JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2024

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To find the word opposite in meaning to "messy," we first need to understand what "messy" means. The word "messy" suggests disorder, lack of neatness, or organization. A messy room is one that is cluttered and possibly untidy.

Now, let's analyze the given options:

• Muddled: This word also implies confusion or disorder, similar to "messy."
• Tidy: This word means neat, orderly, and clean. It is the opposite of "messy." A tidy room is well-organized and free of clutter.
• Dirty: Although dirty implies uncleanliness, it doesn't necessarily mean disorganized. A room can be dirty yet still have some degree of order.
• Unkept: This word suggests negligence and lack of care, which can overlap with messy but does not clearly mean the opposite.

Based on this analysis, the opposite of "messy" is tidy because it represents neatness and organization, which directly contrast to disorder and clutter.

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The people working in the mines are specifically referred to as "miners," not "toilers" or "workers."

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In the context of the sentence, the phrase "playing the devil's advocate" is a well-known expression used to describe someone who takes a position contrary to the majority opinion or supports an opposing viewpoint, usually to provoke debate or explore an issue more thoroughly. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is:

Jude seems to enjoy advancing the unpopular side of an argument.

This interpretation aligns with the common usage of the term "devil's advocate," which is to deliberately adopt a counter perspective for the sake of argumentation, challenge, and critical thinking.

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The word prosperous means being successful, especially in terms of wealth or finances. When someone is referred to as a prosperous lawyer, it indicates that they are financially successful and probably earns a substantial income from their legal practice.

To find a word with the opposite meaning, look for a term that indicates a lack of financial success or wealth. Here's an analysis of the options:

• Affluent: This means wealthy or having a great deal of money. It is a synonym rather than an antonym.
• Poor: This means lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society. It indicates financial difficulty, which is the direct opposite of prosperous.
• Stagnant: This means showing no activity or change, especially regarding economic growth. Though it may suggest inactivity, it does not specifically mean lacking wealth.
• Luxurious: This means characterized by luxury or given to a life of luxury. It implies a high standard of living, similar to prosperity.

Based on the meanings, the option that is directly opposite to prosperous is poor, because while prosperous indicates wealth and success, poor indicates a lack of financial resources.

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To complete the sentence "My uncle is not sure ____ the strange guests were," we need to select a word that logically fits in the context of identifying or specifying something about the "strange guests."

1. **Which:** Typically used to choose between options or to specify a particular item or group from others. It does not fit well here because we are not choosing between a set of known options.

2. **Who:** Used to refer to the subject or inquiring about the identity of a person or people. This option fits well here since we are talking about people, the "strange guests," and trying to identify them. The sentence would be: "My uncle is not sure who the strange guests were."

3. **Whom:** Used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition and often follows a preposition. It would not fit here because the structure of the sentence requires a subject complement, not an object.

4. **What:** Generally used to ask questions about things, rather than people. Since we are talking about people, "strange guests," this option doesn't fit well.

Therefore, the best choice is **who**, as it properly addresses the question of identifying the strange guests, effectively completing the sentence as "My uncle is not sure who the strange guests were."

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The correct option to complete the sentence is "were". Let's understand why:

This sentence is an example of a conditional sentence. Specifically, it is a type called the second conditional, which is used to talk about hypothetical situations that are not real or are unlikely to happen in the present or future.

The structure of a second conditional sentence is: If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb. Here is the structure applied to the sentence:

• If her brother were here, he would call the police.

In the conditional clause "If her brother were here," we use the past simple verb "were" which is used for hypothetical situations involving the subject "her brother."

Note: Although "were" typically pairs with plural subjects, in the case of hypothetical or conditional sentences, "were" is also used with singular subjects like "her brother." This use is sometimes referred to as the subjunctive mood.

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To determine the option that has the same vowel sound as the underlined letters in "youth," we need to identify the vowel sound. In "youth," the letters "ou" are underlined, and they produce the /juː/ vowel sound, which sounds like "you."

Let's analyze the vowel sounds in the given options:

• Should: The vowel sound in "should" is /ʊ/, which is pronounced like the "u" in "put." It is not the same as the /juː/ sound.
• Bout: The word "bout" has the vowel sound /aʊ/, like the "ou" in "about." This is not the same as the /juː/ sound.
• Choose: The vowel sound in "choose" is /uː/, which is similar to the /juː/ sound but lacks the initial "y" sound. However, it is the closest match to the vowel sound in "youth" among the given options.
• Butcher: The vowel sound in "butcher" is /ʊ/, similar to "should." It is not the same as the /juː/ sound in "youth."

