JAMB Use of English 1990

70 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 1

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed, and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding, or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be the first to blood his spear: the one who does so, claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal. But brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that, when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine undergrowth, where it was impossible for a man to poise and throw a spear. Super- stitution had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twigs as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim; if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practicing ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats, but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions’ invulnerability many famous hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that the lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.

The young men of Emopa would hunt for elephants because

  1. they are among the few Africans that hunt lions with a spear
  2. elephants are dangerous animals
  3. no young Emopa attracts a girl's admiration until he has killed a dangerous animal
  4. when elephants are sighted, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men
Answer and explanation

C: no young Emopa attracts a girl's admiration until he has killed a dangerous animal

The first paragraph connects hunting dangerous animals with proving manhood and gaining admiration. C states that social motivation directly. Danger and excitement describe the activity but do not give the full reason for participating.

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Question 2

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed, and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding, or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be the first to blood his spear: the one who does so, claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal. But brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that, when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine undergrowth, where it was impossible for a man to poise and throw a spear. Super- stitution had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twigs as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim; if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practicing ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats, but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions’ invulnerability many famous hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that the lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.

The legend that the lions were invulnerable was confirmed by the fact that

  1. the local Emopa petitioned a ‘holy man’ to come and exorcize the spirits
  2. many famous hunters had tried without success in the past to kill the lions
  3. the ‘holy man’ failed in his bid to exorcise the spirits
  4. brave as the Emopa are, the lions completely overawed them.
Answer and explanation

B: many famous hunters had tried without success in the past to kill the lions

The final sentence says the failure of previous hunters confirmed the belief in the lions’ supernatural nature. B matches that explicit link. The other events contribute to the story but are not the stated confirmation.

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Question 3

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed, and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding, or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be the first to blood his spear: the one who does so, claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal. But brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that, when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine undergrowth, where it was impossible for a man to poise and throw a spear. Super- stitution had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twigs as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim; if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practicing ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats, but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions’ invulnerability many famous hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that the lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.

The lions played the game of ‘baw’ because

  1. they wanted to raid a village
  2. it was a popular game of unknown antiquity played all over Africa
  3. they want to decide whether to go on a raid or not
  4. if the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim.
Answer and explanation

C: they want to decide whether to go on a raid or not

Within the story, the game is used to decide whether the omens favour a raid. C states that decision-making purpose. D describes what follows a favourable result, while A omits the possibility of waiting.

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Question 4

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed, and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding, or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be the first to blood his spear: the one who does so, claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal. But brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that, when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine undergrowth, where it was impossible for a man to poise and throw a spear. Super- stitution had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twigs as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim; if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practicing ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats, but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions’ invulnerability many famous hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that the lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.

The famous hunters failed to kill the lions because the

  1. lions were regarded as supernatural beings
  2. lions were cunning and bold
  3. Emopa used the spear to hunt for the lions
  4. hunters did not have enough time.
Answer and explanation

D: hunters did not have enough time.

The passage explicitly says previous hunters failed owing to lack of time. D repeats that explanation. The other alternatives describe beliefs or difficulties elsewhere in the story, not the reason stated for those hunters.

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Question 6

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 immature adult is like the child because

  1. he has just become self-conscious
  2. he has learnt to use the word ‘no’
  3. he has no concept of time
  4. some of his actions are deliberately irrational.
Answer and explanation

D: some of his actions are deliberately irrational.

The final lines say a child may know what is right and choose not to do it, and immature adults may behave similarly. D captures that deliberate unreasonable choice. The adult is not said to have only just learned no or become self-conscious.

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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.
Answer and explanation

D: Developmental difference.

The passage contrasts the adult’s developed ability to consider consequences with the young child’s immediate desires. That is a developmental difference. Time difference alone does not name the difference in their understanding and judgement.

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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.
Answer and explanation

C: She understands the environment better than the child.

