked to it. Yet, most victims are oblivious of this debt. The debtor is the one who does not have enough sleep needed for well-being. This can be caused by voluntary sleep deprivation resulting from a person's life-style or by involuntary sleep deprivation because of illness, and other causes. Medical researchers estimate that the earth's population is now getting, on the average, an hour less sleep per night than what is needed. While this may seem slight, a nightly six-billion-hour debt has become the focus of research into both the variety of sleep-related illnesses and their impact on the quality of life.

The medical world once viewed the chronic inability to sleep as just one disorder, commonly called insomnia. However, a commission created by the U.S. Congress recognized 17 distinct sleep disorders. At any rate, insomnia has so many causes that it is often considered to be a symptom of other problems, much as fever suggests some sort of infection. Even occasional deprivation of sleep can be disastrous. Consider the case of Tom, although an experienced truck driver, he plunged his 18-wheel vehicle over an embankment, spilling 400 litres of sulphuric acid onto a major highway. Tom admits: 'I fell asleep.' Studies of two U.S. highways estimated that drowsy drivers caused some 50 per cent of the fatal crashes.

With hundreds of thousands of sleep-related auto and other accidents happening annually, the worldwide cost to productivity and family is enormous. What factors may contribute to lack of sleep? "One is the social phenomenon often called 24/7 – operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The newspaper, USA Today, describes this as a cultural earthquake that is changing the way we live, noting that a new wave of round-the-clock retailers and services is profiting by mocking the clock. In many lands, people watch all-night television programmes and access the Internet when they should be sleeping. Then there is the toll taken by emotional disorders, often involving anxieties heightened by stress occasioned by the pace of life. Also, there are a veriety of physical diseases that can contribute to lack of sleep.

Many doctors note how difficult it is to get their patients to take sleep seriously. One doctor complained that chronic fatigue is even considered 'a status symbol' by some. And because their condition often worsens very gradually, victims of sleep deprivation may not recognize that they suffer from a serious sleep disorder. Many of them reason, 'I'm just getting old' or, 'I can't cope with life, so I tend to shut down' or, 'I'm tired all the time because I can never get the long rest I need.' Reversing this sleep debt is a complex challenge. But understanding how a healthful sleep cycle works and learning to identify the signs of sleep debt can provide the motivation to change. Recognizing the symptoms of a serious sleep disorder can save lives, and this should be a warning to many Nigerians, particularly those who engage in long night journeys.

Adapted from Awake, 8 February, 2004

Which of the following is true according to the passage?

  1. A.Lack of sleep is caused by either a person's lifestyle or involuntary sleep and not by both.
  2. B.Voluntary sleep deprivation can be attributed to the way in which an individual lives.
  3. C.Some illnesses cause sleep disorders, which can be both voluntary and involuntary.
  4. D.Healthful sleep is needed only for one's well-being.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Voluntary sleep deprivation can be attributed to the way in which an individual lives.)

Explanation

The passage says voluntary sleep deprivation results 'from a person's life-style'. Life-style is the way a person lives, so B is true.

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Question 12

Comprehension

The passage suggests that

  1. A.medical doctors have found 17 distinct sleep disorders
  2. B.inability to sleep was once considered to be chronic
  3. C.insomnia and fever are medical conditions that are indicative of other problems
  4. D.the U.S. Congress has recognized that insomnia is a symptom of other problems.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (insomnia and fever are medical conditions that are indicative of other problems)

Explanation

The writer says insomnia is often a symptom of other problems 'much as fever suggests some sort of infection'. Both point to another underlying problem.

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Question 13

Comprehension

The expression '... mocking the clock' as used in the passage, captures the

  1. A.phenomenon of retailers making a lot of profit because they operate at night
  2. B.fact that retail business is a waste of time
  3. C.total disregard of time by retailers and services
  4. D.fact that the time available to retailers and services is not enough to do good business.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (total disregard of time by retailers and services)

Explanation

Round-the-clock retailers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ignoring normal times for rest. To mock the clock is to disregard time completely.

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Question 14

Comprehension

In the first sentence of the passage, the word 'debt' is quoted because

  1. A.it has been used for a special effect
  2. B.it has been used in the first sentence
  3. C.of the seriousness of the matter it addresses
  4. D.it is capable of destroying people.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (it has been used for a special effect)

Explanation

'Debt' normally means money owed, but here it means sleep a person has not had. The quotation marks warn the reader that the word is used in a special way.

