JAMB Use of English

2020 · Question 1

The growth in the world's population is in observance of the divine mandate and effective management of the world health system through legislation, enactment and sensitization. In the past, the growing human population was reduced through scarcity of food, floods, earthquakes, wars, etc. But in this time and age, man has found solutions to some of the mentioned catalysts to death among the human population. There is now a clarion call to man to take responsibility in reducing the world's population, which may culminate in food scarcity, by consciously sensitizing people to the benefits of family planning.

According to the passage, what concern does the writer express about population growth?

1. That population growth was for the good of all
2. That a high population growth rate was dangerous to all
3. That without population the world would be empty
4. That population explosion is outdated

2020 · Question 4

The growth in the world's population is in observance of the divine mandate and effective management of the world health system through legislation, enactment and sensitization. In the past, the growing human population was reduced through scarcity of food, floods, earthquakes, wars, etc. But in this time and age, man has found solutions to some of the mentioned catalysts to death among the human population. There is now a clarion call to man to take responsibility in reducing the world's population, which may culminate in food scarcity, by consciously sensitizing people to the benefits of family planning.

What does “catalysts” mean as used in the passage?

1. Way out
2. Aid to
3. Catalysed way
4. Increasing death rate

2020 · Question 6

In this age of air transportation, as travel becomes easier, quicker and expensive, more and still more visitors from all over the world are attracted to Africa by the thrill of seeing the beauty of nature. They visit the vast plains, the equatorial rain forest, the lakes and rivers, the mountain ranges and the great semi-arid veld of Africa. The goal of their journeying is not only the vast herds of antelopes and the carnivores which prey on them, but also the unusual and brilliantly coloured birds which inhabit these places in seemingly endless varieties.

According to the passage, how are more and more visitors coming to Africa?

1. Ship
2. Sea
3. Aeroplane
4. Train

2020 · Question 7

In this age of air transportation, as travel becomes easier, quicker and expensive, more and still more visitors from all over the world are attracted to Africa by the thrill of seeing the beauty of nature. They visit the vast plains, the equatorial rain forest, the lakes and rivers, the mountain ranges and the great semi-arid veld of Africa. The goal of their journeying is not only the vast herds of antelopes and the carnivores which prey on them, but also the unusual and brilliantly coloured birds which inhabit these places in seemingly endless varieties.

According to the passage, what do these visitors hope to see in Africa?

1. Air transportation
2. Costumes
3. Only prey animals
4. The beauty of nature

2020 · Question 8

In this age of air transportation, as travel becomes easier, quicker and expensive, more and still more visitors from all over the world are attracted to Africa by the thrill of seeing the beauty of nature. They visit the vast plains, the equatorial rain forest, the lakes and rivers, the mountain ranges and the great semi-arid veld of Africa. The goal of their journeying is not only the vast herds of antelopes and the carnivores which prey on them, but also the unusual and brilliantly coloured birds which inhabit these places in seemingly endless varieties.

According to the passage, what do these visitors go to see when they arrive in Africa?

1. Only the desert
2. Only the mountains
3. Only plains
4. As many parts of Africa as they can

2020 · Question 10

In this age of air transportation, as travel becomes easier, quicker and expensive, more and still more visitors from all over the world are attracted to Africa by the thrill of seeing the beauty of nature. They visit the vast plains, the equatorial rain forest, the lakes and rivers, the mountain ranges and the great semi-arid veld of Africa. The goal of their journeying is not only the vast herds of antelopes and the carnivores which prey on them, but also the unusual and brilliantly coloured birds which inhabit these places in seemingly endless varieties.

According to the passage, what animals prey on the antelopes?

1. The tourists
2. Visitors
3. Carnivores
4. All wild animals

2020 · Question 12

It has been said that there have been more scientific discoveries this century than in the rest of the world's history. Certainly the list is a long and impressive one: the aeroplane, radio, television, the domestic use of electricity in a thousand and one forms, and space satellites. These have been matched by discoveries in medicine, which have perhaps been less spectacular but have nevertheless saved the lives of millions of people. Sir Alexander Fleming's development of penicillin and the discovery of X-ray photography are just two of the things which have lessened human misery. Side by side with these discoveries, however, we must put inventions such as the atomic bomb, which have increased the chances of men destroying one another, in perspective.

Which of these discoveries is not mentioned in the passage?

1. The aeroplane
2. Television
3. Railway engine
4. Satellite

2020 · Question 14

It has been said that there have been more scientific discoveries this century than in the rest of the world's history. Certainly the list is a long and impressive one: the aeroplane, radio, television, the domestic use of electricity in a thousand and one forms, and space satellites. These have been matched by discoveries in medicine, which have perhaps been less spectacular but have nevertheless saved the lives of millions of people. Sir Alexander Fleming's development of penicillin and the discovery of X-ray photography are just two of the things which have lessened human misery. Side by side with these discoveries, however, we must put inventions such as the atomic bomb, which have increased the chances of men destroying one another, in perspective.

According to the passage, which discovery is associated with Sir Alexander Fleming?

1. Electricity
2. Photography
3. Penicillin
4. Radio

2020 · Question 37

Choose the option closest in meaning to “remarks” in this sentence: “Adisa had very good remarks on his report card”

1. details
2. design
3. comment
4. ideas

2020 · Question 38

Choose the option closest in meaning to “surmount” in this sentence: “We must work hard in order to surmount our difficulties.”

1. decrease
2. overcome
3. remove
4. meet

2020 · Question 39

Choose the option closest in meaning to “revenue” in this sentence: “The government gets most of its revenue from tax and customs duties.”

1. riches
2. fees
3. income
4. support

2020 · Question 40

Choose the option closest in meaning to “look into” in this sentence: “The monitor was told to look into the cause of the confusion in the classroom.”

1. investigate
2. punish
3. spy on
4. watch

2020 · Question 41

Choose the option closest in meaning to “cut” in this sentence: “The workers protested about the cut in their wages”

1. decrease
2. lateness
3. amount
4. gap

2020 · Question 43

Choose the option closest in meaning to “expensive” in this sentence: “The man asked his wife to buy expensive materials for her dresses”

1. beautiful
2. gay
3. costly
4. many

2020 · Question 44

Choose the option closest in meaning to “give up his appointment” in this sentence: “Mr Subomi wants to give up his appointment.”

1. transfer his appointment to another
2. resign from his position
3. keep the appointment for the son
4. share his appointment with others

2020 · Question 45

Choose the word that most suitably fills the gap: “I passed my entrance examination ______ unfortunately, I was not accepted by the university.”

1. and
2. because
3. for
4. but

2020 · Question 46

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “The only witness to the theft was so shocked that he couldn't describe exactly ______.”

1. what the thief looked like
2. how the thief looked like
3. that the thief looked like
4. which the thief looked like

2020 · Question 47

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “The lady accompanied by her two friends ______.”

1. has arrived
2. have arrived
3. have been arriving
4. is being arrived

2020 · Question 50

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “This is the lady ______ stole my car.”

1. who
2. which
3. whom
4. would have

2020 · Question 51

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “If you were around, I ______ happy.”

1. would be
2. would have been
3. was
4. have been

2020 · Question 53

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “While I was gone, who ______ here?”

1. came
2. comes
3. have come
4. has come

2020 · Question 55

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “The football team supporters ______ wildly when a goal was scored for their team.”

1. cheered
2. groaned
3. wept
4. shouted

2020 · Question 61

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “In the lecture hall, the lecturer gave the ______ to the students.”

1. lecture
2. dialogue
3. warning
4. talk

2020 · Question 64

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “Olumide is absent ______ the lecture today.”

1. from
2. of
3. over
4. in

2020 · Question 65

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “The man in the black suit should ______ the horse.”

1. mount
2. sit
3. by
4. in

2020 · Question 68

Choose the option closest in opposite meaning to “agreed” in this sentence: “They all agreed that John was a fast runner after the race.”

1. cheered
2. denied
3. said
4. shouted

2020 · Question 69

Choose the option closest in opposite meaning to “empty” in this sentence: “Last year our well was empty.”

1. few
2. full
3. shallow
4. low

2020 · Question 70

Choose the option closest in opposite meaning to “rough” in this sentence: “Solomon did not feel comfortable in his coat because it was made of rough materials.”

1. light
2. cheap
3. smooth
4. delicate

2020 · Question 71

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “Olu is a very good friend on ______ I can rely.”

1. where
2. which
3. whom
4. who

2020 · Question 74

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “I know of an elephant ______ has only three legs.”

1. who
2. which
3. whom
4. of which

2020 · Question 76

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “There were no tomatoes in the supermarket, ______ Ronke bought some pepper.”

1. unless
2. so
3. whereas
4. since

2020 · Question 77

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “The security vehicle raced ______ full speed with the siren blaring.”

1. on
2. with
3. at
4. in

2020 · Question 78

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “William loves reading love story books to take his mind ______ his worries.”

1. from
2. out
3. away
4. off

2020 · Question 79

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “I don't know what to do with these children; they are always quarrelling with ______.”

1. themselves
2. myself
3. one another
4. each of them

2020 · Question 81

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “If he had known, he wouldn't have come, ______”

1. wasn't he?
2. would he?
3. couldn't he?
4. wouldn't he?

2020 · Question 86

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “Ajose and Emmanuel ______ the work yesterday.”

1. finished
2. finish
3. shall finish
4. would finish

2020 · Question 90

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “Take your umbrella because it ______.”

1. is raining
2. wanted to rain
3. had rained
4. was raining

2020 · Question 91

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “When I heard the deafening sound, I ______ under the bed.”

1. hidden
2. had hid
3. hid
4. am hiding

2020 · Question 95

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “When Ade came in, he sat on a chair and ______ for a drink.”

1. was asking
2. asked
3. will ask
4. after

2020 · Question 96

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “Lawrence, please, if you come ______ my brother in town, inform him that I am in town.”

1. over
2. across
3. through
4. after

2020 · Question 97

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “Charles quickly got a match and struck it on ______ sole of my shoe.”

1. this
2. the
3. a
4. each

2020 · Question 98

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “Olu asked the secretary if anybody ______ to see him.”

1. wants
2. wanted
3. has been waiting
4. is wishing

2020 · Question 100

Choose the word or phrase that most suitably fills the gap: “______ likes to be cheated.”

1. Not many people
2. Nobody
3. Few people
4. No people

2019 · Question 27

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “The vice chancellor is riding the crest of the last quarter of his administration.”

1. The vice chancellor enjoys the acknowledgement of the success of his administration.
2. The vice chancellor does not enjoy the people's criticism of his administration.
3. The vice chancellor hopes to overcome soon the poor comments on his administration.
4. The vice chancellor does not talk of his success in office.

2019 · Question 28

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “She was absolved by the court from the charge.”

1. She was convicted of the charge.
2. She was blamed and charged to court.
3. Her case was resolved by the court.
4. She was declared free from the charge.

2019 · Question 29

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “The landlord is fond of throwing his weight about.”

1. The landlord likes healthy exercise.
2. The landlord is overweight.
3. The landlord gives orders to people.
4. The landlord is respected by the tenants.

2019 · Question 30

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “The company ought to have issued warrants for one billion shares.”

1. The company has issued one billion shares.
2. The management expected the company to issue more than one billion shares.
3. Members of the company bought less than one billion shares.
4. The company did not issue one billion shares.

2019 · Question 32

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “I would not have responded to his rude talk if I were you.”

1. The advice was taken by the respondent, so he did not respond to the talk.
2. The adviser put himself in the respondent's position, so he did not respond to the talk.
3. The respondent replied to the speaker's talk, although he ought not to have done so.
4. What was advisable was that the respondent gave back to the speaker.

2019 · Question 34

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “The player wasted a golden opportunity during the penalty shoot-out.”

1. The player first hit the bar.
2. The player did not score the shot.
3. The player scored the shot that made them win the gold cup.
4. Instead of a silver cup, they received the golden one.

2019 · Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “idiot” in this sentence: “As an idiot, the boy is weak in class”

1. a deviant
2. a dunce
3. an expert
4. a genius

2019 · Question 37

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “shocked” in this sentence: “We were shocked by the news that he had lost the money.”

1. astonished
2. disconcerted
3. unconcerned
4. surprised

2019 · Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “flexible” in this sentence: “The principal was advised to be flexible on critical issues”

1. livid
2. cautious
3. evasion
4. rigid

2019 · Question 39

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “sober” in this sentence: “Bola always looks sober.”

1. excited
2. serious
3. worried
4. hapless

2019 · Question 40

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “efficiency” in this sentence: “Dupe was promoted for her efficiency”

1. ability
2. incompetence
3. inconsistency
4. rudeness

2019 · Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “reticent” in this sentence: “The management wants to consider her reticent behaviour in due course.”

1. disapproving
2. disciplinarian
3. contemplative
4. loquacious

2019 · Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “infinitesimal” in this sentence: “His gift to the poor was always infinitesimal.”

1. large
2. small
3. supportive
4. shameful

2019 · Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “adduced” in this sentence: “The economist concluded that several factors have been adduced to explain the fall in the birth rate.”

1. affirmed
2. diffused
3. mentioned
4. refuted

2019 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “antidote” in this sentence: “The presidential system is an antidote to some political ailments.”

1. an answer
2. a reply
3. an inquiry
4. an obstacle

2019 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “callous” in this sentence: “Ola thought that her father was very callous”

1. parlous
2. compassionate
3. wicked
4. cheerful

2019 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “temporal” in this sentence: “He was very much respected, though he had no temporal power.”

1. spiritual
2. mundane
3. permanent
4. ephemeral

2019 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “hit-and-miss” in this sentence: “The way the workshop was organised was rather hit-and-miss.”

1. systematic
2. hasty
3. slow
4. funny

2019 · Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “derogatory” in this sentence: “Okibe was rusticated for his derogatory remark about the principal”

1. complementary
2. unsavoury
3. unwarranted
4. lackluster

2019 · Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “sovereignty” in this sentence: “Justice is difficult to enforce because people are unwilling to accept any loss of sovereignty.”

1. autonomy
2. position
3. leadership
4. kingdom

2019 · Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “virtuous” in this sentence: “There are still virtuous women in our society today.”

1. clever
2. upright
3. devilish
4. intelligent

2019 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “inveterate” in this sentence: “Akin is an inveterate gambler.”

1. a selfish and self-centred
2. an extremely unlucky but popular
3. an incurable but fearful
4. a long-time and incorrigible

2019 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “petrified” in this sentence: “He was too petrified to give the closing remarks at the conference.”

1. frightened
2. delighted
3. agitated
4. happy

2019 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “vulnerable” in this sentence: “Every human being is vulnerable to communicable diseases.”

1. liable
2. lifted
3. immured
4. closed

2019 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “furtive” in this sentence: “Mariam looks rather furtive to Shehu.”

1. intoxicated
2. unfriendly
3. sad
4. sly

2019 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “extempore” in this sentence: “The students’ union leader delivered his speech extempore.”

1. out-of-hand
2. off the cuff
3. accurately
4. courageously

2019 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “inkling” in this sentence: “His story gave us an inkling of what he passed through during the strike”

1. a possible idea
2. a taste
3. a summary
4. the right view

2019 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “espoused” in this sentence: “These policies have been espoused by the ruling party.”

1. condemned
2. rejected
3. supported
4. outlined

2019 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “foreclose” in this sentence: “We must not foreclose reconciliation as the purpose of his trip.”

1. exclude
2. consider
3. underestimate
4. forgo

2019 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “exploded” in this sentence: “Her findings exploded widely held beliefs about learning”

1. challenged
2. debunked
3. projected
4. confirmed

2019 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: ______, you should put in some effort.

1. However tired you are
2. However tired are you
3. However you are tired
4. However are you tired

2019 · Question 67

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Bola works in ______.

1. with a meagre school resources
2. a school with meagre resources
3. school with a meagre resources
4. a resource school meagre with

2019 · Question 68

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: There are ______ I need to buy.

1. lot of thing that
2. lots of things that
3. lot of things that
4. lots of thing that

2019 · Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: It is generally ______ that we should eat less fat and more vegetables.

1. agreeing
2. to agreed
3. to agree
4. agreed

2019 · Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Laraba could not do it as expected, ______?

1. wasn't she
2. could she
3. didn't she
4. was she

2019 · Question 71

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: A ______ seminar was organised by the society.

1. two-day
2. two-days
3. two day
4. two days

2019 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Ado struck Isa with ______ blow across his shoulder.

1. mightily
2. a mighty
3. mightiest
4. the mightier

2019 · Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Tunde and Kola were not supposed to attend the party, ______?

1. were they
2. wasn't they
3. weren't they
4. isn't they

2019 · Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The two friends agreed ______ each other on the issue.

