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JAMB Use of English 2010 past questions and answers

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

Question 2

Comprehension
JAMB 2010 Passage I: Spaceship Earth
One of the interesting things to me about our spaceship is that it is a mechanical vehicle, just as is an automobile. If you own a car, you realize that you must put oil and gas into it, and you must put water in the radiator and take care of the car as a whole. You begin to develop quite a little thermodynamic sense. You know that you are either going to have to keep the machine in a good order or it is going to be in trouble and fail to function. We have not been seeing our Spaceship Earth as an integrally-designed machine which to be persistently successful, must be comprehended and serviced in total.

Now there is one outstanding important fact regarding Spaceship Earth, and that is that no instruction book came with it. I think it is very significant that there is no instruction book, for successfully operating our ship, in view of the infinite attention to all other details displayed by our ship. It must be taken as deliberate and purposeful that an instruction book was omitted. Lack of instruction has forced us to find out that there are two kinds of mangoes - unriped mangoes that will kill us and riped mangoes which will nourish us. And we had to find out ways of telling which-was-which mangoes before we ate it or otherwise we would die. So we were forced, because of this to devise scientific experimental procedures and to interprete effectively the significance of the experimental findings. Thus, because the instruction manual was missing, we are learning how we can safely survive on the planet.

Quite clearly, all living beings are utterly helpless at the moment of birth. The human child stays helpless longer than the young of any species. Apparently, it is part of the 'invention' that man is meant to be utterly helpless through certain anthropological phases. When he begins to be able to get on a little better, he is meant to discover some of the physical principles inherent in the universe as well as the many resources around him which will further multiply his knowledge. Designed into this Spaceship Earth's total wealth was a big safety factor. This allowed man to be very ignorant for a long time until he had amassed enough experiences from which to extract progresively the system of generalized principles governing increase of energy. The designed omission of the instruction book forced man to discover retrospectively just what his most important capabilities are. He learned to generalize foundamental principles of universe.

Adapted from Oluikpe, B.O. et al (2005) Intensive English for Senior Secondary School 2, Onitsha: AFP

According to the writer, the exciting thing about Spaceship Earth is that it

  1. A.has no instruction manual
  2. B.is not difficult to maintain
  3. C.is peculiar to other automobiles
  4. D.is relatively easy to operate.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (has no instruction manual)

Explanation

The writer calls it a very significant fact that no instruction book came with Spaceship Earth, and the rest of the passage builds on this.

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Question 3

Comprehension

The absence of instruction manual in Spaceship Earth has

  1. A.made the operation of the Spaceship Earth difficult
  2. B.forced man to devise other means of travelling in spacecraft
  3. C.challenged man's inquisitiveness
  4. D.made man helpless.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (challenged man's inquisitiveness)

Explanation

With no manual, man had to find things out for himself through experiments. The missing manual pushed his curiosity (inquisitiveness) to work.

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Question 4

Comprehension

From the passage, it can be deduced that man

  1. A.learns by experiment and deduction
  2. B.learns by chance and accidentally
  3. C.is incapable of solving all his problems
  4. D.by his nature is in constant search of knowledge.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (learns by experiment and deduction)

Explanation

Man was forced to devise scientific experiments and interpret the findings, then generalize principles. That is learning by experiment and deduction.

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Question 5

Comprehension

The writer's mood in the passage is that of

  1. A.non-commital
  2. B.pessimism
  3. C.optimism
  4. D.frustration.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (optimism)

Explanation

The writer sees the missing manual as purposeful and says we are learning how to survive safely. This hopeful view is optimism.

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Question 6

Comprehension
JAMB 2010 Passage II: Managing stress
Stress is by far the most common cause of ill health in our society, and may be the underlying cause of as many as 70–80% of all visits to family doctors. It is also the problem that every doctor shares with patients. Experts note that stress is an issue everyone can relate to experientially. In studying and better understanding about stress, we can derive personal as well as professional benefits.

Stress can be overcome without undergoing duress. They often say anyone who wants to help someone deal with his/her stress should learn to handle his / hers first. The manifestations of stress are legion. It can contribute or mimick just about any symptom you can think of. However, the main symptoms are physical, mental, emotional and behavioural. The causes of stress are multiple and varied but they can be classified into external and internal. External stressors can include relatively getting sick or dying, jobs being lost or people criticizing or one becoming angry. However, most of the stress people experience is self-generated.