The commands are explained as protecting the child and teaching right and wrong. This rests on the parent understanding risks and the surrounding world better. Ownership, physical strength and a greater amount of self-consciousness are not the stated justification.

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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’.
Answer and explanation

C: to assert his independence

The child realizes that he is a separate self and does not have to obey automatically. Refusing orders expresses this independence. Learning the word no is a sign of that awareness, not the underlying reason.

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Question 11

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. what happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centers are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do. (Adapted from Margot Higgins: War on Hunger).

The phrase ‘a dismal picture’ means

  1. a dull show
  2. an interesting show
  3. a sad situation
  4. a dreadful appearance.
Answer and explanation

C: a sad situation

Dismal picture refers to the discouraging situation of girls’ educational opportunities described in the passage. C captures that figurative meaning. It is not a literal picture or a form of entertainment.

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Question 12

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. what happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centers are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do. (Adapted from Margot Higgins: War on Hunger).

According to the writer, most girls in less developed countries are not in school because

  1. they refuse to be educated
  2. they prefer getting married and having children
  3. the education of boys is rated higher
  4. the girls have no employment
Answer and explanation

C: the education of boys is rated higher

The author explicitly says girls’ education is not regarded as equally important as boys’ education. C gives that underlying reason for keeping girls at home. Their own refusal or preference is not presented as the cause.

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Question 13

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. what happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centers are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do. (Adapted from Margot Higgins: War on Hunger).

The non-literate woman is very difficult to reach because she

  1. does not understand the value of education and health services
  2. is too far from the city and from school
  3. is not permitted to go out to attended clinics for health services
  4. can only gather fuel and prepare food
Answer and explanation

A: does not understand the value of education and health services

The passage explains that domestic demands restrict contact and that the woman does not understand what available services are intended to do. A reflects that lack of understanding. Distance or an explicit prohibition on leaving home is not stated.

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Question 14

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. what happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centers are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do. (Adapted from Margot Higgins: War on Hunger).

The phrase ‘too late’ as used in the passage implies that the woman

  1. ought to have started producing children earlier
  2. goes on producing children when she ought to have stopped
  3. fails to marry early enough for her to produce children
  4. had all her children at an advanced age.
Answer and explanation

B: goes on producing children when she ought to have stopped

Too late contrasts with the educated woman ceasing childbearing earlier. It therefore refers to continuing to have children beyond the point implied by that comparison. The passage does not mean that all children were born at an advanced age.

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Question 16

The importance of the code theory in education lies in the fact that the school system requires the use of an elaborated code but not all students have access to it. The importance of this theory to sociology lies in the fact that the differential access to the elaborated code does not occur randomly but rather is controlled by the class system. Lower working-class urban children tend to have a restricted code. Middle-class children possess both a restricted and an elaborated code. The two groups enter into different types of relationships and learn to express themselves in different ways through language. They do not use language for the same functions, some of which, it seems, are necessary for the school situation. When the lower working-class child is expected implicitly to exploit language for functions he normally does not express verbally, a discontinuity is created between his home and his school environment. He has learned to verbalize a certain range of meanings in his home and when he enters school, another range of meanings is required. There is, then a very subtle, but nonetheless very real, sense in which what is taught is personally irrelevant for this child. The school system does not talk to him. Middle class children, possessing both codes, experience no such discontinuity. They can use language for those functions required by the school.

An appropriate title for this passage is

  1. Language and Education
  2. Education and Sociology
  3. Codes and Sociology
  4. Codes and Education
Answer and explanation

D: Codes and Education

The passage explains how restricted and elaborated codes affect access to the language required by schools. Codes and Education captures both its specific focus and its educational consequence. The other titles are broader or shift the emphasis to sociology.