1. with
2. to
3. by
4. on

2019 · Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Abiola is ______.

1. uses to wake up early
2. used to waking up early
3. use to wake up early
4. using to wake up early

2019 · Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: ______ you do, slow down and take your time.

1. Whatever
2. However
3. Wherever
4. Whenever

2019 · Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The allegation was a further source ______ embarrassment.

1. with
2. of
3. in
4. for

2019 · Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The new manager has ______ towards his staff.

1. a disposition pleasant friendly
2. a pleasant friendly disposition
3. a disposition friendly pleasant
4. a friendly disposition pleasant

2019 · Question 80

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: My sister plays tennis with ______.

1. he's
2. his
3. he
4. him

2019 · Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Lima does not like working in the dark, ______?

1. has she
2. does she
3. will she
4. did she

2019 · Question 83

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Oboro will always ______ his friends.

1. stand up for
2. stand down for
3. stand across for
4. stand beside for

2019 · Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: She arrived ______ air for the occasion.

1. for
2. in
3. with
4. by

2019 · Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Audu overbalanced and ______ the water.

1. fell into
2. fell from
3. fell for
4. fell at

2019 · Question 86

In standard British pronunciation, which word has the same vowel sound as “ore” in “bore”?

1. call
2. curt
3. slot
4. hum

2019 · Question 87

Which word has the same vowel sound as “ea” in “head”?

1. said
2. heard
3. herd
4. shirt

2019 · Question 89

Which word rhymes with “cart”?

1. lash
2. cat
3. part
4. pack

2019 · Question 90

Which word rhymes with “sight”?

1. skate
2. short
3. cite
4. plait

2019 · Question 91

Which word contains the same consonant sound as “sh” in “clash”?

1. sharp
2. cheap
3. leisure
4. school

2019 · Question 92

Which word contains the same consonant sound as “c” in “vice”?

1. cat
2. dress
3. show
4. chalk

2019 · Question 93

Choose the option showing the main stress in “departmental”. The stressed syllable is capitalised.

1. DEpartmental (first syllable stressed)
2. dePARTmental (second syllable stressed)
3. departMENtal (third syllable stressed)
4. departmenTAL (fourth syllable stressed)

2019 · Question 94

Choose the option showing the main stress in “judiciary”. The stressed syllable is capitalised.

1. judiCIAry (third syllable stressed)
2. judiciaRY (fourth syllable stressed)
3. JUdiciary (first syllable stressed)
4. juDIciary (second syllable stressed)

2019 · Question 95

The capitalised word carries emphatic stress. Choose the question to which this sentence best relates: “Aderonke STATED she had a right to her privacy.”

1. Did Omowunmi state she had a right to her privacy?
2. Did Aderonke lament she had a right to her privacy?
3. Did Aderonke state she had a right to her openness?
4. Did Aderonke state she had a right to his privacy?

2019 · Question 96

The capitalised word or words carry emphatic stress. Choose the question to which the sentence best relates: “My boss has an amiable DISPOSITION.”

1. Does your boss have an amiable disposition?
2. Does my boss have an unfriendly disposition?
3. Does my colleague have an amiable disposition?
4. Does my boss have an amiable complexion?

2019 · Question 97

The capitalised word or words carry emphatic stress. Choose the question to which the sentence best relates: “Adamu is leaving a CAR behind.”

1. Is Adamu driving the car in front?
2. Who is leaving a car behind?
3. Where is Adamu leaving a car?
4. What is Adamu leaving behind?

2019 · Question 98

The capitalised word or words carry emphatic stress. Choose the question to which the sentence best relates: “Lambusa TOOK OFF the wig.”

1. What did Lambusa do?
2. Did Lambusa take off a wig?
3. Did Lambusa take off the ring?
4. Who took off the wig?

2019 · Question 99

The capitalised word or words carry emphatic stress. Choose the question to which the sentence best relates: “The bed is IN the room”

1. Was the bed in the room?
2. What is in the room?
3. Where is the bed?
4. is the bed in the parlour?

2019 · Question 100

The capitalised word carries emphatic stress. Choose the question to which this sentence best relates: “My mother bought a BICYCLE yesterday.”

1. Whose mother bought a bicycle yesterday?
2. Did my mother steal a bicycle yesterday?
3. When did my mother buy a bicycle?
4. What did my mother buy yesterday?

2018 · Question 1

The approach to the University is being restructured to ease the flow of traffic, give better security and provide an appropriate introduction to a seat of higher learning. The Works and Services Complex is also under construction, and we intend to move into the completed (major) part of it within the next few weeks. All these projects are being executed with an eye to aesthetics for we recognize the important influence of a beautiful and healthy environment on its inhabitants and feel that a cluster of buildings on a small space such as we have should be so well designed as to have a beneficial psychological and sociological effect on all members of the community. I have gone to these lengths to itemize these examples of current development for two main reasons. Firstly, to advise you that the road diversions and other physical inconveniences currently being experienced will be on the increase because of intense development activity. We therefore appeal to you to bear with us in full knowledge and consolation that such inconveniences are temporary and will soon yield final tangible results. Secondly, to demonstrate our capacity for executing approved projects with dispatch, and to assure Government that we are up to the task. Indeed, I can assure Government that its ability to disburse funds to us will be more than matched by our capacity to collect and expend them on executing various worthy projects in record time.

From the passage we can gather that

1. there is not much consideration for the health of the inhabitants
2. there is deliberate effort to inconvenience the people
3. buildings are put up anyhow
4. projects are carried out without approval
5. the inconveniences suffered by the inhabitants will be for a while

2018 · Question 2

The approach to the University is being restructured to ease the flow of traffic, give better security and provide an appropriate introduction to a seat of higher learning. The Works and Services Complex is also under construction, and we intend to move into the completed (major) part of it within the next few weeks. All these projects are being executed with an eye to aesthetics for we recognize the important influence of a beautiful and healthy environment on its inhabitants and feel that a cluster of buildings on a small space such as we have should be so well designed as to have a beneficial psychological and sociological effect on all members of the community. I have gone to these lengths to itemize these examples of current development for two main reasons. Firstly, to advise you that the road diversions and other physical inconveniences currently being experienced will be on the increase because of intense development activity. We therefore appeal to you to bear with us in full knowledge and consolation that such inconveniences are temporary and will soon yield final tangible results. Secondly, to demonstrate our capacity for executing approved projects with dispatch, and to assure Government that we are up to the task. Indeed, I can assure Government that its ability to disburse funds to us will be more than matched by our capacity to collect and expend them on executing various worthy projects in record time.

Unless it can be shown that the money voted for projects can be spent on them in good time

1. the development activity will not be intense
2. it will not be easy to convince the Government of our executive ability
3. it will not be difficult to ask Government for funds
4. our final results will be unreliable
5. the road diversions and other inconveniences will continue

2018 · Question 3

The approach to the University is being restructured to ease the flow of traffic, give better security and provide an appropriate introduction to a seat of higher learning. The Works and Services Complex is also under construction, and we intend to move into the completed (major) part of it within the next few weeks. All these projects are being executed with an eye to aesthetics for we recognize the important influence of a beautiful and healthy environment on its inhabitants and feel that a cluster of buildings on a small space such as we have should be so well designed as to have a beneficial psychological and sociological effect on all members of the community. I have gone to these lengths to itemize these examples of current development for two main reasons. Firstly, to advise you that the road diversions and other physical inconveniences currently being experienced will be on the increase because of intense development activity. We therefore appeal to you to bear with us in full knowledge and consolation that such inconveniences are temporary and will soon yield final tangible results. Secondly, to demonstrate our capacity for executing approved projects with dispatch, and to assure Government that we are up to the task. Indeed, I can assure Government that its ability to disburse funds to us will be more than matched by our capacity to collect and expend them on executing various worthy projects in record time.

An eye for aesthetics in this passage means

1. regard for space
2. beneficial psychological effects
3. regard for health
4. consideration for beauty
5. a cluster of buildings alone

2018 · Question 7

By the time a child has reached the age of two years, the psychologist says that he is 'self-conscious'. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word 'no' with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperatives) are given throughout these two years first for the child's own safety e.g. 'Don’t touch the fire' and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequences of his actions partly because he has developed a concept or idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is 'good' for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.

What main difference is mentioned between the child and the adult?

1. Age difference
2. Weight difference
3. Time Difference
4. Developmental Difference

2018 · Question 8

By the time a child has reached the age of two years, the psychologist says that he is 'self-conscious'. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word 'no' with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperatives) are given throughout these two years first for the child's own safety e.g. 'Don’t touch the fire' and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequences of his actions partly because he has developed a concept or idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is 'good' for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.

What right has the mother to give orders to the child?

1. She is the 'owner' of the child
2. She is stronger than the child
3. She understands the environment better than the child
4. She is more self-conscious than the child

2018 · Question 9

By the time a child has reached the age of two years, the psychologist says that he is 'self-conscious'. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word 'no' with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperatives) are given throughout these two years first for the child's own safety e.g. 'Don’t touch the fire' and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequences of his actions partly because he has developed a concept or idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is 'good' for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.

The two-year old child begins to refuse orders

1. in order to annoy his parents
2. because he does not understand them
3. to assert his independence
4. because he has just learnt the new word 'no'

2018 · Question 11

Time was when boys used to point toy guns and say 'Bang!'. Now, they aim real guns and shoot one another. Nearly 4,200 teenagers were killed by firearms in 1990. Only motor vehicle accidents kill more teenagers than firearms and the firearms figures are rising. The chance that a black male between the ages of 15 and 19 will be killed by a gun has almost tripled since 1985 and almost doubled for white males, according to the National Centre for Health Statistics. Who could disagree with Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala, when she pronounced these statistics 'frightening and intolerable'? In the shameful light of this 'waste of young lives' in Ms. Shalala's words, an often-asked question seems urgently due to be raised again: Would less violence on television — the surrounding environment for most children and young adults — make violence in actual life less normal, less accepted, less horrifying? It may be difficult to prove an exact correlation between the viewer of fantasized violence and the criminal who acts out violence after turning off the set. But if the premise of education is granted - that good models can influence the young - then it follows that bad models can have an equivalent harmful effect. This is the reasonable hypothesis held by 80 per cent of the respondents to a recent Times Mirror poll who think that violent entertainment is 'harmful to society'. Witness enough mimed shootouts, see enough 'corpses' fall across the screen, and the taking of a human life seems no big deal. Even if a simple causal relationship cannot be established between watching violence and acting it out, is not this numbed sensitivity reason enough for cutting back on the overkill in films and TV? From: The Christian Science Monitor, April 16–22, 1993, p. 20, CSPS, Boston, MA, USA.

From the passage, it can be inferred that since 1985

1. more black males between the ages of 15 and 19 have been getting killed by guns
2. more white than black males have been getting killed by guns
3. more black males between the ages of 15 and 19 have been killing one another with guns
4. more black than white males have been killing one another with guns.

2018 · Question 12

Time was when boys used to point toy guns and say 'Bang!'. Now, they aim real guns and shoot one another. Nearly 4,200 teenagers were killed by firearms in 1990. Only motor vehicle accidents kill more teenagers than firearms and the firearms figures are rising. The chance that a black male between the ages of 15 and 19 will be killed by a gun has almost tripled since 1985 and almost doubled for white males, according to the National Centre for Health Statistics. Who could disagree with Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala, when she pronounced these statistics 'frightening and intolerable'? In the shameful light of this 'waste of young lives' in Ms. Shalala's words, an often-asked question seems urgently due to be raised again: Would less violence on television — the surrounding environment for most children and young adults — make violence in actual life less normal, less accepted, less horrifying? It may be difficult to prove an exact correlation between the viewer of fantasized violence and the criminal who acts out violence after turning off the set. But if the premise of education is granted - that good models can influence the young - then it follows that bad models can have an equivalent harmful effect. This is the reasonable hypothesis held by 80 per cent of the respondents to a recent Times Mirror poll who think that violent entertainment is 'harmful to society'. Witness enough mimed shootouts, see enough 'corpses' fall across the screen, and the taking of a human life seems no big deal. Even if a simple causal relationship cannot be established between watching violence and acting it out, is not this numbed sensitivity reason enough for cutting back on the overkill in films and TV? From: The Christian Science Monitor, April 16–22, 1993, p. 20, CSPS, Boston, MA, USA.

In Secretary Donna Shalala's view, the situation depicted by the statistics is

1. disturbing and conducive
2. topical and intimidating
3. tense and reassuring
4. alarming and unbearable.

2018 · Question 13

Time was when boys used to point toy guns and say 'Bang!'. Now, they aim real guns and shoot one another. Nearly 4,200 teenagers were killed by firearms in 1990. Only motor vehicle accidents kill more teenagers than firearms and the firearms figures are rising. The chance that a black male between the ages of 15 and 19 will be killed by a gun has almost tripled since 1985 and almost doubled for white males, according to the National Centre for Health Statistics. Who could disagree with Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala, when she pronounced these statistics 'frightening and intolerable'? In the shameful light of this 'waste of young lives' in Ms. Shalala's words, an often-asked question seems urgently due to be raised again: Would less violence on television — the surrounding environment for most children and young adults — make violence in actual life less normal, less accepted, less horrifying? It may be difficult to prove an exact correlation between the viewer of fantasized violence and the criminal who acts out violence after turning off the set. But if the premise of education is granted - that good models can influence the young - then it follows that bad models can have an equivalent harmful effect. This is the reasonable hypothesis held by 80 per cent of the respondents to a recent Times Mirror poll who think that violent entertainment is 'harmful to society'. Witness enough mimed shootouts, see enough 'corpses' fall across the screen, and the taking of a human life seems no big deal. Even if a simple causal relationship cannot be established between watching violence and acting it out, is not this numbed sensitivity reason enough for cutting back on the overkill in films and TV? From: The Christian Science Monitor, April 16–22, 1993, p. 20, CSPS, Boston, MA, USA.

Why does the writer say that “the firearms figures are rising”?

1. more teenagers are now getting killed by firearms than by motor vehicle accidents
2. more teenagers now carry firearms than used to be the case
3. more teenagers are now getting killed by firearms than used to be the case
4. firearms now have figures that are terribly high

2018 · Question 14

Time was when boys used to point toy guns and say 'Bang!'. Now, they aim real guns and shoot one another. Nearly 4,200 teenagers were killed by firearms in 1990. Only motor vehicle accidents kill more teenagers than firearms and the firearms figures are rising. The chance that a black male between the ages of 15 and 19 will be killed by a gun has almost tripled since 1985 and almost doubled for white males, according to the National Centre for Health Statistics. Who could disagree with Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala, when she pronounced these statistics 'frightening and intolerable'? In the shameful light of this 'waste of young lives' in Ms. Shalala's words, an often-asked question seems urgently due to be raised again: Would less violence on television — the surrounding environment for most children and young adults — make violence in actual life less normal, less accepted, less horrifying? It may be difficult to prove an exact correlation between the viewer of fantasized violence and the criminal who acts out violence after turning off the set. But if the premise of education is granted - that good models can influence the young - then it follows that bad models can have an equivalent harmful effect. This is the reasonable hypothesis held by 80 per cent of the respondents to a recent Times Mirror poll who think that violent entertainment is 'harmful to society'. Witness enough mimed shootouts, see enough 'corpses' fall across the screen, and the taking of a human life seems no big deal. Even if a simple causal relationship cannot be established between watching violence and acting it out, is not this numbed sensitivity reason enough for cutting back on the overkill in films and TV? From: The Christian Science Monitor, April 16–22, 1993, p. 20, CSPS, Boston, MA, USA.

According to the writer’s argument, what follows “if the premise of education is granted”?

1. Violence on television encourages violence in the real life.
2. Good models can influence the young
3. Entertainment on television is harmful to society
4. The viewer of fantasized violence is the criminal who acts out violence

2018 · Question 26

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “throws his weight around” in this sentence: “In spite of his humble beginning, Audu now throws his weight around.”

1. Audu is arrogant despite his simple upbringing
2. Despite his obvious poverty, Audu is a proud man.
3. His noble birth notwithstanding, Audu is a proud man
4. From his poor background, Audu is now a rich man

2018 · Question 29

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “hard currency” in this sentence: “The manager paid us in hard currency”

1. We were paid in new notes
2. We were paid in foreign currency
3. We were paid in dollars and pound sterling
4. We were paid in a strong and stable currency

2018 · Question 32

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “flabby” in this sentence: “Eze's skin now looks flabby as a result of his changed circumstances.”

1. neat
2. firm
3. weak
4. oily

2018 · Question 35

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “esoteric” in this sentence: “We watched in wonder as she rattled away in the esoteric language.”