Experts tell us that we create the majority of our upsets indicating that because we cause most of our own stress, we can do something about it. This gives us a measure of choice and control that we do not always have when outside forces act on us. This also leads to a basic premise about stress reduction. To master stress-change, you have to figure out what you are doing that is contributing to your problem and change it. These changes fall into behaviour, thinking, lifestyle choices and / or situations you are in. By getting to the root causes of your stress, you can prevent recurrences.

As a way of draining off stress energy, nothing beats aerobic exercise. To understand why, we need to review what stress is. People often think of stress as pressure at work, a damanding boss, a sick child or rush-hour traffic. These may be triggers but stress is actually the body reaction to factors such as these. Stress is the fight-or-flight response in the body, mediated by adrenaline and other stress hormones, and comprised such physiologic changes as increased heart rate and blood pressure, faster breathing, muscle tension, dilated pupils, dry mouth and increased blood sugar. In other words, stress is the state of increased arousal necessary for an organism to defend itself at a time of danger.

Exercise is the most logical way to dissipate the excess energy. It is what our bodies are trying to do when we pace around or tap our legs and fingers. It is much better to channel it into a more complete form of exercise like a brisk walk, a run, a bike ride, or a game of squash.

Just as we are all capable of mounting up and sustaining a stress reaction, we have also inherited the ability to put our bodies into a state of deep relaxation called the 'relaxation response'. In this state, all the physiologic events in the stress reaction are reversed. Pulse slows, blood pressure falls, breathing slows and muscles relax.

Adapted from VANGUARD, 19th March, 2008

The expression, '... stress is an issue every body can relate to experientially,' means that

  1. A.it is better understood when experienced
  2. B.its problem can be solved by everybody
  3. C.everybody avoids it
  4. D.everybody encounters it.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (everybody encounters it.)

Explanation

If everyone can relate to stress 'experientially', it means everyone has experienced it personally, so everybody encounters it.

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Question 7

Comprehension

Which of the following is true according to the passage?

  1. A.Stress is mostly caused by internal factors
  2. B.Stress can only be avoided during relaxation
  3. C.Stress is better handled by the individual
  4. D.The issue of stress can be solved with no effort
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Stress is mostly caused by internal factors)

Explanation

The passage says most of the stress people experience is self-generated, meaning it comes from within. So stress is mostly caused by internal factors.

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Question 8

Comprehension

According to the passage, the major step in controlling stress is

  1. A.changing one's attitude to stressors
  2. B.understanding the history of the disease
  3. C.visiting family doctors for checkup and treatment
  4. D.constant exercise to dissipate every energy.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (changing one's attitude to stressors)

Explanation

The writer says the basic step is to find out what you are doing that adds to your stress and change it, in your behaviour, thinking and choices. That is changing how you respond to stressors.

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Question 9

Comprehension

The experts feel one can control one's stress because

  1. A.its causes are understandable
  2. B.it is not difficult to control
  3. C.external factors contribute less to stress
  4. D.it is individually initiated.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (it is individually initiated.)

Explanation

Experts say that because we cause most of our own stress, we can do something about it. Stress that we start ourselves is within our control.

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Question 10

Comprehension

From the passage, it can be deduced that stress is

  1. A.hormonal disorder in the body system
  2. B.individually induced problems
  3. C.bodily reaction to internal factors
  4. D.bodily reaction to external factors.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (bodily reaction to external factors.)

Explanation

The writer says triggers such as pressure at work or traffic are not stress itself; stress is the body's reaction to such factors, which come from outside.

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Question 11

Comprehension
JAMB 2010 Passage III: Corruption and governance
There are many indicators with which to assess or measure corruption. One of them is the affluent living habit of the public official compared to his / her income. Corruption occurs when a public official expects to be induced to perform an act which that public official is ordinarily required to do by law.

Corruption can slow down development. One of the most widely discussed consequences of corruption is the distortion of governmental expenditure. This often results in public money being wasted on white elephant projects, rather than people-oriented services such as health and education. As a result, more opportunities are presented for corrupt use or diversion of funds. Raising the ethical standards of governance can lead to many benefits especially for the economic, political and social development of a country.

Fighting corruption and promoting governance is therefore crucial to developing an environment that facilitates the social, political and economic development of the people. However, while there are often general statements made about the effect of corruption on poverty and development, there is not an explicit recognition that corruption is more than just wealth misappropriation or abuse of power. Corruption impoverishes countries and deprives their citizens of good governance. It destabilizes economic systems. When organized crime and other illegal activities flourish, basic public functions are eroded and the quality of life of the people is reduced. Bribery, for example, is universally regarded as a crime, but it also reflects socio-economic problems that require broad-based preventive measures, and the involvement of the society at large.