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Question 18

The importance of the code theory in education lies in the fact that the school system requires the use of an elaborated code but not all students have access to it. The importance of this theory to sociology lies in the fact that the differential access to the elaborated code does not occur randomly but rather is controlled by the class system. Lower working-class urban children tend to have a restricted code. Middle-class children possess both a restricted and an elaborated code. The two groups enter into different types of relationships and learn to express themselves in different ways through language. They do not use language for the same functions, some of which, it seems, are necessary for the school situation. When the lower working-class child is expected implicitly to exploit language for functions he normally does not express verbally, a discontinuity is created between his home and his school environment. He has learned to verbalize a certain range of meanings in his home and when he enters school, another range of meanings is required. There is, then a very subtle, but nonetheless very real, sense in which what is taught is personally irrelevant for this child. The school system does not talk to him. Middle class children, possessing both codes, experience no such discontinuity. They can use language for those functions required by the school.

‘Restricted code’ and ‘elaborated code’ are

  1. synonyms
  2. homonyms
  3. contradictions
  4. antonyms
Answer and explanation

D: antonyms

Restricted and elaborated are presented as contrasting descriptions of language codes. Antonyms is the closest offered relationship. They are not words with the same sound or meaning, and contradictions would describe incompatible statements rather than contrasting terms.

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Question 21

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which make it different from any other trade – the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success. This brings us back to the fact that books are undefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

Books are different from other goods because

  1. customers for the book trade are much restricted
  2. books are not manufactured but printed
  3. one cannot tell so easily which books will prove saleable
  4. books can be kept in stock much longer than other goods
Answer and explanation

C: one cannot tell so easily which books will prove saleable

The opening identifies uncertainty about which books will sell as a special problem of the book trade. It does not attribute the difference to printing or longer storage.

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Question 22

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which make it different from any other trade – the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success. This brings us back to the fact that books are undefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

The problem of selection in the book trade involves

  1. holding a stock large enough for the public to choose from
  2. determining which books will sell fast
  3. being a sales representative of large publishing houses
  4. being able to review the latest publications
Answer and explanation

B: determining which books will sell fast

Selection means deciding which titles are likely to sell. Keeping enough books for customers to choose from is the separate problem of stocking.

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Question 23

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which make it different from any other trade – the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success. This brings us back to the fact that books are undefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

How many solutions to the bookseller’s problems are offered in this passage?

  1. Two
  2. Three
  3. Four
  4. Five
Answer and explanation

B: Three

Three responses are described: acting as a publisher’s sales representative, selling safe titles to a restricted circle, and speculating on the latest publications.

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Question 24

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which make it different from any other trade – the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success. This brings us back to the fact that books are undefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

Of the solutions proposed for the bookseller’s problems, how many are actually positive?

  1. Two
  2. Three
  3. Four
  4. None.
Answer and explanation

D: None.

Each proposed response has a serious drawback: loss of the bookseller’s role, stagnation, or an unstable clientele. The writer therefore endorses none as a positive solution.

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Question 25

This passage sums up the two problems peculiar to the book trade which make it different from any other trade – the problem of selection and the problem of stocking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove saleable, before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business, and how is he, at the same time, to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks, but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of safe items to a restricted circle of customers, but he thereby cuts himself off from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publications, but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book, an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success. This brings us back to the fact that books are undefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

The story of the old soldier and a book in the passage is an illustration of the point that

  1. the general had already got a book
  2. a book is of interest only to those to whom that book means something
  3. soldiers do not like the book trade because a book is enough for a general
  4. booksellers face a real dilemma because of a constantly changing clientele
Answer and explanation

B: a book is of interest only to those to whom that book means something

The general sees no reason to own another book despite its rarity and value. His response illustrates that a book matters to a reader only when it has personal interest or meaning.

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Question 26

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “investigate”: The policeman was asked to investigate the matter.

  1. ask about
  2. forget about
  3. examine
  4. inquire about
Answer and explanation

B: forget about

To investigate is to examine a matter and seek information about it. Forgetting about it means dropping the inquiry; asking about, examining and inquiring all continue it.

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Question 27

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “agitated”: Lola was agitated when the sad news of her mother’s accident was broken to her.

