JAMB UTME - Use of English - 1999

If present trends continue, the world would face major crises by end of the 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 of 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 calculation 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 is 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.

Answer Details

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

Everyone, including the Principal, believed that he was very assiduous student?

Answer Details

The opposite of "assiduous" would be "casual". Assiduous means showing great care, attention, and effort in doing something, while casual means relaxed and unconcerned, showing a lack of care or attention. So, in the given sentence, if everyone believed that he was a very assiduous student, it means that he was very diligent and hardworking in his studies. The opposite of this would be a casual student, who is not very concerned about their studies and does not put in much effort.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

The Federal Government approved a new salary structure as an incentive for the Nigerian workers?

Answer Details

The underlined word "incentive" means something that motivates or encourages someone to do something. An option closest in meaning to "incentive" is "an encouragement," which also means something that motivates or inspires someone. Therefore, "an encouragement" is the correct answer.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

Abdul is fond of his teacher though he sometimes makes derogatory remarks about him?

Answer Details

The opposite of the underlined word "derogatory" is "complimentary." If Abdul is fond of his teacher despite making derogatory remarks about him, it means that he likes his teacher despite saying negative or critical things about him. Therefore, the option that expresses a positive opinion about the teacher is the opposite of "derogatory." "Complimentary" means giving praise or admiration, so it is the opposite of "derogatory" in meaning.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

He is so credulous _____ my story about the ghost?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill the blank in the sentence is "that he believes". "Credulous" means being too willing to believe things, often without thinking carefully or having evidence. Therefore, when we say someone is "credulous," we mean they are easily convinced or persuaded to believe something. In the given sentence, the speaker is saying that "he" is very credulous, indicating that "he" believes the speaker's story about the ghost. The phrase "that he believes" best fits in the blank as it expresses the idea that "he" is convinced or persuaded by the speaker's story. The other options do not fit well in the sentence. "To believe" would be correct if the sentence was constructed differently, for example: "He is so credulous that he is likely to believe my story about the ghost." "In order to believe" is not suitable here since it implies that something needs to be done before he can believe the story, which is not the case in the given sentence. "Since he believes" is not appropriate as it implies that his belief caused his credulity, which may not be the case in this context.

The word in capital letters has an emphatic stress, Choose the option that best fits the expression in the sentence?

The fire destroyed MANY lives?

Answer Details

The emphatic stress is on the word "MANY." Therefore, the best option that fits the expression in the sentence is "Did the fire destroy any lives?" as it emphasizes the large number of lives that were lost in the fire.

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

The space numbered 20 in the passage refers to the process carried out by the "error-proof" section in the publishing house to correct both spelling and typing errors in the manuscript. The most appropriate option that describes this process is "proof-reading," which involves carefully reading through a document to detect and correct errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Therefore, "proof-reading" is the correct answer.

Some robbers are on the prowl, we must be _____ ?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option is "on the alert." The phrase "on the alert" means to be vigilant or watchful, especially in a potentially dangerous situation. In this sentence, the speaker is warning others about the presence of robbers and is urging them to be vigilant and watchful. Therefore, the correct option is "on the alert." The other options do not fit this sentence because they do not convey the same level of vigilance or watchfulness as "on the alert" does.

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 trade. Nearly all the developing countries have a modern sector, where the pattern 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 works, 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 cities because their chances of finding some work appear to be greater there than in the village, where they are nil. Rural unemployment then produces mass migration into 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 workplace, literally millions of workplaces.

Answer Details

The word in capital letters has an emphatic stress, Choose the option that best fits the expression in the sentence?

The electricity in OUR premises comes from a generator?

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s).

All the accident victims are bleeding profusely?

Answer Details

The word "profusely" refers to bleeding excessively or in large amounts. Therefore, the option that is closest in meaning to "profusely" is "excessively."

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The tennis player surreptitiously swapped rackets after the first set?