Therefore, the option that has the vowel sound closest to that in "youth" is choose, as it shares the long /uː/ sound, even though it doesn't have the initial "y" sound present in "youth."

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The most appropriate choice to fill the gap labelled 11 would be call-card. A call-card is a small card used in libraries that contains information about books available for borrowing. It typically includes the book's title, author's name, and the book's unique identification number. This allows library users to locate and check out books easily. The other options, such as book-card, author-card, and seller-card do not typically refer to items used in a library context for borrowing purposes.

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To determine which option best completes the sentence, we must consider the correct plural form of the word "goose."

The singular form is "goose." In English, some nouns have irregular plural forms. The correct plural form of "goose" is "geese." This is an example of an irregular plural noun.

Let's examine the options:

• "Goose" is singular.
• "Gooses" is incorrect as plural nouns that refer to more than one goose do not end with "es."
• "Geeses" is incorrect because there is no need to add “es” to an irregular plural noun that's already plural.
• "Geese" is the correct plural form of "goose."

Therefore, the correct sentence is: "The children chased all the geese away."

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To identify the vowel sound, let's first isolate the vowel sound in the word "busy," which is represented by the "u" and pronounced as /ɪ/. This is similar to the "i" in "bit" or "sit".

Now, let's analyze each option:

• Vineyard: The "i" in "vineyard" sounds like /ɪ/, similar to the "i" in "bit" or "sit," which is the same as "busy".
• Automobile: The vowels sound like /ɔː/, /ə/, /ʊ/, which don't match the /ɪ/ sound in "busy".
• Twilight: The "i" here sounds like /aɪ/ as in "light," which is different from the /ɪ/ sound in "busy".
• Island: The "i" sounds like /aɪ/ as in "high," which is also different from the /ɪ/ sound in "busy".

Therefore, **"vineyard"** has the same vowel sound as the word "busy".

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In this question, we need to find a word that is opposite in meaning to the word reticent. The word reticent describes someone who is reserved or not willing to talk much, especially about personal matters.

Now, let's look at each option:

- Unpredictable: This means behaving or changing in a way that is not expected. It does not directly relate to being reserved or open about personal matters.

- Insinuating: Typically, this means introducing something indirectly, especially something negative. It doesn't oppose the idea of being reserved.

- Difficult: While this can describe a challenging temperament, it doesn?t specifically contrast with being reticent.

- Forthcoming: This term means being open, communicative, and willing to talk openly about personal matters. This is the opposite of reticent, as it describes someone who is the exact opposite of reserved.

Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to reticent is forthcoming.

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The sentence "Yerima always holds his own in any situation he finds himself" best conveys the information that **Yerima has self-confidence**.

The phrase "holds his own" means that a person is able to maintain their position and assert themselves effectively, regardless of circumstances. This typically requires a belief in one's abilities and a strong sense of self-assurance. Therefore, the key quality being described here is self-confidence.

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"In spite of" is used to show contrast with something (in this case, Okupe's lateness). The phrase means that despite being late, Okupe still benefited from the coaching.

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The sentence in question is: "The teacher listens to their students express their worries and fears, yet the teacher has to pacify and __8__ them through the right paths."

In this context, the word that best fits is "guide." The role of teachers is not only to listen to their students and provide comfort (i.e., to "pacify" them) but also to lead or direct them in making the right decisions. Thus, teachers help students in finding the right path—in life or in learning—by offering direction or advice, which is what "guide" implies.

Other options such as "care" do not quite capture the action of showing someone the way forward, while "beat" is certainly inappropriate as it conveys physical force, which contrasts with the desired nurturing role of a teacher. "Guard" may imply protection, but it does not suggest the act of directing students along a path.

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The word "stretch" in the context "Ayo does regular exercise to stretch his mind" implies making the mind more flexible or broadening its capabilities. When we "stretch" something, we are essentially looking to expand or extend it beyond its current state.

To find the opposite of "stretch," we should look for a word that conveys the idea of limiting or narrowing rather than broadening.

Let's consider the options:

• "Enrich": This means to improve or enhance the quality or value of something, which aligns more with the idea of "stretch" rather than opposing it.
• "Expand": This also aligns with "stretch" as it means to increase in size, volume, or scope.
• "Conscript": While this word doesn't have a direct opposition to "stretch", it refers to enrolling someone compulsorily, specifically into the army. It does not particularly relate to stretching the mind.
• "Restrict": This means to limit or control the extent or range of something. **This is the opposite of "stretch"** because it implies reducing or narrowing, rather than expanding.