  1. excited
  2. calm
  3. uncontrollable
  4. unreasonable
Answer and explanation

B: calm

Agitated describes someone who is upset, worried or emotionally unsettled. Calm describes the opposite state; the other options do not express peaceful composure.

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Question 28

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “obstacles”: Though his parents' poverty placed many obstacles in his path as a young man, Olu succeeded at last.

  1. hurdles
  2. advantages
  3. temptations
  4. diversions
Answer and explanation

B: advantages

Obstacles are difficulties that hinder progress. Advantages help someone progress, so they provide the opposite meaning; hurdles are another name for obstacles.

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Question 29

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “sobbed”: Binta sobbed by the door because she had lost her mother’s precious necklace.

  1. cried
  2. smiled
  3. wept
  4. laughed.
Answer and explanation

D: laughed.

To sob is to cry audibly in distress. Laughed gives the contrasting vocal expression of amusement or joy; cried and wept repeat the original meaning, while smiled is a facial expression.

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Question 30

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “ignoble”: The president took exception to the ignoble role the young man played in the matter

  1. honorable
  2. embarrassing
  3. dishonorable
  4. extraordinary
Answer and explanation

A: honorable

An ignoble action is dishonourable or shameful. Honourable expresses the opposite moral quality; embarrassing and dishonourable retain a negative meaning.

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Question 31

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “convalescing”: The man who had been seriously ill was convalescing at a sea-side resort

  1. regaining health
  2. deteriorating in health
  3. recuperating
  4. relaxing
Answer and explanation

B: deteriorating in health

Convalescing means recovering health after illness. Deteriorating in health means getting worse, the opposite process; regaining health and recuperating are synonyms.

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Question 32

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “boundless”: For millions of years, the world’s resources have remained boundless

  1. unlimited
  2. scarce
  3. indomitable
  4. limited
Answer and explanation

D: limited

Boundless means without limits. Limited is its direct opposite; scarce concerns insufficient quantity, while unlimited has the same meaning as boundless.

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Question 33

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “decry”: It seems fashionable, in some quarters today, to decry examinations and the ability to pass them.

  1. extol
  2. abuse
  3. entreat
  4. discourage
Answer and explanation

A: extol

To decry something is to criticise or condemn it strongly. To extol it is to praise it highly, giving the opposite attitude towards examinations.

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Question 34

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “intrepid”: Ogedegbe was an intrepid fighter for human freedom and dignity

  1. timid
  2. half-hearted
  3. fearless
  4. undaunted.
Answer and explanation

A: timid

Intrepid describes bravery and fearlessness. Timid describes a fearful or hesitant person, whereas fearless and undaunted have meanings similar to intrepid.

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Question 35

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “imperceptible”: The difference between the experimental procedures was imperceptible to me.

  1. negligible
  2. significant
  3. obvious
  4. obscure
Answer and explanation

C: obvious

An imperceptible difference cannot readily be noticed. An obvious difference is easily noticed, making obvious the direct opposite; negligible concerns importance or size.

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Question 37

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “let sleeping dogs lie”: The boss told the man to let sleeping dogs lie.

  1. not to look for trouble
  2. not to disturb other people
  3. let the dogs sleep well
  4. let the trouble begin.
Answer and explanation

A: not to look for trouble

The idiom means leaving a potentially troublesome matter alone instead of reviving it. Not looking for trouble captures this advice; it does not refer literally to sleeping animals.

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Question 39

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “make good”: The headmaster decided to make good his promise to the students

  1. fulfil
  2. improve
  3. complete
  4. realize
Answer and explanation

A: fulfil

To make good a promise is to carry it out or fulfil it. The headmaster decides to do what he promised, rather than merely improve or restate the promise.

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Question 40

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “smoke-screen”: The advertisement served as a smoke-screen for the activities of the company

  1. a camouflage
  2. a protection
  3. an enhancement
  4. an exchange.
Answer and explanation

A: a camouflage

A figurative smoke-screen hides the real nature of an activity. Camouflage has this concealing function; the advertisement distracts attention from what the company is doing.