1. inscrutable
2. familiar
3. secret
4. obscure

2018 · Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “in gross” in this sentence: “His textile business deals are in gross.”

1. wholesale
2. imported
3. retailed
4. exported

2018 · Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “whims and caprices” in this sentence: “The masses are controlled by the whims and caprices of their rulers.”

1. wish
2. parochialism
3. will power
4. level-headedness

2018 · Question 43

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “wielding” in this sentence: “Our party is wielding potent political power.”

1. assuming
2. renouncing
3. restoring
4. reappraising

2018 · Question 44

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “allegiance” in this sentence: “The ruler expects full allegiance from his subjects at all times.”

1. obedience
2. homage
3. disloyalty
4. disapproval

2018 · Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “concerted” in this sentence: “The leader called for concerted efforts in order to get over the problems.”

1. combined
2. definite
3. disparate
4. isolated

2018 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “obsolete” in this sentence: “The video tape recorder was made obsolete by the introduction of the satellite dish.”

1. antiquated
2. useless
3. fashionable
4. functional

2018 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “inclinations” in this sentence: “Segun is somebody who always follows his own inclinations”

1. impulses
2. aversions
3. dispositions
4. deviations

2018 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “languish” in this sentence: “The poor man is compelled to languish in his poverty-stricken situation.”

1. luxuriate in
2. deteriorate in
3. suffer in
4. laugh at

2018 · Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “redeemable” in this sentence: “His loss suddenly became redeemable.”

1. repulsive
2. incurable
3. exclusive
4. recoverable

2018 · Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “sanctioned” in this sentence: “The move to expel the chairman was sanctioned by members of the party.”

1. opposed
2. supported
3. unleashed
4. initiated

2018 · Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “leer” in this sentence: “After the meeting, I read a leer on his face as he looked at the woman”

1. bad look
2. satisfying meaning
3. poor smile
4. pleasant disposition

2018 · Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “awry” in this sentence: “The plane has gone awry”

1. wrong
2. wild
3. well
4. wide

2018 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “easily offended” in this sentence: “Because Jamiu is also easily offended, he was not considered for the post of head boy.”

1. troublesome
2. stubborn
3. docile
4. irritable

2018 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “monstrous” in this sentence: “The witness provided a monstrous account of the event”

1. shocking
2. verbatim
3. supportive
4. tragic

2018 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “prolific” in this sentence: “He is a prolific writer.”

1. an influential
2. a very productive
3. a clever
4. a well-known

2018 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “convention” in this sentence: “The chairman advised the participants to follow convention in stating their points.”

1. eloquence
2. prudence
3. tradition
4. advice

2018 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “convoluted” in this sentence: “The recommended novel has a convoluted theme”

1. an attractive
2. a simple
3. a complicated
4. a disgusting

2018 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “preparedness” in this sentence: “The government has announced its preparedness for the scheme”

1. determination
2. pleasure
3. readiness
4. regret

2018 · Question 72

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “I owe you far less than you owe me”

1. I owe you something, but you owe me much more
2. Your debt is not much greater than mine.
3. What we owe each other is approximately the same
4. My debt to you is greater than yours to me

2018 · Question 73

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “Ogiri takes after his father; he fawns upon anyone with influence”

1. Ogiri, who looks like his father, follows rich and influential people about
2. Ogiri, who always follows his father, tries to act like an influential person
3. Like his father, Ogiri hates influential people
4. Like his father, Ogiri likes to flatter people with influence in society

2018 · Question 74

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “He had hardly spoken when the bell rang.”

1. he found it difficult to speak, and then the bell rang
2. The bell rang very soon after he spoke.
3. When the bell rang, he was still speaking
4. He spoke in a harsh manner and the bell rang

2018 · Question 78

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “The dispute over land acquisition has now come to a head.”

1. The problem has now been referred to the headquarters.
2. Because of the dispute, land acquisition has now been halted
3. The problem has now been solved
4. The problem has reached crisis proportions.

2017 · Question 3

Okoli bought his five-shilling postal order, registered his pools coupon and emerged from the post office feeling, as he had felt for the past ten years, that the world would be kind to him. But he was not happy. While waiting in the queue, another customer had told him of a friend who had invested one thousand naira (N1,000) and won thousands. “One hundred naira,” he said to himself. He smiled a smile of diffidence mixed with optimism. Some passers-by noted a smile, thinking it was for them, but Okoli, nicknamed “Time up” by his friends in the government department where he worked, did not notice. His thoughts were engaged in contemplating the vagaries of that mysterious god, football pools. He came to the bus stop and looked a little wistfully at a standing vehicle. He would have liked to go by it; his home was a mile away and the sun eagerly pricked his head, but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. He therefore walked home. Okoli took off his workday clothes and changed into a brown wrapper and singlet. Then he set about boiling water for his garri. “No, impossible,” he murmured to himself. To gamble on a grand scale? He unlocked a drawer set in the table and slipped out a bank account book. He opened it. His assets stood at exactly one thousand naira (N1,000). A coincidence? But it might be an omen. In the newspaper, his stars for the week had said, “Do not be afraid to take a chance.” Why should his credit stand at exactly the figure the other customer had mentioned? But one might fail even with one thousand naira. Suppose he failed? He had responsibilities: his father and mother struggling against a perverse land which yearly failed to yield them enough to eat. Memories of that land had haunted him, forcing him to place a barrier between himself and luxuries. Adapted from Fagbemi J. A. O. et al. (1998), Integrated English Book 3, Ibadan University Press Limited.

The word omen, as used in the passage, means

1. indication
2. end
3. implication
4. Oath

2017 · Question 4

Okoli bought his five-shilling postal order, registered his pools coupon and emerged from the post office feeling, as he had felt for the past ten years, that the world would be kind to him. But he was not happy. While waiting in the queue, another customer had told him of a friend who had invested one thousand naira (N1,000) and won thousands. “One hundred naira,” he said to himself. He smiled a smile of diffidence mixed with optimism. Some passers-by noted a smile, thinking it was for them, but Okoli, nicknamed “Time up” by his friends in the government department where he worked, did not notice. His thoughts were engaged in contemplating the vagaries of that mysterious god, football pools. He came to the bus stop and looked a little wistfully at a standing vehicle. He would have liked to go by it; his home was a mile away and the sun eagerly pricked his head, but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. He therefore walked home. Okoli took off his workday clothes and changed into a brown wrapper and singlet. Then he set about boiling water for his garri. “No, impossible,” he murmured to himself. To gamble on a grand scale? He unlocked a drawer set in the table and slipped out a bank account book. He opened it. His assets stood at exactly one thousand naira (N1,000). A coincidence? But it might be an omen. In the newspaper, his stars for the week had said, “Do not be afraid to take a chance.” Why should his credit stand at exactly the figure the other customer had mentioned? But one might fail even with one thousand naira. Suppose he failed? He had responsibilities: his father and mother struggling against a perverse land which yearly failed to yield them enough to eat. Memories of that land had haunted him, forcing him to place a barrier between himself and luxuries. Adapted from Fagbemi J. A. O. et al. (1998), Integrated English Book 3, Ibadan University Press Limited.

According to the passage, why did Okoli not travel by bus?

1. he did not want to pay the bus fare
2. his income could not allow it
3. he lived close to the bus stop
4. his body needed the rigorous walk

2017 · Question 5

Okoli bought his five-shilling postal order, registered his pools coupon and emerged from the post office feeling, as he had felt for the past ten years, that the world would be kind to him. But he was not happy. While waiting in the queue, another customer had told him of a friend who had invested one thousand naira (N1,000) and won thousands. “One hundred naira,” he said to himself. He smiled a smile of diffidence mixed with optimism. Some passers-by noted a smile, thinking it was for them, but Okoli, nicknamed “Time up” by his friends in the government department where he worked, did not notice. His thoughts were engaged in contemplating the vagaries of that mysterious god, football pools. He came to the bus stop and looked a little wistfully at a standing vehicle. He would have liked to go by it; his home was a mile away and the sun eagerly pricked his head, but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. He therefore walked home. Okoli took off his workday clothes and changed into a brown wrapper and singlet. Then he set about boiling water for his garri. “No, impossible,” he murmured to himself. To gamble on a grand scale? He unlocked a drawer set in the table and slipped out a bank account book. He opened it. His assets stood at exactly one thousand naira (N1,000). A coincidence? But it might be an omen. In the newspaper, his stars for the week had said, “Do not be afraid to take a chance.” Why should his credit stand at exactly the figure the other customer had mentioned? But one might fail even with one thousand naira. Suppose he failed? He had responsibilities: his father and mother struggling against a perverse land which yearly failed to yield them enough to eat. Memories of that land had haunted him, forcing him to place a barrier between himself and luxuries. Adapted from Fagbemi J. A. O. et al. (1998), Integrated English Book 3, Ibadan University Press Limited.

It can be concluded that Okoli smiled a smile of diffidence because he was

1. diligent
2. confident
3. uncertain
4. unassuming

2017 · Question 26

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “The painting was beautifully faked.”

1. The painting was a good deceptive replica
2. The painting was well-framed and displayed
3. The painting was deceptively decorated
4. The painting was carefully designed

2017 · Question 27

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The letter was being written by the principal

1. The letter had been written by the principal
2. The principal was writing the letter.
3. The principal wanted to write the letter
4. The principal wrote the letter.

2017 · Question 28

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The man's Achilles' heel is women.

1. His weakness is women
2. His strength is women
3. He fights women
4. He respects women.

2017 · Question 30

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Advising Olu to break his bad habit is like knocking your head against a brick wall.

1. It is making a fool of you
2. It is trying the impossible
3. It is making him your enemy
4. It is asking him to beat you.

2017 · Question 31

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “reproof”: The student received a mild reproof from the teacher.

1. exhortation
2. opposition
3. Commendation
4. appropriation

2017 · Question 32

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “parsimonious”: The chairman is parsimonious.

1. avaricious
2. thrifty
3. generous
4. Miserly

2017 · Question 33

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “traitorous”: The man was traitorous to our club.

1. loyal
2. known
3. treacherous
4. accustomed

2017 · Question 34

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “bootless”: They come here on a bootless errand.

1. worthwhile
2. vain
3. delusive
4. intended

2017 · Question 36

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “impelled”: Aisha impelled Ola to the party.

1. compelled
2. accompanied
3. invited
4. encouraged

2017 · Question 37

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “jurisdiction”: This case is within the jurisdiction of the council.

1. record
2. prohibition
3. authority
4. finance

2017 · Question 39

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “watershed”: This event was a watershed in the company.

1. landmark
2. blot
3. publicity
4. stain

2017 · Question 40

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “lucid”: He made a lucid point.

1. clear
2. strange
3. vague
4. hazy

2017 · Question 41

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ unsafe to drive at night.

1. It
2. Its
3. Its'
4. It's

2017 · Question 42

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The _____ event takes place every two years.

1. bienial
2. biannual
3. biennial
4. bianual

2017 · Question 44

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Snakes and Ladders always _____ me happy these days.

1. makes
2. make
3. made
4. making

2017 · Question 45

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Garba acquiesced _____ their decision.

1. for
2. on
3. in
4. by

2017 · Question 46

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: If he _____ French, he _____ go to France.

1. know/can
2. knew/could
3. knew/can
4. know/could

2017 · Question 47

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: She said you would eat there, _____?

1. wouldn't she
2. doesn't she
3. won't she
4. didn't she

2017 · Question 48

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The delegates were given _____.

1. a two hour break
2. a two-hour break
3. a two-hours break
4. a two hours break

2017 · Question 50

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ a good boy, he was given a prize.

1. To being
2. Been
3. Being
4. To been

2016 · Question 1

It is not difficult to make a film, but it is very difficult to make a good film: technically polished, suited to its audience, and telling its story clearly through the precise balance of visual and audio. Film-making is a job for professionals; the amateur is always a disaster. The only reasonable exception is the local newsreel made on a shoestring and intended to serve the same purpose as a parish magazine or works news-sheet. Here the content can overcome the limitations of the maker, and his temptation to try to use such a production more widely and for a different audience should be firmly resisted. Many people have a wrong approach to film-making. Too often a film begins because someone suggests brightly, “Why don’t we make a film about this?” The idea of film is generally attractive, provided that not too much money is required. A film is then made, frequently without adequate planning or with only the sketchiest concept of how it might be used. It is right that film should be considered as a possible way of putting a story over, but the objective must be clear and the nature of the audience understood first. Then the suitability of film must be assessed and the means of reaching the audience by film ensured. Only then is it advisable to go ahead and find the money before embarking on the complex process of getting the film made. Adapted from Baman P. and Ellis N. (1977), Manual of Public Relations.

The expression, visual and audio, as used in the passage, refers to

1. vision and auras
2. sight and colour
3. picture and sound
4. color and props

2016 · Question 2

It is not difficult to make a film, but it is very difficult to make a good film: technically polished, suited to its audience, and telling its story clearly through the precise balance of visual and audio. Film-making is a job for professionals; the amateur is always a disaster. The only reasonable exception is the local newsreel made on a shoestring and intended to serve the same purpose as a parish magazine or works news-sheet. Here the content can overcome the limitations of the maker, and his temptation to try to use such a production more widely and for a different audience should be firmly resisted. Many people have a wrong approach to film-making. Too often a film begins because someone suggests brightly, “Why don’t we make a film about this?” The idea of film is generally attractive, provided that not too much money is required. A film is then made, frequently without adequate planning or with only the sketchiest concept of how it might be used. It is right that film should be considered as a possible way of putting a story over, but the objective must be clear and the nature of the audience understood first. Then the suitability of film must be assessed and the means of reaching the audience by film ensured. Only then is it advisable to go ahead and find the money before embarking on the complex process of getting the film made. Adapted from Baman P. and Ellis N. (1977), Manual of Public Relations.

The word professionals, as used in the passage suggests

1. specialists
2. entrepreneurs
3. detractors
4. commentators

2016 · Question 21

In A. H. Mohammed’s The Last Days at Forcados High School, which statement captures Ansa’s thought about Jimi?

1. He thought Jimi cut corners to succeed
2. He was going to break his friendship with Jimi
3. He was envious of Jimi's achievement
4. He thought Jimi was a lucky boy

2016 · Question 22

In A. H. Mohammed’s The Last Days at Forcados High School, what does Jimi hear when he pauses outside the gate?

1. He listened to the distant sound of the buses
2. He listened to the way his father was beating his mother
3. He listened to the way Wole was abusing his father
4. He listened to the way a dog was barking at a neighbour

2016 · Question 36

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: His property went down the drain

1. He completely lost his property
2. He kept his property down in the rain
3. His property was completely drained
4. He drained his property by the canal

2016 · Question 38

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: At the end of the competition, the team brought up the rear

1. The team was booed
2. The team competed strongly
3. The team came last
4. The team was suspended indefinitely

2016 · Question 39

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Shola is the mouthpiece of the association

1. He plays the musical instrument of the association
2. He learns the truth about the association
3. He expresses the opinions of the association
4. He blames the association for talking too much.

2016 · Question 42

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Our teacher just shut his eyes to something strange

1. He took no notice of what was happening
2. He opened his eye when he saw something strange
3. His eyes blinked when he saw the creature
4. He complained of something strange

2016 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____, you should put in some effort.

1. However tired you are
2. However tired are you
3. However you are tired
4. However are you tired

2016 · Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: It is generally_____ that we should eat less fat and more vegetables.

1. agreeing
2. to agreed
3. to agree
4. agreed

2016 · Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Laraba couldn't do it as expected,_____?

1. wasn't she
2. could she
3. didn't she
4. was she

2016 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Ado struck Isa with_____blow across his shoulder.

1. mightily
2. a mighty
3. mightiest
4. the mightier

2016 · Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Tunde and Kola were not supposed to attend the party_____?

1. were they
2. wasn't they
3. weren't they
4. isn't they

2016 · Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Abiola is_____

1. uses to wake up early
2. used to waking up early
3. use to wake up early
4. using to wake up early

2016 · Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____you do, slow down and take your time

1. Whatever
2. However
3. Wherever
4. Whenever

2016 · Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The new manager has_____ to his staff

1. a disposition pleasant friendly
2. a pleasant friendly disposition
3. a disposition friendly pleasant
4. a friendly disposition pleasant

2016 · Question 81

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Amina blushed and accepted_____good grace

1. the compliment from
2. a compliment on
3. a compliment for
4. the compliment with

2016 · Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Ali looked to the left and then_____the right before crossing the road.

1. to
2. in
3. for
4. with

2016 · Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Isa wants you to come, and _____who is free

1. anyone elses'
2. anyone else's
3. anyone else
4. anyone's else

2016 · Question 98

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: Kunle saw the snake on THE TREE.