Therefore, the word that is opposite in meaning to "stretch" is "restrict".

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The word "fake" implies that something is not genuine or is intended to deceive. It is an imitation or a fabrication. Thus, the word that carries the opposite meaning of "fake" would suggest that something is genuine, real, or not an imitation.

Let's analyze the options:

• Hard: Refers to something that is solid or firm, and does not relate to genuineness. Therefore, this is not the opposite of "fake."
• Original: Suggests that something is the very first of its kind or not a copy. Though this can be related to genuineness, it is not strictly the opposite of "fake" in the context of authenticity.
• Authentic: Means something that is genuine and not false. This is exactly the opposite of "fake," making it the word that effectively counters "fake" in meaning.
• Bogus: This means something is false or not genuine, which is synonymous rather than opposite to "fake."

Thus, the option that is opposite in meaning to "fake" is "authentic." This means that something is real and not intended to deceive.

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To choose the most appropriate option to fill the gap labeled 12, we need to consider the context of the sentence. The passage is discussing how a person can locate a book in a library, particularly focusing on the tools and aids available in the library shelves that help in finding books.

The sentence in question states that "all the shelves have instructions and numbers regarding the books on them." This indicates that there must be some sort of guide or aid present on the shelves that provide information about the books located there. The options provided are:

• card's guide
• author's guide
• shelf-guides
• book-guides

Let's analyze the options:

card's guide: This option seems less fitting because it specifically refers to cards, whereas the sentence is describing information or guides related to the shelves.

author's guide: While authorship might be a classification criteria in libraries, an "author's guide" would typically refer to guiding information about authors themselves, not about locating books on shelves.

shelf-guides: This is the most logical choice. The term "shelf-guides" suggests guides or instructions directly related to the shelves, which aligns well with the context of finding books placed on shelves through guidance.

book-guides: This terms is slightly broader, perhaps indicating guides related to books, but not specifically tied to the function of shelving, instructions, and identification mentioned in the sentence.

Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill the gap labeled 12 is "shelf-guides". The sentence makes sense with this choice because it indicates the presence of guides on the shelves used to locate books.

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To understand the meaning of the word decisive, let's break it down. The word decisive is often used to describe actions or decisions that are firm, clear, and have a definite resolution. If someone takes a decisive action, it means they are making a clear and conclusive decision, often leading to a solution or outcome without hesitation.

Now, let's examine each of the options:

• Significant: This means important or meaningful. While a decisive action might be significant, the word significant doesn't capture the full essence of being firm or final in decision-making.
• Inconclusive: This means something that does not lead to a firm conclusion or result. This is the opposite of decisive, as it implies uncertainty and a lack of resolution.
• Indecisive: This describes someone or something not having the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. It is also the opposite of decisive.
• Trivial: This means unimportant or insignificant. A decisive action would not be trivial as it is meant to resolve or settle an important issue.

From the above explanations, the closest word in meaning to decisive is significant. However, it is important to note that although they are related, they are not exact synonyms. Decisive involves being firm and having a clear conclusion, while significant pertains to the importance or impact of an action.

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The passage mentions that honeybees are social insects and live together in hives. Additionally, it highlights that they communicate with each other through a unique dancing movement to share information about food sources. This reflects a social structure and communication, which is a characteristic similar to humans.

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The phrase stand in in the context "The assistant class teacher was told to stand in for Mrs. Chukwudi" means to take the place of or substitute for someone temporarily. This involves performing the duties or responsibilities of that person when they are unavailable. Therefore, the word or phrase nearest in meaning to stand in in this context would be support but with a particular emphasis on acting on behalf of, or doing what the absent person would have done.

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Notes of Salvation is a euphemism for the cheat notes that Kola passed to Salma during the examination. It helps to reduce the unpleasantness of what the cheat notes represent. 

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Talle is the character who earned the nickname "the quiet one" because of his introverted nature. We can find this on page 21 of the novel where he was described as a quiet person who never engaged in a fight with anyone. 

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To complete the sentence "You know that you ____ it before tomorrow," we need to choose a verb phrase that correctly conveys an obligation or probability in this context. Let's analyze the options:

1. Might do: This implies a possibility of doing something but with uncertainty. Therefore, it doesn't fit well after "you know" because knowing implies certainty.