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Question 41

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “up in the air”: My plans are still up in the air.

  1. being publicized
  2. uncertain
  3. uncovered
  4. unprotected.
Answer and explanation

B: uncertain

Plans that are up in the air are unsettled or undecided. Uncertain expresses this meaning; the phrase does not mean that the plans have been publicised or uncovered.

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Question 42

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “hardline”: The judge always takes a hardline on such issues

  1. complex stand
  2. simple stand
  3. uncompromising stand
  4. difficult stand
Answer and explanation

C: uncompromising stand

Taking a hard line means maintaining a strict position and refusing to compromise. An uncompromising stand therefore expresses the judge’s attitude most accurately.

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Question 44

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “indomitable”: That team has become indomitable quite recently.

  1. incorrigible
  2. disobedient
  3. unconquerable
  4. unruly.
Answer and explanation

C: unconquerable

Indomitable means impossible to defeat or subdue. Unconquerable expresses that quality; being disobedient or unruly does not necessarily mean being undefeatable.

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Question 46

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “underscores”: Your reaction underscores the point I was making.

  1. reveals
  2. proves wrong
  3. emphasizes
  4. justifies.
Answer and explanation

C: emphasizes

To underscore a point is to emphasise or draw attention to it. The reaction reinforces the speaker’s point; it does not mean that the point is proved wrong.

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Question 47

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “invaluable”: What he received from the visitor was invaluable

  1. priceless
  2. worthless
  3. valueless
  4. costly.
Answer and explanation

A: priceless

Invaluable means extremely useful or precious, beyond ordinary valuation. Priceless is the closest option; the prefix does not make the word mean worthless or valueless.

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Question 48

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “potential”: The potential resources of the university should be fully exploited

  1. important
  2. latent
  3. effective
  4. abundant
Answer and explanation

B: latent

Potential resources are available for development but have not yet been fully realised or used. Latent captures this undeveloped capacity; abundant describes quantity alone.

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Question 49

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “aberrant”: Tom’s aberrant behaviour attracted attention.

  1. rascally
  2. selfish
  3. heady
  4. abnormal
Answer and explanation

D: abnormal

Aberrant behaviour departs from what is normal or expected. Abnormal gives that general meaning; selfish and rascally describe narrower kinds of behaviour.

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Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “candidly”: Ngozi spoke to her father quite candidly on her proposed marriage

  1. rudely
  2. faithfully
  3. frankly
  4. respectfully.
Answer and explanation

C: frankly

Speaking candidly means speaking openly and honestly. Frankly is the closest meaning; candour does not necessarily imply rudeness or disrespect towards the listener.

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Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “fortified”: The cereal is fortified with multi-vitamins.

  1. enriched
  2. prepared
  3. endowed
  4. mixed.
Answer and explanation

A: enriched

A food fortified with vitamins has nutrients added to improve its nutritional content. Enriched expresses this strengthening; prepared and mixed do not specifically express added nourishment.

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Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “unsavoury”: The lawyer told the court some unsavoury details about the case.

  1. unworthy
  2. unintelligible
  3. unpleasant
  4. uninteresting.
Answer and explanation

C: unpleasant

Unsavoury details are unpleasant or objectionable. Here the word describes disturbing information about the case, rather than details that are merely hard to understand.

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Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “precursor”: The professor’s thesis was the precursor of nuclear studies.

  1. preliminary
  2. climax
  3. developer
  4. forerunner
Answer and explanation

D: forerunner

A precursor comes before something and prepares the way for it. A forerunner has this meaning; a climax is a culmination rather than an earlier development.

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Question 59

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Animals in _____ behave differently from animals living in the natural habitat.

  1. prison
  2. bondage
  3. captivity
  4. slavery.
Answer and explanation

C: captivity

Animals in captivity are kept confined by people rather than living freely in their natural habitat. Captivity is the usual term for this condition of wild animals.