Answer Details

The underlined word "surreptitiously" means to do something in a secretive or sneaky way, so the option that is opposite in meaning is "openly retained." This means that the tennis player would have kept the same racket openly and without any attempt to hide it. The other options are not opposite in meaning, as "overtly exchanged" means to exchange openly, "quietly surrendered" means to give up quietly, and "violently swung" means to swing violently.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

The group never felt strong enough to act in the open _____ hostility was the hallmark of their resistance?

Answer Details

Select the option that best explain the information conveyed in the sentence.

The reformists say elections cannot be free and fair unless a number of constitutional changes are effected?

Answer Details

The sentence implies that the reformists believe that for elections to be free and fair, certain changes must be made to the constitution. Therefore, the correct option would be "Free and fair elections depend on law reforms."

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided.

By twelve midnight, we will be _____ en route for Britain?

Answer Details

Identify the word that has a different stress pattern from the others?

Answer Details

The word with a different stress pattern from the others is "Actualization." In English, stress is the emphasis given to a syllable or a word within a sentence. Most English words are made up of one or more syllables, and one of these syllables is pronounced with more emphasis than the others. For "interlocutor," "opportunity," and "ambiguity," the stress is on the second syllable. However, for "Actualization," the stress is on the fourth syllable. So, "Actualization" is the word that has a different stress pattern from the others.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

Aggrieved persons are free to seek _____ in the court of law?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is "redress." In the context of the sentence, the word "redress" refers to the act of seeking a remedy or a solution to a problem or an injustice through legal means. When individuals feel wronged or aggrieved, they can seek redress in a court of law in order to obtain justice or compensation for the harm that they have suffered. Therefore, "redress" is the most appropriate option as it accurately reflects the legal recourse available to individuals seeking to address a grievance or injustice.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

My friend and I have been quarrelling since yesterday and we haven't _____ yet?

Answer Details

Choose the word that does not have the same vowel sound as the others?

Answer Details

The word that does not have the same vowel sound as the others is "short". The vowel sound in "short" is different from the vowel sound in "sun", "shun" and "son", which all have the same "uh" sound. "Short" has the "or" sound.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

My friend's car has _____ to a halt?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the gap is "ground to a halt". This means that the car has stopped suddenly and completely. It is a common expression used to describe a sudden and unexpected stop. The other options do not fit the context and do not make sense in this sentence.

If present trends continue, the world would face major crises by end of the 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 of 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 calculation 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 is 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.

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

Mr. Dzokoto plays the piano with great dexterity?

Answer Details

The word "dexterity" means skill or ability to perform a task with accuracy, ease, and speed. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "dexterity" is "skill."

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 trade. Nearly all the developing countries have a modern sector, where the pattern 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 works, 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 cities because their chances of finding some work appear to be greater there than in the village, where they are nil. Rural unemployment then produces mass migration into 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 workplace, literally millions of workplaces.

Answer Details

Underemployment among villagers refers to the situation where there are fewer work opportunities available than there are people willing and able to work. It means that the people in rural areas have limited job opportunities and are often unable to find full-time employment, resulting in low productivity and inadequate income. This leads to mass migration to cities in search of work, which in turn creates urban unemployment. The primary need to address this issue is to create more job opportunities in small towns and villages where most of the population resides.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

When he found himself in a difficult situation, he tried to double-talk his way through?

Answer Details

The underlined phrase "double-talk his way through" means to use language that is deliberately confusing or ambiguous to deceive or mislead others in order to get out of a difficult situation. Among the options given, the one that best matches the meaning of the phrase is "mix up facts to confuse people." This is because when someone is double-talking, they are intentionally using language that is unclear or difficult to follow, often by mixing up or manipulating facts or information. This can be done in order to confuse or deceive others into thinking that the speaker knows more than they actually do or to avoid answering questions directly.