Another implication of global measures against corruption is making government work better by improving the economy. Finally, redesigning political and regulatory structures will reduce corruption and other anti-system players that encourage corrupt practices.

Adapted from This Day Newspaper 28th, October, 2007

According to the writer, corruption is triggered off by

  1. A.unnecessary affluence
  2. B.selfish interests
  3. C.private officials
  4. D.public officers.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (public officers.)

Explanation

The writer defines corruption as a public official expecting a bribe before doing what the law already requires of him. So it is public officers who trigger it.

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Question 12

Comprehension

From the passage, one of the consequencies of corruption is that

  1. A.large projects are executed
  2. B.it is beneficial to wealthy people who stole public wealth
  3. C.it impedes the progress of a nation
  4. D.people get what they want with so much money to spend.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (it impedes the progress of a nation)

Explanation

The passage says corruption slows down development and impoverishes countries. In other words it holds back a nation's progress.

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Question 13

Comprehension

Who, according to the writer, should prevent corruption?

  1. A.Lawyers and police
  2. B.Corrupt public officers
  3. C.The government
  4. D.The people
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (The people)

Explanation

The writer says fighting corruption needs 'the involvement of the society at large', that is, the people.

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Question 14

Comprehension

Which of the following is an indication of ethical standard of governance?

  1. A.Fundamental human right
  2. B.Socio-economic instability
  3. C.Democratic governance
  4. D.Bloated expenditure.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Democratic governance)

Explanation

Instability and bloated spending are signs of corruption. Of the options, democratic governance is the one that goes with high ethical standards in government.

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Question 15

Comprehension

The essence of fighting corruption, according to the passage, is to

  1. A.send the corrupt to gaol
  2. B.promote good governance
  3. C.punish corrupt politicians
  4. D.make people richer.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (promote good governance)

Explanation

The passage pairs fighting corruption with promoting governance, since corruption deprives citizens of good governance.

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Question 16

Comprehension
JAMB 2010 Passage IV: Drought (cloze)
Drought is a word that invokes strong emotions. This is not surprising as the ...16... [A. ideology B. phenomenon C. idea D. component] is usually accompanied by a number of unpleasant developments. These developments have ...17... [A. feedback B. results C. implications D. outcomes] for all citizens, starting from the peasant farmers to the state and federal governments which may be plunged into emergency and crisis situations which, if not successfully ...18... [A. managed B. manipulated C. examined D. studied] could result in social unrest.

The timeliness of the onset of the rains in various regions of the country and their adequate distribution thereafter have become ...19... [A. objects B. subjects C. issues D. topics] of considerable anxiety to all people. The fact, however, is that periodic reduction in the normal ...20... [A. amount B. supply C. size D. flood] of rainfall in the country is not new.

Since large areas of the country are drought prone, the consequences are ...21... [A. effective B. disastrous C. evident D. inevitable]. Dry spells could be very severe. There are two aspects of coping with drought. One has to do with emergency measures and the other with ...22... [A. routine B. organized C. urgent D. delayed] measures. An immediate consequence of any drought would be famine. In addition, where whole populations are forced to abandon their lands or pastures in search of food, there are bound to be other lasting and ...23... [A. longitudinal B. objective C. simultaneous D. parallel] consequences such as distress, sales of cattle by livestock owners in order to buy food.

Government should provide farmers with agricultural inputs and ensure that they have easy access to these inputs under the relief ...24... [A. action B. process C. scheme D. plan]. Emergency measures will be much more ...25... [A. normal B. correct C. idealistic D. effective] if a mechanism is established to ensure adequate preparedness and defence against the occurence of drought.

Adapted from Oluikpe, B.O.A. et al (2005) Intensive English for Senior Secondary Schools, Onitsha: AFP

Passage IV, gap 16: This is not surprising as the ________ (16) is usually accompanied by a number of unpleasant developments.

  1. A.ideology
  2. B.phenomenon
  3. C.idea
  4. D.component
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (phenomenon)

Explanation

Drought is a natural event or occurrence, which is called a phenomenon.

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Question 17

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 17: These developments have ________ (17) for all citizens, starting from the peasant farmers to the state and federal governments...

  1. A.feedback
  2. B.results
  3. C.implications
  4. D.outcomes
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (implications)

Explanation

'Have implications for' means to have effects on, which fits developments affecting everybody.

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Question 18

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 18: ...emergency and crisis situations which, if not successfully ________ (18) could result in social unrest.