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Question 60

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: After months of tedious climbing, the team reached the _____ of the mountain

  1. end
  2. summit
  3. height
  4. terminal.
Answer and explanation

B: summit

The summit is the highest point of a mountain. Reaching it after climbing fits the context; height is a measurement, while terminal is not the usual name for a mountain top.

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Question 61

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: After Jerry had made the bed, he _____ on it.

  1. layed
  2. laid
  3. lied
  4. lay
Answer and explanation

D: lay

The past tense of lie meaning recline is lay: he lay on the bed. Laid is the past of lay meaning put something down, and lied refers to saying something untrue.

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Question 62

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Knowledge of figures of speech as well as of idioms and lexical items _____ in this section.

  1. is tested
  2. have been tested
  3. are tested
  4. were tested.
Answer and explanation

A: is tested

The grammatical subject is the singular noun knowledge. The phrase beginning as well as does not make it plural, so the verb must be is tested.

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Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: If you want a successful marriage, you _____ pray for it.

  1. have better
  2. better
  3. had better
  4. would better.
Answer and explanation

C: had better

The standard expression for strong advice is had better followed by the base form of a verb: had better pray. Have better and would better do not form this expression.

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Question 67

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I could have agreed with your action if I _____ not _____ you promise to increase the workers’ salaries.

  1. have/heard
  2. had/heard
  3. were/hearing
  4. was/hearing.
Answer and explanation

B: had/heard

The result could have agreed refers to an unreal past possibility. Its condition therefore uses the past perfect: if I had not heard you promise to increase the workers’ salaries.

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Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He _____ during the whole of last month.

  1. was sick
  2. has been sick
  3. had been sick
  4. had sicken.
Answer and explanation

A: was sick

The whole of last month is a completed period in the past, so was sick is the natural tense. The present perfect does not fit that finished period, and no earlier past reference calls for had been.

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Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Ladies and gentlemen, our guest speaker, Dr. Oni _____ also a resident doctor at the teaching hospital.

  1. who is
  2. which is
  3. who was
  4. is
Answer and explanation

D: is

The sentence needs a main verb after its subject, our guest speaker, Dr. Oni. Is completes the statement; who is and which is would introduce a relative clause and leave the main statement unfinished.

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Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I have the _____ of meeting him.

  1. previlege
  2. privilege
  3. previledge
  4. priviledge
Answer and explanation

B: privilege

Privilege is the correct spelling of the noun meaning a special honour or advantage. It contains i after the first v and no d before the final ge.

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Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The pastor said ‘lay _____ your hearts to God’.

  1. bier
  2. bear
  3. bare
  4. bar
Answer and explanation

C: bare

To lay bare means to reveal openly. Bare therefore completes the expression about opening one’s heart; bear, bier and bar are different words with different meanings.

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Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Now, I am used _____ bread without butter.

  1. to eat
  2. in eating
  3. of eating
  4. to eating.
Answer and explanation

D: to eating.

Be used to means be accustomed to. In this construction to is a preposition and is followed by a noun or an -ing form, so to eating completes the sentence.

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Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: One can no longer take for granted today what _____ enjoyed in the University some years ago, can _____?

  1. you/you
  2. one/one
  3. he/he
  4. one/you
Answer and explanation

B: one/one

The general pronoun one should remain consistent through the sentence and its question tag: what one enjoyed, can one? Switching to you or he changes the reference.

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Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Attention has shifted to the teaching of Science nowadays _____ the usefulness of the Arts.

  1. in spite of
  2. not minding
  3. oblivious to
  4. forgetting.
Answer and explanation

A: in spite of

In spite of introduces a contrast and is followed by the noun phrase the usefulness of the Arts. It says that the shift occurred despite that usefulness; the other phrases incorrectly attach a mental action to attention.

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Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ to help him, being the only person in the vicinity.

  1. It was not possible
  2. There was no one
  3. He had nobody
  4. No person was around.
Answer and explanation

C: He had nobody

Being the only person in the vicinity describes he, so the main clause needs he as its subject. He had nobody to help him gives the intended meaning without a dangling description.