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

The correct option for the space numbered 25 in the above passage is "royalty." In publishing, a royalty is a percentage of the revenue that is paid to the author of a book for each copy sold. It is a form of compensation for the author's work and is typically specified in the publishing contract between the author and the publisher. Option B, "honorarium," refers to a payment made to someone for their services, but it is typically used for a one-time payment or a token of appreciation, rather than an ongoing payment like a royalty. Option C, "dividend," refers to a payment made to shareholders of a company as a share of the company's profits. This is not related to publishing or book sales. Option D, "interest," refers to the amount of money that is paid by a borrower to a lender in exchange for the use of money over a period of time. This is also not related to publishing or book sales. Therefore, the correct answer is "royalty."

If present trends continue, the world would face major crises by end of the 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 of 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 calculation 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 is 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.

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The prosecutor was accused of obstructing justice?

Answer Details

The word "obstructing" means to block or hinder the course of justice. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word is "hindering," which also means to cause delay or prevent the progress of something. The other options are similar in meaning but have slightly different nuances: "retarding" means to slow down or delay the progress of something, "impeding" means to obstruct or block the way of something, and "interrupting" means to stop something briefly before it can continue.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

His cruelty to his mother defies logical explanation?

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

The college Officer insisted that I show him my credentials before I could be registered?

Answer Details

The underlined word "credentials" refers to some form of proof or evidence of a person's qualifications, skills, or achievements. Among the given options, "qualifications" is the nearest in meaning to "credentials." Therefore, the sentence means that the college officer required the speaker to present some proof or evidence of their qualifications before they could be registered. This could include things like diplomas, certificates, or other documents that demonstrate the speaker's education, training, or experience.

Choose the word that does not have the same vowel sound as the others?

Answer Details

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

I am _____ admission to the university this year?

Answer Details

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The dancing troupe put up a flawless performance?

Answer Details

The underlined word "flawless" means without any errors or imperfections. An opposite meaning would be "imperfect," which means having errors, flaws, or defects. Therefore, "an imperfect" is the opposite of the underlined word in the sentence.

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

The correct option for the space numbered 21 in the passage is "typeset". This is because typesetting involves arranging text and images on a page in a way that is visually appealing and easy to read. It involves using various font sizes and styles, adjusting line spacing, and creating page layouts. After the manuscript has been edited and errors corrected, it is formatted and typeset in preparation for printing. Therefore, option B, "typeset" is the correct option for the space numbered 21.

Choose from the options the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined?

Research

Answer Details

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 values 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 a democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status protection in his deprivation, losses and fears.

In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate system of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidize housing, unemployment insurance, old age pension, 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, injustice 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.

Answer Details

One of the social services provided by democratic nations is social welfare schemes. The passage describes how democratic nations have installed elaborate systems of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidized housing, unemployment insurance, old age pension, psychiatric care, and national health services. The passage also notes that it is encouraging that democratic nations are making a serious effort to provide against the characteristic losses and disasters of human life, indicating that social welfare schemes are an important part of a democratic society.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

Orinya balances the pail on her head with accustomed ease?

Answer Details

The word "accustomed" means something that is usual or customary, which implies that Orinya has done this task many times before and is therefore very comfortable with it. Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word is "unusual," which means something that is not common or customary, and would suggest that Orinya is not used to carrying a pail on her head and may find it difficult or awkward. The other options do not have an opposite meaning to "accustomed" in the context of the sentence. "Surprising" would mean that Orinya is able to carry the pail with ease, which is consistent with the original meaning of the sentence. "Convincing" has no opposite meaning, and "unwary" means to be unaware or careless, which is not relevant in the context of the sentence.

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Select the correct option for the space numbered 23 in the above passage

Answer Details

The correct option for the space numbered 23 in the passage is "copies". The sentence talks about the printed copies of the book being stored in the warehouse. So, the option that fits best in the sentence is "copies".

The word in capital letters has an emphatic stress, Choose the option that best fits the expression in the sentence?

