JAMB Use of English 1999

59 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 2

If present trends continue, the world would face a major crisis by the end of this century: insufficient cheap, convenient energy. For without such energy, industrial production will fall, agricultural output will drop, transport will be restricted and standard of living in developed countries will plummet . At present, almost all our energy comes from fossil fuels. The earth’s reserves of fossil fuels have been formed from organic matter subjected to enormous heat and pressure for millions of years. But such reserves are finite. Because power demand is increasing very rapidly, fossil fuels will be exhausted within a relatively short time. We can estimate the amount of recoverable fuel under the surface of the earth and we know the rate at which it is being extracted. Fairly simple calculations can therefore determine its remaining life. If present trends continue, gas and oil reserves will be exhausted by the middle of the 21st century – about 70 years from now. Similar estimates for coal and wood reserves suggest a projected supply of 250-300 years. Of course, long before fossil fuels are exhausted, demand will greatly exceed supply. For too many years, the world has consumed fossil fuels with little thought for the future. In fact, world energy consumption increased almost 600% between 1900 and 1965 and it is projected to increase by another 450% between 1965 and the year 2000. Crude oil has been pumped out of the ground for about 100 years, but over half of it has been consumed in the past 18 years. Coal has been mined for over 800 years, but over a half of it has been extracted in the past 37 years. In sum, most of the world’s consumption of energy from fossil fuels throughout history, has taken place within living memory. (Ray Williams: Panorama)

The writer seems to suggest that developed nations should

  1. always calculate a fossil fuel’s remaining life
  2. reduce industrial and agricultural production
  3. reduce dependence on fossil fuels
  4. review industrial dependence on energy.
Answer and explanation

C: reduce dependence on fossil fuels

The writer stresses that fossil-fuel reserves are finite while demand keeps rising. Reducing dependence on those fuels follows from that warning. The passage does not recommend reducing food production or repeatedly calculating reserves as the solution.

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Question 3

If present trends continue, the world would face a major crisis by the end of this century: insufficient cheap, convenient energy. For without such energy, industrial production will fall, agricultural output will drop, transport will be restricted and standard of living in developed countries will plummet . At present, almost all our energy comes from fossil fuels. The earth’s reserves of fossil fuels have been formed from organic matter subjected to enormous heat and pressure for millions of years. But such reserves are finite. Because power demand is increasing very rapidly, fossil fuels will be exhausted within a relatively short time. We can estimate the amount of recoverable fuel under the surface of the earth and we know the rate at which it is being extracted. Fairly simple calculations can therefore determine its remaining life. If present trends continue, gas and oil reserves will be exhausted by the middle of the 21st century – about 70 years from now. Similar estimates for coal and wood reserves suggest a projected supply of 250-300 years. Of course, long before fossil fuels are exhausted, demand will greatly exceed supply. For too many years, the world has consumed fossil fuels with little thought for the future. In fact, world energy consumption increased almost 600% between 1900 and 1965 and it is projected to increase by another 450% between 1965 and the year 2000. Crude oil has been pumped out of the ground for about 100 years, but over half of it has been consumed in the past 18 years. Coal has been mined for over 800 years, but over a half of it has been extracted in the past 37 years. In sum, most of the world’s consumption of energy from fossil fuels throughout history, has taken place within living memory. (Ray Williams: Panorama)

Fossil fuels, as used in the passage, include

  1. wood, kerosine and natural gas
  2. oil, coal and natural gas
  3. lignite, butane and charcoal
  4. wood, coal and oil
Answer and explanation

B: oil, coal and natural gas

Oil, coal and natural gas are fossil fuels discussed in the passage. Wood and charcoal are biomass rather than fossil fuels, so the choices containing them do not give the required group.

