JAMB Use of English 2010

48 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 11

There are many indicators with which to assess or measure corruption. One of them is the affluent living habit of the public official compared to his/her income. Corruption occurs when a public official expects to be induced to perform an act which that public official is ordinarily required to do by law. Corruption can slow down development. One of the most widely discussed consequences of corruption is the distortion of governmental expenditure. This often results in public money being wasted on white elephant projects, rather than people-oriented services such as health and education. As a result, more opportunities are presented for corrupt use or diversion of funds. Raising the ethical standards of governance can lead to many benefits especially for the economic, political and social development of a country. Fighting corruption and promoting governance is therefore crucial to developing an environment that facilitates the social, political and economic development of the people. However, while there are often general statements made about the effects of corruption on poverty and development, there is not an explicit recognition that corruption is more than just wealth misappropriation or abuse of power. Corruption impoverishes countries and deprives their citizens of good governance. It destabilizes economic system. When organized crime and other illegal activities flourish, basic public functions are eroded and the quality of life of the people is reduced. Bribery, for example is universally regarded as a crime, but it also reflects socio-economic problems that require broad-based preventive measures and the involvement of the society at large. Another implication of global measures against corruption is making government work better by improving the economy. Finally, redesigning political and regulatory structures will reduce corruption and other anti-system players that encourage corrupt practices.

According to the writer, corruption is triggered off by

  1. unnecessary affluence
  2. selfish interests
  3. private officials
  4. public officers
Answer and explanation

B: selfish interests

The passage describes an official expecting an inducement for a duty already required by law. That pursuit of personal benefit shows selfish interests; affluent living is described as an indicator rather than the trigger.

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Question 12

There are many indicators with which to assess or measure corruption. One of them is the affluent living habit of the public official compared to his/her income. Corruption occurs when a public official expects to be induced to perform an act which that public official is ordinarily required to do by law. Corruption can slow down development. One of the most widely discussed consequences of corruption is the distortion of governmental expenditure. This often results in public money being wasted on white elephant projects, rather than people-oriented services such as health and education. As a result, more opportunities are presented for corrupt use or diversion of funds. Raising the ethical standards of governance can lead to many benefits especially for the economic, political and social development of a country. Fighting corruption and promoting governance is therefore crucial to developing an environment that facilitates the social, political and economic development of the people. However, while there are often general statements made about the effects of corruption on poverty and development, there is not an explicit recognition that corruption is more than just wealth misappropriation or abuse of power. Corruption impoverishes countries and deprives their citizens of good governance. It destabilizes economic system. When organized crime and other illegal activities flourish, basic public functions are eroded and the quality of life of the people is reduced. Bribery, for example is universally regarded as a crime, but it also reflects socio-economic problems that require broad-based preventive measures and the involvement of the society at large. Another implication of global measures against corruption is making government work better by improving the economy. Finally, redesigning political and regulatory structures will reduce corruption and other anti-system players that encourage corrupt practices.

From the passage, one of the consequences of corruption is that

  1. large projects are executed
  2. it is beneficial to wealthy people who stole public wealth
  3. it impedes the progress of a nation
  4. people get what they want with so much money to spend
Answer and explanation

C: it impedes the progress of a nation

The passage says corruption slows development, wastes public money and impoverishes countries. These effects all impede a nation’s progress, which is the consequence described by option C.

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Question 13

There are many indicators with which to assess or measure corruption. One of them is the affluent living habit of the public official compared to his/her income. Corruption occurs when a public official expects to be induced to perform an act which that public official is ordinarily required to do by law. Corruption can slow down development. One of the most widely discussed consequences of corruption is the distortion of governmental expenditure. This often results in public money being wasted on white elephant projects, rather than people-oriented services such as health and education. As a result, more opportunities are presented for corrupt use or diversion of funds. Raising the ethical standards of governance can lead to many benefits especially for the economic, political and social development of a country. Fighting corruption and promoting governance is therefore crucial to developing an environment that facilitates the social, political and economic development of the people. However, while there are often general statements made about the effects of corruption on poverty and development, there is not an explicit recognition that corruption is more than just wealth misappropriation or abuse of power. Corruption impoverishes countries and deprives their citizens of good governance. It destabilizes economic system. When organized crime and other illegal activities flourish, basic public functions are eroded and the quality of life of the people is reduced. Bribery, for example is universally regarded as a crime, but it also reflects socio-economic problems that require broad-based preventive measures and the involvement of the society at large. Another implication of global measures against corruption is making government work better by improving the economy. Finally, redesigning political and regulatory structures will reduce corruption and other anti-system players that encourage corrupt practices.