2. Ought to do: This implies a recommendation or obligation. "You know that you ought to do it before tomorrow" suggests a sense of necessity or duty that aligns well with "you know."

3. Like to do: This implies a preference, habit, or enjoyment, which doesn't necessarily align with the sense of certainty or requirement implied by "you know."

4. May do: This suggests permission or possibility, which again does not fit well after "you know" due to the lack of certainty or obligation.

Therefore, the best option to complete the sentence, considering the context of certainty or a strong recommendation, is "ought to do." This reflects that there is a known obligation to complete the task before tomorrow.

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To understand which option best completes the sentence, let's examine the meaning of each phrase:

• Up for sale: This means that something is available to be sold. The phrase "up for" indicates that the properties were being offered to potential buyers before any incident happened.
• Up on: This phrase is generally used to indicate being current with information or being knowledgeable about something. It is not typically used with "sale."
• Out for: This phrase usually suggests looking for or aiming to achieve something. It doesn't fit well in the context of items being sold.
• Down on: This implies having a negative attitude towards someone or something. It doesn't relate to the context of selling properties.

Given these meanings, the phrase that best completes the sentence is "up for sale." Therefore, the sentence should read: "These properties were up for sale before the fire gutted them."

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The man is not as powerful as he once was, his influence has considerably diminished.

The word "diminished" means something that has become less or decreased in size, extent, or importance. In this context, it perfectly completes the sentence by indicating that the man's influence has decreased over time.

Let us examine why the other words are not suitable:

• Toppled: This term usually means to fall or push over something. It's often used in a context referring to overthrowing a regime or a government, which doesn't quite fit here.
• Quelled: This means to put an end to or to subdue something, often used in the context of quelling a disturbance or a rebellion. It doesn't fit the context of something naturally decreasing.
• Discarded: This word means to throw something away or to get rid of something. It's generally used in a context different from influence decreasing over time.

Therefore, diminished is the most appropriate choice as it aligns with the context of the man's influence reducing.

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The gap labeled 10 should be filled with the word "process". In the context of teaching and education, the term "teaching-learning process" refers to the comprehensive series of actions and activities involved in imparting and acquiring knowledge. This holistic approach includes different methods, strategies, and interactions between teachers and students to facilitate learning. Other options do not fit this context as accurately. For example, "habit" refers to regular practices or routine behaviors, "function" refers to a specific role or work performed, and "policy" refers to a set of rules or principles. Therefore, "process" is the most suitable word because it captures the ongoing and dynamic nature of teaching and learning activities in an educational setting.

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The combination of "digging" and explosives is what is needed to harvest coal from a mine.

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To complete the sentence accurately, we need to choose the word that correctly aligns with the context of an increase in occurrences over time. Here are the meanings of the options provided:

• Incident: This refers to a single event or occurrence. Although it relates to an event, it does not emphasize frequency or rate. Therefore, it doesn't fit the sentence that implies an increasing trend.
• Accident: This refers to an unexpected event, often causing harm or injury. It is not specific to trends or rates, so it doesn't fit well with the sentence’s meaning that indicates continuous increase.
• Incidence: This refers to the frequency or rate of occurrence of something, especially when describing how common particular events or cases are over a certain period. Since the sentence is about the **increase** in occurrences of armed robbery, this option fits perfectly as it relates to the number of times an event happens.
• Accidence: This refers to the part of grammar that deals with inflections. It is not related in any way to describing an increase in events.

Therefore, "The incidence of armed robbery has been on the increase." is the most suitable completion for the sentence because it specifically denotes the rate or **occurrence of a phenomenon, highlighting that it is rising.**

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To find the word opposite in meaning to **phony**, we need to first understand its meaning. The word **phony** means something that is fake or not genuine. It is used to describe something that is not real or authentic.

Now, let's look at each option:

• Factual: refers to something based on facts, and is true or real. This is the opposite of **phony**, as **phony** indicates something false or counterfeit.
• Misleading: means likely to lead someone into a wrong direction or belief. It is not directly opposite to phony, as misleading can still involve some truths.
• Fake: means not genuine or counterfeit, which is actually synonymous with **phony**, rather than opposite.
• Unreal: refers to something that is not real or imaginary, similar to **phony** in certain contexts, rather than being opposite.

Therefore, the word factual is the option opposite in meaning to the word **phony**.

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In this sentence, the word **WALKED** is given the emphatic stress. This means that the emphasis is on the action of walking rather than any other possibility. In the options provided, the purpose of the question is to confirm or deny the action of walking.