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Question 4

If present trends continue, the world would face a major crisis by the end of this century: insufficient cheap, convenient energy. For without such energy, industrial production will fall, agricultural output will drop, transport will be restricted and standard of living in developed countries will plummet . At present, almost all our energy comes from fossil fuels. The earth’s reserves of fossil fuels have been formed from organic matter subjected to enormous heat and pressure for millions of years. But such reserves are finite. Because power demand is increasing very rapidly, fossil fuels will be exhausted within a relatively short time. We can estimate the amount of recoverable fuel under the surface of the earth and we know the rate at which it is being extracted. Fairly simple calculations can therefore determine its remaining life. If present trends continue, gas and oil reserves will be exhausted by the middle of the 21st century – about 70 years from now. Similar estimates for coal and wood reserves suggest a projected supply of 250-300 years. Of course, long before fossil fuels are exhausted, demand will greatly exceed supply. For too many years, the world has consumed fossil fuels with little thought for the future. In fact, world energy consumption increased almost 600% between 1900 and 1965 and it is projected to increase by another 450% between 1965 and the year 2000. Crude oil has been pumped out of the ground for about 100 years, but over half of it has been consumed in the past 18 years. Coal has been mined for over 800 years, but over a half of it has been extracted in the past 37 years. In sum, most of the world’s consumption of energy from fossil fuels throughout history, has taken place within living memory. (Ray Williams: Panorama)

The writer warns that the world could

  1. lose all its oil reserves in a matter of years
  2. face energy crisis soon if production is not stepped up
  3. experience scarcity and low energy price soon
  4. face low energy supply and poor agricultural output.
Answer and explanation

D: face low energy supply and poor agricultural output.

The opening explicitly links insufficient energy with a fall in agricultural output. D combines those two consequences. The passage does not predict lower energy prices or say that increasing extraction would solve the underlying limit.

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Question 5

If present trends continue, the world would face a major crisis by the end of this century: insufficient cheap, convenient energy. For without such energy, industrial production will fall, agricultural output will drop, transport will be restricted and standard of living in developed countries will plummet . At present, almost all our energy comes from fossil fuels. The earth’s reserves of fossil fuels have been formed from organic matter subjected to enormous heat and pressure for millions of years. But such reserves are finite. Because power demand is increasing very rapidly, fossil fuels will be exhausted within a relatively short time. We can estimate the amount of recoverable fuel under the surface of the earth and we know the rate at which it is being extracted. Fairly simple calculations can therefore determine its remaining life. If present trends continue, gas and oil reserves will be exhausted by the middle of the 21st century – about 70 years from now. Similar estimates for coal and wood reserves suggest a projected supply of 250-300 years. Of course, long before fossil fuels are exhausted, demand will greatly exceed supply. For too many years, the world has consumed fossil fuels with little thought for the future. In fact, world energy consumption increased almost 600% between 1900 and 1965 and it is projected to increase by another 450% between 1965 and the year 2000. Crude oil has been pumped out of the ground for about 100 years, but over half of it has been consumed in the past 18 years. Coal has been mined for over 800 years, but over a half of it has been extracted in the past 37 years. In sum, most of the world’s consumption of energy from fossil fuels throughout history, has taken place within living memory. (Ray Williams: Panorama)

The expression, standard of living in developed countries will plummet, means

  1. the economy of rich nations will stagnate
  2. economic life will improve in rich nations
  3. purchasing power will decline sharply in rich nations
  4. people in developed nations will experience boom.
Answer and explanation

C: purchasing power will decline sharply in rich nations

Plummet means fall sharply. C is the only choice describing a sharp decline in people’s economic circumstances; stagnation means little change, and the other choices describe improvement.

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Question 6

When Thomas Jefferson wrote in the American Declaration of Independence that ‘all men are created equal’, he was not seeking to describe men’s endowments, but their political and legal rights. He was not saying that men do not differ from one another in the powers and dimensions of their bodies, minds and characters. He was asserting that, despite variations and differences, they all possessed the right to equal political and legal treatment. We must, however, ask of what real value are political and legal equality to a man who has no bread to eat, no clothes to wear, no roof to shelter him, no chance to earn a livelihood? What we understand as democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status as a member of that society, that keeps him from becoming a beggar, outcast or outlaw and that offers him some protection in his deprivation, losses and fears. In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate systems of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidized housing, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, psychiatric care and national health services. It is encouraging that the democratic nations are making a serious effort to provide against the characteristic losses and disasters of human life. The evolving status of the Negro in America is attracting the attention of the champions of equality. Much has been written on the wrongs, injustices and inequalities of the coloured citizen of the USA and much remains to be said, because the history of this struggle for human rights is still unfolding. [John Coghlan]

It could be deduced from the passage that

  1. citizens have equal political and legal treatment in America
  2. the nations of the democratic world have no political and legal hierarchy
  3. democratic nations are expanding the provision of social welfare.
  4. equality obliterates differences and variations among races and nations.
Answer and explanation

C: democratic nations are expanding the provision of social welfare.