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Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: If it had rained, we would have had to postpone the concert. It didn't rain, so _____

  1. we won't have to
  2. we would have had to
  3. we wouldn't have to
  4. we didn't have to
Answer and explanation

D: we didn't have to

The rain did not occur, so the necessity to postpone did not arise in the past. We didn’t have to states that actual outcome; the other options refer to future or hypothetical situations.

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Question 83

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ all probability, the train will arrive today.

  1. In
  2. Under
  3. For
  4. By
Answer and explanation

A: In

In all probability is a fixed expression meaning very probably or most likely. The preposition in completes the phrase; under, for and by do not form this expression.

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Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: We cannot explain his objection _____ the new law.

  1. for
  2. with
  3. at
  4. to.
Answer and explanation

D: to.

An objection to something expresses opposition to it. The standard noun-and-preposition combination here is objection to the new law, rather than objection for, with or at it.

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Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Silk materials ought to be prohibited _____ being brought into the country.

  1. about
  2. in
  3. from
  4. by
Answer and explanation

C: from

The pattern is prohibit something from happening, or be prohibited from doing something. From therefore connects prohibited with the -ing phrase being brought into the country.

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Question 88

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The point _____ the story is that he is the man’s son.

  1. in
  2. of
  3. off
  4. around
Answer and explanation

B: of

The point of a story is its main meaning or message. Of links point to the story whose message is being explained; off and around do not express that relationship.

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Question 89

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The Director is _____ pains to ensure the success of the programme.

  1. in
  2. at
  3. on
  4. having
Answer and explanation

B: at

To be at pains to do something means to take special care or make a particular effort. At completes this idiom about the Director’s effort to ensure success.

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Question 90

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Bola broke _____ when he heard the news of the arrest of his twin brother.

  1. up
  2. off
  3. away
  4. down
Answer and explanation

D: down

To break down on hearing upsetting news means to lose emotional control, often beginning to cry. Down completes this phrasal verb; the other particles do not convey that reaction.

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Question 92

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: “Be that as _____, we are determined to get to the root of the matter!” shouted the officer.

  1. you like
  2. it may
  3. it would
  4. it might
Answer and explanation

B: it may

Be that as it may is a fixed expression meaning nevertheless or whatever the truth of that may be. It may completes the expression before the officer states his determination.

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Question 94

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: My price for the pair of shoes is fifty naira. I cannot _____ anything less than that.

  1. bear with
  2. settle for
  3. agree with
  4. tolerate.
Answer and explanation

B: settle for

To settle for a price is to accept it, especially if it is lower than one wants. The speaker refuses to accept less than fifty naira, so settle for fits the bargaining context.

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Question 96

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The company representative in Nigeria is a _____

  1. smart little Japanese
  2. little smart Japanese
  3. smart Japanese little
  4. little Japanese smart.
Answer and explanation

A: smart little Japanese

The usual order places an opinion before size and nationality: smart, little, Japanese. This gives smart little Japanese; the other sequences interrupt that natural order.

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Question 97

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The shipping company advertised for _____ accountants.

  1. two young, but highly competent, Nigerian
  2. young, but highly competent two Nigerian
  3. two Nigerian, young, but highly competent
  4. highly competent, but young, two Nigerian.
Answer and explanation

A: two young, but highly competent, Nigerian

The number two precedes the description young, but highly competent, and Nigerian comes next to accountants. This produces a natural noun phrase with the quantity stated first.

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Question 98

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Let’s have a cup of coffee, _____

  1. shall we?
  2. will we?
  3. should we?
  4. could we?
Answer and explanation

A: shall we?

A suggestion introduced by Let’s normally takes the tag shall we? The tag invites the other person to agree to the shared suggestion of having coffee.

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Question 99

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: No matter to whom I _____, nobody in the crowd had a clue to what was going on.

  1. discussed
  2. asked
  3. turned
  4. contacted
Answer and explanation

C: turned

To turn to someone can mean to seek their help or information. The fronted phrase to whom therefore pairs with turned; the other verbs do not fit this preposition pattern.

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