The accused hasn't even been TRIED yet?

Answer Details

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

It was late when we decided to get _____ the train?

Answer Details

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 trade. Nearly all the developing countries have a modern sector, where the pattern 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 works, 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 cities because their chances of finding some work appear to be greater there than in the village, where they are nil. Rural unemployment then produces mass migration into 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 workplace, literally millions of workplaces.

Answer Details

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

My eldest brother is now faced with the vicissitudes of married life?

Answer Details

The underlined word "vicissitudes" refers to the ups and downs, changes, and unpredictability of life. An opposite meaning would be "stability," which means a state of being firmly established, consistent, and unchanging. Therefore, "stability" is the opposite of the underlined word in the sentence.

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 trade. Nearly all the developing countries have a modern sector, where the pattern 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 works, 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 cities because their chances of finding some work appear to be greater there than in the village, where they are nil. Rural unemployment then produces mass migration into 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 workplace, literally millions of workplaces.

Answer Details

Migration to the city among villagers is caused by inadequate job opportunities in the village. The passage explains that the poor in developing countries often have limited work opportunities, and their productivity is very low. Some of them have too little land to cultivate, and many have no land at all. As a result, there is rural unemployment, which leads to mass migration into cities in search of better job opportunities. However, there is no work for them in the big cities, and there is no housing either. Despite this, they continue to flock into cities because their chances of finding work appear to be greater there than in the village, where their chances are nil. Therefore, it can be concluded that the primary cause of migration to the city among villagers is the inadequate job opportunities in the village.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The officer asked for a more temperate assessment of the matter?

Answer Details

The option opposite in meaning to the underlined word "temperate" is "extreme". When we say "temperate", we mean that something is moderate, balanced, or restrained in its approach or behavior. In this sentence, the officer is asking for a more moderate or balanced assessment of the matter. Therefore, "moderate" is the word that means the opposite of "temperate". "Extreme" means going beyond the usual or reasonable limit, which is the opposite of moderate or balanced. "Radical" means advocating or implementing fundamental or far-reaching change, which is not necessarily the opposite of "temperate" but could be depending on the context. "Humane" means being compassionate and kind, which is not related to the meaning of "temperate".

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

The government is not opening up to the unions in the negotiations; it must have something up its sleeve?

Answer Details

The underlined phrase "have something up its sleeve" means that the government is keeping a secret plan or strategy to deal with the unions. Option A, "be nursing a hidden agenda" has a similar meaning, as it implies that the government is keeping a secret agenda or plan. Therefore, option A is the option nearest in meaning to the underlined phrase.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

Mrs Ojo was one of _____ in my village?

Answer Details

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The Minister has finally been dropped from the present cabinet because of his ignoble act?

Answer Details

The opposite in meaning to "ignoble" is "honourable." "Ignoble" refers to something or someone that is dishonorable, shameful, or not worthy of respect. Therefore, an "ignoble act" is an action that is dishonorable or shameful. On the other hand, "honourable" refers to something or someone that is deserving of respect, dignity, or admiration. So, the opposite of "ignoble act" would be an "honourable act," which is an action that is deserving of respect or admiration.

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

My brother married a loquacious woman?

Answer Details

The opposite in meaning to "loquacious" is "quiet." "Loquacious" refers to someone who talks a lot or talks too much. Therefore, a "loquacious woman" is a woman who talks a lot or excessively. On the other hand, "quiet" refers to someone or something that makes little or no noise or disturbance. So, the opposite of a "loquacious woman" would be a "quiet woman," which is a woman who talks less or not at all.

Select the option that best explain the information conveyed in the sentence.

The manager said that the new loaf was the last word in bakery?