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Question 15

Comprehension

From the passage, doctors find it hard to convince their patients of the gravity of lack of sleep because

  1. A.it is caused by a variety of reasons
  2. B.the patients are often tired and cannot get enough sleep
  3. C.people believe that it enhances one's personality
  4. D.its impact on the patient is slow.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (its impact on the patient is slow.)

Explanation

The passage says the condition 'often worsens very gradually', so victims do not notice how serious it is. Because the harm builds up slowly, patients do not take it seriously.

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Question 16

Comprehension
JAMB 2009 Passage IV: The new salesmanship (cloze)
Business executives selling industrial and high price-tag customer goods have come to the ...16... [A. realization B. conclusion C. level D. point] that there should be a better approach to buyer-seller ...17... [A. relationship B. existence C. agreement D. friendship]. In Nigeria, a new brand of salesmanship is emerging. Today, such ...18... [A. concepts B. words C. clauses D. definitions] as consultative selling, relationship marketing and value-added selling have become common catchphrases with professional salespeople. Salespeople are now ...19... [A. emerging B. reversing C. dangling D. shifting] from pushy, hard selling to consultations, playing business advisory and problem-solving roles for their customers. Customer ...20... [A. interest B. awareness C. view D. service] has assumed a higher dimension. Salespeople and their companies are beginning to realize that the only way to stay in business and possibly be ahead of ...21... [A. distribution B. competition C. consumption D. production] is to give adequate attention to the needs of customers. Salespeople and business executive are beginning to understand that customer ...22... [A. respect B. dignity C. loyalty D. obedience] is what ensures a robust bottom line. The only way to do this is to give special attention to the needs of customers. First time purchase is the beginning of a relationship. We now have a very ...23... [A. tangible B. rowdy C. sensitive D. desirable] marketplace in which people feel a need for personal intimacy and excellent service. In fact, some customers want to be pampered. They want customized service. They want a salesperson who comes to them with a ...24... [A. prior B. full C. biased D. simple] knowledge of their needs and has ready-made solutions to their problems. The ability to ...25... [A. analyze B. present C. organize D. discuss] the needs of the customer and provide adequate information that helps the customer to make informed purchase decisions are attributes that the modern customer respects and appreciates in good professional salespeople.

Adapted from DAILY INDEPENDENT, 20 August, 2007

Passage IV, gap 16: Business executives selling industrial and high price-tag customer goods have come to the ________ (16) that there should be a better approach to buyer-seller relationship.

  1. A.realization
  2. B.conclusion
  3. C.level
  4. D.point
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (conclusion)

Explanation

'Come to the conclusion that' is a fixed expression meaning to decide after thinking. It fits the idea that executives decided a better approach was needed.

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Question 17

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 17: ...there should be a better approach to buyer-seller ________ (17).

  1. A.relationship
  2. B.existence
  3. C.agreement
  4. D.friendship
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (relationship)

Explanation

The passage goes on to talk about building a relationship with customers. 'Buyer-seller relationship' is the usual business term.

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Question 18

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 18: Today, such ________ (18) as consultative selling, relationship marketing and value-added selling have become common catchphrases with professional salespeople.

  1. A.concepts
  2. B.words
  3. C.clauses
  4. D.definitions
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (concepts)

Explanation

Consultative selling and relationship marketing are ideas about how to sell, so they are concepts.

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Question 19

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 19: Salespeople are now ________ (19) from pushy, hard selling to consultations, playing business advisory and problem-solving roles for their customers.

  1. A.emerging
  2. B.reversing
  3. C.dangling
  4. D.shifting
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (shifting)

Explanation

'Shifting from ... to ...' means moving from one approach to another, which is what the sentence describes.

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Question 20

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 20: Customer ________ (20) has assumed a higher dimension.

  1. A.interest
  2. B.awareness
  3. C.view
  4. D.service
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (service)

Explanation

'Customer service' is the care given to customers, and the passage is about giving it more attention.

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Question 21

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 21: Salespeople and their companies are beginning to realize that the only way to stay in business and possibly be ahead of ________ (21) is to give adequate attention to the needs of customers.

  1. A.distribution
  2. B.competition
  3. C.consumption
  4. D.production
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (competition)

Explanation

A business tries to stay ahead of its rivals, that is, ahead of the competition.