1. Did kunle pick the snake on the tree?
2. What did Kunle see on the tree?
3. Who saw the snake on the tree?
4. Where did Kunle see the snake?

2016 · Question 99

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: Laraba ran sluggishly to the CAR.

1. How did Laraba run to the car?
2. Who ran sluggishly to the car?
3. Where did Laraba run to?
4. What did Laraba do?

2015 · Question 1

There are many different approaches to conflict management, each of which may have utility in particular circumstances. A great deal of scholarship has been devoted to analysing how and in what situations different approaches can be applied most effectively. Conflict management approaches can be classified into two broad categories: firstly, on the basis of the level of escalation at which the particular conflict is being managed. In this sense one can distinguish between the peaceful and the military approaches. The trademarks of the peaceful approach are negotiation, verbal persuasion, use of inducements, denial of privileges, and subtle manipulations short of the use of physical force, while those of the military approach relate to the use of physical coercion. The use of physical force could be by a party to the conflict or a third party, to promote one side’s interest, impose a settlement, or create a situation in which diplomatic negotiations can occur. Secondly, conflict management approaches can also be classified according to the status of the participants in the bargaining process. For example, a conflict could be managed through negotiation, that is, direct bargaining by the parties involved in the conflict; or through mediation, that is, with the help of a third party.

The expression “third party”, as used in the passage, means

1. politician
2. intruder
3. conformist
4. mediator

2015 · Question 3

There are many different approaches to conflict management, each of which may have utility in particular circumstances. A great deal of scholarship has been devoted to analysing how and in what situations different approaches can be applied most effectively. Conflict management approaches can be classified into two broad categories: firstly, on the basis of the level of escalation at which the particular conflict is being managed. In this sense one can distinguish between the peaceful and the military approaches. The trademarks of the peaceful approach are negotiation, verbal persuasion, use of inducements, denial of privileges, and subtle manipulations short of the use of physical force, while those of the military approach relate to the use of physical coercion. The use of physical force could be by a party to the conflict or a third party, to promote one side’s interest, impose a settlement, or create a situation in which diplomatic negotiations can occur. Secondly, conflict management approaches can also be classified according to the status of the participants in the bargaining process. For example, a conflict could be managed through negotiation, that is, direct bargaining by the parties involved in the conflict; or through mediation, that is, with the help of a third party.

Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

1. The approach to employ in conflict management depends on the state of affairs.
2. Only one conflict management approach can be applied in all situations
3. All conflict management approaches can be applied in all situations
4. There is a general disagreement among scholars on conflict management.

2015 · Question 5

There are many different approaches to conflict management, each of which may have utility in particular circumstances. A great deal of scholarship has been devoted to analysing how and in what situations different approaches can be applied most effectively. Conflict management approaches can be classified into two broad categories: firstly, on the basis of the level of escalation at which the particular conflict is being managed. In this sense one can distinguish between the peaceful and the military approaches. The trademarks of the peaceful approach are negotiation, verbal persuasion, use of inducements, denial of privileges, and subtle manipulations short of the use of physical force, while those of the military approach relate to the use of physical coercion. The use of physical force could be by a party to the conflict or a third party, to promote one side’s interest, impose a settlement, or create a situation in which diplomatic negotiations can occur. Secondly, conflict management approaches can also be classified according to the status of the participants in the bargaining process. For example, a conflict could be managed through negotiation, that is, direct bargaining by the parties involved in the conflict; or through mediation, that is, with the help of a third party.

The word utility, as used in the passage, means

1. difficulty
2. attitude
3. usefulness
4. management

2015 · Question 26

In A. H. Mohammed’s The Last Days at Forcados High School, the closeness between Jimi and Wole once heightened because they wanted to

1. contend with Jimi's adversaries at Forcados High School
2. unite against the bullying of the eldest brother
3. present a common front in their quest to learn at school
4. practise the act of dancing in the school choir

2015 · Question 36

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The workers tightened their hold on the capital

1. They tightened a rope round their capital
2. They controlled the capital more strictly
3. They held onto other workers in the capital
4. They stretched their hold on the capital and beyond

2015 · Question 38

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: I haven't seen the movie and my brother hasn't either

1. I have seen the movie but my brother has not.
2. My brother and I haven't seen the movie.
3. Only my brother has seen the movie.
4. I was the only one who had seen the movie.

2015 · Question 39

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Sule would have been given the car if his father had not complained

1. He wasn't given the car because his father complained
2. He was given the car because his father complained
3. His father complained about the car and he was given it.
4. He was given the car even though his father didn't complain

2015 · Question 40

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Adayi cannot halt the march of time

1. She is willing to march on
2. She cannot change the way things happen.
3. She halts the march on time
4. She cannot alter the peace march.

2015 · Question 41

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The lecture is Uye's road to Damascus

1. The lecture is an opportunity to travel to Damascus.
2. The lecture is an experience that changes the way she thinks.
3. The lecture talks exclusively about Damascus
4. The lecture is an experience that cannot be changed

2015 · Question 43

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Bello said he would pitch his tent with the club

1. He would support the club
2. He would build a pitch in the club
3. He would build a tent on the pitch
4. He would distance himself from the club

2015 · Question 44

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: 'Try not to lose heart', said the man

1. Try not to be bold and weak
2. Try not to become sad and hopeless
3. Try not to be happy and feeble
4. Try not to be timid and hopeful

2015 · Question 45

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Kasim would have attended the party if he had been invited

1. He would not have attended even if he was invited
2. He attended the party before he was invited
3. He was not invited and so he did not attend
4. He attended the party without invitation.

2015 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “harrowing”: She said the experience was harrowing.

1. educating
2. frightening
3. pleasant
4. strange

2015 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “invaded”: The house was invaded by the young officers

1. set upon
2. put down
3. defended
4. built

2015 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “weird”: I like Adamu's weird attitude

1. buoyant
2. peculiar
3. zestful
4. normal

2015 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “obscure”: We travelled to an obscure little town

1. rugged
2. distinguished
3. secluded
4. inglorious

2015 · Question 51

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “bizarre”: She is known for her bizarre dressing

1. natural
2. weird
3. obsolete
4. odious

2015 · Question 52

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “scurries”: Lami normally scurries around town

1. scampers
2. dashes
3. dawdles
4. Scuttles

2015 · Question 53

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “explicit”: Sule's poem is always explicit and compelling

1. exciting
2. clear
3. ambiguous
4. long

2015 · Question 54

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “scornful”: Usman smiled in a scornful way

1. respectful
2. derisive
3. sarcastic
4. deluded

2015 · Question 55

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “erratic”: Alade is noted for his erratic behaviour

1. fitful
2. bizarre
3. consistent
4. euphoric

2015 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “caustic”: She gave a caustic remark on the occasion.

1. tangible
2. friendly
3. insignificant
4. sarcastic

2015 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “work out”: It was a good try but it did not quite work out.

1. come to
2. come off
3. come from
4. come for

2015 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “basic”: Just give me the basic facts, with needless details

1. relevant
2. extraneous
3. essential
4. critical

2015 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “animated”: Usama likes toys made with bright and animated colours

1. dull
2. sparkling
3. black
4. deep

2015 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “distaste”: The man has strong distaste for alcohol

1. love
2. aversion
3. desire
4. excitement

2015 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “schism”: The schism in the organization is on the increase.

1. disagreement
2. understanding
3. opportunity
4. rot

2015 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “unbending”: Sule admires people who have unbending character.

1. mobile
2. steady
3. wavering
4. unstable

2015 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “detests”: He detests honesty.

1. likes
2. hates
3. encourages
4. commands

2015 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The number of stores will be increased_____twenty to thirty

1. from
2. on
3. at
4. into

2015 · Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Had Aisha realized what marriage entails she_____

1. could have not rush into it
2. would have rushes into it
3. would not have rushes into it
4. would not have rushed into it

2015 · Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: There is no logic_____any of their claims

1. with
2. in
3. from
4. up

2015 · Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ the house was an easy task for the demolition squad.

1. Bringing forth
2. Tearing down
3. Bringing up
4. Tearing with

2015 · Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He ran out when he saw the teacher,_____?

1. didn't he
2. isn't he
3. does he
4. is he

2015 · Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Parents should be good examples_____their children

1. to
2. at
3. from
4. by

2015 · Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He travelled_____ last week

1. somewhat
2. some where
3. some what
4. somewhere

2015 · Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He was present at the party_____?

1. wasn't he
2. did he
3. could he
4. didn't he

2015 · Question 80

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The prisoners had been_____from all contacts.

1. kept upon
2. kept apart
3. kept for
4. kept on

2015 · Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Audu overbalanced and_____the water.

1. fell into
2. fell from
3. fell for
4. fell at

2015 · Question 98

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: Bukola's UNCLE is a strict teacher.

1. Is Bukola's uncle a strict cook?
2. Is Tunde's uncle a strict teacher?
3. Is Bukola's aunt a strict teacher?
4. Is Bukola's uncle an easy-going teacher?

2015 · Question 99

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: She put the spoon on the CHAIR.

1. Did she put the fork on the chair?
2. Did she put the spoon on the table?
3. Who put the spoon on the chair?
4. Who took the spoon on the chair?

2014 · Question 3

Political change and social transformation in the form of revolutions have radically altered the course of human civilization and history. Today, the world is witnessing political and social changes arising from the desire of people all over the globe for greater freedom and a voice in the way they are governed and a better standard of living. Some of these struggles and processes have become more pronounced in the Third World since the end of the East-West Cold War in the late 1980s, and in the face of the challenges being posed by the ongoing process of globalization. While political and social changes may appear to be distinct phenomena, they are analytically inseparable. Political and social changes refer to alterations or transformations in human behavior, norms and politico-social institutions. Such changes are often a collective response to the need to change, or a tacit recognition of a shift in the prevalent power relations in society. Therefore, the coming to power of a new set of rulers, or the establishment of new structures and processes of governance, broadly typifies socio-political changes. It is important to note that changes can either be positive or negative. In most cases, political and social changes are caused by certain factors or reasons. These push people to collectively organize themselves to struggle for a change in the existing power relations. Another reason is to capture political power in the hope of making life better for the generality of the people. If politics is defined as who gets what, when and how, it then implies that political change refers to an alteration in the form of power and the identity of the group or class which controls and wields state power.

It can be deduced from the passage that political and social changes are

1. repulsive
2. Intertwined
3. Antithetical
4. Independent

2014 · Question 6

Like all reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded, or more correctly, ectothermic — they cannot produce their own body heat; instead, they rely on the sun to heat their bodies. Because they do not rely on energy from food to generate body heat, snakes can survive on an extremely meagre diet. Some wait for months between successive meals, and a few survive by eating a large meal just once or twice a year. When they do eat, snakes swallow their prey whole rather than biting off small pieces. Many snakes have specialized jaws that enable them to swallow animals that are far larger than their own heads. Although uncommon, some snakes, such as the African rock python, have been observed eating animals as large as an antelope or a small cow. With over two thousand five hundred species belonging to more than ten families, snakes are a large and successful group. They owe much of this success to their versatility — snakes occupy habitats ranging from underground burrows to the tops of trees, to ocean depths as great as one hundred and fifty metres. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and although they are most abundant in tropical areas, many survive in regions marked by extreme cold. The only places without snakes are parts of the polar regions and isolated islands, such as the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand, as opposed to places in Nigeria like Plateau and Gombe States in the northern part where there is a large population of snakes.

It can be inferred from the passage that snakes are

1. Homogeneous reptiles
2. Heterogeneous creatures
3. Voracious cow eaters
4. Great insect eaters

2014 · Question 7

Like all reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded, or more correctly, ectothermic — they cannot produce their own body heat; instead, they rely on the sun to heat their bodies. Because they do not rely on energy from food to generate body heat, snakes can survive on an extremely meagre diet. Some wait for months between successive meals, and a few survive by eating a large meal just once or twice a year. When they do eat, snakes swallow their prey whole rather than biting off small pieces. Many snakes have specialized jaws that enable them to swallow animals that are far larger than their own heads. Although uncommon, some snakes, such as the African rock python, have been observed eating animals as large as an antelope or a small cow. With over two thousand five hundred species belonging to more than ten families, snakes are a large and successful group. They owe much of this success to their versatility — snakes occupy habitats ranging from underground burrows to the tops of trees, to ocean depths as great as one hundred and fifty metres. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and although they are most abundant in tropical areas, many survive in regions marked by extreme cold. The only places without snakes are parts of the polar regions and isolated islands, such as the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand, as opposed to places in Nigeria like Plateau and Gombe States in the northern part where there is a large population of snakes.

The most notable thing about snakes, according to the passage, is that they

1. Exist in families
2. Abound in Gombe and Plateau States
3. Are versatile in reproduction
4. Eat big but seldom

2014 · Question 22

“The vanquished dragon, spewing sand instead of fire, gave a solemn and humiliating pledge that he would never cross Obu’s path.” In this excerpt, what does “vanquished” mean?

1. unconcerned
2. sensitive
3. subdued
4. unflappable.

2014 · Question 36

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The minister considered the ministry's budget to be a drop in the ocean in view of the number of projects in the pipeline.

1. The pipeline project across the ocean will be abandoned unless budgetary allocation improves
2. The amount available may be inadequate for projected expenditure
3. The minister may be dropped for failing to complete a number of projects
4. The money approved cannot complete the pipeline project across the ocean

2014 · Question 38

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Jummai's father remarked that pigs would fly before she passed.

1. She would have to cheat in order to pass.
2. It would be possible to pass only if she worked harder.
3. It would never be possible for her to pass.
4. He would have to bribe her teachers to enable her to pass.

2014 · Question 39

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The president said that he found himself between a rock and a hard place when the press said that he has resigned.

1. Hard places are dangerous for the president.
2. He dreamt that he was abandoned.
3. He thought that hard places were unsafe.
4. He had a hard decision to make.

2014 · Question 40

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Kunana is like a bear with a sore head.

1. He is a bully.
2. He is grumpy.
3. He is ugly.
4. He is quiet.

2014 · Question 41

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Olu gave his brother a bumpy ride.

1. Olu's brother rode on Olu's back to success.
2. Olu took his brother on a bumpy road.
3. Olu gave his brother a difficult time.
4. Olu gave his brother a ride on his car.

2014 · Question 42

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Adeola doesn't have to go to the farm today.

1. Adeola may go to the farm today if he so wishes.
2. Adeola ought not to have gone to the farm today.
3. Adeola must not go to the farm today.
4. Adeola should not go to the farm today.

2014 · Question 43

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: My boss asked me to take my eyes off the ball.

1. I should stop paying attention to what is most important.
2. I should be focused when I am about to stay off football.
3. I should stay off football after sustaining an injury.
4. I should be focused when playing football.

2014 · Question 44

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The robber was hedged in by the people.

1. The robber was surrounded by the people.
2. The robber was killed by the people.
3. The robber was exposed by the people.
4. The robber was caught by the people.

2014 · Question 45

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Many workers are not happy because they live a hand-to-mouth life.

1. They work hard with their hands.
2. They are voracious and avaricious.
3. They are barely surviving.
4. They have rejected the use of spoons.

2014 · Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “debilitated”: Prolonged strike action debilitated the industry.

1. Strayed.
2. Invigorated.
3. Isolated.
4. Weakened.

2014 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “taken aback”: The young girl was taken aback by her father's gift of a car.

1. Nonplussed.
2. Shocked.
3. Unmoved.
4. Surprised.

2014 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “erratic”: Musa is a gifted but erratic player.

1. Unstable.
2. Strong.
3. Regular.
4. Unpredictable.

2014 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “translucent”: The lamp shades were translucent.

1. Transparent.
2. Opaque.
3. Intersected.
4. Luminous.

2014 · Question 52

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “antipathy to”: Some of my neighbours have an antipathy to dogs.

1. Alarm for.
2. Enmity towards.
3. Affection for.
4. Acronym for.

2014 · Question 53

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “unpicked”: The dressmaker unpicked the seam of the shirt.

1. Tore up.
2. Threaded.
3. Sewed up.
4. Picked up.

2014 · Question 54

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “vague”: The testimony of the witness was vague.

1. Clear.
2. Disturbing.
3. True.
4. Ambiguous.

2014 · Question 55

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “communal”: As a student, Isa tried communal living for a few years.

1. Private.
2. Collective.
3. General.
4. Shared.

2014 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “incessant”: The chairman admires incessant meetings.

1. Irregular.
2. Unusual.
3. Planned.
4. Constant.

2014 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “favorable”: Today's weather is favorable for a game of tennis.

1. Disapproving.
2. Impartial.
3. Abnormal.
4. Encouraging.

2014 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “aghast”: All the candidates looked aghast at the reading of the questions.