The most relevant option to which the emphatic stress relates is: **Did we run to the school?**

Here's the explanation:

• Since the emphasis is on **WALKED**, the question's focus must contrast with this action. In the sentence provided in the question, the action of **walking** is stressed. So if you are emphasizing that you **walked**, you are implicitly denying another similar action, such as **running**.
• The question **Did we run to the school?** is directly related because it contrasts the action of walking with running.
• Therefore, the emphatic stress on **WALKED** answers the question by implying: "No, we did not run; we **walked**."

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The word anxious refers to a feeling of worry or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. When someone is anxious, they are not calm or assured; rather, they are concerned about a possible problem or risk.

Let's examine the given options:

• Perturbed: This means feeling disturbed, troubled, or unsettled, which closely aligns with being anxious, as both terms involve a state of apprehension or unease.
• Sure: This means being confident in one's knowledge or ability. It suggests certainty and is the opposite of feeling anxious.
• Confident: This means having faith or strong assurance in something, which contrasts with feeling anxious because it suggests a lack of worry.
• Certain: This implies having no doubt about something, which is also contrary to being anxious, as it indicates sureness rather than worry.

Therefore, among the options, the word perturbed is nearest in meaning to anxious, as both convey a sense of worry and unease.

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The word "tinge" in the phrase refers to a **slight or small amount of something**. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "tinge" is **tint**. A "tint" can also mean a small amount of color, just as a "tinge" can refer to a small amount of influence or quality.

Let me break it down further for you:

• **Tint**: Refers to a slight color or a small degree of a particular quality.
• **Tray**: This is a flat object used for carrying items, which doesn?t relate to "tinge."
• **Tract**: This generally refers to an area of land or a large piece of written work, which doesn?t fit the meaning of "tinge."
• **Mold**: This can refer to a fungus or a form/shaping element, which also doesn?t match the concept of "tinge" in this context.

Thus, out of all the options, the word that is synonymous in meaning to "tinge" is **tint**. Both suggest a small or slight amount of something.

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The word "unconscionable" refers to behaviour that is immoral or unethical and beyond what is reasonable or just. The nearest in meaning to the word unconscionable is unbecoming, which means inappropriate or not in keeping with the standards of behaviour expected in a particular context, though less severe than unconscionable.

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The word "redress" in the context given means seeking to set right a wrong or to obtain satisfaction for a grievance. It involves correcting or remedying something that was unfair or unjust. Let's look at each option:

• Returns: This refers to giving back or coming back. It does not relate to correcting a wrong or seeking justice.
• Appeal: This involves asking a higher authority to review or change a decision. It is related to legal processes but doesn't specifically mean correcting a wrong.
• Judgement: This refers to the decision reached by a court of law. It represents the end result of a legal process, but not necessarily the act of seeking correction itself.
• Compensation: This refers to something, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury. This aligns closely with the idea of "redress" as it involves making amends for a wrong or loss.

The option nearest in meaning to "redress" is "Compensation" because both involve the idea of rectifying a wrong or providing a remedy to someone who has been wronged.

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The word indolence means a tendency to avoid activity or exertion; essentially, it refers to being lazy or avoiding work. To find the word that is opposite in meaning, we need to look for a term that conveys the idea of someone being hardworking or active.

Let's go through the options:

Indulgence means allowing oneself or another to enjoy something, which doesn't directly relate to being lazy or hardworking.

Laziness is actually similar in meaning to indolence, as it also refers to the avoidance of work or being idle.

Diligence means careful and persistent work or effort. This is the opposite of indolence because it implies being active, hardworking, and industrious. Therefore, diligence is the correct opposite of indolence.

Prudence involves being careful and sensible in one's actions, especially in willful consideration of the future. While it involves thoughtful behavior, it doesn't directly relate to laziness or being hardworking.

In summary, the word opposite in meaning to indolence is diligence, as it represents being hardworking and dedicated to tasks.

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The phrase "won the contest hands down" is an idiomatic expression. In this context, it means that Moses won the contest very easily and with little effort. The term "hands down" originates from horse racing, where a jockey could win so comfortably that they did not need to keep a tight grip on the reins, hence, hands down. Therefore, it implies a victory that is decisive and without any struggle.

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Bint describes her Social Studies teacher as meddlesome as she narrates how she took on her Social Studies teacher who thinks he knows "a little bit about every subject under the sun". This can be found on page 1 of the novel. 