Answer Details

The option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is: "The loaf was the best ever baked". This is because the phrase "the last word" is an idiomatic expression that means the best or most advanced example of something. Therefore, when the manager says the new loaf is the last word in bakery, he means that it is the best loaf of bread ever baked.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

He boasts so much about his high scores and he _____ at the efforts of others?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank space is "scorns". "Scorns" means to look down on or treat with contempt. In the given sentence, the speaker is saying that the person being referred to boasts a lot about his high scores, and he looks down on the efforts of others. This implies that the person has a high opinion of himself and does not respect the achievements of others. Therefore, the word that best fits in the blank space is "scorns".

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

Musa hates Hadiza for her constant bellicose behaviour?

Answer Details

The opposite in meaning to the underlined word "bellicose" would be "gentle".

Select the option that best explain the information conveyed in the sentence.

The crowd in the hall is intimidating?

Answer Details

The sentence means that the people gathered in the hall are causing a feeling of fear or nervousness in someone. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is "The crowd is frightening."

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

The most appropriate option for the space numbered 22 in the passage is "printing". In the context of publishing, "printing" refers to the process of reproducing a book or manuscript in large quantities using a printing press. This is the final stage in the production process before the book is distributed for sale. Therefore, in this sentence, the publisher is getting the manuscript ready for printing so that it can be published and sold. "Photocopying" and "xeroxing" refer to the process of making copies using a photocopier or a Xerox machine, respectively. While these processes can be used to reproduce documents, they are not typically used in the production of books. "Filming" could refer to the process of creating a film adaptation of a book, but it is not relevant in this context, as the passage is discussing the production of printed books.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

The accident was due to _____driving by the defendant?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is "negligent." The word "negligent" is an adjective that means careless or not giving proper attention to something. In the context of the sentence, it means that the defendant was driving carelessly or not paying proper attention, which caused the accident. The other options are not grammatically correct or do not fit the context of the sentence, making "negligent" the most appropriate and correct option to fill in the blank.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

Adamu woke up with a start a took to his heels, claiming that something was on his trail?

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "on his trail" is "giving him the chase". This means that Adamu felt like something was following him and trying to catch him, so he ran away quickly. "On his trail" is an idiomatic expression that means someone or something is pursuing or following closely behind you.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

My father's advice to me was quite invaluable?

Answer Details

The option opposite in meaning to the underlined word "invaluable" is "useless". Explanation: "Invaluable" means extremely useful or valuable, while "useless" means having no use or value. Therefore, the opposite of "invaluable" is "useless".

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

The principal expressed his _____when the students broke the rules _____ and he didn't know how to stop them?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill the gap is "frustration / time and again". This is because the sentence suggests that the students broke the rules repeatedly ("time and again") and the principal did not know how to stop them, leading to his feeling of frustration. The other options do not fit the context of the sentence as well.

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 values 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 a democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status protection in his deprivation, losses and fears.

In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate system of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidize housing, unemployment insurance, old age pension, 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, injustice 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.

Answer Details

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

After the surgical operation, the doctor gave the indication that Mr. Idogo will pull through?

Answer Details

The phrase "pull through" means to recover successfully from an illness or a difficult situation. The option opposite in meaning to "pull through" is therefore "die", which means to cease to live.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

There is no point dissipating energy on a useless argument?

Answer Details

The opposite of "dissipating" is "conserving". When we say "dissipating energy", it means wasting or using up energy in an inefficient or useless way. Therefore, "conserving energy" means to save or preserve energy instead of wasting it. So, the sentence "There is no point dissipating energy on a useless argument" means that it's not worth wasting your energy on an argument that won't lead to anything productive. The opposite of that would be "There is a point in conserving energy for more important matters."

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The man preaches egalitarianism without matching it up with action?

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "egalitarianism" is "equality." Egalitarianism is the belief in the principle of equality among all people, especially in political, social, or economic terms. In this sentence, the man is said to be preaching egalitarianism, which means he is advocating for equality, but not taking any action to support this belief. Therefore, the correct option is "equality." The other options do not fit this sentence because they do not convey the same meaning as "egalitarianism."