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Question 22

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 22: Salespeople and business executive are beginning to understand that customer ________ (22) is what ensures a robust bottom line.

  1. A.respect
  2. B.dignity
  3. C.loyalty
  4. D.obedience
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (loyalty)

Explanation

Customers who keep coming back (customer loyalty) bring steady profit, a healthy 'bottom line'.

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Question 23

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 23: We now have a very ________ (23) marketplace in which people feel a need for personal intimacy and excellent service.

  1. A.tangible
  2. B.rowdy
  3. C.sensitive
  4. D.desirable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (sensitive)

Explanation

A marketplace where customers want personal attention and excellent service is one that reacts strongly to how they are treated, a sensitive marketplace.

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Question 24

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 24: They want a salesperson who comes to them with a ________ (24) knowledge of their needs and has ready-made solutions to their problems.

  1. A.prior
  2. B.full
  3. C.biased
  4. D.simple
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (full)

Explanation

Customers want a salesperson who knows their needs completely, a full knowledge, and already has solutions ready.

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Question 25

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 25: The ability to ________ (25) the needs of the customer and provide adequate information that helps the customer to make informed purchase decisions are attributes that the modern customer respects and appreciates in good professional salespeople.

  1. A.analyze
  2. B.present
  3. C.organize
  4. D.discuss
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (analyze)

Explanation

Before a salesperson can give useful information, he must study and understand the customer's needs, that is, analyze them.

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Question 26

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: It was our collective idea but Ado was doing everything to steal the show.

  1. A.Ado was not part of the planning but he tried to rub us of the benefits of it.
  2. B.We planned the show together but Ado was trying to abort it.
  3. C.It was a joint project but Ado is trying to attract the most attention.
  4. D.We collated the idea for the show but Ado was trying to steal the programme.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (It was a joint project but Ado is trying to attract the most attention.)

Explanation

A 'collective idea' is a joint one, and to 'steal the show' is to attract the most attention for yourself.

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Question 27

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: As we watched, he just popped along to the shop for some bread.

  1. A.He has walked slowly to the shop.
  2. B.He stole some bread from the shop but we could not stop him.
  3. C.He broke into the bread shop before our very eyes.
  4. D.He went quickly to the shop for some bread.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (He went quickly to the shop for some bread.)

Explanation

To 'pop along' somewhere means to go there quickly, usually for a short visit.

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Question 28

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: In all ramifications, Chief Adeyemi was a successful principal of the school.

  1. A.He was partly a failure and partly a success.
  2. B.Everyone admitted that he was largely successful during his tenure.
  3. C.He was not totally successful in the school.
  4. D.His tenure witnessed a huge success.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (His tenure witnessed a huge success.)

Explanation

'In all ramifications' means in every way, so his time as principal was a complete, huge success.

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Question 31

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Musa will not do the job well because he has an itching palm.

  1. A.He has rashes in his palm.
  2. B.He is always looking for something to touch.
  3. C.He is always ready to accept bribe.
  4. D.He is always tapping people on the back.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (He is always ready to accept bribe.)

Explanation

Someone with an 'itching palm' is greedy for money and ready to take bribes.

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Question 32

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Emeka was always conspicuous by his absence when it came to attending lectures.

  1. A.That Emeka always attended lectures made him conspicuous at school.
  2. B.Emeka's absence from lectures was all too glaring.
  3. C.It was obvious that Emeka was not present at lectures
  4. D.What made Emeka conspicuous was his occasional absence from school.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Emeka's absence from lectures was all too glaring.)

Explanation

'Conspicuous by his absence' means his absence was very noticeable. 'All too glaring' expresses how obvious his absence was.

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Question 33

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: He was injured by friendly fire.

  1. A.He was wounded in a war by a friend of his who fired a shot mistakenly.
  2. B.He was injured by a gunshot that was fired by a friend.
  3. C.He was hit in a war by a weapon fired by his own side.
  4. D.It was a war and he was hit by a bomb fired by an unknown soldier.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (He was hit in a war by a weapon fired by his own side.)

Explanation

'Friendly fire' is shooting from your own side in a battle that hits you by accident.

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Question 34

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Kola visits us on occasions, and I don't like that.