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The word conviviality refers to a quality of being friendly, lively, and enjoyable in social interactions, often associated with feasting, celebrating, and a pleasant atmosphere. In the context of Mr. Jebu displaying a high sense of conviviality during the Gala, it suggests that he was exhibiting friendly and lively behavior that contributed to an enjoyable social environment.

Examining the options:

• Spitefulness refers to acting with malice and a desire to harm or annoy others. This is not related to conviviality, as conviviality is positive and about enjoyment and friendliness.
• Conjugality pertains to marriage or the relationship between married partners. This is not aligned with the concept of conviviality, which is more about social enjoyment and friendliness rather than marital relationships.
• Friendliness means being kind, pleasant, and welcoming to others. This closely aligns with the notion of conviviality, as it captures the essence of being sociable and creating a pleasant atmosphere.
• Blissfulness refers to a state of perfect happiness or joy. While it connotes a positive feeling, it is more about individual happiness rather than the social aspect of friendliness conveyed by conviviality.

Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to the word conviviality is friendliness, as it accurately reflects the sociable and enjoyable spirit described by conviviality.

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The correct choice to complete the sentence is "yours."

Here's the explanation:

• "your's" is incorrect because the apostrophe indicates possession, but in standard English, the word "yours" is already the possessive pronoun, so no apostrophe is needed.


• "your" is a possessive adjective used before a noun, for example, "your book." Since the sentence is asking about the pronoun referring to the owner of the friends, "your" is not appropriate.
• "yours'" is incorrect because it attempts to pluralize or possess a form that is already possessive. "Yours" is the correct possessive pronoun and does not need an apostrophe.
• "yours" is the correct answer. It is the possessive pronoun which indicates that something belongs to "you." In this context, it functions correctly to refer to the ownership of the friends being inquired about.

Therefore, the sentence should read: "Are those girls friends of yours?"

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The word "reckless" in the sentence "His reckless remark did not go unnoticed" suggests that the remark was made without careful thought or consideration of the potential consequences. Let's explore the meaning and implications of each option:

• Salient: This word means something that is most noticeable or important. It does not fit well with "reckless," as "salient" emphasizes visibility or prominence, rather than carelessness.
• Considerable: This refers to something that is significant or worthy of attention, often due to its size or importance. It does not match "reckless," because "considerable" does not imply a lack of caution or foresight.
• Taciturn: This describes a person who is reserved or says little. It is almost the opposite of making a "reckless" remark since taciturn people are cautious about speaking.
• Unguarded: This means lacking in caution or care, especially in speech or behavior. It aligns with "reckless" because both suggest speaking without careful thought or control, leading to unintended consequences.

Therefore, the option closest in meaning to "reckless" is unguarded.

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In Khadija Abubakar Jalili's "The Life Changer," the "Note of Salvation" refers specifically to the cheat notes that Kolawole Abdul passed to Salma. These notes were intended to help Salma during an examination by providing her with the answers she needed. It was a clandestine method of cheating, aiming to ensure her success in the exam.

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In the passage, the word "destined" refers to the predetermined fate or purpose of the eggs in the honeybee colony. It mentions that "eggs destined to become queens" are deposited in queen cells, meaning these eggs are predetermined to develop into queens.

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In the given sentence, "Mr. Ezeh _______ with some solutions to the issue," the correct verb phrase to fill the gap is "came up." The sentence is likely referring to a past action where Mr. Ezeh presented or generated solutions.

Here's why each option can be considered:

• "came up": This is the past tense of the phrasal verb "come up with," which means to think of or produce an idea or solution. The use of past tense indicates that the action of presenting solutions has been completed, making it the most appropriate choice for the sentence.
• "come up": This is the present tense and does not fit well in the context if the action occurred in the past.
• "flew up": This phrasal verb usually refers to an actual upward movement and not related to generating ideas or solutions. Hence, it's unrelated to the context of the sentence.
• "brought up": While "brought up" can refer to introducing a topic or idea, it doesn't specifically imply generating "solutions" to an issue. Instead, it usually refers to introducing topics in conversation.

Therefore, "came up" is the correct choice because it implies Mr. Ezeh thought of or presented solutions in the past.

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The correct answer is "its".

Explanation:

The term "jury" is a collective noun, which represents a group acting as a single unit. When you refer to a collective noun in English, it is generally treated as singular, even though it may represent multiple people. Therefore, the pronoun "its" is used to refer to nouns that are singular and inanimate or to institutions and groups acting as a single entity.