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

They were all behaving like a bunch of _____ children?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the gap is "querulous." "Querulous" refers to someone who complains or whines a lot, especially in a petty or annoying manner. Therefore, "querulous children" would refer to children who are constantly complaining or whining in a vexatious or petulant way. The other options provided ("querrulous," "querrullous," and "quarrelous") are not actual words in the English language and do not have any meaning.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

Although the officer wanted a _____ reported on the matter, he got _____ account?

Answer Details

Select the option that best explain the information conveyed in the sentence.

Hundreds of used items will go under the hammer during the weekend?

Answer Details

The sentence means that a lot of old items will be sold at an auction during the weekend. So, is the correct answer.

Choose the word that does not have the same vowel sound as the others?

Answer Details

The word that does not have the same vowel sound as the others is "route." "Loot," "boot," and "rout" all contain the same vowel sound pronounced as "oo" as in "moon." This sound is also known as the "long u" sound. However, "route" has a different vowel sound, which is pronounced as "ow" as in "cow" or "out." This sound is known as the "diphthong ow" sound. Therefore, "route" is the word that does not have the same vowel sound as the others.

Identify the word that has a different stress pattern from the others?

Answer Details

The word that has a different stress pattern from the others is "Harmattan." In the English language, stress refers to the emphasis placed on a syllable or a word in a sentence. In the words "interrupt," "contribute," and "entertain," the stress is on the second syllable (in-TER-rupt, con-TRI-bute, en-ter-TAIN). However, in the word "Harmattan," the stress is on the first syllable (HAR-mat-tan), making it the word that has a different stress pattern from the others.

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 values 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 a democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status protection in his deprivation, losses and fears.

In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate system of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidize housing, unemployment insurance, old age pension, 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, injustice 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.

Answer Details

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

The correct option for the space numbered 24 in the passage is "complimentary." The sentence talks about how the author may receive a few copies of the published book as a gift from the publisher. The word "complimentary" means something given as a gift or courtesy, which fits the context of the sentence.

Choose from the options the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined?

Rust

Answer Details

The vowel sound in "rust" is /ʌ/. Out of the given options, only "touch" has the same vowel sound as "rust," as it also contains the /ʌ/ sound in its pronunciation. "Loud" has the vowel sound /aʊ/, "bought" has the vowel sound /ɔː/, and "march" has the vowel sound /ɑː/. Therefore, the correct answer is "touch."

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The lectures were advised to carry out a cursory survey of Nigerian languages?

Answer Details

The word "cursory" means to do something quickly or without much attention to detail. Therefore, the opposite of "cursory survey" would be a "detailed study" or a thorough examination of Nigerian languages. Hence, the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word is "detailed study."

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

After two years of courtship, Jide is finally _____ Ngozi next Sunday?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option is "marrying." The sentence is in the active voice, and the subject (Jide) is the one performing the action. The verb should, therefore, be in the active form to reflect this. The verb "marrying" fits this criterion perfectly, as it indicates that Jide will perform the action of marrying Ngozi. The other options do not fit this sentence because they suggest that Ngozi is the one performing the action, which is not the intended meaning of the sentence.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

Ndem was suspended from work because he showed no _____ in dealing with the customers?

Answer Details

The sentence suggests that Ndem's behavior towards customers was not appropriate and led to his suspension from work. Out of the given options, "love" and "character" are not typically used in this context, and therefore can be ruled out. "Interest" is closer in meaning but still does not fully capture the idea of how to deal with customers. The best option is "finesse," which means delicate skill and tact in handling situations or people. Therefore, Ndem showed no finesse in dealing with customers, which could have resulted in his suspension. In summary, "finesse" is the most appropriate option that fits the sentence and the context of Ndem's suspension from work.

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

It was surprising how we took the stranger at once?