  1. A.I do not like Kola because he visits us only when an event is being celebrated.
  2. B.I hate the fact that Kola only visits us when something is being celebrated.
  3. C.That Kola does not visit us often is something I object to.
  4. D.Kola seldom visits us and that is because he is a fair-weather friend.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (I hate the fact that Kola only visits us when something is being celebrated.)

Explanation

Here 'on occasions' is taken to mean when there are special occasions (celebrations), and what the speaker dislikes is that fact, not Kola himself.

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Question 35

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: At the time I arrived, Olu was lying in third place.

  1. A.Olu's third position coincided with my arrival.
  2. B.When I arrived, Olu was sleeping in the space reserved for him.
  3. C.It was a competition and Olu was in third position when I arrived.
  4. D.On my arrival at the competition, Olu went to sleep.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (It was a competition and Olu was in third position when I arrived.)

Explanation

To be 'lying in third place' means to be in third position in a race or contest at a given moment. So when the speaker arrived, Olu was third.

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Question 36

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: We had difficulty eating the meat because it was leathery.

  1. A.bitter
  2. B.stringy
  3. C.tough
  4. D.tender.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (tender.)

Explanation

Leathery meat is hard and tough to chew; the opposite is tender.

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Question 37

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The boy is too indolent to do well at school.

  1. A.intelligent
  2. B.industrious
  3. C.inactive
  4. D.slothful.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (industrious)

Explanation

Indolent means lazy; the opposite is industrious, meaning hard-working.

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Question 38

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Salasi's tremendous effort has yielded results.

  1. A.absolute
  2. B.insignificant
  3. C.unimaginable
  4. D.prohibitive.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (insignificant)

Explanation

Tremendous means very great; the opposite is insignificant, meaning very small.

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Question 39

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The computerised service of the new banks is heart-warming.

  1. A.manual
  2. B.mechanical
  3. C.electrical
  4. D.condensed.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (manual)

Explanation

A computerised service is done by computers; the opposite is a manual service, done by hand.

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Question 40

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Life has become a misery for many owing to the harsh economic condition in the country.

  1. A.drudgery
  2. B.ridicule
  3. C.ritual
  4. D.comfort.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (comfort.)

Explanation

Misery is great unhappiness and suffering; the opposite is comfort.

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Question 41

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The company director has a vivacious personality.

  1. A.a positive
  2. B.an unmanageable
  3. C.an unimpressive
  4. D.a gregarious.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (an unimpressive)

Explanation

A vivacious person is lively and attractive; an unimpressive personality is dull, the opposite.

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Question 42

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Young people have a penchant for fast cars

  1. A.likeness
  2. B.passion
  3. C.madness
  4. D.dislike.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (dislike.)

Explanation

A penchant is a strong liking; the opposite is dislike.

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Question 43

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Most of his latest actions are militant in nature

  1. A.commanding
  2. B.civil
  3. C.zealous
  4. D.passionate.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (civil)

Explanation

Militant means aggressive and combative; civil means polite and peaceful, the opposite.

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Question 44

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: His ideas sounded quite palatable yet they were jettisoned by the group.

  1. A.accepted
  2. B.dumped
  3. C.denied
  4. D.criticized.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (accepted)

Explanation

To jettison is to throw away or reject; the opposite is to accept.

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Question 45

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The compulsory leave made her feel listless

  1. A.restful
  2. B.great
  3. C.fat
  4. D.energetic.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (energetic.)

Explanation

A listless person has no energy or enthusiasm. The opposite is energetic.

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Question 46

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: 'A novel is an embellished falsehood', said the teacher

  1. A.enriched
  2. B.exaggerated
  3. C.adorned
  4. D.obliterated.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (obliterated.)

Explanation

Embellished means decorated or added to; the other options all mean adding, so the only opposite here is obliterated, meaning wiped out.

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Question 47

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: I have had enough of your impudence

  1. A.politeness
  2. B.incivility
  3. C.arrogance
  4. D.boldness.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (politeness)

Explanation

Impudence is rude disrespect; the opposite is politeness.

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Question 48

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: We were collectively responsible for keeping the machine in good shape.

  1. A.jointly
  2. B.severally
  3. C.dutifully
  4. D.socially.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (severally)

Explanation

Collectively means together as a group; severally means separately, each on their own.