On the other hand:

• "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," which would not be appropriate in this context.
• "His" and "her" are used for singular male and female pronouns, respectively, but do not apply here since the jury is not a person.

Thus, the correct choice to indicate that the jury gave their decision is "its".

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The drones are the honeybees that do not live long. Drone bees are male bees whose primary role is to mate with a queen bee. They do not participate in foraging for food or taking care of the hive. Once they have completed their mating role, they typically die shortly thereafter because mating is a fatal act for them.

In addition, if drones have not mated by the end of the mating season, they are often expelled from the hive by the worker bees. This is primarily because drones do not contribute to the hive's upkeep, and during times when resources are scarce, it is not beneficial for the colony to support them. Therefore, drones generally have a shorter lifespan compared to the queen and worker bees in the hive.

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The phrase that best completes the sentence is "very first party dress". Here’s why:

When constructing a sentence, it is essential to follow the correct order of adjectives. English has a typical order for adjectives when more than one is used for a noun. The order goes as follows: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose.

In this case, the adjective "first" refers to the order or sequence (a kind of number), while "very" is an adverb modifying "first," and "party" indicates the purpose of the dress. Therefore, "very first" precedes "party dress" to correctly describe the item being purchased.

Thus, the correct phrase is "very first party dress", describing the specific dress which Sally helped you buy.

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In the sentence "Why do children _____ adults' conversations?", the most suitable verb is "break into". This is because "to break into" is a phrasal verb that means to enter or join a situation suddenly or unexpectedly. In the context of conversations, it refers to a sudden or unsolicited interruption.

Let's briefly examine the other options:

Break up: This usually means to end or separate (commonly used with relationships or groups), and it does not fit well with the sentence.

Break down: This typically refers to something failing or ceasing to function (like a machine or discussing emotions), which does not make sense in the given context.

Break off: This often means to end or pause something abruptly, like a conversation. However, it implies a deliberate action to stop rather than interrupt.

Therefore, "break into" is the most appropriate completion because it accurately describes the action of a child interrupting or joining an ongoing conversation suddenly.

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The phrase prevail upon generally means to get someone to do something by reasoning with them or urging them consistently. It implies a gentle but firm influence to change someone's mind or decision. Therefore, the term that is nearest in meaning to prevail upon is persuade. When you persuade someone, you are convincing them to do something through reasoning or argument, rather than by forcing or overruling them.

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A "call-mark" is used to identify the specific location of a book on a shelf.

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To complete the sentence "Women always ______ themselves in beautiful apparel," we need a verb that logically connects with "beautiful apparel." Let's look at the options:

• Adorn: This verb means to decorate or add beauty. So, when someone adorns themselves, they decorate themselves in a beautiful way. The word "adorn" is commonly used in the context of clothing and jewelry, making it the most appropriate choice for this sentence.
• Mar: This verb means to spoil or damage. It doesn't fit with the context of wearing beautiful apparel.
• Trim: This usually means to cut or decorate the edges. While "trim" can relate to apparel, it doesn't accurately describe how someone would generally dress themselves.
• Garnish: This is often used in the context of food, meaning to add decorative items. It is not typically used for clothing.

Therefore, the best word to complete the sentence is "adorn." Women always adorn themselves in beautiful apparel.

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To best fill the gap labelled 11, we need to understand what is being described in the context of a mine. The passage talks about using steel plates in the roof of a mine to support the immense weight of rocks and earth above. This means that additional structures are needed to stabilize or support the roof.

In mining terminology, "props" are vertical supports or struts used to hold up the roof in underground mining. They are crucial for providing stability and preventing collapses. None of the other options fit this specific function as well.

"Wedges" and "stakes" are generally not used for support in such heavy-duty situations as they function more as fasteners or tools for providing alignment. "Poles" could suggest support, but they are not as precise as "props" in describing mining structures specifically designed to uphold the roof.

Thus, the most appropriate word to fill the gap is props, which directly aligns with the concept of supporting structures in the mining industry to handle the pressure from the ground above.

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To find a word that rhymes with "hurt," we need to look for a word with a similar ending sound. The word "hurt" ends with the sound "urt."

Let's analyze the given options:

• hot: Ends with the sound "ot," so it does not rhyme with "hurt."
• cough: Ends with the sound "off," which does not rhyme with "hurt."
• coil: Ends with the sound "oil," which does not rhyme with "hurt."
• shirt: Ends with the sound "irt," which is very similar to "urt."

Therefore, the word "shirt" rhymes with "hurt" because they both end with a similar sound. The main requirement for words to rhyme is that their ending phonetic sounds match or are very similar.