1. Relaxed.
2. Fulfilled.
3. Dismayed.
4. Satisfied.

2014 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “doddle”: The first round of the tournament was a doddle.

1. Exasperating.
2. Easy.
3. Balanced.
4. Dodgy.

2014 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “lustful”: The lazy man cast a lustful glance at his neighbour's wife.

1. Envious.
2. Hateful.
3. Quick.
4. Covetous.

2014 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “fomenting”: They accused him of fomenting political unrest.

1. Guiding.
2. Inciting.
3. Discouraging.
4. Preventing.

2014 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “learn”: You can learn a great deal just from watching other players.

1. Discover.
2. Invent.
3. Accumulate.
4. Allow.

2014 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “gather”: All the researchers were asked to gather information on the new viral infection.

1. Give.
2. Collect.
3. Disseminate.
4. Distort.

2014 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “severing”: The dispute between the two countries has resulted in the severing of diplomatic relations.

1. Strengthening.
2. Breaking.
3. Securing.
4. Swapping.

2014 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The house and the senate will at noon next Wednesday, _________ to hear a special address by the president.

1. Collude.
2. Convene.
3. Adjourn.
4. Rise.

2014 · Question 67

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: At the _________ of the century, many ways of doing things were introduced.

1. Sight.
2. Turn.
3. Event.
4. Birth.

2014 · Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The president said that the country was not out of the _____ yet.

1. Woods.
2. Forest.
3. Fog.
4. Water.

2014 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The guard spent all the night pacing _____.

1. To and fro.
2. From and to.
3. Fro and to.
4. To and from.

2014 · Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The woman refused to testify ______ her husband.

1. From.
2. In.
3. At.
4. Against.

2014 · Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Those _____ are very beautiful.

1. Flowers of ours.
2. Flowers of her.
3. Flowers of her's.
4. Our flowers.

2014 · Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Cooking has never been Jumoke's _____.

1. Forte.
2. Recital.
3. Conduct
4. Style.

2014 · Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: When the strike is over, there will probably be an increase in wages and a _____ increase in prices.

1. Chronic.
2. Sporadic.
3. Concordant.
4. Concurrent.

2014 · Question 81

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The clock _____ 12 o'clock two hours ago.

1. Striking.
2. Strikes.
3. Strike.
4. Struck.

2014 · Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: What is the jury's _____ the matter?

1. Verdict with.
2. Verdict on.
3. Verdict at.
4. Verdict from.

2014 · Question 83

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The unconscious man was _____ after receiving first aid.

1. Revived.
2. Reawakened.
3. Reformed.
4. Restored.

2014 · Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The laughter _____ his face for a moment.

1. Remade.
2. Improved.
3. Controlled.
4. Animated.

2014 · Question 95

Choose the option showing the correct main stress: Valedictory.

1. Stress on LE: vaLEdictory.
2. Stress on DIC: valeDICtory.
3. Stress on TORY: valedicTORY.
4. Stress on VAL: VALedictory.

2014 · Question 96

Choose the option showing the correct main stress: Congratulation.

1. Stress on GRA: conGRAtulation.
2. Stress on TU: congraTUlation.
3. Stress on LA: congratuLAtion.
4. Stress on CON: CONgratulation.

2014 · Question 98

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: My mother bought a BICYCLE yesterday.

1. When did my mother buy a bicycle?
2. What did my mother buy yesterday?
3. Whose mother bought a bicycle yesterday?
4. Did my mother steal a bicycle yesterday?

2014 · Question 99

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: AMINA went to Abuja by air.

1. Did Amina go to Jos by air?
2. Is Amina going to Abuja by air?
3. Who went to Abuja by air?
4. Did Amina go to Abuja by road?

2013 · Question 3

In 1951, the Government decided to start a Pottery Training Centre where new and more advanced technical methods, especially glazing, could be taught. The centre was intended to serve the whole of the defunct Northern Region, and there were several reasons for choosing Abuja. The first was the excellence of the traditional pottery made in the Emirate. Secondly, firewood is plentiful; this is a most important consideration, because in the making of glazed pottery, more firewood than clay is required. Thirdly, there are good clays, and good local sources for the raw materials needed for the glazes. Fourthly, water, which is another important raw material, is plentiful. Finally, Abuja is in a central position for the whole region and is a town where learners from many different parts can find a congenial temporary home, and where the Emir and his Council are actively interested in the project. Nearly all the making is done by a process called throwing, so called because the lumps of clay are thrown by the potter onto a wheel-head. They are weighed out so that each pot will be roughly the same size; for example, for making pint-sized jugs, the lumps of clay will be one and a half kilogrammes. The potter sits on the saddle of the wheel and spins it by pushing a pedal with his left foot. He has a bowl of water, a loofah, a bamboo knife, a pointed stick or porcupine quill, a wooden-smoothing tool which potters call a rib, and a piece of wire-like object that is used for wedging. He makes the wheel-head slightly damp, and throws the lumps into the middle. The first work is to force the lump to the centre, then he presses his thumb into the middle of the lump, using water to keep it slippery. When the bottom is of the right thickness, he begins to draw up the walls until they are of the right height. Then he shapes the belly and shoulder of the pot. He trims off any waste clay. In this way, small and medium-sized pots can be made quickly and accurately.

From the passage, how does a potter make several pots of almost identical size?

1. by weighing the lumps of clay
2. By having the right tools
3. By knowing what to do from experience
4. By having the knowledge of different pots

2013 · Question 4

In 1951, the Government decided to start a Pottery Training Centre where new and more advanced technical methods, especially glazing, could be taught. The centre was intended to serve the whole of the defunct Northern Region, and there were several reasons for choosing Abuja. The first was the excellence of the traditional pottery made in the Emirate. Secondly, firewood is plentiful; this is a most important consideration, because in the making of glazed pottery, more firewood than clay is required. Thirdly, there are good clays, and good local sources for the raw materials needed for the glazes. Fourthly, water, which is another important raw material, is plentiful. Finally, Abuja is in a central position for the whole region and is a town where learners from many different parts can find a congenial temporary home, and where the Emir and his Council are actively interested in the project. Nearly all the making is done by a process called throwing, so called because the lumps of clay are thrown by the potter onto a wheel-head. They are weighed out so that each pot will be roughly the same size; for example, for making pint-sized jugs, the lumps of clay will be one and a half kilogrammes. The potter sits on the saddle of the wheel and spins it by pushing a pedal with his left foot. He has a bowl of water, a loofah, a bamboo knife, a pointed stick or porcupine quill, a wooden-smoothing tool which potters call a rib, and a piece of wire-like object that is used for wedging. He makes the wheel-head slightly damp, and throws the lumps into the middle. The first work is to force the lump to the centre, then he presses his thumb into the middle of the lump, using water to keep it slippery. When the bottom is of the right thickness, he begins to draw up the walls until they are of the right height. Then he shapes the belly and shoulder of the pot. He trims off any waste clay. In this way, small and medium-sized pots can be made quickly and accurately.

In the passage, “trims off any waste clay” means to

1. Force the clay to different colours
2. Cut the clay
3. There are different colours in the clay
4. Cut away unnecessary parts

2013 · Question 5

In 1951, the Government decided to start a Pottery Training Centre where new and more advanced technical methods, especially glazing, could be taught. The centre was intended to serve the whole of the defunct Northern Region, and there were several reasons for choosing Abuja. The first was the excellence of the traditional pottery made in the Emirate. Secondly, firewood is plentiful; this is a most important consideration, because in the making of glazed pottery, more firewood than clay is required. Thirdly, there are good clays, and good local sources for the raw materials needed for the glazes. Fourthly, water, which is another important raw material, is plentiful. Finally, Abuja is in a central position for the whole region and is a town where learners from many different parts can find a congenial temporary home, and where the Emir and his Council are actively interested in the project. Nearly all the making is done by a process called throwing, so called because the lumps of clay are thrown by the potter onto a wheel-head. They are weighed out so that each pot will be roughly the same size; for example, for making pint-sized jugs, the lumps of clay will be one and a half kilogrammes. The potter sits on the saddle of the wheel and spins it by pushing a pedal with his left foot. He has a bowl of water, a loofah, a bamboo knife, a pointed stick or porcupine quill, a wooden-smoothing tool which potters call a rib, and a piece of wire-like object that is used for wedging. He makes the wheel-head slightly damp, and throws the lumps into the middle. The first work is to force the lump to the centre, then he presses his thumb into the middle of the lump, using water to keep it slippery. When the bottom is of the right thickness, he begins to draw up the walls until they are of the right height. Then he shapes the belly and shoulder of the pot. He trims off any waste clay. In this way, small and medium-sized pots can be made quickly and accurately.

The word “congenial”, as used in the passage, means

1. Precise
2. Similar
3. Nice
4. Congested

2013 · Question 36

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The team's poor performance at the tournament plumbed the depths of horror.

1. The team's performance was enjoyed by all
2. The team's performance was full of disappointment
3. The team's performance was rewarded
4. The team's performance took them to the next round

2013 · Question 37

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Tolu and Chinedu live in each other's pockets.

1. they steal from each other
2. they blackmail each other
3. they are very close to each other
4. they are long-term business partners

2013 · Question 38

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: As the drama unfolded, Olatinuke was advised to keep her shirt on

1. she was advised to commit herself
2. she was advised to stay calm
3. she was advised to join the club
4. she was advised to wear her shirt

2013 · Question 40

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Zinana's examination result was not unfavourable

1. Her examination did not meet expectation
2. she was successful in her examination
3. her result could not earn her admission
4. she failed her examination

2013 · Question 41

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: You need to brush up on your Spanish

1. you need to improve your skills
2. you need a brush from Spain
3. you need to learn to play with a Spaniard
4. you need to study the history of Spain

2013 · Question 43

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: ‘I can’t wait to become a mother,’ the new bride declared.

1. she is excited about motherhood
2. She is not keen on becoming a mother
3. She will be patient as a mother
4. She sees motherhood as a burden.

2013 · Question 44

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Usman needs to get his act together if he wants to pass the examination

1. He needs to organise himself
2. He needs to be fast when writing the examination
3. He needs to put on his stage costume
4. He needs to put all points down in the examination

2013 · Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “curt”: Chibuzor gave a curt nod and walked away

1. rude
2. polite
3. shocking
4. Gentle

2013 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “cursory”: The girl took a cursory glance at the letter and hid it

1. Concise
2. Brief
3. Lasting
4. Sententious

2013 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “frosty”: The relationship between the couple has been frosty

1. Cordial
2. Amenable
3. Frugal
4. Fraudulent

2013 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “heinous”: The Nobel laureate's activity in the field of science is heinous.

1. Laudable
2. Deplorable
3. forgettable
4. Indelible

2013 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “eventually”: The accused was eventually convicted

1. consequently
2. subsequently
3. finally
4. initially

2013 · Question 51

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “plebs”: The plebs can be found in every society of the world

1. Elite
2. Middle class
3. Politicians
4. Masses

2013 · Question 52

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “appalling”: Everyone's condition was appalling

1. cloudy
2. pleasant
3. complex
4. simple

2013 · Question 53

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “waxing”: The war against malaria keeps waxing

1. Decreasing
2. increasing
3. wavering
4. happening

2013 · Question 54

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “mordant”: The man's mordant wit is apparent to the entire village

1. scathing
2. caustic
3. withering
4. kind

2013 · Question 55

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “dogged”: The soldiers tried in their dogged defence of the city

1. strong
2. indestructible
3. classical
4. indifferent

2013 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “an ardent”: Ayodeji is an ardent supporter of education for the girl child

1. a cogent
2. a passionate
3. an ignorant
4. an optimistic

2013 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “ardor”: Mohammed does his work with so much ardor

1. discouragement
2. knowledge
3. indifference
4. enthusiasm

2013 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “vanguard”: The athlete is proud to be in the vanguard of sports development

1. leading position
2. destructive position
3. emerging position
4. unforgettable position

2013 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “verge”: Nwankwo was on the verge of signing a two year contract with the club

1. brink
2. summit
3. height
4. shore

2013 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “feeble”: The lamb is a feeble little animal

1. loving
2. weak
3. fat
4. quiet

2013 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “eternal”: I am tired of your eternal argument

1. constant
2. useless
3. open
4. strong

2013 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “screamed”: The actress screamed when she noticed an object behind her

1. weeded in
2. stormed out
3. wailed
4. protested

2013 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “exhibition”: The exhibition was an eye opener to all

1. style
2. examination
3. dispatch
4. display

2013 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “a nose”: As a journalist, Bala has always had a nose for stories

1. an instinct
2. a command
3. soft comment
4. cynical statement

2013 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The girl says she is averse_____what others admire

1. to
2. with
3. for
4. from

2013 · Question 67

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Our teacher defined _____in his introductory lesson

1. onomatopoeia
2. onomatopieoa
3. onomatopiea
4. Onomatopoia

2013 · Question 68

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The philanthropist devoted himself_____the poor

1. by helping
2. to be helping
3. to helping
4. in helping

2013 · Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Tinu likes apples_____she does not like oranges

1. so
2. but
3. or
4. do

2013 · Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The students had a _____ on Independence Day.

1. march pass
2. match past
3. march past
4. match pass

2013 · Question 71

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Do you mind_____another hour or two?

1. wait
2. waiting
3. to wait
4. to have waited

2013 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The continuous rain has really _____the soil.

1. satiated
2. saturated
3. melted up
4. mopped up

2013 · Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The police described the boy as being_____hand

1. over at
2. out of
3. on by
4. up to

2013 · Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: It was very easy for the two political parties to form a _____ government.

1. collusion
2. coalition
3. co-operative
4. colonial

2013 · Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: All farmers were encouraged _____carry out fumigation on their farms

1. in
2. with
3. to
4. from

2013 · Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Yours is to command; _____ is to obey.

1. theirs'
2. their's
3. their
4. theirs

2013 · Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Local governments are authorized to pass _____.

1. bye-laws
2. byes-laws
3. bye's law
4. bye-law

2013 · Question 81

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: My father told me to take the money from _____it

1. whomever offers
2. whomsoever offer
3. ever who offers
4. whoever offers

2013 · Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Our teacher defined_____as the killing of one's mother

1. matriarch
2. patricide
3. patriarch
4. matricide

2013 · Question 83

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: If you are confused_____anything, phone my office

1. of
2. with
3. about
4. for

2013 · Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: We have a family mutiny_____our hands

1. on
2. for
3. from
4. of

2013 · Question 96

Choose the option showing the correct main stress: International.

1. Stress on IN: INternational
2. Stress on TER: inTERnational
3. Stress on NA: interNAtional
4. Stress on TION: internaTIONal

2013 · Question 98

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: Adamu is leaving a CAR behind.

1. who is leaving a car behind?
2. where is Adamu leaving a car?
3. what is Adamu leaving behind?
4. is Adamu driving the car in front?

2013 · Question 99

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: Lambusa TOOK OFF the wig

1. Did Lambusa take off a wig?
2. Did Lambusa take off the ring?
3. who took off the wig?
4. What did Lambusa do?

2012 · Question 2

Religion in its various forms is very strong in Nigeria. In other words, Nigerian people are very religious. Most of them believe that there is an unseen supernatural world, apart from the natural world we see around us. This other world is inhabited by beings who are the source of our knowledge of good and evil. They watch and judge us, and if we offend them they may have to be appeased with prayers and sacrifices. Certain individuals in the natural world — priests, prophets and diviners — are believed to be endowed with special powers to make contact with the other world. These individuals lay down ceremonies or rituals which must be observed if due honour is to be paid to the unseen beings. The religious beliefs and practices of Nigerians can be classified under three main headings: Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. In this passage, our focus is on traditional religion. Traditional or indigenous religion continues to exert a strong influence on many people's minds partly because of its association with their birth places and families. Each ethnic group has its own religious tradition and these are often linked to some sacred spots in the ethnic homeland. Yet the various traditional religions have much in common: a remote but benevolent high god; under him, a number of lesser gods who interact with mankind; and below them various spirits who inhabit natural objects (trees, streams, rocks, etc); below them again, and closest to living men and women, the spirits of the ancestors. In the Yoruba tradition, for example, there are more than 400 lesser deities presided over by the high god, Olorun. Because he is remote from mankind, shrines are not built to him and worship is not offered to him directly. The lesser gods, on the other hand, are the subject of special cults, each with its own priests and devotees. Eshu, the messenger of the gods; Ifa, the god of divination; Shango, the god of thunder, and so on. Traditional religion was also strong in other parts of Nigeria. In Igbo Traditional religion, there were fewer gods. Although there was a remote high god, the most important figure was Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground owing to the influence of Islam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people, especially women, is strong in some areas. Each spirit is associated with a certain type of behaviour, which is manifested by the possessed individual. Divination - the discovery of what is unknown or is yet to happen by supernatural or magical means - is an important element of traditional religion. It is often one of the functions of medicine - men or herbalists. In Igboland, there also used to be several oracles which people consulted in order to seek solutions to their problems. With the coming of Christianity, their influence has however waned, but in areas like Arochukwu and Okija, the influence of such oracles is still strongly felt.