The writer lists established social-security services and describes efforts to protect people from hardship. This supports expanding welfare provision. The closing discussion of injustice prevents the conclusion that equal treatment is already universal.

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Question 8

When Thomas Jefferson wrote in the American Declaration of Independence that ‘all men are created equal’, he was not seeking to describe men’s endowments, but their political and legal rights. He was not saying that men do not differ from one another in the powers and dimensions of their bodies, minds and characters. He was asserting that, despite variations and differences, they all possessed the right to equal political and legal treatment. We must, however, ask of what real value are political and legal equality to a man who has no bread to eat, no clothes to wear, no roof to shelter him, no chance to earn a livelihood? What we understand as democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status as a member of that society, that keeps him from becoming a beggar, outcast or outlaw and that offers him some protection in his deprivation, losses and fears. In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate systems of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidized housing, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, psychiatric care and national health services. It is encouraging that the democratic nations are making a serious effort to provide against the characteristic losses and disasters of human life. The evolving status of the Negro in America is attracting the attention of the champions of equality. Much has been written on the wrongs, injustices and inequalities of the coloured citizen of the USA and much remains to be said, because the history of this struggle for human rights is still unfolding. [John Coghlan]

One of the social services provided by democratic nations is

  1. catering for beggars and outcasts
  2. social welfare schemes
  3. protection from human rights abuses
  4. security against national disasters.
Answer and explanation

B: social welfare schemes

Social welfare schemes are expressly illustrated by unemployment insurance, pensions and subsidized housing. The other options do not match the listed services as directly.

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Question 9

When Thomas Jefferson wrote in the American Declaration of Independence that ‘all men are created equal’, he was not seeking to describe men’s endowments, but their political and legal rights. He was not saying that men do not differ from one another in the powers and dimensions of their bodies, minds and characters. He was asserting that, despite variations and differences, they all possessed the right to equal political and legal treatment. We must, however, ask of what real value are political and legal equality to a man who has no bread to eat, no clothes to wear, no roof to shelter him, no chance to earn a livelihood? What we understand as democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status as a member of that society, that keeps him from becoming a beggar, outcast or outlaw and that offers him some protection in his deprivation, losses and fears. In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate systems of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidized housing, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, psychiatric care and national health services. It is encouraging that the democratic nations are making a serious effort to provide against the characteristic losses and disasters of human life. The evolving status of the Negro in America is attracting the attention of the champions of equality. Much has been written on the wrongs, injustices and inequalities of the coloured citizen of the USA and much remains to be said, because the history of this struggle for human rights is still unfolding. [John Coghlan]

From the passage, it is obvious that

  1. there is a hierarchy of rights
  2. all men possess the right to equal political affiliations
  3. there is deprivation in the society
  4. the negro in America are champions of equality.
Answer and explanation

C: there is deprivation in the society

The passage describes people without food, clothing, shelter or a livelihood and discusses protection against deprivation. This makes the existence of deprivation clear. It does not establish a hierarchy of rights or identical political affiliations.

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Question 11

In many places in the world today, the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer, and the programmes of development planning and foreign aid appear to be unable to reverse this trend. Nearly all the developing countries have a modern sector, where the patterns of living and working are similar to those in developed countries. But they also have a non-modern sector, where the patterns of living and working are not only unsatisfactory, but in many cases are even getting worse. What is the typical condition of the poor in developing countries? Their work opportunities are so limited that they cannot work their way out of their situation . They are underemployed, or totally unemployed; when they do find occasional work, their productivity is extremely low. Some of them have land, but often too little land. Many have no land, and no prospect of ever getting any. There is no hope for them in the rural areas and so, they drift into the big cities. But there is no work for them in the big cities either -- and of course no housing. All the same, they flock into the cities because their chances of finding some work appear to be greater there than in the villages – where they are nil. Rural unemployment, then, produces mass-migration into the cities; rural unemployment becomes urban unemployment. The problem can be stated quite simply: what can be done to promote economic growth outside the big cities, in the small towns and villages, which still contain 80 to 90% of the total population? The primary need is work places, literally millions of workplaces. (Ray Williams: Panorama)

The expression ‘work their way out of their situation’ means.

