JAMB Use of English 1992

57 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 1

Our planet is at risk. Our environment is under threat. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the seas we fish in, the soil we farm, the forest, animals and plants which surround us are in danger. New terms and words describe these problems � acid rain, the greenhouse effect, global warming, holes in the ozone layer, desertification and industrial pollution. We are changing our environment. More and more gases and wastes escape from our factories. Rubbish, oil spillages and detergents damage our rivers and seas. Forests give us timber and paper, but their loss results in soil erosion and also endangers wildlife. The richer countries of the world are mainly responsible for industrial pollution. This is where most of all the commercial energy is produced. In developing countries, poverty causes people to change their environment � to overgraze grasslands, to cut down trees for new land and firewood, to farm poor soil for food. The United Nations Environmental Protection Agency says that an area of forest the size of Sierra Leone disappears every year. Trees are cut down for timber which is used for building, furniture, paper and fuel. They are also destroyed to provide land on which to graze animals and build new villages and towns. But trees have many other important uses. Trees protect the land from heavy downpour of rain and their roots help to hold the soil together. Forests are also the home of many living things. The amazon forest contains one fifth of all the species of birds in the world. In our forest, there may be plants and animals which could help in the discovery of new medicines or crops. To rescue and conserve our beautiful world, we must act cooperatively. Individuals, communities, nations and international associations, all have a responsibility. By learning to protect the natural environment, we can manage the earth�s resources for generations to come.

The risk referred to in the passage is

  1. environmentally induced
  2. industrially produced
  3. man-made
  4. sociologically produced.
Answer and explanation

C: man-made

The passage attributes the threats to factories, waste, tree cutting, farming and other human activities. Man-made includes those causes. Industrially produced is too narrow because the writer also discusses non-industrial damage.

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Question 2

Our planet is at risk. Our environment is under threat. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the seas we fish in, the soil we farm, the forest, animals and plants which surround us are in danger. New terms and words describe these problems � acid rain, the greenhouse effect, global warming, holes in the ozone layer, desertification and industrial pollution. We are changing our environment. More and more gases and wastes escape from our factories. Rubbish, oil spillages and detergents damage our rivers and seas. Forests give us timber and paper, but their loss results in soil erosion and also endangers wildlife. The richer countries of the world are mainly responsible for industrial pollution. This is where most of all the commercial energy is produced. In developing countries, poverty causes people to change their environment � to overgraze grasslands, to cut down trees for new land and firewood, to farm poor soil for food. The United Nations Environmental Protection Agency says that an area of forest the size of Sierra Leone disappears every year. Trees are cut down for timber which is used for building, furniture, paper and fuel. They are also destroyed to provide land on which to graze animals and build new villages and towns. But trees have many other important uses. Trees protect the land from heavy downpour of rain and their roots help to hold the soil together. Forests are also the home of many living things. The amazon forest contains one fifth of all the species of birds in the world. In our forest, there may be plants and animals which could help in the discovery of new medicines or crops. To rescue and conserve our beautiful world, we must act cooperatively. Individuals, communities, nations and international associations, all have a responsibility. By learning to protect the natural environment, we can manage the earth�s resources for generations to come.

From the passage, it can be deduced that the inhabitants of developing countries

  1. take more care of their environment than those in developed countries
  2. generate more harmful industrial by-products
  3. degrade the environment to eke out a livelihood
  4. cut down trees only for farmlands and fuel.
Answer and explanation

C: degrade the environment to eke out a livelihood

The writer links poverty to overgrazing, cutting trees for land and firewood, and farming poor soil for food. These actions damage the environment while meeting livelihood needs. C captures that link without adding the unsupported comparisons in A and B.