Who, according to the writer, should prevent corruption?

  1. lawyers and police
  2. corrupt public officers
  3. the government
  4. the people
Answer and explanation

D: the people

The writer calls for broad preventive measures and the involvement of society at large. That places responsibility on the people collectively, rather than only on officials or a particular profession.

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Question 26

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Though Mr. Iro is our new chairman, he views other members with a jaundiced eye.

  1. He takes a rather forceful position on dealing with his members
  2. He takes an unfavourable position concerning his members
  3. He takes a sickly view of his members
  4. He takes a rather hazy view of his members
Answer and explanation

B: He takes an unfavourable position concerning his members

A jaundiced view is an unfavourable or prejudiced way of looking at someone. Mr Iro’s attitude towards the other members is therefore negative, rather than simply forceful or unclear.

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Question 27

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: People are not interested in who rules.

  1. People are not ruled by the leaders they want
  2. People are not concerned about who rules them
  3. The rulers are not concerned about the people
  4. People who rule are not interested in the ruled
Answer and explanation

B: People are not concerned about who rules them

Not being interested in who rules means not being concerned about the identity of the ruler. Option B preserves that meaning; the other choices change who is interested or introduce a different claim.

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Question 28

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: It is always good to steer a middle course in whatever one does

  1. it is always good to get midway in anything one does
  2. it is always good to act with moderation
  3. it is always good to move away from the fore front
  4. it is always good to work very hard
Answer and explanation

B: it is always good to act with moderation

To steer a middle course is to avoid extremes and act moderately. The expression describes a balanced approach, not a literal halfway position or simply working hard.

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Question 30

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The footballers moved with their tails between their legs.

  1. They moved happily because they won the match
  2. They were unhappy because they had been despised by their opponents
  3. They were ashamed because they had been defeated
  4. They moved with their tails between their legs
Answer and explanation

C: They were ashamed because they had been defeated

To leave with your tail between your legs is to feel defeated and ashamed. In this football context, option C captures that idiomatic meaning; the phrase does not describe a happy departure.

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Question 31

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The headmaster managed to talk his way out of having to give a speech.

  1. He delivered a speech despite the difficulty
  2. He managed to give a speech out of a difficult situation
  3. He managed to get himself out of a difficult situation
  4. He managed to talk on his way
Answer and explanation

C: He managed to get himself out of a difficult situation

To talk your way out of something is to use words or reasons to avoid it. The headmaster avoided having to give the speech, so he got himself out of the difficult situation.

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Question 32

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: As regards the matter, we have crossed the Rubicon.

  1. We are completely at loss
  2. We are irrevocably committed
  3. We are already qualified
  4. We are perfectly committed
Answer and explanation

B: We are irrevocably committed

To cross the Rubicon is to take a decisive step that cannot be reversed. Being irrevocably committed expresses that lack of a way back; merely being qualified or perfectly committed does not.

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Question 33

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: Uche is full of himself.

  1. He is conceited
  2. He is complete
  3. He is a rich man
  4. He is careful
Answer and explanation

A: He is conceited

Someone who is full of himself has an exaggerated opinion of his own importance. Conceited expresses that self-admiration; the phrase does not mean complete, wealthy or careful.

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Question 35

Choose the most appropriate interpretation: The woman was mournful as her husband was found dead drunk.

  1. She was sad because her husband was absolutely drunk
  2. She was apprehensive that her husband would drink as soon as he recovered from drunken stupor
  3. She was sad because her husband was drunk and always as helpless as a dead man
  4. She was mourning because her husband drank and died
Answer and explanation

A: She was sad because her husband was absolutely drunk

In dead drunk, dead intensifies drunk and means completely or absolutely. The sentence says the husband was extremely drunk and the woman was sad; it does not say that he died.

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Question 36

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “mind-bending”: I am optimistic about the interview though it was a mind-bending exercise.