  1. walk from one village to another
  2. migrate from village to city
  3. work their way out of their village
  4. change their circumstances.
Answer and explanation

D: change their circumstances.

Their situation refers to poverty and restricted opportunities. Working their way out means improving or changing those circumstances through work, rather than simply walking somewhere or moving to a city.

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Question 14

In many places in the world today, the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer, and the programmes of development planning and foreign aid appear to be unable to reverse this trend. Nearly all the developing countries have a modern sector, where the patterns of living and working are similar to those in developed countries. But they also have a non-modern sector, where the patterns of living and working are not only unsatisfactory, but in many cases are even getting worse. What is the typical condition of the poor in developing countries? Their work opportunities are so limited that they cannot work their way out of their situation . They are underemployed, or totally unemployed; when they do find occasional work, their productivity is extremely low. Some of them have land, but often too little land. Many have no land, and no prospect of ever getting any. There is no hope for them in the rural areas and so, they drift into the big cities. But there is no work for them in the big cities either -- and of course no housing. All the same, they flock into the cities because their chances of finding some work appear to be greater there than in the villages – where they are nil. Rural unemployment, then, produces mass-migration into the cities; rural unemployment becomes urban unemployment. The problem can be stated quite simply: what can be done to promote economic growth outside the big cities, in the small towns and villages, which still contain 80 to 90% of the total population? The primary need is work places, literally millions of workplaces. (Ray Williams: Panorama)

The gap between the rich and the poor widens because there

  1. are no jobs in the rural areas
  2. are no employment opportunities in the city
  3. is no work in the village and the city
  4. is low growth rate in productivity.
Answer and explanation

C: is no work in the village and the city

The passage says that work opportunities are missing in rural areas and that moving to the cities does not provide work either. C brings together both parts of this explanation; A and B each mention only one location.

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Question 26

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The horizon may not be clear now, but the troubled spots have certainly been noted.

  1. The horizon is dependent on the troubled spots.
  2. Clarity of the horizon is dependent on the perception of the troubled spots.
  3. The troubled spots are more perceptible than the horizon.
  4. Horizon, clarity of the troubled spots and certainty are remarkably noted.
Answer and explanation

C: The troubled spots are more perceptible than the horizon.

The sentence contrasts an unclear overall outlook with trouble spots that have already been identified. C preserves that contrast in what can be perceived. The other options introduce a causal dependence or fail to express the contrast.

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Question 28

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The manager said that the new loaf was the last word in bakery.

  1. The loaf was the best ever baked.
  2. The loaf was the last to be baked.
  3. The loaf was the worst to have been baked.
  4. The loaf was the last in the baker’s directory.
Answer and explanation

A: The loaf was the best ever baked.

The last word in something means its most advanced or excellent example. Here it praises the quality of the loaf, so A fits. It does not identify the final item in a baking sequence or a directory.

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Question 29

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Hundreds of used items will go under the hammer during the weekend.

  1. Unserviceable goods will be publicly destroyed at the weekend.
  2. Impounded household items will be sold to the public before the weekend.
  3. Damaged items will be sold next weekend.
  4. Many old items will be auctioned this weekend.
Answer and explanation

D: Many old items will be auctioned this weekend.

To go under the hammer is to be offered for sale at auction. D captures that meaning and the weekend timing. The sentence does not say that the goods are unusable, impounded or due for destruction.

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Question 30

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The reformists say elections cannot be free and fair unless a number of constitutional changes are effected.

  1. Reformation depends on constitutional changes.
  2. Free and fair elections depend on law reforms.
  3. Free and fair elections are the primary concern of the reformists.
  4. Effecting constitutional changes is dependent on electoral reforms.
Answer and explanation

B: Free and fair elections depend on law reforms.

Cannot happen unless introduces a necessary condition. The statement makes constitutional changes necessary for free and fair elections, which B expresses as dependence on law reforms. D reverses that dependence.

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Question 31

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “pull through”: After the surgical operation, the doctor gave the indication that Mr. Idogo will pull through.