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Question 49

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: His comment was not printable

  1. A.punishable
  2. B.suitable
  3. C.offensive
  4. D.unfair.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (offensive)

Explanation

A comment that is printable is fit to be published; one that is offensive is not, so offensive is the opposite here.

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Question 50

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Curiously, he escaped unhurt

  1. A.interestingly
  2. B.unsurprisingly
  3. C.annoyingly
  4. D.unusually.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (unsurprisingly)

Explanation

'Curiously' here means strangely or surprisingly; the opposite is unsurprisingly.

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Question 51

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Agwube's explanation of her poor performance at the examination only begged the question.

  1. A.delayed her punishment
  2. B.sounded quite convincing
  3. C.did not address the issue
  4. D.overflogged the matter
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (did not address the issue)

Explanation

An answer that 'begs the question' avoids the real issue, so it does not address it.

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Question 52

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: We have every need to preserve some of our national monuments for posterity.

  1. A.prosperity
  2. B.future
  3. C.national pride
  4. D.collective gain.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (future)

Explanation

Posterity means future generations, so 'for the future' is nearest.

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Question 53

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: He commands the confidence and respect of all his subordinates

  1. A.requests
  2. B.enjoys
  3. C.enforces
  4. D.conjures.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (enjoys)

Explanation

To command respect is to receive it because people give it willingly, so he enjoys their respect.

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Question 54

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The president has mapped out so many laudable projects to embark upon

  1. A.laughable
  2. B.good
  3. C.praiseworthy
  4. D.valuable.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (praiseworthy)

Explanation

Laudable means deserving praise, that is, praiseworthy.

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Question 55

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Adamu's father is a stern man

  1. A.wicked
  2. B.strict
  3. C.playful
  4. D.conservative.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (strict)

Explanation

A stern person is serious and strict.

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Question 56

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Nobody knew the source of the altercation between the couple

  1. A.alter ego
  2. B.quarrel
  3. C.deep love
  4. D.wealth.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (quarrel)

Explanation

An altercation is a noisy argument, a quarrel.

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Question 57

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: His poetry is said to be inscrulable

  1. A.ludicrous
  2. B.unlearnable
  3. C.inseparable
  4. D.mysterious.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (mysterious.)

Explanation

Inscrutable (printed 'inscrulable') means impossible to understand, that is, mysterious.

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Question 58

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Hers was a specious argument about the government of the day

  1. A.misleading
  2. B.precious
  3. C.spacious
  4. D.true.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (misleading)

Explanation

A specious argument seems right but is actually false, so it is misleading.

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Question 59

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The Lagos bus conductor wore his professional livery

  1. A.badge
  2. B.shoe
  3. C.uniform
  4. D.cap.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (uniform)

Explanation

Livery is the special uniform worn by people in a particular job.

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Question 60

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: If Joy hadn't been tripped up halfway through the race, she would have come first

  1. A.discouraged
  2. B.disqualified
  3. C.interrupted
  4. D.exhausted.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (interrupted)

Explanation

Being tripped up halfway stopped her smooth running; of the options, interrupted is closest.

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Question 61

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: There must be something sinister about her late arrival

  1. A.reasonable
  2. B.joyful
  3. C.hopeful
  4. D.ominous.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (ominous.)

Explanation

Sinister means suggesting something bad or evil, the same as ominous.

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Question 62

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The unification of the country has brought about great technological advancement

  1. A.restoration
  2. B.agreement
  3. C.cohesion
  4. D.stability.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (cohesion)

Explanation

Unification is bringing parts together as one; cohesion means sticking together as a unit.

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Question 63

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: His amnesia has affected his career

  1. A.loss of focus
  2. B.loss of sight
  3. C.loss of memory
  4. D.loss of direction.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (loss of memory)

Explanation

Amnesia is a medical condition in which a person loses memory.

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Question 64

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Idris' forbearance endeared him to us

  1. A.hard work
  2. B.patience
  3. C.wisdom
  4. D.good manners.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (patience)

Explanation

Forbearance is patient self-control, so patience is nearest.

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Question 65

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: They hated the police and, by implication, me

  1. A.extension
  2. B.inference
  3. C.examination
  4. D.application.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (extension)

Explanation

'By implication' here means 'by extension': hating the police also covered the speaker, who is linked to them.

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Question 66

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): He is really very mean. He... not lend me the money I wanted.