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Question 3

Our planet is at risk. Our environment is under threat. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the seas we fish in, the soil we farm, the forest, animals and plants which surround us are in danger. New terms and words describe these problems � acid rain, the greenhouse effect, global warming, holes in the ozone layer, desertification and industrial pollution. We are changing our environment. More and more gases and wastes escape from our factories. Rubbish, oil spillages and detergents damage our rivers and seas. Forests give us timber and paper, but their loss results in soil erosion and also endangers wildlife. The richer countries of the world are mainly responsible for industrial pollution. This is where most of all the commercial energy is produced. In developing countries, poverty causes people to change their environment � to overgraze grasslands, to cut down trees for new land and firewood, to farm poor soil for food. The United Nations Environmental Protection Agency says that an area of forest the size of Sierra Leone disappears every year. Trees are cut down for timber which is used for building, furniture, paper and fuel. They are also destroyed to provide land on which to graze animals and build new villages and towns. But trees have many other important uses. Trees protect the land from heavy downpour of rain and their roots help to hold the soil together. Forests are also the home of many living things. The amazon forest contains one fifth of all the species of birds in the world. In our forest, there may be plants and animals which could help in the discovery of new medicines or crops. To rescue and conserve our beautiful world, we must act cooperatively. Individuals, communities, nations and international associations, all have a responsibility. By learning to protect the natural environment, we can manage the earth�s resources for generations to come.

According to the passage, the size of forest depleted annually is

  1. minimal
  2. colossal
  3. infinitesimal
  4. infinite.
Answer and explanation

B: colossal

The passage compares annual forest loss with the area of an entire country. That comparison presents the loss as very large, or colossal. It is neither tiny nor literally infinite.

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Question 4

Our planet is at risk. Our environment is under threat. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the seas we fish in, the soil we farm, the forest, animals and plants which surround us are in danger. New terms and words describe these problems � acid rain, the greenhouse effect, global warming, holes in the ozone layer, desertification and industrial pollution. We are changing our environment. More and more gases and wastes escape from our factories. Rubbish, oil spillages and detergents damage our rivers and seas. Forests give us timber and paper, but their loss results in soil erosion and also endangers wildlife. The richer countries of the world are mainly responsible for industrial pollution. This is where most of all the commercial energy is produced. In developing countries, poverty causes people to change their environment � to overgraze grasslands, to cut down trees for new land and firewood, to farm poor soil for food. The United Nations Environmental Protection Agency says that an area of forest the size of Sierra Leone disappears every year. Trees are cut down for timber which is used for building, furniture, paper and fuel. They are also destroyed to provide land on which to graze animals and build new villages and towns. But trees have many other important uses. Trees protect the land from heavy downpour of rain and their roots help to hold the soil together. Forests are also the home of many living things. The amazon forest contains one fifth of all the species of birds in the world. In our forest, there may be plants and animals which could help in the discovery of new medicines or crops. To rescue and conserve our beautiful world, we must act cooperatively. Individuals, communities, nations and international associations, all have a responsibility. By learning to protect the natural environment, we can manage the earth�s resources for generations to come.

The writer holds the richer countries responsible for industrial pollution because of their

  1. technological innovations
  2. energy requirements
  3. industrial revolution
  4. lack of interest in environmental protection.
Answer and explanation

B: energy requirements

The writer immediately connects richer countries’ industrial pollution with their concentration of commercial energy production. B best captures that energy-related explanation. The passage does not base the claim on indifference to protection or the historical industrial revolution.

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Question 6

If economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National Population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as plus or minus 20 million, economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria�s per capita income, birth and mortality rates, literacy rates and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures. So much in Nigeria is determined on the basis of population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which, for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country�s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just under 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the larger number was the main cause of the collapse of that worthy scheme after only four years. Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to use estimates based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration�s effort to ascertain the nations� population is such a worthwhile venture.

It would be more realistic of economists to

  1. accept the unreliability of Nigeria’s census figures
  2. ascertain how many Nigerians there are
  3. discard the disputed 1963 census figures
  4. accept marginal errors in the census figures.
Answer and explanation

A: accept the unreliability of Nigeria’s census figures

The opening criticizes economists for treating uncertain estimates as precise figures. A follows the call to acknowledge that unreliability. The writer does not ask economists simply to discard all figures or accept only small errors.

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Question 7

If economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National Population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as plus or minus 20 million, economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria�s per capita income, birth and mortality rates, literacy rates and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures. So much in Nigeria is determined on the basis of population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which, for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country�s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just under 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the larger number was the main cause of the collapse of that worthy scheme after only four years. Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to use estimates based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration�s effort to ascertain the nations� population is such a worthwhile venture.