  1. A.managed
  2. B.manipulated
  3. C.examined
  4. D.studied
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (managed)

Explanation

A crisis is something that must be managed (handled); if not handled well it could cause unrest.

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Question 19

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 19: The timeliness of the onset of the rains in various regions of the country and their adequate distribution thereafter have become ________ (19) of considerable anxiety to all people.

  1. A.objects
  2. B.subjects
  3. C.issues
  4. D.topics
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (issues)

Explanation

Matters that worry people are 'issues of concern'; issues fits 'of considerable anxiety'.

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Question 20

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 20: The fact, however, is that periodic reduction in the normal ________ (20) of rainfall in the country is not new.

  1. A.amount
  2. B.supply
  3. C.size
  4. D.flood
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (amount)

Explanation

Rainfall is measured by how much falls, so we speak of the amount of rainfall.

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Question 21

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 21: Since large areas of the country are drought prone, the consequences are ________ (21).

  1. A.effective
  2. B.disastrous
  3. C.evident
  4. D.inevitable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (disastrous)

Explanation

Drought in large areas brings very harmful results, so the consequences are disastrous; the next sentence says dry spells can be very severe.

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Question 22

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 22: One has to do with emergency measures and the other with ________ (22) measures.

  1. A.routine
  2. B.organized
  3. C.urgent
  4. D.delayed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (routine)

Explanation

The contrast is with emergency measures, so the other kind is regular, everyday or routine measures.

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Question 23

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 23: ...there are bound to be other lasting and ________ (23) consequences such as distress, sales of cattle by livestock owners in order to buy food.

  1. A.longitudinal
  2. B.objective
  3. C.simultaneous
  4. D.parallel
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (parallel)

Explanation

These are other effects that run alongside famine, that is, parallel consequences.

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Question 24

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 24: Government should provide farmers with agricultural inputs and ensure that they have easy access to these inputs under the relief ________ (24).

  1. A.action
  2. B.process
  3. C.scheme
  4. D.plan
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (scheme)

Explanation

A government programme of help is called a relief scheme.

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Question 25

Comprehension

Passage IV, gap 25: Emergency measures will be much more ________ (25) if a mechanism is established to ensure adequate preparedness and defence against the occurence of drought.

  1. A.normal
  2. B.correct
  3. C.idealistic
  4. D.effective
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (effective)

Explanation

Being prepared makes emergency measures work better, that is, more effective.

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Question 26

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Though Mr. Iro is our new chairman, he views other members with jaundiced eye.

  1. A.He takes a rather forceful position on dealing with his members
  2. B.He takes an unfavourable position concerning his members
  3. C.He takes a sickly view of his members.
  4. D.He takes a rather hazy view of his members.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (He takes an unfavourable position concerning his members)

Explanation

To view people 'with a jaundiced eye' is to look at them with suspicion or disfavour.

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Question 28

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: It is always good to steer a middle course in whatever one does.

  1. A.It is always good to get midway in anything one does.
  2. B.It is always good to act with moderation.
  3. C.It is always good to move away from the forefront
  4. D.It is always good to work very hard.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (It is always good to act with moderation.)

Explanation

Steering a middle course means avoiding extremes, that is, acting with moderation.

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Question 29

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The witness said he had no axe to grind with his brothers

  1. A.He had no hatred for the brothers
  2. B.He had no axe and therefore stole the matchet
  3. C.He had no axe and therefore borrowed their matchet
  4. D.He had no vested interest in the brothers.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (He had no vested interest in the brothers.)

Explanation

Having 'no axe to grind' means having no private interest or selfish motive in a matter.

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Question 30

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The footballers moved with their tails between their legs.

  1. A.They moved happily because they won the match
  2. B.They were unhappy because they had been despised by their opponents.
  3. C.They were ashamed because they had been defeated
  4. D.They moved with their tails between their legs.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (They were ashamed because they had been defeated)

Explanation

Going off 'with your tail between your legs' means leaving ashamed after a defeat.

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Question 31

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The headmaster managed to talk his way out of having to give a speech

  1. A.He delivered a speech despite the difficulty
  2. B.He managed to give a speech out of a difficult situation
  3. C.He managed to get himself out of a difficult situation
  4. D.He managed to talk on his way.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (He managed to get himself out of a difficult situation)

Explanation

To 'talk your way out of' something is to use words to escape an awkward situation, here having to give a speech.

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Question 32

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: As regards the matter, we have crossed the rubicon

  1. A.We are completely at a loss
  2. B.We are irrevocably committed
  3. C.We are already qualified
  4. D.We are perfectly committed.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (We are irrevocably committed)

Explanation

Crossing the Rubicon means taking a step that cannot be undone, so we are irrevocably committed.