  1. an enervating
  2. a debilitating
  3. a difficult
  4. an easy
Answer and explanation

D: an easy

Mind-bending describes something very difficult to understand or mentally demanding. Easy expresses the opposite meaning, while difficult agrees with it and the other choices describe exhaustion.

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Question 38

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “redundant”: The teacher said that Ali's essay was full of many redundant details.

  1. unexplained
  2. strange
  3. necessary
  4. useful
Answer and explanation

C: necessary

Redundant details are unnecessary because they add nothing needed. Necessary is therefore the direct opposite; useful concerns benefit rather than whether the details are required.

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Question 39

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “myriad”: His father surmounted the myriad of obstacles on his way.

  1. most
  2. few
  3. all
  4. many
Answer and explanation

B: few

A myriad is a very large number. Few expresses the opposite quantity, whereas many has a similar meaning and all or most describe the proportion rather than a small number.

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Question 41

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “flawless”: Ndeni gave a flawless speech at the party.

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

D: an imperfect

Flawless means without faults or imperfections. Imperfect is the direct opposite because it describes something with flaws; interesting or wonderful does not express that contrast.

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Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “gruff”: Beneath Ado's gruff exterior, he's really very kind-hearted.

  1. nice
  2. harsh
  3. rough
  4. gentle
Answer and explanation

D: gentle

Gruff describes a rough, abrupt or harsh manner. Gentle contrasts with that manner. Harsh and rough are similar to gruff, while nice is a broader judgement of pleasantness.

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Question 43

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “debased”: The captain says sports is being debased by commercial sponsorship

  1. localized
  2. perverted
  3. elevated
  4. overvalued
Answer and explanation

C: elevated

To debase something is to lower its quality, value or dignity. To elevate it is to raise it, so elevated gives the opposite meaning in the sentence about the standing of sport.

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Question 44

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “straightforward”: Governing a country is not always as straightforward as people sometimes imagine.

  1. complicated
  2. troublesome
  3. untoward
  4. irksome
Answer and explanation

A: complicated

Straightforward means simple and uncomplicated. Complicated is its direct opposite here; troublesome and irksome concern difficulty or annoyance rather than the absence of complexity.

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Question 45

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “receptive”: The crowd was very receptive to the speaker's suggestion.

  1. disobedient
  2. repellent
  3. alert
  4. hostile
Answer and explanation

D: hostile

Being receptive to a suggestion means being willing to consider or accept it. Being hostile means opposing it, so hostile gives the opposite attitude towards the speaker’s suggestion.

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Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “acquiescence”: There was a general acquiescence on the new drug law

  1. resistance
  2. discrepancy
  3. compromise
  4. agreement
Answer and explanation

A: resistance

Acquiescence is acceptance or agreement without protest. Resistance expresses opposition instead of acceptance, making it the opposite; agreement has a similar meaning to acquiescence.

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Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “ambivalent”: Aisha seems to feel ambivalent about her future.

  1. decisive
  2. anxious
  3. ambitious
  4. inconsiderate
Answer and explanation

A: decisive

Ambivalent means having mixed or conflicting feelings, so one is not settled on an attitude. Decisive describes a firm, settled position and supplies the intended contrast about Aisha’s future.

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Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “plethora”: The report of the committee contained a plethora of details.

  1. shortage
  2. simplicity
  3. multitude
  4. spectrum
Answer and explanation

A: shortage

A plethora is an excessive or very large amount. A shortage is too little, so it gives the opposite quantity. Multitude also indicates a large number, while simplicity concerns complexity.

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Question 52

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “enthusiastic”: We were all enthusiastic as we awaited the result of the election.

  1. bemused
  2. agitated
  3. elated
  4. nervous
Answer and explanation

C: elated

Enthusiastic describes keen, positive excitement. Among these choices, elated is nearest to that upbeat feeling; bemused means puzzled, while agitated and nervous suggest disturbance or anxiety.

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Question 53

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “absurd”: The uniform makes the guards look absurd.

  1. dirty
  2. smart
  3. sensible
  4. ridiculous
Answer and explanation

D: ridiculous

Absurd means ridiculous or unreasonable. Here the uniform makes the guards look ridiculous; it does not make them look smart, sensible or merely dirty.