Precise national population figures are required in order to

  1. know the number of people to cater for in the Universal Primary Education Programme
  2. be able to undertake proper implementation of governmental policies
  3. avert unanticipated expenditures
  4. be able to speak of population statistics with confidence.
Answer and explanation

B: be able to undertake proper implementation of governmental policies

The passage says inaccurate population data harms policies, then illustrates the problem with education planning and revenue allocation. B covers the wider need for sound implementation. The other choices focus on particular effects or on confidence in speaking about statistics.

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Question 9

If economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National Population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as plus or minus 20 million, economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria�s per capita income, birth and mortality rates, literacy rates and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures. So much in Nigeria is determined on the basis of population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which, for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country�s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just under 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the larger number was the main cause of the collapse of that worthy scheme after only four years. Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to use estimates based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration�s effort to ascertain the nations� population is such a worthwhile venture.

The reference to ‘Universal Primary Education’ in this passage is significant because it shows

  1. why the census figures were disputed
  2. the failure and collapse of the programme
  3. the misleading effect of unreliable information
  4. how a worthy scheme could be made worthless by poor planning strategies.
Answer and explanation

C: the misleading effect of unreliable information

The education example shows that an unreliable estimate of pupil numbers led to unexpectedly high costs. C captures its role in the writer’s argument about inaccurate information. The collapse itself is an outcome; the example explains how bad data misled planning.

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Question 11

Let�s begin with a picture. He must not have been more than thirty years old. The oval face devoid of those wrinkles of age, the well turfed and black hair and his complete though brown set of teeth supported this assessment. All he had for clothing was a piece of cloth with some words written on it. It must have been one of those cloth-posters used but now abandoned by �show-biz promoters. Across his neck was yet another cloth which bore our national colours of green and white. His feet were naked just as they came from their creator. In one hand he had an empty tin. He talked ceaselessly and in a disordered fashion. The other free hand emphasized his spoken words and gestures. As he talked, he gazed at you as if you were responsible for his pathetic condition. He looked redeemable, though. There are many of his type in various Urban centers. Beggars! They are in every conceivable place. At the bank, the supermarket, the church, the mosque, the post office there you will meet them. Before you know it, the more healthy ones besiege you for alms almost to the point of assault. Surely, there is no rationale in giving alms to someone who is physically stronger than you are and who, from all indications, can and should work and fend for himself. Some others are feeble and unfortunately handicapped. Women and young girls constitute a sizeable number of these healthy beggars. Some are nursing mothers and one wonders who their husbands are. Conception by Mr. Nobody, perhaps. The young girls in this category are the mother beggars of tomorrow. But tell me, can�t the society be spared this human waste?

The writer is describing a

  1. Picture
  2. Man
  3. Picture of man
  4. Man and a picture
Answer and explanation

B: Man

The writer describes a man’s appearance, clothing, gestures and speech before discussing beggars more generally. Picture introduces a verbal description, rather than a separate photograph or painting. B therefore identifies the subject being described.

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Question 12

Let�s begin with a picture. He must not have been more than thirty years old. The oval face devoid of those wrinkles of age, the well turfed and black hair and his complete though brown set of teeth supported this assessment. All he had for clothing was a piece of cloth with some words written on it. It must have been one of those cloth-posters used but now abandoned by �show-biz promoters. Across his neck was yet another cloth which bore our national colours of green and white. His feet were naked just as they came from their creator. In one hand he had an empty tin. He talked ceaselessly and in a disordered fashion. The other free hand emphasized his spoken words and gestures. As he talked, he gazed at you as if you were responsible for his pathetic condition. He looked redeemable, though. There are many of his type in various Urban centers. Beggars! They are in every conceivable place. At the bank, the supermarket, the church, the mosque, the post office there you will meet them. Before you know it, the more healthy ones besiege you for alms almost to the point of assault. Surely, there is no rationale in giving alms to someone who is physically stronger than you are and who, from all indications, can and should work and fend for himself. Some others are feeble and unfortunately handicapped. Women and young girls constitute a sizeable number of these healthy beggars. Some are nursing mothers and one wonders who their husbands are. Conception by Mr. Nobody, perhaps. The young girls in this category are the mother beggars of tomorrow. But tell me, can�t the society be spared this human waste?