  1. A.should
  2. B.could
  3. C.would
  4. D.won't
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (would)

Explanation

'Not' is already printed after the gap, so the gap needs a helping verb: 'He would not lend me the money' shows a mean man's refusal. 'Won't not' would be a double negative.

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Question 67

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): When the cashier told him to join the queue, he considered it... his dignity.

  1. A.a drawback to
  2. B.an affront on
  3. C.withdrawal from
  4. D.a strain on
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (an affront on)

Explanation

An affront is an insult to someone's pride or dignity, which is how he took being told to queue.

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Question 68

Pronouns

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): If anyone greets you, it is only polite to return... greeting

  1. A.your
  2. B.the one's
  3. C.anyone's
  4. D.one's
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (one's)

Explanation

The greeting belongs to the person who greeted you; 'return one's greeting' uses 'one's' for that person.

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Question 69

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Amina lives... campus.

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

Answer: B (on)

Explanation

The standard expression is 'live on campus'.

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Question 70

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): An acceptance of the offer would be a departure from the several rejections that...

  1. A.had taken place
  2. B.have taken place
  3. C.will take place
  4. D.took place
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (had taken place)

Explanation

The rejections happened before the possible acceptance; the past perfect 'had taken place' shows the earlier past action.

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Question 71

Spelling

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The... part of a new book is often written by a more experienced writer than the author.

  1. A.foreward
  2. B.foreword
  3. C.forward
  4. D.forword
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (foreword)

Explanation

The introduction at the start of a book written by someone else is a 'foreword' (fore + word).

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Question 72

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The officer acted in... the instructions

  1. A.accordance by
  2. B.accordance to
  3. C.accordance of
  4. D.accordance with
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (accordance with)

Explanation

The fixed expression is 'in accordance with', meaning following or agreeing with.

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Question 74

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): If you want to succeed in life, don't be envious... other people's achievement.

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

Answer: A (of)

Explanation

'Envious' takes the preposition 'of': envious of someone's success.

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Question 75

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): They are taught to value honour... their lives.

  1. A.from
  2. B.in
  3. C.than
  4. D.above
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (above)

Explanation

To 'value X above Y' means to consider X more important than Y. They are taught that honour matters more than their lives.

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Question 76

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Our plan for the trip fell... when the rich man did not give us a life...?

  1. A.off/boat
  2. B.through/line
  3. C.down/jacket
  4. D.in/help
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (through/line)

Explanation

A plan that 'falls through' fails, and a 'lifeline' is help that saves a situation. The plan failed when the rich man gave no help.

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Question 77

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): I missed the match though it was shown on television on two... nights.

  1. A.concurrent
  2. B.consistent
  3. C.concrete
  4. D.consecutive
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (consecutive)

Explanation

Consecutive means one after the other, so the match was shown on two nights in a row.

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Question 78

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The company paid some money to Abu to... him for the losses he suffered during the accident.

  1. A.indemnify
  2. B.condole with
  3. C.settle
  4. D.recompense
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (indemnify)

Explanation

To indemnify someone is to pay them for losses they have suffered.

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Question 79

Question Tags

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): You are just putting the hat on...?

  1. A.don't you
  2. B.isn't it
  3. C.aren't you
  4. D.not so
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (aren't you)

Explanation

A positive statement takes a negative tag with the same verb and subject: 'You are ..., aren't you?'

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Question 80

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Government has frowned upon politicians who are out to... wealth.

  1. A.gain
  2. B.amass
  3. C.steal
  4. D.waste
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (amass)

Explanation

To amass wealth is to gather a great deal of it, often greedily.

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Question 81

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): I tried to discourage him, but he persisted... revealing the secret to his son.

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

Answer: B (in)

Explanation

'Persist' takes 'in': he persisted in revealing the secret.

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Question 82

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): He was determined to... all opposition into submission.

  1. A.push
  2. B.cow
  3. C.box
  4. D.pound
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (cow)

Explanation

To 'cow someone into submission' means to frighten them until they obey.

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Question 83

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): I am told that the market is... in to the interests of people from all... of life.

  1. A.tuned/walks
  2. B.constructed/places
  3. C.designed/places
  4. D.set/works
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (tuned/walks)

Explanation

'Tuned in to' means aware of and responsive to, and 'all walks of life' means all kinds of people.

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Question 84

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Uche has been in... with his pen pal for years.