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Question 54

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “tardy”: The law is often tardy in reacting to changing attitude.

  1. quick
  2. slow
  3. exclusive
  4. generous
Answer and explanation

B: slow

Tardy means slow or late in acting. The sentence says the law reacts slowly to changing attitudes, so slow is the nearest meaning; quick expresses the opposite.

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Question 55

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “sumptuous”: Isa and Ilu ate sumptuous meals on their brother's wedding day.

  1. expensive
  2. foreign
  3. insipid
  4. cheap
Answer and explanation

A: expensive

Sumptuous describes something lavish and luxurious, often implying considerable expense. Expensive is the nearest available description of the wedding meals; foreign describes origin and insipid describes a lack of flavour.

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Question 56

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “crouched”: Kaltume crouched over the papers on her desk.

  1. wrote on
  2. stood on
  3. walked over
  4. bent over
Answer and explanation

D: bent over

To crouch is to lower or bend the body. In this sentence Kaltume is bent over the papers; the word describes her posture rather than writing, walking or standing on them.

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Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “panacea”: The panacea for a country’s economic mess lies in systematic planning and hard work.

  1. cure
  2. foresight
  3. hope
  4. trouble
Answer and explanation

A: cure

A panacea is a remedy presented as solving all the difficulties in a situation. Cure is therefore the nearest meaning; foresight and hope do not mean a remedy, while trouble is the problem itself.

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Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “retrenchment”: Thousands of workers have been victims of retrenchment since the military came back to power.

  1. unemployment
  2. trench mentality
  3. suffering
  4. increase in penury
Answer and explanation

A: unemployment

Retrenchment here refers to reducing a workforce by dismissing employees. Unemployment is the nearest option for what those workers experience; suffering and increased poverty are possible effects but are less specific.

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Question 59

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “offhand”: The principal gave his speech offhand at the sports meeting.

  1. calmly
  2. beautifully
  3. unconcerned
  4. unprepared
Answer and explanation

D: unprepared

Giving a speech offhand means delivering it without advance preparation. Unprepared captures that sense in this sentence; the word does not describe the beauty of the speech or necessarily the speaker’s concern.

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Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “assortment”: Jankoli was dressed in an old assortment of clothes.

  1. avalanche
  2. homogeneity
  3. sameness
  4. mélange
Answer and explanation

D: mélange

An assortment is a collection of different things. Mélange likewise means a mixture, making it the nearest choice; homogeneity and sameness describe uniformity rather than variety.

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Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “astounded”: The girl’s father was astounded to see her appear from the shrine.

  1. collected
  2. overwhelmed
  3. embarrassed
  4. astonished
Answer and explanation

D: astonished

Astounded means greatly surprised or amazed. Astonished expresses that same reaction to seeing the girl emerge; overwhelmed alone describes a broader feeling and does not specifically identify surprise.

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Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “apposite”: The director’s remark was extremely apposite to the issue being discussed.

  1. appropriate
  2. inconsequential
  3. emphatic
  4. adequate
Answer and explanation

A: appropriate

Apposite means particularly suitable or relevant to the matter being discussed. Appropriate is the nearest meaning; emphatic concerns forcefulness and adequate means merely sufficient.

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Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “blemish”: Her reputation is without a blemish.

  1. struggle
  2. problem
  3. fault
  4. blessing
Answer and explanation

C: fault

A blemish is a flaw or fault that damages an otherwise good appearance or reputation. A reputation without a blemish is therefore without a fault; the other choices do not express that idea.

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Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “eligible”: Ugo is eligible for the post of secretary.

  1. nominated
  2. invited
  3. qualified
  4. intelligent
Answer and explanation

C: qualified

Eligible means meeting the conditions needed to be considered for something. Qualified is the nearest option for Ugo’s suitability for the post; nomination or invitation alone does not establish eligibility.

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Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “abridged”: This is an abridged version of No Longer at Ease.

  1. an outdated
  2. an enlarged
  3. an illustrated
  4. a shortened
Answer and explanation

D: a shortened

An abridged version is shortened while retaining the main content. It is not necessarily illustrated or outdated, and an enlarged version would be longer rather than shorter.

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Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Lemoti _____ as a painter, but also as a sculptor.