… this assessment’ refers to the man’s

  1. face
  2. hair
  3. age
  4. naked feet.
Answer and explanation

C: age

The preceding statement estimates that he is no more than thirty. His face, hair and teeth are then offered as evidence for that estimate. This assessment refers to his age, not to one of the features used to judge it.

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Question 26

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “infuriated”: Ojo’s response infuriated his wife

  1. annoyed
  2. pleased
  3. surprised
  4. confused.
Answer and explanation

B: pleased

Infuriated means made extremely angry. Pleased gives the opposite emotional effect. Annoyed is similar to infuriated, while surprised and confused do not necessarily indicate either happiness or anger.

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Question 27

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “mundane”: He accepted a mundane task without hesitation.

  1. great
  2. lowly
  3. menial
  4. moderate
Answer and explanation

A: great

Mundane describes something ordinary or unremarkable. Great, in the sense of important or exceptional, offers the contrast here. Lowly and menial can describe humble routine work, while moderate does not express exceptional importance.

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Question 28

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “unique”: It is a unique opportunity for her to demonstrate the reality of her faith

  1. strange
  2. usual
  3. golden
  4. unusual
Answer and explanation

B: usual

Unique describes something unlike others or exceptionally unusual. Usual gives the opposite idea of being ordinary or commonly encountered. Strange and unusual point in the same direction as unique; golden describes value.

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Question 29

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “identification”: Her identification with the king is publicly known

  1. hatred
  2. disassociation
  3. relationship
  4. intimacy
Answer and explanation

B: disassociation

Identification with someone means association or alignment with them. Disassociation means separating oneself from that connection. Hatred is an emotion and does not necessarily mean ending an association; relationship and intimacy imply connection.

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Question 30

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “gloomy”: The economic situation in the country is obviously gloomy

  1. encouraging
  2. moody
  3. unknown
  4. regrettable
Answer and explanation

A: encouraging

Gloomy describes a discouraging situation with little hope. Encouraging reverses that outlook by giving reasons for confidence. Moody concerns changing feelings, and unknown merely means not known.

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Question 31

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “improve”: One wonders if the situation will improve

  1. brighten
  2. diminish
  3. disintegrate
  4. worsen
Answer and explanation

D: worsen

To improve is to become better. To worsen is to become worse and gives the direct opposite. Brighten suggests improvement, while diminish means decrease and is not always a change for the worse.

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Question 32

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “stretch”: Language teachers believe that grammar exercises stretch the mind

  1. expand
  2. ruin
  3. enrich
  4. restrict
Answer and explanation

D: restrict

Stretching the mind challenges and expands its capacities. Restricting it limits those capacities, so D gives the contrast. Expand and enrich point toward development; ruin means destroy rather than limit.

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Question 33

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “identical”: These two books are identical

  1. alike
  2. similar
  3. different
  4. equal
Answer and explanation

C: different

Identical means exactly the same. Different is the opposite. Alike, similar and equal all describe forms of sameness rather than contrast.

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Question 34

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “alleviate”: The doctor tried to alleviate his patient’s pain

  1. relieve
  2. worsen
  3. kill
  4. cure
Answer and explanation

B: worsen

Alleviate means make pain or difficulty less severe. Worsen means make it more severe and gives the opposite. Relieve is similar to alleviate; cure goes beyond easing symptoms to removing a condition.

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Question 35

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “explicit”: The instructions on the examination paper are explicit

  1. simple
  2. ambiguous
  3. detailed
  4. definite
Answer and explanation

B: ambiguous

Explicit instructions state what is meant clearly and directly. Ambiguous instructions allow more than one interpretation, giving the contrast. Detailed and definite are compatible with clarity, while simple concerns complexity.

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Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “amateur”: Okoro is an amateur wrestler

  1. skillful
  2. good
  3. professional
  4. strong
Answer and explanation

C: professional

An amateur participates without being a professional in the activity. Professional is therefore the direct contrast. Skillful, good and strong describe ability rather than professional status.

