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Unilorin Post-UTME Use of English 2017 (Model questions) past questions and answers

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

Question 6

Concord

Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence: He is one of those who …….. in my school

  1. A.teaches
  2. B.is teaching
  3. C.are teaching
  4. D.teach
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Answer: D (teach)

Explanation

'Who' refers to 'those' (plural), so the verb is plural: those who teach.

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Question 7

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence: The student had a ………. on independence day

  1. A.match pass
  2. B.march pass
  3. C.march past
  4. D.match past
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Answer: C (march past)

Explanation

A ceremonial parade in which people march past a saluting point is a 'march past'.

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Question 8

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence: The ceremony was rounded ….. very late

  1. A.up
  2. B.off
  3. C.of
  4. D.out
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Answer: B (off)

Explanation

To 'round off' an event is to bring it to a fitting end.

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Question 9

Prepositions

Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence: He regarded the betrayal of his friend as a stab …….. the back

  1. A.on
  2. B.at
  3. C.in
  4. D.from
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Answer: C (in)

Explanation

The idiom for betrayal is 'a stab in the back'.

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Question 10

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence: As he was still owing me two hundred naira, I was careful not to ……. Him any more money.

  1. A.lend
  2. B.loan
  3. C.borrow
  4. D.extend
  5. E.credit
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Answer: A (lend)

Explanation

To give someone money that they must pay back is to lend it to them.

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Question 11

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence: The public library has stopped ………. books to readers.

  1. A.lending
  2. B.borrowing
  3. C.loaning
  4. D.renting
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Answer: A (lending)

Explanation

A library gives books out for a time and gets them back: it lends them. 'Lend' is the standard verb; 'loan' as a verb is mainly American and informal.

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Question 12

Nouns and Determiners

Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence: A university teacher is an ………..

  1. A.academic
  2. B.academics
  3. C.academician
  4. D.academia
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Answer: A (academic)

Explanation

A person who teaches and researches in a university is an academic; an academician is a member of an academy.

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Question 14

Vowels

Choose the word that is equivalent to the sound represented: /ɜː/

  1. A.Shirt
  2. B.luck
  3. C.shut
  4. D.thumb
  5. E.hull
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Answer: A (Shirt)

Explanation

'ir' in shirt is the long vowel /ɜː/; the others have the short vowel /ʌ/.

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Question 15

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word in italics: He spoke impromptu on the occasion.

  1. A.eloquently
  2. B.without preparation
  3. C.without enthusiasm
  4. D.with great force
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Answer: B (without preparation)

Explanation

Impromptu means done without planning or preparation.

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Question 16

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word in italics: The perpetual noise made it impossible for them.

  1. A.irritating
  2. B.constant
  3. C.unlimited
  4. D.recurrent
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Answer: B (constant)

Explanation

Perpetual means going on all the time without stopping, which is closest to constant.

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Question 17

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word in italics: All his attempts to win the favour of his boss proved infructuous.

  1. A.meaningfulness
  2. B.unnecessary
  3. C.redundant
  4. D.fruitless
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Answer: D (fruitless)

Explanation

Infructuous means bearing no fruit, i.e. fruitless or unsuccessful.

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Question 18

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word in italics: As she had never been in such a situation before, her apprehension was understandable.

  1. A.eagerness
  2. B.fear
  3. C.hesitation
  4. D.excitement
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Answer: B (fear)

Explanation

Apprehension here means anxiety or fear about what may happen.

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Question 19

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word in italics: You should not get paranoid about what others think of you.

  1. A.flattered by
  2. B.influenced
  3. C.obsessed with
  4. D.upset by
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Answer: C (obsessed with)

Explanation

Being paranoid about something means being excessively and anxiously preoccupied with it.

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Question 20

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word in italics: I wonder if this intervention in the dispute will be of any help.

  1. A.interception
  2. B.interruption
  3. C.mediation
  4. D.meddling
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Answer: C (mediation)

Explanation

Intervening in a dispute to help settle it is mediation.

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Question 21

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word in italics: A strange mental aberration often made her forget her own name.

  1. A.eccentricity
  2. B.insanity
  3. C.disorder
  4. D.illusion
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (disorder)

Explanation

A mental aberration is a temporary lapse or disorder of the mind.

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