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Question 33

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Uche is full of himself

  1. A.He is conceited
  2. B.He is complete
  3. C.He is a rich man
  4. D.He is careful.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (He is conceited)

Explanation

Someone 'full of himself' thinks too highly of himself, that is, is conceited.

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Question 34

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: As debutants in that tournament, the Super Eagles were up against their first opponents by three goals to nil.

  1. A.The Super Eagles were playing in the tournament for the first time, but they won their match by three goals to nothing
  2. B.Though the Super Eagles were rated as the weakest side in the tournament, they won their first match by three goals to nil
  3. C.Even though the Super Eagles were playing without some of their regulars, they won their match by three goals to nil.
  4. D.As the best attackers in the match, the Super Eagles easily defeated their opponents by three goals to nothing.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The Super Eagles were playing in the tournament for the first time, but they won their match by three goals to nothing)

Explanation

Debutants are those taking part for the first time, and 'up against ... by three goals to nil' here means they beat them 3–0.

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Question 35

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The woman was mournful as her husband was found dead drunk

  1. A.She was sad because her husband was absolutely drunk
  2. B.She was apprehensive that her husband would drink again as soon as he recovered from the drunken stupor.
  3. C.She was sad because her husband was drunk and always as helpless as a dead man
  4. D.She was mourning because her husband drank and died.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (She was sad because her husband was absolutely drunk)

Explanation

'Dead drunk' means completely drunk, not dead. She was sad because he was extremely drunk.

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Question 36

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: I am optimistic about the interview though it was a mind-bending exercise.

  1. A.an enervating
  2. B.a debilitating
  3. C.a difficult
  4. D.an easy
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (an easy)

Explanation

A mind-bending exercise is very hard to think through; the opposite is an easy one.

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Question 37

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The trader was amused by the cut-throat rush for the goods

  1. A.worrisome
  2. B.strange
  3. C.lacklustre
  4. D.mad
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (lacklustre)

Explanation

A cut-throat rush is fierce and intense; lacklustre means dull and without energy, the opposite.

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Question 38

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The teacher said that Ali's essay was full of many redundant details

  1. A.unexplained
  2. B.strange
  3. C.necessary
  4. D.useful
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (necessary)

Explanation

Redundant details are ones that are not needed and could be left out. The opposite is necessary details, ones the essay cannot do without.

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Question 39

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: His father surmounted the myriad of obstacles on his way

  1. A.most
  2. B.few
  3. C.all
  4. D.many
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (few)

Explanation

A myriad is a very large number; the opposite is few.

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Question 40

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Her ingenuous smile drew our attention

  1. A.witty
  2. B.naive
  3. C.clever
  4. D.arrogant
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (clever)

Explanation

Ingenuous means innocent and simple, without cunning. 'Naive' means the same, so the opposite is clever, in the sense of knowing and sophisticated.

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Question 41

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Ndeni gave a flawless speech at the party

  1. A.a wonderful
  2. B.a careless
  3. C.an interesting
  4. D.an imperfect
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (an imperfect)

Explanation

Flawless means without any mistake; the opposite is imperfect.

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Question 42

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Beneath Ado's guff exterior, he's really very kind-hearted

  1. A.nice
  2. B.harsh
  3. C.rough
  4. D.gentle
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (gentle)

Explanation

Gruff (printed 'guff') means rough and unfriendly in manner; the opposite is gentle.

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Question 43

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The captain says sports is being debased by commercial sponsorship

  1. A.localized
  2. B.perverted
  3. C.elevated
  4. D.overvalued
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (elevated)

Explanation

Debased means lowered in quality or value; the opposite is elevated, raised up.

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Question 44

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Governing a country is not always as straightforward as people sometimes imagine.

  1. A.complicated
  2. B.troublesome
  3. C.untoward
  4. D.irksome
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (complicated)

Explanation

Straightforward means simple and easy; the opposite is complicated.

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Question 45

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The crowd was very receptive to the speaker's suggestion

  1. A.disobedient
  2. B.repellent
  3. C.alert
  4. D.hostile
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (hostile)

Explanation

A receptive crowd is willing and open to an idea; a hostile crowd is against it.

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Question 46

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: There was a general acquiescence on the new drug law

  1. A.resistance
  2. B.discrepancy
  3. C.compromise
  4. D.agreement
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (resistance)

Explanation

Acquiescence is quiet acceptance; the opposite is resistance.