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Question 37

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “turmoil”: If your life is in turmoil always take courage

  1. devastation
  2. crisis
  3. trial
  4. tragedy
Answer and explanation

B: crisis

Turmoil describes serious confusion or disturbance. Crisis is the closest choice for a troubled period in someone’s life. Trial names a test or ordeal, while devastation and tragedy imply particular severe consequences.

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Question 38

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “astounding”: Do you know one of the most astounding events of my life.

  1. special
  2. amazing
  3. serious
  4. outstanding
Answer and explanation

B: amazing

Astounding means causing great surprise or amazement. Amazing is the closest equivalent. An event can be special, serious or outstanding without necessarily producing astonishment.

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Question 39

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “alienation”: Adeniji is suffering from the consequences of alienation

  1. confinement
  2. isolation
  3. enclosure
  4. imprisonment
Answer and explanation

B: isolation

Alienation is estrangement or a feeling of being separated from others. Isolation is the nearest option. Confinement, enclosure and imprisonment suggest physical restrictions that alienation does not necessarily involve.

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Question 41

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “copious”: He was asked to give copious examples to appear convincing

  1. concrete
  2. rigid
  3. cogent
  4. many
Answer and explanation

D: many

Copious means plentiful or abundant. Many therefore describes the requested number of examples. Concrete and cogent describe their quality rather than quantity, while rigid means inflexible.

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Question 42

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “mimic”: Some children mimic their teachers

  1. imitate
  2. mime
  3. ridicule
  4. tease
Answer and explanation

A: imitate

To mimic is to imitate someone’s speech or behaviour. A gives the central meaning. Ridicule and tease may be motives for imitation, but mimic does not always imply either; mime specifically involves silent action.

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Question 43

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “eke out a livelihood”: He works long hours collecting trash to eke out a livelihood

  1. try a living
  2. struggle for a living
  3. make a living
  4. carve out a living.
Answer and explanation

B: struggle for a living

To eke out a livelihood means manage to survive with difficulty on limited resources. Struggle for a living captures that hardship. Make a living is more general and does not convey the effort and scarcity.

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Question 44

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “lean”: Everybody complained of a lean harvest last year

  1. surplus
  2. abundant
  3. poor
  4. thin
Answer and explanation

C: poor

A lean harvest is small or poor in yield. Poor therefore fits the agricultural context. Thin usually describes physical shape, while surplus and abundant suggest more produce rather than less.

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Question 45

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “modest”: He is very modest in his demands

  1. honest
  2. bogus
  3. extravagant
  4. humble
Answer and explanation

D: humble

Modest demands are unassuming and not excessive. Humble is the closest available description. Extravagant gives the opposite, while honest and bogus concern truthfulness rather than the scale of the demands.

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Question 46

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “disregarded”: The patient disregarded the advice of the doctor

  1. ignored
  2. disobeyed
  3. questioned
  4. respected
Answer and explanation

A: ignored

Disregarded means ignored or paid no attention to. A is the closest meaning when referring to advice. Disobeyed more specifically suggests breaking an instruction or order; questioned means challenged, and respected gives the opposite attitude.

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Question 48

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “revered”: Statesmen are revered for their objectivity

  1. referred
  2. respected
  3. remembered
  4. rejected
Answer and explanation

B: respected

Revered means regarded with deep respect or admiration. Respected is the closest choice. Referred and remembered do not express that esteem, while rejected conveys exclusion rather than admiration.

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Question 49

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “keep his head”: He has been advised to keep his head, the confusion notwithstanding

  1. avoid being beaten or insulted
  2. keep calm
  3. save his head
  4. prevent being beheaded.
Answer and explanation

B: keep calm

To keep one’s head is to remain calm and think clearly in a difficult situation. B matches the reference to confusion. The other choices take head literally as something to protect from injury.

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Question 50

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “ran the criminal to earth”: The police ran the criminal to earth

  1. jailed him
  2. knocked him down
  3. discovered him
  4. buried him
Answer and explanation

C: discovered him

To run someone to earth is to track them down and find them. Discovered him is the closest option. The phrase does not necessarily mean the person has already been imprisoned, knocked down or buried.