  1. be maimed
  2. survive
  3. die
  4. be revived.
Answer and explanation

C: die

To pull through an illness or operation is to survive or recover. Die is the opposite. Being revived points towards survival, while being maimed concerns injury rather than whether someone lives.

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Question 33

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “surreptitiously swapped”: The tennis player surreptitiously swapped rackets after the first set.

  1. openly retained
  2. overtly exchanged.
  3. quietly surrendered
  4. violently swung
Answer and explanation

A: openly retained

Surreptitiously means secretly, while swapped means exchanged. Openly retained reverses both parts: acting openly and keeping the rackets. Overtly exchanged reverses only the secrecy and still describes a swap.

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Question 34

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “emasculate”: They attacked all regulations designed to emasculate student militancy.

  1. condone
  2. isolate
  3. punish
  4. strengthen
Answer and explanation

D: strengthen

In this context, emasculate means weaken or deprive of force. Strengthen gives the opposite meaning. Condoning, isolating and punishing do not directly express increasing strength.

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Question 35

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “dissipating”: There is no point dissipating energy on a useless argument.

  1. destroying
  2. conserving
  3. marshalling
  4. storing
Answer and explanation

B: conserving

Dissipating energy here means wasting or expending it fruitlessly. Conserving means avoiding waste and preserving that energy, giving the direct contrast. Marshalling means organizing resources rather than necessarily saving them.

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Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “runs down”: The secretary runs down anybody that does not sing his praises.

  1. hates
  2. pleases
  3. honours
  4. discredits
Answer and explanation

C: honours

To run someone down is to criticize or belittle them. Honours expresses the opposite attitude of showing esteem. Discredits is close to the original meaning, while pleasing someone concerns their reaction.

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Question 37

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “assiduous”: Everyone, including the Principal, believed that he was a very assiduous student.

  1. assertive
  2. industrious
  3. aggressive
  4. casual
Answer and explanation

D: casual

Assiduous means diligent and consistently attentive to work. Casual describes a less serious or less careful approach, making it the opposite here. Industrious is a synonym, while assertive and aggressive concern different qualities.

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Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “flawless”: The dancing troupe put up a flawless performance.

  1. an interesting
  2. an imperfect
  3. a satisfactory
  4. a careless
Answer and explanation

B: an imperfect

Flawless means without faults or imperfections. An imperfect performance is the direct opposite. Interesting and satisfactory are compatible with a good performance; careless describes the approach rather than necessarily the result.

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Question 39

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “loquacious”: My brother married a loquacious woman.

  1. quiet
  2. noisy
  3. talkative
  4. beautiful
Answer and explanation

A: quiet

Loquacious means very talkative. Quiet is the opposite in this context. Talkative is a synonym, noisy concerns sound level, and beautiful describes appearance.

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Question 40

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “vicissitudes”: My eldest brother is now faced with the vicissitudes of married life.

  1. amazement
  2. sweetness
  3. amiability
  4. stability
Answer and explanation

D: stability

Vicissitudes are changes in circumstances, often involving alternating good and bad experiences. Stability means remaining relatively unchanged, so it gives the opposite sense. The other choices describe feelings or agreeable qualities.

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Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “invaluable”: My father’s advice to me was quite invaluable.

  1. useless
  2. useful
  3. helpful
  4. unsolicited
Answer and explanation

A: useless

Invaluable means extremely useful or valuable; the prefix does not make it mean worthless. Useless is the opposite. Useful and helpful support the original meaning, while unsolicited means not asked for.

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Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “ignoble”: The Minister has finally been dropped from the present cabinet because of his ignoble act.

  1. criminal
  2. ignorant
  3. honourable
  4. selfish
Answer and explanation

C: honourable

Ignoble means dishonourable or morally unworthy. Honourable is its direct opposite. Criminal and selfish may describe ignoble conduct, while ignorant concerns lack of knowledge.

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Question 43

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “indifference”: There is much indifference in his behaviour

  1. concern
  2. nonchalance
  3. willingness
  4. inconsistency
Answer and explanation

A: concern

Indifference is a lack of interest or concern. Concern therefore gives the opposite meaning. Nonchalance is similar to indifference; willingness and inconsistency describe other features of behaviour.