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Question 47

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Aisha seems to feel ambivalent about her future

  1. A.decisive
  2. B.anxious
  3. C.ambitious
  4. D.inconsiderate
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (decisive)

Explanation

Ambivalent means having mixed, undecided feelings; the opposite is decisive.

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Question 48

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The report of the committee contained a plethora of details

  1. A.shortage
  2. B.simplicity
  3. C.multitude
  4. D.spectrum
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (shortage)

Explanation

A plethora is far too many; the opposite is a shortage.

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Question 49

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The weather was still very heavy and sultry

  1. A.wintry and shadowy
  2. B.cold and friendly
  3. C.cloudy and thundery
  4. D.hot and uncomfortable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (cold and friendly)

Explanation

Heavy and sultry weather is hot, humid and unpleasant; 'cold and friendly' (pleasant, cool) is the opposite pair.

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Question 50

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Ada gave her husband a look that made words superfluous

  1. A.redundant
  2. B.spurious
  3. C.unnecessary
  4. D.scanty.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (scanty.)

Explanation

Superfluous means more than enough, not needed. 'Redundant' and 'unnecessary' mean the same; 'scanty', too little, is the opposite.

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Question 51

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: A political impasse does not offer the best opportunity for merrymaking

  1. A.manifesto
  2. B.party
  3. C.gridlock
  4. D.rally
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (gridlock)

Explanation

An impasse is a deadlock where no progress is possible, the same as a gridlock.

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Question 52

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: We were all enthusiastic as we awaited the result of the election

  1. A.bemused
  2. B.agitated
  3. C.elated
  4. D.nervous
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (elated)

Explanation

Enthusiastic means eager and excited; elated, very happy and excited, is closest.

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Question 53

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The uniform makes the guards look absurd

  1. A.dirty
  2. B.smart
  3. C.sensible
  4. D.ridiculous
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (ridiculous)

Explanation

Absurd means silly or ridiculous.

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Question 54

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The law is often tardy in reacting to changing attitude

  1. A.quick
  2. B.slow
  3. C.exclusive
  4. D.generous
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (slow)

Explanation

Tardy means late or slow.

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Question 55

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Isa and Ilu ate sumptuous meals on their brother's wedding day

  1. A.expensive
  2. B.foreign
  3. C.insipid
  4. D.cheap
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (expensive)

Explanation

Sumptuous meals are rich and costly, so expensive is nearest.

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Question 56

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Kaltume crouched over the papers on her desk

  1. A.wrote on
  2. B.stood on
  3. C.walked over
  4. D.bent over
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (bent over)

Explanation

To crouch over something is to bend low over it.

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Question 57

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The panacea for a country's economic mess lies in systematic planning and hardwork

  1. A.cure
  2. B.hope
  3. C.foresight
  4. D.trouble
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (cure)

Explanation

A panacea is a cure for all problems.

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Question 58

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Thousands of workers have been victims of retrenchment since the military came back to power.

  1. A.unemployment
  2. B.trench mentality
  3. C.suffering
  4. D.increase in penury
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (unemployment)

Explanation

Retrenchment means cutting staff, which leaves workers unemployed.

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Question 59

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The principal gave his speech offhand at the sports meeting

  1. A.calmly
  2. B.beautifully
  3. C.unconcerned
  4. D.unprepared
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (unprepared)

Explanation

Speaking offhand means speaking without preparation.

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Question 60

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Jankoli was dressed in an old assortment of clothes

  1. A.avalanche
  2. B.homogeneity
  3. C.sameness
  4. D.melange
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (melange)

Explanation

An assortment is a mixture of different things; a melange is also a mixture.

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Question 61

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The girl's father was astounded to see her appear from the shrine

  1. A.collected
  2. B.overwhelmed
  3. C.embarrassed
  4. D.astonished
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (astonished)

Explanation

Astounded means greatly surprised, the same as astonished.

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Question 62

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The director's remark was extremely apposite to the issue being discussed

  1. A.appropriate
  2. B.inconsequential
  3. C.emphatic
  4. D.adquate
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (appropriate)

Explanation

Apposite means fitting or relevant, so appropriate is nearest.

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Question 63

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Her reputation is without a blemish

  1. A.struggle
  2. B.problem
  3. C.fault
  4. D.blessing
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (fault)

Explanation

A blemish is a mark or flaw, so fault is nearest.

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Question 64

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Ugo is eligible for the post of secretary

  1. A.nominated
  2. B.invited
  3. C.qualified
  4. D.intelligent
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (qualified)

Explanation

Eligible means meeting the conditions for something, that is, qualified.