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Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “puts his shoulder to the wheel”: Garba always puts his shoulder to the wheel.

  1. sits with his shoulders straight when he is driving
  2. works energetically at the task in hand
  3. performs tasks assigned him grudgingly
  4. holds the steering wheel firmly when he is driving.
Answer and explanation

B: works energetically at the task in hand

Putting one’s shoulder to the wheel means working hard and energetically at a task. B conveys that effort. The other choices either describe literal driving posture or add unwillingness absent from the idiom.

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Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “reneged”: He reneged on the agreement between him and his employees.

  1. kept
  2. failed to keep
  3. failed to approve
  4. failed to sign.
Answer and explanation

B: failed to keep

To renege on an agreement is to fail to honour or keep it. B gives that meaning. Failure to sign or approve an agreement is different from breaking a commitment already made.

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Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “credulous”: He is credulous

  1. credible
  2. creditable
  3. gullible
  4. fallible
Answer and explanation

C: gullible

Credulous means too ready to believe things. Gullible gives the same idea of being easily deceived. Credible means believable, creditable means deserving praise, and fallible means capable of error.

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Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “gone under”: The company has gone under

  1. suffered some loss
  2. broken up
  3. become broke
  4. become bankrupt
Answer and explanation

D: become bankrupt

When a company goes under, it fails financially or becomes bankrupt. D captures that business meaning. A temporary loss or shortage of money does not necessarily mean business failure.

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Question 57

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Every programming language and software package _____ limitations

  1. have its
  2. have their
  3. has its
  4. has their
Answer and explanation

C: has its

Every treats each programming language and software package individually. The verb is therefore singular has, followed by the singular possessive its. The options with have do not agree with this distributive subject.

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Question 59

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Baba and _____ participated in the tournament

  1. him
  2. his
  3. he
  4. he's
Answer and explanation

C: he

The pronoun is part of the subject Baba and he, so the subject form he is required. Him is an object form, his is possessive, and he’s contains an unnecessary verb.

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Question 61

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The physicians have more people in _____ waiting rooms than _____ have ever had.

  1. his/he
  2. there/they
  3. their/they
  4. them/they
Answer and explanation

C: their/they

Their is the possessive determiner before waiting rooms. They is the subject of have in the comparison clause. There indicates a place and them is an object form, so neither fits these roles.

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Question 62

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Before mechanization, workers _____ water out of fabrics with their hands

  1. wring
  2. wrung
  3. wrang
  4. wringed
Answer and explanation

B: wrung

Before mechanization places the action in the past. The standard past tense of wring is wrung. The sentence describes workers squeezing water from fabric by hand, so B supplies the appropriate past form.

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Question 63

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Four engineers _____ on this system since March

  1. worked
  2. are working
  3. had worked
  4. have been working
Answer and explanation

D: have been working

Since March marks the starting point of work continuing up to the present. Have been working expresses that continuing duration. The other choices lack the present-perfect connection to that starting point.

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Question 67

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: It seems to be a well thought _____ scheme

  1. over
  2. out
  3. off
  4. into
Answer and explanation

B: out

A well thought out scheme has been carefully considered. Out completes that expression. The other particles do not form the established description of a carefully planned scheme.

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Question 68

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Adekunle is prepared for a _____ with his opponent following his defeat last season

  1. show-off
  2. show-down
  3. show-out
  4. show up
Answer and explanation

B: show-down

A showdown is a decisive confrontation with an opponent. That fits the planned encounter after defeat. Show-off describes someone who boasts, while the other choices do not name that confrontation.

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Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: On his _____ of office, the new president announced some drastic measures

  1. assumption
  2. ascension
  3. acceptance
  4. appointment
Answer and explanation

A: assumption

Assumption of office means taking up an official position. A fits the announcement made when the new president began the role. Ascension concerns rising, while appointment names being selected rather than taking office.