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Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “cursory survey”: The lecturers were advised to carry out a cursory survey of Nigerian languages.

  1. detailed study
  2. careful teaching
  3. careful description
  4. partial consideration
Answer and explanation

A: detailed study

A cursory survey is a quick examination with little attention to detail. A detailed study gives the opposite kind of examination. Careful teaching is a different activity, while partial consideration remains limited.

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Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “derogatory”: Abdul is fond of his teacher though he sometimes makes derogatory remarks about him.

  1. unpleasant
  2. complimentary
  3. expressive
  4. inconsiderate
Answer and explanation

B: complimentary

Derogatory remarks express criticism or disrespect. Complimentary remarks express praise, making them the opposite. Unpleasant and inconsiderate do not reverse the negative meaning.

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Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “accustomed”: Orinya balances the pail on her head with accustomed ease.

  1. convincing
  2. surprising
  3. unwary
  4. unusual
Answer and explanation

D: unusual

Accustomed means usual or habitual here. Unusual reverses that meaning. Surprising describes a reaction and does not necessarily mean that the ease is unfamiliar to Orinya.

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Question 50

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “circumvent”: They have tried to circumvent the restriction on the importation of the commodities.

  1. bypass
  2. confront
  3. oppose
  4. challenge
Answer and explanation

A: bypass

To circumvent a restriction is to find a way around it. Bypass captures that meaning. Confronting, opposing or challenging a rule means addressing it directly rather than evading it.

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Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “took to”: It was surprising how we took to the stranger at once.

  1. talked so long with
  2. introduced ourselves to
  3. formed a liking for
  4. started fighting
Answer and explanation

C: formed a liking for

To take to a person is to begin liking them. The phrase at once emphasizes how quickly that liking developed. It does not mean talking for a long time, introducing oneself or fighting.

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Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “have something up its sleeve”: The government is not opening up to the unions in the negotiations; it must have something up its sleeve.

  1. be nursing a hidden agenda
  2. be hoping to trap them
  3. be hiding a last minute package
  4. be intending to dissolve the unions
Answer and explanation

A: be nursing a hidden agenda

Having something up one’s sleeve means keeping a plan or idea in reserve and undisclosed. A hidden agenda is the closest choice. The other options assume a specific trap, package or dissolution that the sentence does not identify.

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Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “double-talk”: When he found himself in a difficult situation, he tried to double-talk his way through.

  1. talk to two people to help him.
  2. mix up issues to sound nervous
  3. mix up facts to confuse people
  4. talk twice to gain sympathy
Answer and explanation

C: mix up facts to confuse people

Double-talk is deliberately confusing or evasive language. Mixing up facts to confuse people captures its purpose here. The expression has nothing to do with speaking twice or speaking to two people.

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Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “dexterity”: Mr. Dzokoto plays the piano with great dexterity.

  1. wisdom
  2. power
  3. force
  4. skill
Answer and explanation

D: skill

Dexterity is skill and ease in performing a task, particularly with the hands. Skill fits piano playing; power and force do not convey this precise coordination.

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Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “doting”: Amina said she married a doting husband.

  1. a loving
  2. a fun-loving
  3. an uncaring
  4. a nagging
Answer and explanation

A: a loving

Doting describes someone who shows great affection or fondness. A loving husband is therefore the closest meaning. Fun-loving concerns enjoyment rather than affection for another person.

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Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “on his trail”: Adamu woke up with a start and took to his heels, claiming that something was on his trail.

  1. in his food
  2. giving him the chase
  3. hiding near the bed
  4. staring at him
Answer and explanation

B: giving him the chase

Something on his trail is following or pursuing him. Giving him the chase matches that idea and explains why he ran away. The other options describe locations or looking rather than pursuit.

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Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “egalitarianism”: The man preaches egalitarianism without matching it up with action.

  1. salvation
  2. dedication
  3. kindness
  4. equality
Answer and explanation

D: equality

Egalitarianism is the belief that people should have equal rights and opportunities. Equality is the matching concept. Kindness and dedication may be virtues, but they do not name that belief.

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Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “incentive”: The Federal Government approved a new salary structure as an incentive for the Nigerian workers.