  1. is gifted only not
  2. is only not gifted
  3. is gifted not only
  4. is only gifted
Answer and explanation

C: is gifted not only

The construction not only … but also links two parallel abilities: as a painter and as a sculptor. Is gifted not only puts the first phrase in the correct position to pair with but also.

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Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: His wife was badly injured in the fracas, but I think she will pull _____ .

  1. up
  2. over
  3. through
  4. back
Answer and explanation

C: through

To pull through is to survive or recover from a serious illness or injury. Through therefore completes the sentence about the injured wife; pull over, pull up and pull back have different meanings.

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Question 72

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: One of the women who _____ in the premises _____ been ordered to quit.

  1. sells / have
  2. sell / has
  3. sell / have
  4. sells / has
Answer and explanation

B: sell / has

Who refers to the plural women, so its verb is sell. The main subject is singular one, so the main verb is has. The complete construction is one of the women who sell … has been ordered to quit.

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Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The new trade agreement should facilitate _____ .

  1. more economic rapid growth
  2. economic more rapid growth
  3. rapid economic more growth
  4. more rapid economic growth
Answer and explanation

D: more rapid economic growth

Economic identifies the type of growth, while more rapid describes its increased speed. More must stay with rapid, giving more rapid economic growth; the other arrangements separate the comparative from the word it modifies.

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Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The politician was sent _____ exile

  1. onto
  2. into
  3. on
  4. to
Answer and explanation

B: into

The expression sent into exile describes being forced to enter a state of living away from one’s country. Into supplies that transition; onto, on and to do not form the standard expression here.

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Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: When we looked up, we _____ the plane some miles away.

  1. site
  2. cited
  3. sited
  4. sighted
Answer and explanation

D: sighted

Sighted is the past tense of sight, meaning saw or spotted. It matches looked up in the past-tense sentence. Cited means quoted, and sited means placed in a location.

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Question 82

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The federal Government has _____ child trafficking.

  1. postulated
  2. projected
  3. prescribed
  4. proscribed
Answer and explanation

D: proscribed

To proscribe an activity is to prohibit or ban it. Proscribed therefore fits the statement about child trafficking; prescribed means directed or recommended, while postulated and projected have different meanings.

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Question 84

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Based on the facts before me, I have no alternative _____ to hold you responsible.

  1. only
  2. as
  3. than
  4. but
Answer and explanation

D: but

The construction no alternative but to means there is no other available course of action. But correctly introduces to hold you responsible; only, as and than do not complete that construction here.

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Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Many people would always find reasons to _____ the law.

  1. arrogate
  2. debase
  3. circumvent
  4. circumspect
Answer and explanation

C: circumvent

To circumvent a law is to find a way around its restrictions. Circumvent fits the idea of people seeking reasons to evade the law; circumspect is an adjective and arrogate means claim a power or right without justification.

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Question 96

Choose the option showing the main stress in satisfactory.

  1. Stress on TORY: satisfacTORY
  2. Stress on TIS: saTISfactory
  3. Stress on SAT: SATisfactory
  4. Stress on FAC: satisFACtory
Answer and explanation

D: Stress on FAC: satisFACtory

The main stress in satisfactory falls on FAC: satis-FAC-tory. The first syllable may carry secondary stress, but FAC receives the primary stress, which is what option D marks.

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Question 98

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress: EMEKA finished his homework yesterday.

  1. Was Emeka helped to do his homework?
  2. Did Emeka do his homework yesterday?
  3. When did Emeka finish his homework?
  4. Who finished his homework yesterday?
Answer and explanation

D: Who finished his homework yesterday?

The stress on EMEKA identifies the person who completed the homework. Who finished his homework yesterday? asks for that person, whereas the other questions concern help, the event or its time.

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Question 99

Choose the question answered by the emphatic stress: Taiwo SAILED to London.

  1. Did Taiwo fly to London?
  2. Did Taiwo sail to Brazil?
  3. Did Taiwo sail to London
  4. Where did Taiwo sail to?
Answer and explanation

A: Did Taiwo fly to London?

The stress on SAILED contrasts the means of travel with another means, such as flying. Did Taiwo fly to London? invites the answer that he SAILED there, rather than asking about his destination.

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