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Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: My experience in Lagos last week was _____ about

  1. something to excite
  2. nothing to explain at home
  3. nothing to write home
  4. something to celebrate
Answer and explanation

C: nothing to write home

Nothing to write home about describes an unimpressive experience. C completes the whole expression, including about after the gap. The other choices do not fit that final preposition in this sentence.

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Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ him around, I would have informed you

  1. Had I seen
  2. Have I seen
  3. Should I see
  4. If I saw
Answer and explanation

A: Had I seen

Had I seen is the inverted form of if I had seen. It supplies a past condition matching would have informed. Have I seen asks a question, while the other choices do not supply the required past perfect condition.

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Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Ahmed is one of the boys who always _____ good work

  1. does
  2. would do
  3. do
  4. done
Answer and explanation

C: do

Who refers to the plural boys, so its verb is do. Ahmed is one member of that group. Does would agree with a singular subject; done needs an auxiliary, and would do would introduce a conditional or past-habit meaning absent here.

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Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He keeps his _____ clean always

  1. surroundings
  2. surrounding
  3. premise
  4. environments
Answer and explanation

A: surroundings

Surroundings names the area around a person or place, which can be kept clean. Surrounding is normally a modifier, and premise does not mean a property here. Environments is not the usual word for the immediate area in this expression.

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Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: She has a set of gold _____

  1. earing
  2. earings
  3. earrings
  4. ear-ring
Answer and explanation

C: earrings

Earrings is the correctly spelled plural needed after a set of gold. Earring and ear-ring are singular, while earing and earings omit a required r in the name of the jewellery.

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Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The police are looking for _____

  1. two big cars black
  2. two cars big black
  3. two big black cars
  4. two black big cars
Answer and explanation

C: two big black cars

The normal order is number, size, colour, then noun: two big black cars. C places both adjectives before cars and size before colour. The alternatives disrupt that order or put an adjective after the noun.

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Question 83

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Adaobi is contemptuous _____ dishonest people

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

D: of

Contemptuous of someone means showing scorn for them. Of is the preposition used with this adjective to identify the people scorned. To, at and for do not form the same adjective pattern.

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Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: It _____ easier if he told us himself

  1. would be
  2. would have been
  3. would had been
  4. will be
Answer and explanation

A: would be

Would be pairs with if he told us to describe a hypothetical present or future situation. The result is imagined as easier. Would have been would require a past result, while would had been does not use the required auxiliary form.

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Question 89

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: You avoid facing _____ the reality of life

  1. at
  2. up
  3. up to
  4. on to
Answer and explanation

C: up to

To face up to reality is to acknowledge and deal with it. Up to completes this phrasal verb after facing. The other particles fail to supply the expression meaning confront an unwelcome truth.

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Question 90

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: In _____ we, as politicians, are identified with the masses

  1. a more deeper sense
  2. a much deeper sense
  3. a most deeper sense
  4. much more deeper sense
Answer and explanation

B: a much deeper sense

Much can strengthen the comparative deeper. More deeper and most deeper incorrectly combine two comparative markers. The article a also belongs before the singular noun sense.

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Question 91

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: In addition, their comments are vague and abstract, _____ difficult to interpret

  1. which students find them
  2. but students find it
  3. so students find them
  4. but students find them
Answer and explanation

C: so students find them

So introduces the consequence of the comments being vague and abstract: students find them difficult to interpret. Them refers back to comments. But would signal an unsupported contrast, while it does not match the plural comments.

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Question 93

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: People who live by _____ what loneliness is like

  1. each other know
  2. one another know
  3. oneself knows
  4. themselves know
Answer and explanation

D: themselves know

By themselves means alone, which connects directly to loneliness. Themselves refers back to plural people, and know agrees with people. Each other and one another express reciprocity rather than living alone.

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Question 97

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Tom ought not to have told me.

  1. Tom did not tell me but he should.
  2. Perhaps Tom was wrong to have told me.
  3. Tom told me but it was wrong of him.
  4. It was necessary for Tom not to tell me.
Answer and explanation

C: Tom told me but it was wrong of him.

Ought not to have told expresses criticism of a completed past action. Tom did tell the speaker, but doing so was wrong. C gives both parts; A says he did not tell, and B weakens the criticism to a mere possibility.

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