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The word underlined here is "indifferent." This word describes someone who shows a lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; they are neutral or unconcerned about the situation.

To find the option that is opposite in meaning, we need to look for a word that suggests actively showing concern or emotion. Let's evaluate each option:

a strong: This option refers to being powerful or forceful. It does not directly relate to the level of concern or interest.

a concerned: This option implies that someone cares about something and is involved or worried about it. This is the opposite of being indifferent because an indifferent person does not show interest or concern.

an uninterested: This is synonymous with being indifferent, as both mean showing a lack of interest.

an unresponsive: This implies not responding or reacting, which is related but not directly opposite to being indifferent.

Therefore, the option "a concerned" is the correct choice as it is the opposite of "indifferent," showing that the person has interest and is involved emotionally.

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The correct option to complete the sentence is "ours".

Here's the explanation:

• Ours: This is the correct possessive pronoun. It is used to show ownership and does not require an apostrophe. It means "belonging to us". In the sentence, "she is a friend of ours" effectively means "she is a friend belonging to us".
• Our's: This is incorrect because there is no possessive pronoun form with an apostrophe before 's'. Possessive pronouns are inherently complete and do not need an apostrophe.
• Ours': This is also incorrect. The placement of the apostrophe after 's' suggests a plural possessive, which is not applicable here.
• Our: "Our" is a possessive adjective and must be followed by a noun to make sense in a sentence. The phrase would be ungrammatically incomplete if constructed as "she is a friend of our".

Therefore, the correct choice is "ours" because it properly shows possession without the need for an apostrophe.

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In the statement "Bala ate a slice of BREAD," the word "BREAD" is emphasized. When a word in a sentence is emphasized, it means that word is being highlighted as the key piece of information. To determine the correct sentence that relates to this emphatic stress, we need to contrast the emphasized word ("BREAD") with alternative options provided.

Among the given options, we are looking for a question where the replacement or alternative to "BREAD" is mentioned. The question "Did Bala eat a slice of cake?" challenges the emphasized word "BREAD" by replacing it with "cake." This makes it the correct option because it tests the emphasis placed on "BREAD."

Therefore, the question "Did Bala eat a slice of cake?" directly contrasts with the emphasis on "BREAD" in the original statement.

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The correct option that best completes the sentence is: expatiate/playwright. Here's why:

1. **Expatiate:** This means to speak or write in detail about a particular topic. In the context of the sentence, the students wanted the Literature teacher to elaborate or explain the point of view more thoroughly. The correct spelling is "expatiate", not "expantiate," which is incorrect.

2. **Playwright:** This refers to a person who writes plays, and is the correct term in this context as it concerns literature. The word should not be confused with "playwriter" or "playwrite," both of which are incorrect. The suffix "wright" indicates a maker or builder, and "playwright" specifically refers to the creator of plays.

Thus, the sentence would read: Everyone in class wanted the Literature teacher to expatiate the point of view of the playwright.

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The correct option to complete the sentence is: comprises.

Here's the explanation:

• The word "comprises" is used correctly when the subject of a sentence includes or consists of certain elements. The basic structure is: "A comprises B." In this case, "The new national security committee comprises retired military personnel."
• The word "comprised" is the past tense of "comprise," and it would indicate a past situation. Since there is no indication that the sentence is referring to the past, "comprises" is more appropriate.
• The option "comprises of" is incorrect because when you use "comprise," you do not follow it with "of." The phrase "comprises of" is not grammatically correct.
• The phrase "is comprising" is also incorrect because "comprise" is typically not used in a progressive tense. The verb "comprise" usually follows the pattern of present tense (comprises) or is used in simple past (comprised) without the auxiliary "is."

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In English grammar, when we refer to hypothetical or unreal situations, especially when expressing actions or states using 'as if', we often use the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood reflects wishes, hypotheticals, demands, or suggestions. In this case, "treats people as if she _____ better than they are," denotes a hypothetical situation. **Maryam is not actually better; it is just a hypothetical situation.**

For such hypotheticals in English, we typically use 'were,' regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. Hence, the correct completion of the sentence is, Maryam, the girl in my neighbourhood, treats people as if she **were** better than they are.

Thus, "**were**" effectively completes the sentence because it aligns with the grammatical rules applied for hypothetical or unlikely conditions. This makes **"were"** the correct choice.

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The phrase shows the writer's awareness of the dangerous and violent nature of the insurgents pursuing them.