  1. a reward
  2. an encouragement
  3. a package
  4. an advance
Answer and explanation

B: an encouragement

An incentive motivates or encourages someone to act. Encouragement captures that function of the new salary structure. A reward may serve as an incentive, but the word emphasizes motivation rather than payment for a completed achievement.

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Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “feasibility”: Before embarking on his current research, the professor carried out a feasibility study of the area.

  1. thorough
  2. perfectibility
  3. complete
  4. practicability
Answer and explanation

D: practicability

Feasibility concerns whether something can practically be done. Practicability expresses the same idea. Thorough and complete describe extent, while perfectibility concerns the possibility of improvement.

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Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “hit the jackpot”: It was a spending spree for all of us when daddy hit the jackpot.

  1. cashed his cheque
  2. received his salary
  3. found money in a pot
  4. won a lot of money
Answer and explanation

D: won a lot of money

To hit the jackpot is to win a large prize or have a major success. In this money-and-spending context, winning a lot of money is the closest interpretation. The phrase does not literally refer to finding a pot.

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Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “profusely”: All the accident victims are bleeding profusely.

  1. slowly
  2. excessively
  3. diffusely
  4. clearly
Answer and explanation

B: excessively

Profusely means in a large or abundant amount. Excessively is the closest choice for the heavy bleeding described. Slowly concerns rate, and diffusely concerns spread rather than quantity.

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Question 65

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: It was late when we decided to get_____ the train

  1. off
  2. down
  3. out of
  4. out from
Answer and explanation

A: off

Get off is the standard expression for leaving a train, bus or similar public transport. It identifies the action of alighting, whereas get down and out from do not form the usual construction here.

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Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The accident was due to … driving by the defendant.

  1. negligence
  2. negligible
  3. negligent
  4. neglectable
Answer and explanation

C: negligent

Negligent is the adjective meaning carelessly failing to take proper care, so it modifies driving. Negligence is a noun; negligible means too small to matter and does not describe careless conduct.

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Question 67

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: My friend and I have been quarrelling since yesterday and we haven’t… yet.

  1. made it out
  2. made out
  3. made it
  4. made it up
Answer and explanation

D: made it up

To make it up after a quarrel is to become friendly again. D therefore fits the disagreement between the friends. The other expressions do not mean reconciliation.

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Question 68

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He is so credulous… my story about the ghost.

  1. to believe
  2. that he believes
  3. in order to believe
  4. since he believes
Answer and explanation

B: that he believes

The pattern so + adjective + that-clause expresses a degree and its result: he is so credulous that he believes the story. The other options do not complete that result construction.

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Question 69

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The group never felt strong enough to act in the open; _____ hostility was the hallmark of their resistance.

  1. covert
  2. overt
  3. vicious
  4. erratic
Answer and explanation

A: covert

Covert means hidden or secret. It fits the statement that the group did not act openly. Overt means openly displayed, while vicious and erratic describe cruelty or inconsistency rather than secrecy.

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Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The freed robber expressed his gratitude in a… prayer of thanksgiving.

  1. spurious
  2. spasmodic
  3. spontaneous
  4. sporadic
Answer and explanation

C: spontaneous

Spontaneous describes an expression arising naturally from a feeling without preparation. It fits a prayer prompted by gratitude. Spurious means false, while spasmodic and sporadic concern irregular occurrence rather than this natural response.

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Question 71

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He boasts so much about his high scores and he_____ at the efforts of others.

  1. scorns
  2. sneers
  3. grins
  4. smiles
Answer and explanation

B: sneers

Sneers at means expresses contempt or scorn towards someone. It fits the boastful attitude and the preposition at. Scorns normally takes its object directly; grins and smiles do not themselves express contempt.

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Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Although the Officer wanted a… report on the matter, he got… account.

  1. truthful/an uninteresting
  2. factual/an unpleasant
  3. genuine/a ridiculous
  4. painstaking/a half-hearted
Answer and explanation

D: painstaking/a half-hearted

Painstaking means showing careful effort, while half-hearted means lacking enthusiasm or effort. This pair supplies the clear contrast signalled by although. Truthfulness and pleasantness or interest do not form the same direct contrast.

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Question 75

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: I am… admission to the university this year.