According to the first paragraph, Nigerians believe that the

1. Supernatural and natural worlds coexist
2. Natural and supernatural worlds are antagonistic
3. The supernatural world controls the natural world
4. The supernatural world exploits the natural world

2012 · Question 3

Religion in its various forms is very strong in Nigeria. In other words, Nigerian people are very religious. Most of them believe that there is an unseen supernatural world, apart from the natural world we see around us. This other world is inhabited by beings who are the source of our knowledge of good and evil. They watch and judge us, and if we offend them they may have to be appeased with prayers and sacrifices. Certain individuals in the natural world — priests, prophets and diviners — are believed to be endowed with special powers to make contact with the other world. These individuals lay down ceremonies or rituals which must be observed if due honour is to be paid to the unseen beings. The religious beliefs and practices of Nigerians can be classified under three main headings: Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. In this passage, our focus is on traditional religion. Traditional or indigenous religion continues to exert a strong influence on many people's minds partly because of its association with their birth places and families. Each ethnic group has its own religious tradition and these are often linked to some sacred spots in the ethnic homeland. Yet the various traditional religions have much in common: a remote but benevolent high god; under him, a number of lesser gods who interact with mankind; and below them various spirits who inhabit natural objects (trees, streams, rocks, etc); below them again, and closest to living men and women, the spirits of the ancestors. In the Yoruba tradition, for example, there are more than 400 lesser deities presided over by the high god, Olorun. Because he is remote from mankind, shrines are not built to him and worship is not offered to him directly. The lesser gods, on the other hand, are the subject of special cults, each with its own priests and devotees. Eshu, the messenger of the gods; Ifa, the god of divination; Shango, the god of thunder, and so on. Traditional religion was also strong in other parts of Nigeria. In Igbo Traditional religion, there were fewer gods. Although there was a remote high god, the most important figure was Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground owing to the influence of Islam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people, especially women, is strong in some areas. Each spirit is associated with a certain type of behaviour, which is manifested by the possessed individual. Divination - the discovery of what is unknown or is yet to happen by supernatural or magical means - is an important element of traditional religion. It is often one of the functions of medicine - men or herbalists. In Igboland, there also used to be several oracles which people consulted in order to seek solutions to their problems. With the coming of Christianity, their influence has however waned, but in areas like Arochukwu and Okija, the influence of such oracles is still strongly felt.

According to the passage, traditional religion has waned in Nigeria due to the

1. Influence of Islam over border
2. Influence of Christianity over location
3. Influence of non-traditional religions
4. Decline of interest in traditional religions

2012 · Question 4

Religion in its various forms is very strong in Nigeria. In other words, Nigerian people are very religious. Most of them believe that there is an unseen supernatural world, apart from the natural world we see around us. This other world is inhabited by beings who are the source of our knowledge of good and evil. They watch and judge us, and if we offend them they may have to be appeased with prayers and sacrifices. Certain individuals in the natural world — priests, prophets and diviners — are believed to be endowed with special powers to make contact with the other world. These individuals lay down ceremonies or rituals which must be observed if due honour is to be paid to the unseen beings. The religious beliefs and practices of Nigerians can be classified under three main headings: Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. In this passage, our focus is on traditional religion. Traditional or indigenous religion continues to exert a strong influence on many people's minds partly because of its association with their birth places and families. Each ethnic group has its own religious tradition and these are often linked to some sacred spots in the ethnic homeland. Yet the various traditional religions have much in common: a remote but benevolent high god; under him, a number of lesser gods who interact with mankind; and below them various spirits who inhabit natural objects (trees, streams, rocks, etc); below them again, and closest to living men and women, the spirits of the ancestors. In the Yoruba tradition, for example, there are more than 400 lesser deities presided over by the high god, Olorun. Because he is remote from mankind, shrines are not built to him and worship is not offered to him directly. The lesser gods, on the other hand, are the subject of special cults, each with its own priests and devotees. Eshu, the messenger of the gods; Ifa, the god of divination; Shango, the god of thunder, and so on. Traditional religion was also strong in other parts of Nigeria. In Igbo Traditional religion, there were fewer gods. Although there was a remote high god, the most important figure was Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground owing to the influence of Islam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people, especially women, is strong in some areas. Each spirit is associated with a certain type of behaviour, which is manifested by the possessed individual. Divination - the discovery of what is unknown or is yet to happen by supernatural or magical means - is an important element of traditional religion. It is often one of the functions of medicine - men or herbalists. In Igboland, there also used to be several oracles which people consulted in order to seek solutions to their problems. With the coming of Christianity, their influence has however waned, but in areas like Arochukwu and Okija, the influence of such oracles is still strongly felt.

Which factor is common to religions as mentioned in the passage?

1. Prayer only
2. Divination
3. Sacrifice
4. Ritual

2012 · Question 11

It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. To learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt your fingers and now your eyes are open. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously by going out of our way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance. Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we learn? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience. This will involve one making up one's mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher. To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new every day by wisdom rather than experience. It means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom - invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser. It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grasps a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

The attitude of the writer of the passage can best be described as

1. objective
2. critical
3. non-committal
4. emotional

2012 · Question 12

It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. To learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt your fingers and now your eyes are open. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously by going out of our way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance. Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we learn? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience. This will involve one making up one's mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher. To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new every day by wisdom rather than experience. It means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom - invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser. It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grasps a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

It can be deduced from the passage that

1. all experiences are best teachers
2. learning through pains is better
3. experience is superior to wisdom
4. wise thoughts are more desirable than experience

2012 · Question 13

It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. To learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt your fingers and now your eyes are open. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously by going out of our way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance. Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we learn? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience. This will involve one making up one's mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher. To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new every day by wisdom rather than experience. It means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom - invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser. It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grasps a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

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

1. man must make mistakes in order to survive.
2. the totality of our actions should be decided by our judgement.
3. if we do not make mistakes, experience must be our teacher
4. our future would be judged by our past mistakes

2012 · Question 27

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The vice chancellor is riding the crest of the last quarter of his administration.

1. The vice chancellor enjoys the acknowledgment of the success of his administration
2. the vice chancellor does not enjoy the people's criticism of his administration
3. the vice chancellor hopes to overcome soon the poor comments on the administration
4. The vice chancellor does not talk of his success in office

2012 · Question 28

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: She was absolved by the court from the charge.

1. she was convicted for the charge
2. she was blamed and charged to court
3. her case was resolved by the court
4. she was declared free from the charge

2012 · Question 29

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The landlord is fond of throwing his weight about

1. the landlord likes healthy exercise
2. the landlord is overweight
3. the landlord gives orders to people
4. the landlord is respected by his tenants

2012 · Question 32

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: I wouldn’t have responded to his rude talk if I were you.

1. the advice was taken by the respondent so he did not respond to the talk
2. the adviser put himself in the respondent's position, so he did not respond to the talk
3. the respondent replied to the speaker's talk, although he ought not have done so
4. what was advisable was that the respondent gave it back to the speaker

2012 · Question 34

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The player wasted a golden opportunity during the penalty shoot-out

1. The player first hit the bar
2. The player did not score the shot
3. The player scored the shot that made them win the gold cup
4. instead of a silver cup, they received the golden one

2012 · Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “an idiot”: As an idiot, the boy is weak in class.

1. a deviant
2. an expert
3. a dunce
4. a genius

2012 · Question 37

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “shocked”: We were shocked by the news that he had lost the money.

1. astonished
2. unconcerned
3. disconcerted
4. surprised

2012 · Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “flexible”: The principal was advised to be flexible on critical issues.

1. livid
2. cautious
3. evasive
4. rigid

2012 · Question 39

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “sober”: Bola always looks sober

1. excited
2. serious
3. worried
4. hapless

2012 · Question 40

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “efficiency”: Dupe was promoted for her efficiency

1. ability
2. inconsistency
3. incompetence
4. rudeness

2012 · Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “reticent”: The management wants to consider her reticent behaviour in due course.

1. disapproving
2. disciplinarian
3. contemplative
4. loquacious

2012 · Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “volatile”: Election processes often become volatile

1. calm
2. strange
3. sudden
4. latent

2012 · Question 43

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “abrasive”: Oche entered the principal's office in a rather abrasive manner.

1. gentle
2. rude
3. lackadaisical
4. indifferent

2012 · Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “infinitesimal”: His gift to the poor was always infinitesimal

1. large
2. small
3. supportive
4. shameful

2012 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “callous”: Ola thought that her father was very callous

1. parlous
2. wicked
3. compassionate
4. cheerful

2012 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “temporal”: He was very much respected, though he had no temporal power

1. spiritual
2. mundane
3. permanent
4. ephemeral

2012 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “hit-and-miss”: The way the workshop was organized was rather hit-and-miss

1. systematic
2. hasty
3. slow
4. funny

2012 · Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “a taste of their own medicine”: Some men will continue to cause offences until they are given a taste of their own medicine

1. placated
2. revenged on
3. recompense for
4. cured

2012 · Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “derogatory”: Okibe was rusticated for his derogatory remark about the principal

1. complimentary
2. unsavoury
3. unwarranted
4. lack lustre

2012 · Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “sovereignty”: Justice is difficult to enforce because people are unwilling to accept any loss of sovereignty.

1. autonomy
2. position
3. leadership
4. kingdom

2012 · Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “virtuous”: There are still virtuous women in our society today

1. clever
2. upright
3. devilish
4. intelligent

2012 · Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “typical”: That type of response is typical of a lazy teacher

1. symptomatic
2. characteristic
3. universal
4. incontestable

2012 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “inveterate”: Akin is an inveterate gambler

1. a selfish and self-centred
2. an extremely unlucky but popular
3. an incurable but fearful
4. a long time incorrigible

2012 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “petrified”: He was too petrified to give the closing remarks at the conference.

1. frightened
2. agitated
3. delighted
4. happy

2012 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “shimmers”: During a particular time of the day, the road shimmers in the heat

1. darkens
2. lightens
3. shines
4. beams

2012 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “furtive”: Mariam looks rather furtive to Shehu

1. intoxicated
2. unfriendly
3. sad
4. sly

2012 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “extempore”: The students’ union leader delivered his speech extempore.

1. out-of -hand
2. off the cuff
3. accurately
4. courageously

2012 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “inkling”: His story gave us an inkling of what he passed through during the strike

1. a possible idea
2. a taste
3. a summary
4. the right view

2012 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “espoused”: These policies have been espoused by the ruling party.

1. condemned
2. rejected
3. supported
4. outlined

2012 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “foreclose”: We must not foreclose reconciliation as the purpose of his trip

1. exclude
2. consider
3. underestimate
4. forgo

2012 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “exploded”: Her findings exploded widely held beliefs about learning.

1. challenged
2. debunked
3. projected
4. confirmed

2012 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better_____ a singer

1. as if
2. like
3. as
4. to be

2012 · Question 68

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He started his career as an_____teacher

1. auxilliary
2. auxiluryy
3. auxillary
4. auxiliary

2012 · Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The driver was short of petrol, so he_____down the hills with the engine switched off

1. glided
2. coasted
3. wheeled
4. taxied

2012 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____a good leader must have two characteristics

1. first and formost
2. first and formust
3. first and farmost
4. first and foremost

2012 · Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: She was_____the verge of tears

1. at
2. on
3. by
4. with

2012 · Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Everyone makes mistakes occasionally, nobody is_____

1. incorrigible
2. imperfect
3. infallible
4. indestructible

2012 · Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The woman would not part with her_____pot

1. discarded earthen black
2. discarded black earthen
3. earthen discarded black
4. black earthen discarded

2012 · Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: We stood up when the principal came in_____?

1. isn't it
2. didn't we
3. not so
4. did us

2012 · Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: This professor of_____medicine has_____ the mystery of bird flu.

1. vetinary/unraveled
2. vertrinary/unravelled
3. veterinaty/unravelved
4. veterinary/unraveled

2012 · Question 80

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Many workers were_____ as a result of the textile closure

1. laid down
2. laid off
3. laid out
4. laid up

2012 · Question 81

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The driver died in the _____ road accident

1. fatal
2. brutal
3. serious
4. pathetic

2012 · Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I wanted to know his political beliefs, so I asked him what _____.

1. this was
2. these are
3. this is
4. they were

2012 · Question 93

Choose the correct stress pattern for “impossible”. The capital letters show the stressed part.

1. Stress on POS: imPOSsible
2. Stress on IM: IMpossible
3. Stress on SIBLE: imposSIBLE
4. Stress on BLE: impossiBLE

2012 · Question 98

The word in capital letters has emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the sentence relates: The traditional chief NARRATED the story to the children.

1. the children heard the story from the traditional chief
2. who narrated the story to the children?
3. the children could not listen to the story by the traditional chief
4. did the chief hide the story from the children?

2011 · Question 3

Like a clock with the pendulum in full swing, the mind moves as fast as time. But we ought to mind our thoughts, for if they turn to be our enemies, they will be too many for us and will drag us down to ruin. But some people may say that they cannot help having bad thoughts even though they sting like vipers. That may be true, but the question is: do they hate them or not? We cannot keep thieves from looking in at our windows, but if we open our doors to them and receive them joyfully, we are as bad as they. We cannot help the birds flying over our heads; but we may keep them from building their nests in our hair. Vain thoughts will knock at the door but we must not open to them. Though bad and evil thoughts rise in our hearts, they must not be allowed to reign. He who turns a morsel over and over in his mouth does so because he likes the flavours, and he who meditates upon evil loves it and is ripe to commit it. Think of the devil, and he will appear; turn your thoughts towards sins and your hands will soon follow. Snails leave their slime behind them, and so do vain thoughts. An arrow may fly through the air and leave no trace, but an evil thought always leaves a trail like a serpent. Where there is much traffic of bad thinking, there will be much mire and dirt. Every wave of wicked thought adds something to the corruption which rots upon the shore of life. It is dreadful to think that a vile imagination, once indulged, gets the key of our minds and gets in again very easily, whether or not we let it in, and what may follow, no one knows. Nurse evil on the laps of thought, and it will grow into a giant. Therefore, there is wisdom in watching every day the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts. Good thoughts are blessed guests and should be welcomed, well fed, and much sought after, but bad thoughts must fly out as swiftly as they moved in.

From the argument in the second paragraph, it can be concluded that evil thoughts control the lives of people who

1. are helpless because they fly out of their minds
2. cherish idle and slothful ways
3. are thieves with evil instincts
4. treasure and ruminate on them

2011 · Question 4

Like a clock with the pendulum in full swing, the mind moves as fast as time. But we ought to mind our thoughts, for if they turn to be our enemies, they will be too many for us and will drag us down to ruin. But some people may say that they cannot help having bad thoughts even though they sting like vipers. That may be true, but the question is: do they hate them or not? We cannot keep thieves from looking in at our windows, but if we open our doors to them and receive them joyfully, we are as bad as they. We cannot help the birds flying over our heads; but we may keep them from building their nests in our hair. Vain thoughts will knock at the door but we must not open to them. Though bad and evil thoughts rise in our hearts, they must not be allowed to reign. He who turns a morsel over and over in his mouth does so because he likes the flavours, and he who meditates upon evil loves it and is ripe to commit it. Think of the devil, and he will appear; turn your thoughts towards sins and your hands will soon follow. Snails leave their slime behind them, and so do vain thoughts. An arrow may fly through the air and leave no trace, but an evil thought always leaves a trail like a serpent. Where there is much traffic of bad thinking, there will be much mire and dirt. Every wave of wicked thought adds something to the corruption which rots upon the shore of life. It is dreadful to think that a vile imagination, once indulged, gets the key of our minds and gets in again very easily, whether or not we let it in, and what may follow, no one knows. Nurse evil on the laps of thought, and it will grow into a giant. Therefore, there is wisdom in watching every day the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts. Good thoughts are blessed guests and should be welcomed, well fed, and much sought after, but bad thoughts must fly out as swiftly as they moved in.