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Question 65

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: This is an abridged version of No Longer at Ease

  1. A.an outdated
  2. B.an enlarged
  3. C.an illustrated
  4. D.a shortened
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (a shortened)

Explanation

An abridged book has been shortened.

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Question 66

Conjunctions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Lemoti ....... as a painter, but also as a sculptor

  1. A.is gifted only not
  2. B.is only not gifted
  3. C.is gifted not only
  4. D.is only gifted
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (is gifted not only)

Explanation

The sentence uses the pair 'not only ... but also', so 'not only' must come just before 'as a painter'.

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Question 67

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): He can recall the important dates in the nation's history, it is interesting to listen as he rattles .......

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

Answer: A (off)

Explanation

To 'rattle off' is to say a list quickly from memory.

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Question 68

Direct and Indirect Speech

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The boy told his mother ......

  1. A.that was the girl he told her about
  2. B.that was the girl I told you about her
  3. C.that was the girl I told her about
  4. D.that is the girl he told her about
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (that was the girl he told her about)

Explanation

In reported speech 'I' becomes 'he', 'you' becomes 'her' and 'is' becomes 'was', giving option A.

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Question 69

Direct and Indirect Speech

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Last Monday his father asked me, .....

  1. A.if I had come some days before
  2. B.if I had come the day before
  3. C.did you come yesterday
  4. D.had I come yesterday
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (if I had come the day before)

Explanation

Reported questions use 'if' and statement word order, and 'yesterday' becomes 'the day before'.

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Question 70

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): His wife was badly injured in the fracas, but I think she will pull.....

  1. A.up
  2. B.over
  3. C.through
  4. D.back
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (through)

Explanation

To 'pull through' means to recover from a serious illness or injury.

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Question 71

Concord

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): A wide range of options ..... made available to students in their final year last year

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

Answer: D (was)

Explanation

The subject is 'a wide range' (singular), and 'last year' needs the past tense, so 'was'.

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Question 72

Concord

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): One of the women who .... in the premises.... been ordered to quit

  1. A.sells/have
  2. B.sell/has
  3. C.sell/have
  4. D.sells/has
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (sell/has)

Explanation

'Who' refers to 'the women' (plural), so 'sell'; the main subject 'one' is singular, so 'has'.

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Question 73

Adjectives and Adverbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The new trade agreement should facilitate...

  1. A.more economic rapid growth
  2. B.economic more rapid growth
  3. C.rapid economic more growth
  4. D.more rapid economic growth
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (more rapid economic growth)

Explanation

The adverb 'more' goes with 'rapid', and the noun phrase 'economic growth' stays together: 'more rapid economic growth'.

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Question 74

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The principal said that he was pleased.... my effort.

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

Answer: C (with)

Explanation

We say 'pleased with' something or someone.

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Question 75

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Paper is made .... woodpulp

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

Answer: C (from)

Explanation

'Made from' is used when the raw material is changed in the process, as wood pulp is when it becomes paper.

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Question 76

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Long after everyone... the hall, Obi still sat inside.

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

Answer: D (had left)

Explanation

Everyone's leaving happened before Obi's sitting (past), so the past perfect 'had left' is needed.

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Question 77

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): They are the .... dresses

  1. A.babys'
  2. B.baby
  3. C.babies
  4. D.babies'
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (babies')

Explanation

The plural of baby is babies, and the plural possessive adds an apostrophe after the s: babies'.

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Question 78

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The politician was sent ..... exile.

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

Answer: B (into)

Explanation

The standard expression is 'go into exile' or 'be sent into exile'.

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Question 79

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): When we looked up, we .... the plane some miles away.

  1. A.site
  2. B.cited
  3. C.sited
  4. D.sighted
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (sighted)

Explanation

'Sighted' means saw. Site, cited and sited sound alike but mean other things.

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Question 80

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Vital ... is still spread .... word of mouth in most villages in Africa.

  1. A.information/from
  2. B.information/with
  3. C.information/by
  4. D.information/through
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (information/by)

Explanation

Information passed on by people talking is spread 'by word of mouth', a fixed phrase.

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Question 81

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Western education is one of the ... of colonial rule.

  1. A.legacies
  2. B.evidence
  3. C.remnants
  4. D.inheritance
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (legacies)

Explanation

A legacy is something handed down from an earlier time; Western education is one of the legacies of colonial rule.

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Question 82

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The Federal Government has .... child trafficking

  1. A.postulated
  2. B.projected
  3. C.prescribed
  4. D.proscribed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (proscribed)

Explanation

To proscribe is to ban officially. Do not confuse it with 'prescribe', to recommend.