  1. seeking on
  2. seeking for
  3. seeking at
  4. seeking
Answer and explanation

D: seeking

Seek takes a direct object when it means try to obtain something: seeking admission. No preposition is needed between seeking and admission in this construction.

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Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Mrs. Ojo was one of … in my village.

  1. the first two enlightened young ladies
  2. the two first enlightened young ladies
  3. the two first young enlightened ladies
  4. the first two young enlightened ladies.
Answer and explanation

A: the first two enlightened young ladies

The usual sequence places ordinal first before number two, and a descriptive evaluation such as enlightened before the age adjective young. A follows that order and keeps young ladies together as the noun phrase being described.

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Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: My friend’s car has… to a halt.

  1. grinded
  2. grounded
  3. ground
  4. grind
Answer and explanation

C: ground

The expression is grind to a halt, and its past participle is ground. After has, the present perfect requires that participle: has ground to a halt. Grounded belongs to a different verb.

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Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: By twelve midnight, we will be… en route for Britain.

  1. airbourned
  2. airborne
  3. air borned
  4. airbourne
Answer and explanation

B: airborne

Airborne is the standard spelling for being in the air or in flight. It fits travellers who will be flying towards Britain. The other spellings do not form the required adjective.

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Question 81

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: His chances in the games… seriously jeopardized.

  1. have been
  2. has been
  3. have being
  4. has being
Answer and explanation

A: have been

Chances is plural, so it takes have rather than has. The perfect passive uses have been followed by the past participle jeopardized. Have being is not that construction.

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Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: We found it difficult to identify him as the crowd was… around him.

  1. head to head
  2. head above head
  3. shoulder from shoulder
  4. shoulder to shoulder
Answer and explanation

D: shoulder to shoulder

Shoulder to shoulder means standing closely side by side. It describes a tightly packed crowd that makes someone hard to identify. Head to head usually describes direct confrontation or competition, not this arrangement.

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Question 86

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: You would be well _____ to listen to what the teacher says.

  1. informed
  2. advised
  3. reminded
  4. warned
Answer and explanation

B: advised

You would be well advised to do something means it would be sensible or wise to do it. Advised completes that expression; the other alternatives do not express the same recommendation in this construction.

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Question 90

Identify the word that has a different primary stress pattern from the others.

  1. Interlocutor
  2. Opportunity
  3. Ambiguity
  4. Actualization
Answer and explanation

D: Actualization

Actualization has its main stress on the later ZA syllable. The other words stress the third syllable: inter-LOC-utor, oppor-TU-nity and ambi-GU-ity. D therefore differs from the shared primary-stress position.

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Question 92

The word in capitals has emphatic stress. Choose the question to which the sentence responds: The fire destroyed MANY lives.

  1. Did the fire destroy the village?
  2. Did the fire destroy some houses?
  3. Did the fire destroy any lives?
  4. Did the fire spare any lives?
Answer and explanation

C: Did the fire destroy any lives?

MANY emphasizes the number of lives lost. A question asking whether any lives were destroyed invites that numerical emphasis: not merely some, but many. The other questions change the object or the action instead.

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Question 93

The word in capitals has emphatic stress. Choose the question to which the sentence responds: The accused hasn’t even been TRIED yet.

  1. Was the accused sentenced to life imprisonment?
  2. Has the suspect been apprehended?
  3. Why hasn’t the accused been tried yet?
  4. Was the accused handed over to the police?
Answer and explanation

A: Was the accused sentenced to life imprisonment?

TRIED emphasizes a stage that has not yet occurred. A question about a sentence of life imprisonment is answered by pointing out that the accused has not even reached the trial stage. The other choices concern arrest, transfer or the reason for delay.

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Question 94

The word in capitals has emphatic stress. Choose the question to which the sentence responds: The electricity in OUR premises comes from a generator.

  1. Is the electricity in your compound supplied by a generator?
  2. Is the electricity in your neighbour’s premises supplied by a generator?
  3. Does the electricity in your premises come from NEPA?
  4. Does everybody in your street receive electricity from generators?
Answer and explanation

B: Is the electricity in your neighbour’s premises supplied by a generator?

OUR contrasts these premises with someone else’s premises. B introduces the neighbour’s premises while keeping the generator as the source. A asks about the same premises, C changes the power source, and D asks about the whole street.

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