The expression “Think of the devil and he will appear”, as used in the passage, suggests that

1. like the devil thoughts must not reign in our hearts
2. evil thoughts are fantasies which exist only in people’s minds
3. uncontrolled evil thoughts may lead to evil deeds
4. the devil gives evil thoughts only to those who invite him in

2011 · Question 7

In 1962, a team of scientists produced a special radio station that had a range of fifteen miles. Even though communication was being accomplished in space at a range of more than a million times this distance, the new radio station caused more excitement among scientists. The reason: its power supply was a ‘battery’ made of bacteria. For the first time, practical amounts of electricity were being produced by a form of life and put to use. The ‘bio cell’, the new power supply, had a liquid fuel containing tiny forms of life that changed the fuel directly into electric energy. This was far more than an interesting experiment. The bio cell is being developed as a producer of electricity for radios, for signals to guide ships, for lighting and for other uses. Though the working bio cell is only a few years old, some scientists feel that it will one day produce power as cheaply as is now being done by other methods, and that the bio cell will use materials that would otherwise be considered waste. Early bio cells were powered with sugar, but a wide range of fuels can be used. Work is being done using sea water to feed the bacteria. Electricity from living cells is no new idea. Man experienced the strange ‘shock’ produced by some fish even before electricity was really discovered. Then, in time, there were other discoveries. Benjamin Franklin found that lightning in the sky was electricity. Luigi Galvani found some electricity in the muscles and nerves of animals. But the African catfish produces far more electricity than most other living creatures. And another fish, the electric eel, is well named, for it has an even greater electric charge. Research workers also discovered that even humans produce small amounts of electricity in their bodies. Our hearts produce a very small amount that can be measured; so do our brains. The bio cell is completely new in the field of power production and, as yet, no mass-produced models have begun to replace the older types of batteries. It might be wondered, then, what the excitement is all about.

The writer's posture, as conveyed in the statement Electricity from living cells is no new idea, can be described as

1. ineffectual
2. contentious
3. logical
4. unguarded

2011 · Question 9

In 1962, a team of scientists produced a special radio station that had a range of fifteen miles. Even though communication was being accomplished in space at a range of more than a million times this distance, the new radio station caused more excitement among scientists. The reason: its power supply was a ‘battery’ made of bacteria. For the first time, practical amounts of electricity were being produced by a form of life and put to use. The ‘bio cell’, the new power supply, had a liquid fuel containing tiny forms of life that changed the fuel directly into electric energy. This was far more than an interesting experiment. The bio cell is being developed as a producer of electricity for radios, for signals to guide ships, for lighting and for other uses. Though the working bio cell is only a few years old, some scientists feel that it will one day produce power as cheaply as is now being done by other methods, and that the bio cell will use materials that would otherwise be considered waste. Early bio cells were powered with sugar, but a wide range of fuels can be used. Work is being done using sea water to feed the bacteria. Electricity from living cells is no new idea. Man experienced the strange ‘shock’ produced by some fish even before electricity was really discovered. Then, in time, there were other discoveries. Benjamin Franklin found that lightning in the sky was electricity. Luigi Galvani found some electricity in the muscles and nerves of animals. But the African catfish produces far more electricity than most other living creatures. And another fish, the electric eel, is well named, for it has an even greater electric charge. Research workers also discovered that even humans produce small amounts of electricity in their bodies. Our hearts produce a very small amount that can be measured; so do our brains. The bio cell is completely new in the field of power production and, as yet, no mass-produced models have begun to replace the older types of batteries. It might be wondered, then, what the excitement is all about.

The inventors of bio cell justified the need for it by saying that it would

1. develop ways for changing bio cells into fuel for use
2. yield a source of energy without much spending
3. produce electricity for all types of machines
4. produce signals to guide all ships and other vessels

2011 · Question 27

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The secretary said that the postponement of the meeting was due to unforeseen circumstances.

1. The date of the meeting was shifted as a result of unexpected reasons
2. The meeting's date was off for strange reasons
3. The meeting was called as a result of obstacles hitherto unknown
4. The meeting broke off as a bird's eye closely

2011 · Question 28

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The hunter has a bird's eye view of the animals.

1. He views animals from a high position
2. He views the bird's eye
3. He views the bird on the tree with one eye
4. He watches animals and birds closely

2011 · Question 29

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Even though Susan was the last in the examination, her result wasn't too different from what had been expected.

1. Her result was poor
2. Her result was a disappointment
3. Her result was as expected
4. She had not been serious with her studies

2011 · Question 31

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: She stopped her education as her uncle left her in the lurch.

1. Her uncle deceived her
2. Her uncle disinherited her
3. Her uncle refused to help her
4. Her uncle disrespected her

2011 · Question 33

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Okon's company took a hit last year.

1. His company improved last year
2. His company made a huge success last year
3. His company was badly damaged last year
4. His company was established last year

2011 · Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “coerced”: The warring communities were coerced into negotiating a settlement.

1. driven
2. compelled
3. persuaded
4. pressured

2011 · Question 39

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “mercy”: The teacher who beat the student was treated with mercy.

1. disrespect
2. contempt
3. vengeance
4. kindness

2011 · Question 40

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “garrulous”: His wife hates his garrulous attitude.

1. outspoken
2. unfriendly
3. reticent
4. thoughtful

2011 · Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “callow”: 'Agoshito is a callow youth', said the teacher.

1. an ignorant
2. an experienced
3. an idle
4. an organized

2011 · Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “herculean”: What you are asking me to do is a herculean task.

1. a strenuous
2. a demanding
3. a lovely
4. an easy

2011 · Question 44

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “candor”: 'I do not trust him', he said, in a rare moment of candor.

1. reproach
2. dishonesty
3. frankness
4. fairness

2011 · Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “anemic”: Mrs. Akunilo looks anemic today.

1. strange
2. sick
3. weak
4. strong

2011 · Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “inconceivable”: It is inconceivable that the sun shone in the night.

1. credible
2. unthinkable
3. impossible
4. contestable

2011 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “superficial”: She only gives a superficial impression of warmth and friendliness.

1. a strong
2. a fake
3. a deep
4. an unrealistic

2011 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “prudent”: As a prudent businessman, Adeyi does not leave anything to chance.

1. frugal
2. shrewd
3. careless
4. unsuccessful

2011 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “antipathy”: His antipathy affected the growth of his business.

1. hatred
2. receptiveness
3. loyalty
4. hostility

2011 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “lethal”: Okonkwo's lethal right foot did the magic in the football match.

1. weak
2. wicked
3. fat
4. harmless

2011 · Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “inception”: Since its inception in 1983, the newspaper has attracted thousands of readers.

1. renaissance
2. coming
3. commencement
4. publication

2011 · Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “detached”: Mrs. Asio wanted her sister to stop being so detached.

1. friendly
2. careless
3. indifferent
4. passionate

2011 · Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “dwelt”: Lantana dwelt in a ruined cottage on the hillside.

1. sat
2. worked
3. slept
4. lived

2011 · Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “ignominious”: The mistake brought the show to an ignominious end.

1. a good
2. a palatable
3. a disgraceful
4. a satisfactory

2011 · Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “compliments”: He compliments me on my way of doing things.

1. complements
2. imitates
3. disgusts
4. praises

2011 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “ensnared”: The girl is angry with her friend who had ensnared her into this relationship.

1. tricked
2. encourage
3. forced
4. enslaved

2011 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “corrugated”: Their new house was roofed with corrugated sheets.

1. folded
2. iron
3. aluminum
4. corrupted

2011 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “astute”: The stockbroker said it was an astute move to sell the shares then.

1. a bad
2. a shrewd
3. an unprofitable
4. an insincere

2011 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “tactful”: The principal described Oche as the most tactful person he had ever worked with.

1. passionate
2. discreet
3. hard-working
4. innovative

2011 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “deleterious”: Some drugs have a deleterious effect on a child's development.

1. debilitating
2. helpful
3. harmful
4. healing

2011 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “belligerent”: Fila has always been described as belligerent.

1. beautiful
2. attractive
3. combative
4. innocent

2011 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “forlorn”: Laraba saw a forlorn little figure sitting outside the class.

1. wise and intelligent
2. lonely and unhappy
3. smart and healthy
4. short and ugly

2011 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “supersedes”: The circular supersedes all previous correspondence on the matter.

1. supports
2. displaces
3. eliminates
4. circumvents

2011 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “exacerbated”: Her problem was exacerbated by the loss of her father.

1. exaggerated
2. solved
3. aggravated
4. infuriated

2011 · Question 67

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Lami's father _____ as a gardener when he was young, but now he is a driver.

1. had been working
2. use to work
3. has worked
4. used to work

2011 · Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: It is important that you clear the refuse in front of your house every _____

1. fourtnight
2. firtnight
3. fourthninght
4. fortnight

2011 · Question 71

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Suara needn't come with us, _____?

1. does she
2. will she
3. can she
4. need she

2011 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Unoka _____ the whole house to find his missing wristwatch.

1. scourged
2. scoured
3. scored
4. scouted

2011 · Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: There are many ways to kill a rat, so we should be_____ in our approach to the task ahead of us.

1. ecletic
2. eclectic
3. eclektic
4. eclectik

2011 · Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Audu took these actions purely _____ his own career.

1. on furtherance of
2. in furtherance of
3. to furtherance in
4. in furtherance with

2011 · Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Here is Mr. Odumusu who teaches English _____ in our school.

1. pronuntiation
2. pronounciation
3. pronunciation
4. pronountiation

2011 · Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Of the three girls, Uka is the _____

1. so much notorious
2. notorious
3. naughty
4. naughtiest

2011 · Question 80

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Please sit on the _____ .

1. carier
2. career
3. carrier
4. carrear

2011 · Question 81

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I want to _____ this chance to acquaint you with the latest development.

1. size
2. seize
3. sieze
4. cease

2011 · Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Getting a well paid job nowadays is an _____ task?

1. utmost
2. upbeat
3. uphill
4. upfield

2011 · Question 83

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The secretary has no right to _____ my affairs.

1. spy from
2. meddle in
3. toy at
4. complain into

2011 · Question 95

Choose the option showing the main stress in termination.

1. Stress on TION: terminaTION
2. Stress on TER: TERmination
3. Stress on NA: termiNAtion
4. Stress on MI: terMInation

2011 · Question 97

Choose the option showing the main stress in suggestible.

1. Stress on STI: suggeSTIble
2. Stress on SU: SUggestible
3. Stress on GGE: suGGEstible
4. Stress on BLE: suggestiBLE

2011 · Question 98

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress in the sentence: Uche LOVES Toyota cars.

1. Who loves Toyota cars?
2. What brand of car does Uche love?
3. Does Uche hate Toyota cars?
4. Does Uche love bicycles?

2011 · Question 99

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress in the sentence: The POLICE arrested the suspect.

1. Did the police placate the suspect?
2. Who arrested the suspect?
3. Who did the police arrest?
4. Did the police arrest the suspect?

2010 · Question 11

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 effects 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 system. 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.

According to the writer, corruption is triggered off by

1. unnecessary affluence
2. selfish interests
3. private officials
4. public officers

2010 · Question 12

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 effects 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 system. 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.

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

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

2010 · Question 13

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 effects 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 system. 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.

Who, according to the writer, should prevent corruption?

1. lawyers and police
2. corrupt public officers
3. the government
4. the people

2010 · Question 26

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Though Mr. Iro is our new chairman, he views other members with a jaundiced eye.

1. He takes a rather forceful position on dealing with his members
2. He takes an unfavourable position concerning his members
3. He takes a sickly view of his members
4. He takes a rather hazy view of his members

2010 · Question 27

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: People are not interested in who rules.

1. People are not ruled by the leaders they want
2. People are not concerned about who rules them
3. The rulers are not concerned about the people
4. People who rule are not interested in the ruled

2010 · Question 28

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: It is always good to steer a middle course in whatever one does

1. it is always good to get midway in anything one does
2. it is always good to act with moderation
3. it is always good to move away from the fore front
4. it is always good to work very hard

2010 · Question 30

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The footballers moved with their tails between their legs.

1. They moved happily because they won the match
2. They were unhappy because they had been despised by their opponents
3. They were ashamed because they had been defeated
4. They moved with their tails between their legs

2010 · Question 31

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The headmaster managed to talk his way out of having to give a speech.

1. He delivered a speech despite the difficulty
2. He managed to give a speech out of a difficult situation
3. He managed to get himself out of a difficult situation
4. He managed to talk on his way

2010 · Question 32

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: As regards the matter, we have crossed the Rubicon.

1. We are completely at loss
2. We are irrevocably committed
3. We are already qualified
4. We are perfectly committed

2010 · Question 33

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Uche is full of himself.

1. He is conceited
2. He is complete
3. He is a rich man
4. He is careful

2010 · Question 35

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The woman was mournful as her husband was found dead drunk.

1. She was sad because her husband was absolutely drunk
2. She was apprehensive that her husband would drink as soon as he recovered from drunken stupor
3. She was sad because her husband was drunk and always as helpless as a dead man
4. She was mourning because her husband drank and died

2010 · Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “mind-bending”: I am optimistic about the interview though it was a mind-bending exercise.

1. an enervating
2. a debilitating
3. a difficult
4. an easy

2010 · Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “redundant”: The teacher said that Ali's essay was full of many redundant details.

1. unexplained
2. strange
3. necessary
4. useful

2010 · Question 39

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “myriad”: His father surmounted the myriad of obstacles on his way.

1. most
2. few
3. all
4. many

2010 · Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “flawless”: Ndeni gave a flawless speech at the party.

1. a wonderful
2. a careless
3. an interesting
4. an imperfect

2010 · Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “gruff”: Beneath Ado's gruff exterior, he's really very kind-hearted.

1. nice
2. harsh
3. rough
4. gentle

2010 · Question 43

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “debased”: The captain says sports is being debased by commercial sponsorship

1. localized
2. perverted
3. elevated
4. overvalued

2010 · Question 44

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “straightforward”: Governing a country is not always as straightforward as people sometimes imagine.

1. complicated
2. troublesome
3. untoward
4. irksome

2010 · Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “receptive”: The crowd was very receptive to the speaker's suggestion.

1. disobedient
2. repellent
3. alert
4. hostile

2010 · Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “acquiescence”: There was a general acquiescence on the new drug law

1. resistance
2. discrepancy
3. compromise
4. agreement

2010 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “ambivalent”: Aisha seems to feel ambivalent about her future.

1. decisive
2. anxious
3. ambitious
4. inconsiderate

2010 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “plethora”: The report of the committee contained a plethora of details.

1. shortage
2. simplicity
3. multitude
4. spectrum

2010 · Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “enthusiastic”: We were all enthusiastic as we awaited the result of the election.

1. bemused
2. agitated
3. elated
4. nervous

2010 · Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “absurd”: The uniform makes the guards look absurd.

1. dirty
2. smart
3. sensible
4. ridiculous

2010 · Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “tardy”: The law is often tardy in reacting to changing attitude.

1. quick
2. slow
3. exclusive
4. generous

2010 · Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “sumptuous”: Isa and Ilu ate sumptuous meals on their brother's wedding day.

1. expensive
2. foreign
3. insipid
4. cheap

2010 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “crouched”: Kaltume crouched over the papers on her desk.

1. wrote on
2. stood on
3. walked over
4. bent over

2010 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “panacea”: The panacea for a country’s economic mess lies in systematic planning and hard work.

1. cure
2. foresight
3. hope
4. trouble

2010 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “retrenchment”: Thousands of workers have been victims of retrenchment since the military came back to power.

1. unemployment
2. trench mentality
3. suffering
4. increase in penury

2010 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “offhand”: The principal gave his speech offhand at the sports meeting.

1. calmly
2. beautifully
3. unconcerned
4. unprepared

2010 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “assortment”: Jankoli was dressed in an old assortment of clothes.

1. avalanche
2. homogeneity
3. sameness
4. mélange

2010 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “astounded”: The girl’s father was astounded to see her appear from the shrine.

1. collected
2. overwhelmed
3. embarrassed
4. astonished

2010 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “apposite”: The director’s remark was extremely apposite to the issue being discussed.

1. appropriate
2. inconsequential
3. emphatic
4. adequate

2010 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “blemish”: Her reputation is without a blemish.

1. struggle
2. problem
3. fault
4. blessing

2010 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “eligible”: Ugo is eligible for the post of secretary.

1. nominated
2. invited
3. qualified
4. intelligent

2010 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “abridged”: This is an abridged version of No Longer at Ease.

1. an outdated
2. an enlarged
3. an illustrated
4. a shortened

2010 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Lemoti _____ as a painter, but also as a sculptor.

1. is gifted only not
2. is only not gifted
3. is gifted not only
4. is only gifted

2010 · Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: His wife was badly injured in the fracas, but I think she will pull _____ .

1. up
2. over
3. through
4. back

2010 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: One of the women who _____ in the premises _____ been ordered to quit.