  1. A.exchange
  2. B.correspondence
  3. C.favour
  4. D.cord
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (correspondence)

Explanation

A pen pal is someone you write letters to. To be 'in correspondence with' someone means to exchange letters with them.

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Question 85

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Abba became... about his inability to pass the examination.

  1. A.despondent
  2. B.disenchanted
  3. C.dogmatic
  4. D.joyful
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (despondent)

Explanation

Despondent means sad and without hope, which fits failing an examination.

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Question 86

Vowels

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

  1. A.hot
  2. B.water
  3. C.sup
  4. D.wrong.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (water)

Explanation

'Caught' has the long vowel /ɔː/, the same as the 'a' in 'water'. 'Hot' and 'wrong' have the short /ɒ/.

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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: country

  1. A.worry
  2. B.courteous
  3. C.bought
  4. D.quantity.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (worry)

Explanation

The 'ou' in 'country' is /ʌ/, as in 'worry'.

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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: trap

  1. A.wonder
  2. B.because
  3. C.plait
  4. D.quantity.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (plait)

Explanation

'Trap' has /æ/; 'plait' is pronounced /plæt/ with the same vowel.

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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: rest

  1. A.result
  2. B.show
  3. C.unasked
  4. D.wise.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (unasked)

Explanation

The 's' in 'rest' is /s/, as in 'unasked'. In 'result' and 'wise' the s is /z/.

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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: joint

  1. A.dagger
  2. B.advantage
  3. C.guardian
  4. D.mightier.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (advantage)

Explanation

The 'j' in 'joint' is /dʒ/, the sound of the 'g' in 'advantage'.

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Question 92

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word: sheer

  1. A.dear
  2. B.shirt
  3. C.spare
  4. D.shade.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (dear)

Explanation

'Sheer' and 'dear' both end in /ɪə/.

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Question 93

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word: great

  1. A.creek
  2. B.crate
  3. C.knit
  4. D.phone.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (crate)

Explanation

'Great' is pronounced /greɪt/ and rhymes with 'crate'.

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Question 94

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word: own

  1. A.brown
  2. B.frown
  3. C.gown
  4. D.phone.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (phone.)

Explanation

'Own' has /əʊn/, like 'phone'; brown, frown and gown have /aʊn/.

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Question 95

Word Stress

Choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options (the stressed syllable is in capital letters): ceremoniously

  1. A.CEremoniously
  2. B.ceREmoniously
  3. C.cereMOniously
  4. D.ceremoNIously.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (cereMOniously)

Explanation

Ceremoniously is stressed on the third syllable: cere-MO-ni-ous-ly.

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Question 96

Word Stress

Choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options (the stressed syllable is in capital letters): understandable

  1. A.unDERstandable
  2. B.understandABLE
  3. C.UNderstandable
  4. D.underSTANDable.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (underSTANDable.)

Explanation

The stress falls on 'stand': under-STAND-able.

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Question 97

Word Stress

Choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options (the stressed syllable is in capital letters): management

  1. A.MAnagement
  2. B.maNAgement
  3. C.manaGEment
  4. D.manageMENT
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (MAnagement)

Explanation

Management is stressed on the first syllable: MAN-age-ment.

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Question 98

Emphatic Stress and Intonation

The word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates: LAM called Uche a pilot.

  1. A.What did Lam call Uche?
  2. B.Did Okoro call Uche a pilot?
  3. C.Did Lam call Uche a driver?
  4. D.Did Lam wish Uche to be a pilot?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Did Okoro call Uche a pilot?)

Explanation

Stressing LAM answers a question about who did the calling, so it replies to 'Did Okoro call Uche a pilot?'

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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: The girl DANCED in the village square.

  1. A.Who danced in the village square?
  2. B.Is this the village square where the girl danced?
  3. C.Did the girl dance in the village square?
  4. D.Did the girl sing in the village square?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (Did the girl sing in the village square?)

Explanation

Stressing DANCED corrects the action, so it answers 'Did the girl sing ...?'

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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: My father READ the newspaper.

  1. A.Did my father steal the newspaper?
  2. B.Who read the newspaper?
  3. C.What did my father read?
  4. D.Whose father read the newspaper?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Did my father steal the newspaper?)

Explanation

Stressing READ corrects the action, so it answers 'Did my father steal the newspaper?'

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