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Question 83

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The man was happy that his son confessed his guilt and so the others were ....

  1. A.implicated
  2. B.accused
  3. C.punished
  4. D.exonerated
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (exonerated)

Explanation

Because the son confessed, the others were cleared of blame, that is, exonerated, which is why the man was happy.

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Question 84

Conjunctions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Based on the facts before me, I have no alternative... to hold you responsible

  1. A.only
  2. B.as
  3. C.than
  4. D.but
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (but)

Explanation

The fixed expression is 'have no alternative but to', meaning the only thing left to do is.

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Question 85

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Many people would always find reasons to ... the law

  1. A.arrogate
  2. B.debase
  3. C.circumvent
  4. D.circumspect
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (circumvent)

Explanation

To circumvent the law is to find a way around it.

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Question 86

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letters underlined: coup

  1. A.whup
  2. B.hoot
  3. C.couple
  4. D.scout
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (hoot)

Explanation

'Coup' is pronounced /kuː/, with the long /uː/ of 'hoot'.

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Question 87

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letters underlined: indict

  1. A.bright
  2. B.fish
  3. C.pick
  4. D.brick
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (bright)

Explanation

'Indict' is pronounced /ɪnˈdaɪt/; the underlined part has /aɪ/, as in 'bright'.

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Question 88

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letters underlined: roared

  1. A.towered
  2. B.coast
  3. C.brought
  4. D.rod
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (brought)

Explanation

The 'oa' in 'roared' is /ɔː/, the same as the 'ou' in 'brought'.

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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: high

  1. A.what
  2. B.honest
  3. C.who
  4. D.vehicle
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (who)

Explanation

The 'h' in 'high' is sounded /h/, as in 'who'. It is silent in 'honest' and usually in 'what' and 'vehicle'.

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Question 91

Consonants

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

  1. A.plough
  2. B.dough
  3. C.over
  4. D.orphan
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (over)

Explanation

In 'of' the letter f is pronounced /v/, the same sound as in 'over'.

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Question 92

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word: boys

  1. A.stays
  2. B.moist
  3. C.noise
  4. D.elbows
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (noise)

Explanation

'Boys' /bɔɪz/ rhymes with 'noise' /nɔɪz/.

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Question 93

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word: shine

  1. A.clean
  2. B.fine
  3. C.machine
  4. D.lain
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (fine)

Explanation

'Shine' and 'fine' both end in /aɪn/.

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Question 94

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word: seer

  1. A.snare
  2. B.spare
  3. C.spear
  4. D.square
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (spear)

Explanation

'Seer' ends in /ɪə/, as does 'spear'; the others end in /eə/.

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Question 95

Word Stress

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

  1. A.politiCAL
  2. B.POlitical
  3. C.poliTIcal
  4. D.poLItical
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (poLItical)

Explanation

Political is stressed on the second syllable: po-LI-ti-cal.

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Question 96

Word Stress

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

  1. A.satisfacTORY
  2. B.saTISfactory
  3. C.SATisfactory
  4. D.satisFACtory
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (satisFACtory)

Explanation

Satisfactory is stressed on the third syllable: sa-tis-FAC-to-ry.

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Question 97

Word Stress

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

  1. A.captiviTY
  2. B.captiVIty
  3. C.capTIvity
  4. D.CAPtivity
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (capTIvity)

Explanation

Captivity is stressed on the second syllable: cap-TI-vi-ty.

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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: EMEKA finished his home work yesterday

  1. A.Was Emeka helped to do his home work?
  2. B.Did Emeka do his home work yesterday?
  3. C.When did Emeka finish his home work?
  4. D.Who finished his home work yesterday?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (Who finished his home work yesterday?)

Explanation

Stressing EMEKA answers a question about the person who did it: 'Who finished his homework yesterday?'

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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: Taiwo SAILED to London

  1. A.Did Taiwo fly to London?
  2. B.Did Taiwo sail to Brazil?
  3. C.Did Taiwo sail to London?
  4. D.Where did Taiwo sail to?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Did Taiwo fly to London?)

Explanation

Stressing SAILED corrects the way of travelling, so it answers 'Did Taiwo fly to London?'

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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 bag is made of LEATHER

  1. A.Whose bag is made of leather?
  2. B.Is my bag made of polythene?
  3. C.Is Abu's bag made of leather?
  4. D.Is my bag made of leather
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Is my bag made of polythene?)

Explanation

Stressing LEATHER corrects the material, so it answers 'Is my bag made of polythene?'

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