1. sells / have
2. sell / has
3. sell / have
4. sells / has

2010 · Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The new trade agreement should facilitate _____ .

1. more economic rapid growth
2. economic more rapid growth
3. rapid economic more growth
4. more rapid economic growth

2010 · Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The politician was sent _____ exile

1. onto
2. into
3. on
4. to

2010 · Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: When we looked up, we _____ the plane some miles away.

1. site
2. cited
3. sited
4. sighted

2010 · Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The federal Government has _____ child trafficking.

1. postulated
2. projected
3. prescribed
4. proscribed

2010 · Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Based on the facts before me, I have no alternative _____ to hold you responsible.

1. only
2. as
3. than
4. but

2010 · Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Many people would always find reasons to _____ the law.

1. arrogate
2. debase
3. circumvent
4. circumspect

2010 · Question 96

Choose the option showing the main stress in satisfactory.

1. Stress on TORY: satisfacTORY
2. Stress on TIS: saTISfactory
3. Stress on SAT: SATisfactory
4. Stress on FAC: satisFACtory

2010 · Question 98

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress: EMEKA finished his homework yesterday.

1. Was Emeka helped to do his homework?
2. Did Emeka do his homework yesterday?
3. When did Emeka finish his homework?
4. Who finished his homework yesterday?

2010 · Question 99

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress: Taiwo SAILED to London.

1. Did Taiwo fly to London?
2. Did Taiwo sail to Brazil?
3. Did Taiwo sail to London
4. Where did Taiwo sail to?

2009 · Question 26

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: It was our collective idea but Ado was doing everything to steal the show.

1. Ado was not part of the planning but he tried to rob us of the benefit of it
2. We planned the show together but Ado was trying to abort it
3. It was a joint project but Ado is trying to attract the most attention
4. We collated the idea for the show but Ado was trying to steal the programme

2009 · Question 27

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: As we watched, he just popped along to the shop for some bread.

1. He has walked slowly to the shop
2. He stole some bread from the shop but we could not stop him
3. He broke into the bread shop before our very eyes
4. He went quickly to the shop for some bread

2009 · Question 31

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Musa will not do the job well because he has an itching palm.

1. He has rashes in his palm
2. He is always looking for something to touch
3. He is always ready to accept a bribe
4. He is tapping people on the back

2009 · Question 33

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: He was injured by friendly fire.

1. He was wounded in a war by a friend of his who fired a shot mistakenly
2. He was injured by a gun shot that was fired by a friend
3. He was hit in a war by a war weapon fired by his own side
4. It was a war and he was hit by a bomb fired by an unknown soldier

2009 · Question 34

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Kola visits us on occasions, and I don't like that.

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

2009 · Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “leathery”: We had difficulty eating the meat because it was leathery.

1. bitter
2. stringy
3. tough
4. tender

2009 · Question 37

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “indolent”: The boy is too indolent to do well at school.

1. intelligent
2. industrious
3. inactive
4. slothful

2009 · Question 40

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “misery”: Life has become a misery for many owing to the harsh economic condition in the country.

1. drudgery
2. ridicule
3. ritual
4. comfort

2009 · Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “penchant”: Young people have a penchant for fast cars.

1. likeness
2. passion
3. madness
4. dislike

2009 · Question 43

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “militant”: Most of the latest actions are militant in nature.

1. commanding
2. civil
3. zealous
4. passionate

2009 · Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “listless”: The compulsory leave made her feel listless.

1. restful
2. great
3. fat
4. energetic

2009 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “impudence”: I have had enough of your impudence.

1. politeness
2. incivility
3. arrogance
4. boldness

2009 · Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “collectively”: We were collectively responsible for keeping the machine in good shape.

1. jointly
2. severally
3. dutifully
4. socially

2009 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “Curiously”: Curiously, he escaped unhurt.

1. interestingly
2. unsurprisingly
3. annoyingly
4. unusually

2009 · Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “begged the question”: Agwube's explanation of her poor performance at the examination only begged the question.

1. delayed her punishment
2. sounded quite convincing
3. did not address the issue
4. over flogged the matter

2009 · Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “posterity”: We have every need to preserve some of our national monuments for posterity.

1. prosperity
2. future
3. national pride
4. collective gain

2009 · Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “stern”: Adamu's father is a stern man.

1. wicked
2. strict
3. playful
4. conservation

2009 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “altercation”: Nobody knew the source of the altercation between the couple.

1. alter ego
2. quarrel
3. deep love
4. wealth

2009 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “inscrutable”: His poetry is said to be inscrutable.

1. ludicrous
2. unlearnable
3. inseparable
4. mysterious

2009 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “specious”: Hers was a specious argument about the government of the day.

1. misleading
2. precious
3. spacious
4. true

2009 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “livery”: The Lagos bus conductor wore his professional livery.

1. badge
2. shoe
3. uniform
4. cap

2009 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “sinister”: There must be something sinister about her late arrival.

1. reasonable
2. joyful
3. hopeful
4. ominous

2009 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “unification”: The unification of the country has brought about great technological advancement.

1. restoration
2. agreement
3. cohesion
4. stability

2009 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “amnesia”: His amnesia has affected his career.

1. loss of focus
2. loss of sight
3. loss of memory
4. loss of direction

2009 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “forbearance”: Idris' forbearance endeared him to us.

1. hard work
2. patience
3. wisdom
4. good manners

2009 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He is really very mean. He _____ not lend me the money I wanted.

1. should
2. could
3. would
4. won't

2009 · Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Amina lives _____ campus.

1. in the
2. on
3. at the
4. inside

2009 · Question 71

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The _____ part of a new book is often written by a more experienced writer than the author.

1. foreward
2. foreword
3. forward
4. forword

2009 · Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The officer acted in _____ the instructions.

1. accorance by
2. accordance to
3. accordance of
4. accordance with

2009 · Question 74

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

1. of
2. to
3. with
4. on

2009 · Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: They are taught to value honour _____ their lives.

1. from
2. in
3. than
4. above

2009 · Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I missed the match though it was shown on television on two _____ nights.

1. concurrent
2. consistent
3. concrete
4. consecutive

2009 · Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The company paid some money to Abu to _____him for losses he suffered during the accident.

1. indemnity
2. condole with
3. settle
4. recompense

2009 · Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Our plan for the trip fell _____ when the rich man did not give us a life_____

1. off/ boat
2. through / line
3. down / jacket
4. in / help

2009 · Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I tried to discourage him, but he persisted _____ revealing the secret of his son.

1. for
2. in
3. on
4. to

2009 · Question 83

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I am told that the market is _____ in to the interests of people from all _____ of life.

1. tuned / walks
2. constructed / places
3. designed / places
4. set / works

2009 · Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Uche has been in _____ with his pen pal for years.

1. exchange
2. correspondence
3. favor
4. cord

2009 · Question 95

Choose the option showing the main stress in ceremoniously.

1. Stress on CE: CEremoniously
2. Stress on RE: CeREmoniously
3. Stress on MO: CereMOniously
4. Stress on NI: CeremoNIously

2009 · Question 96

Choose the option showing the main stress in understandable.

1. Stress on DER: UnDERstandable
2. Stress on ABLE: UnderstandABLE
3. Stress on UN: UNderstandable
4. Stress on STAND: UnderSTANDable

2009 · Question 98

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress: LAM called Uche a pilot.

1. What did Lam call Uche?
2. Did Okoro call Uche a pilot?
3. Did Lam call Uche a driver
4. Did Lam wish Uche to be a pilot?

2009 · Question 99

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress: The girl DANCED in the village square.

1. Who danced in the village square?
2. Is this the village square where the girl danced?
3. Did the girl dance in the village square?
4. Did the girl sing in the village square?

2008 · Question 27

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The computer operator was sacked for incompetence

1. The computer operator was sacked for his foolishness
2. The computer operator was sacked for his lazı- ness
3. The computer operator was sacked for lack of skill
4. The computer operator was sacked for lateness

2008 · Question 28

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: He was a member of the think tank of the previous administration

1. As an expert, he criticized government
2. He was an expert who gave advice to government
3. He was an expert that government did not listen to
4. As an expert government must have taken to his advice

2008 · Question 31

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: He kept a stiff upper lip over the accident.

1. He sustained injury on his upper lip.
2. He endured the misfortune with courage.
3. He could not talk because of the accident.
4. His friends deserted him because of the accident.

2008 · Question 32

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: He had travelled the length and breadth of Africa.

1. He must have travelled to some big cities of Africa
2. He had travelled to many parts of Africa.
3. He had travelled to all parts of Africa.
4. He had travelled to all the villages and towns of Africa.

2008 · Question 33

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: She wriggled out of her wedding gown

1. She could not take off her gown herself so she was assisted.
2. her dress got torn because of the snake-like pattern
3. No one could have imagined that her dress was so tight
4. It took her some time to remove her close-fitting dress.

2008 · Question 35

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The group had been made a scapegoat during the event.

1. Members of the group had been punished for a sin that they did not commit.
2. Members of the group had been blamed for a sin that they committed.
3. The group had been punished so that no one would commit the sin again.
4. The group had been blamed merely to serve as a deterrent to others.

2008 · Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “apathetic”: Sola is apathetic about his work.

1. indifferent
2. enthusiastic
3. half-hearted
4. bored.

2008 · Question 37

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “hasty”: The members of the family had a hasty breakfast before starting out on their journey.

1. hurried
2. leisurely
3. tasty
4. nasty.

2008 · Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “poverty”: The poverty level among the masses is unbearable.

1. arrogance
2. saturation
3. affluence
4. influence.

2008 · Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “obscure”: The lecturer's obscure publications counted against him during the promotion exercise.

1. widespread
2. closed
3. circulate
4. restricted.

2008 · Question 43

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “repellant”: The man found his wife physically repellant.

1. attractive
2. fatuous
3. unpleasant
4. flamboyant.

2008 · Question 44

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “absolute ruler”: As an absolute ruler, Adayi brooks no opposition from his subordinates.

1. a despotic dictator
2. a shameless king
3. a benevolent leader
4. a magnanimous democrat.

2008 · Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “phenomenal”: The response to the advertisement has been phenomenal.

1. spiritual
2. frightening
3. unimpressive
4. catastrophic.

2008 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “acrimonious”: Bola's parents went through an acrimonious divorce.

1. a bitter
2. an acrid
3. a sour
4. a peaceful.

2008 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “encapsulated”: She encapsulated her view of the nature of life in a poem.

1. summed up
2. explained
3. expatiated on
4. reflected.

2008 · Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “spellbound”: We were held spellbound by his eloquence.

1. Unimpressed
2. freed
3. deceived
4. unenlightened.

2008 · Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “retract”: We were at a loss to understand why Oli should retract his statement before the Judge.

1. assert.
2. repeat
3. withdraw
4. reiterate.

2008 · Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “abysmal”: He went to the polls in defiance of sound advice and recorded an abysmal performance.

1. surprisingly good
2. disappointingly bad
3. mediocre
4. landslide.

2008 · Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “withstand”: He was not able to withstand the attack from his immediate family.

1. survive
2. overcome
3. match
4. resist

2008 · Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “biased”: Your effort to bring peace between us is futile because you are biased.

1. convinced
2. clever
3. prejudiced
4. worried.

2008 · Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “ajar”: Our front door is always kept ajar...

1. locked
2. sealed
3. half-closed
4. permanently open.

2008 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “exacting”: His embroidery was an exacting task for the tailor

1. an unwarranted
2. an exciting
3. a demanding
4. a disturbing.

2008 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “throng”: I had to make my way through the throng of people in the church.

1. group
2. crowd
3. gathering
4. theme

2008 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “misgivings”: The man's wife has her misgivings about him.

1. fears for
2. distrust of
3. hatred for
4. love for

2008 · Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “maladies”: Violent crime is only one of the maladies afflicting modern society

1. damages
2. illnesses
3. wounds
4. crises.

2008 · Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “aquiline”: Ade has an aquiline nose.

1. a large and curved nose
2. a wide and straight nose
3. a big and pointed nose
4. a small and attractive nose.

2008 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “camaraderie”: Everyone was talking about the camaraderie in the club

1. companionship
2. quarrelsomeness
3. commissioning
4. disunity

2008 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “impossible”: 'You're impossible,' she said to me.

1. unreasonable
2. unforgiving
3. daft
4. strong

2008 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “sixth sense”: I was being directed by my sixth sense all through the ordeal.

1. intelligence
2. judgement
3. intuition
4. imagination.

2008 · Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I will pay my debt_____

1. Instalmentaily
2. by instalmentally
3. in instalments
4. in instalmentally)

2008 · Question 90

Choose the option with the same consonant sound as the q in bouquet.

1. bucket
2. banquet
3. liquid
4. squeeze.

2008 · Question 96

Choose the appropriate main stress pattern for incapacitate. The stressed syllable is shown in capitals.

1. Stress on CA: inCApacitate
2. Stress on PA: incaPAcitate
3. Stress on IN: INcapacitate
4. Stress on TATE: incapaciTATE

2008 · Question 98

Choose the question to which the sentence with emphasis on THEIR relates: THEIR children speak better French than English.

1. Do their husbands speak better French than English?
2. What language do their children speak better than English?
3. Do their children speak better French than English?
4. Whose children speak better French than English?

2007 · Question 30

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The next village is at least 30 kilometers away.

1. The next village is 30 kilometres away, possibly less
2. The next village is approximately 30 kilometres away
3. The next village is only 30 kilometres away
4. The next village is 30 kilometres away, or possibly more

2007 · Question 32

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: My advice to Tolu was: Look before you leap.

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

2007 · Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “steer a middle course”: The man advised his wife to steer a middle course in the argument between her and her employers.

1. be recalcitrant
2. be compromising
3. be unrepentant
4. be relenting

2007 · Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “seething with”: The stadium was seething with people when we entered.

1. filled
2. crowded
3. empty
4. noisy

2007 · Question 39

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “teetotaler”: Otokpa took after his late father who was a teetotaler.

1. a drunk
2. careless
3. a disciplinarian
4. sober

2007 · Question 40

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “undeterred”: The students were undeterred by the noisy lecture environment.

1. frustrated
2. encouraged
3. discouraged
4. challenged

2007 · Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “unobtrusive”: The suggestions he made were very unobtrusive.

1. forceful
2. helpful
3. sincere
4. reasonable

2007 · Question 44

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “relinquished”: The vice-Chancellor relinquished power at the end of his term.

1. abandoned
2. welded
3. gave up
4. clung on to

2007 · Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “transit”: The refugees were received at the transit camp.

1. passage
2. permanent
3. temporary
4. nearby

2007 · Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “munificent”: Lami and her husband are simply munificent.

1. wealthy
2. angry
3. happy
4. niggardly

2007 · Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “conceited”: Mr. Adeyemo is quite a conceited young man.

1. a resourceful
2. an experienced
3. a practical
4. an unassuming

2007 · Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “aversion”: For anything to do with academic work, he has a great aversion.

1. conversion
2. attention
3. contempt
4. predilection

2007 · Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “verve”: The best of the boys admire Olu's verve

1. intelligence
2. handsomeness
3. work
4. energy

2007 · Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “depraved”: The police are not happy with the growing number of depraved people around the politician.

1. violet
2. immoral
3. indolent
4. loquacious

2007 · Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “intolerable”: The debt the company incurred became rather intolerable.

1. inevitable
2. unprecedented
3. insupportable
4. dangerous

2007 · Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “fended off”: The astute businessman neatly fended off questions about his private life.

1. asked
2. explained
3. welcomed
4. sidestepped

2007 · Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “deprecated”: He deprecated the attempts made to unseat him.

1. challenged
2. resisted
3. despise
4. condemned

2007 · Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “perennial”: The shortage of petrol was a perennial problem.

1. a recurring
2. a seasonal
3. an annual
4. an incurable

2007 · Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “drowned”: The noise across the road drowned the sound of the keyboard in my room.

1. neutralized
2. overshadowed
3. balanced
4. equalized

2007 · Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “umpteen times”: I visited Amina umpteen times in her college, but she never came to me.

1. often
2. seldom
3. twice
4. occasionally

2007 · Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “recriminations”: We were warned not to indulge in recriminations.

1. counter-charges
2. accusations
3. indiscretions
4. frivolous allegations

2007 · Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “concession”: The tax rebate was a concession given to the civil servants.

1. a donation
2. an allowance
3. an incentive
4. an emolument

2007 · Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “reversed”: The striking workers have vowed not to return to work until the decision is reversed.

1. rescinded
2. dismissed
3. implemented
4. reverted

2007 · Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The girl cannot speak with a clear voice; she is always _____

1. blabbing
2. vociferating
3. stuttering
4. gesticulating