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "took" is "formed a liking for". When we say "took to someone", we mean that we quickly and easily form a positive opinion of that person, and usually, we feel comfortable and friendly around them. In this sentence, the speaker is expressing surprise at how quickly they formed a positive impression of the stranger, which is why "formed a liking for" is the most suitable option. "Talked so long with" and "introduced ourselves to" do not capture the meaning of "took to", as they refer to different actions. "Started fighting" is the opposite of what "took to" means, as it suggests that there is hostility or animosity between the speaker and the stranger.

If present trends continue, the world would face major crises by end of the 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 of 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 calculation 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 is 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.

Answer Details

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

Most warring countries end up in a state of satiatic?

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

It was a spending spree for all of us when daddy hit the jackpot?

Answer Details

The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "hit the jackpot" is "won a lot of money". It means that the father had a sudden and significant financial gain, possibly through gambling or lottery, and they all went on a spending spree, which suggests that they spent a lot of money excessively and lavishly.

Choose from the options the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined?

Plateau

Answer Details

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

You would be well _______ to listen to what the teacher says?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the gap is "advised". This is because the sentence implies that the teacher has some valuable knowledge or advice to impart, and the listener would benefit from paying attention to it. "Advised" fits well in this context, conveying a sense of recommendation or suggestion to the listener to follow the teacher's words.

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 values 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 a democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status protection in his deprivation, losses and fears.

In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate system of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidize housing, unemployment insurance, old age pension, 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, injustice 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.

Answer Details

According to the passage, a democratic nation is one which ensures socio-political and legal equality for every citizen. The author emphasizes that when Thomas Jefferson wrote that 'all men are created equal' in the American Declaration of Independence, he was referring to equal political and legal rights for all, despite differences in physical and mental abilities. The author argues that for a democratic society to truly provide equality, it must also provide a minimum level of social and economic protection for its citizens. The passage highlights that the evolving status of the Negro in America is attracting attention to the need for equality in the country.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

Immediately I entered the house, I could _______the smell of gas from the kitchen?

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

Even though there is no obvious riot on the campus, the atmosphere is restive?

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "restive" is "tense". "Restive" means to be uneasy, agitated or restless, often as a result of being discontent or waiting for a change. In the given sentence, the atmosphere on the campus is described as restive, which suggests that there is a sense of unease or tension among the people, even though there is no visible riot or chaos. Therefore, the option that best fits the meaning of "restive" in this context is "tense".

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

Our economic programme is _____commitment to Nigeria's economic growth?

Answer Details

Select the option that best explain the information conveyed in the sentence.

The horizon may not be clear now, but the troubled spots have certainly been noted?

Answer Details

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

Amina said she married a doting husband?

Answer Details

The word "doting" is used to describe someone who is extremely fond of and adores someone or something, often to the point of being excessively indulgent. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "doting" is "a loving" as it also implies a strong affection and caring attitude towards someone. The other options such as "an uncaring" and "a nagging" have the opposite meaning of "doting."

The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.

  Publishing is the fast growing business in Nigeria and there are therefore, many publishing houses all over the country. When ……..16……..[A. an article B. an essay C. a book D. a manuscript]. is submitted by an author, the publisher sends it to ……..17……..[A. an assessor B. an evaluator C. a checker D. an examiner] to know if it is actually publishable. This is important because the publisher wants to make sure that the book catches the ……18…..[A. market B. audience C. students D. shops] when it is eventually published. In a good publishing house, there is …….19……[A. an error-proof B. an editor C. a lithographic D. an evaluation] section which is concerned with……..20……[A. proof-reading B. reading over C. scanning over D. skimming over] the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. After this, the manuscript is ………21…….[A. typewritten B. typeset C. double-spaced D. single-spaced] in readiness for …….22…..[A. photocopying B. Xeroxing C. filming D. printing].

  The printed ……..23……[A. items B. bulletin C. copies D. specimen] are then stored in the warehouse and a few of them may be sent to the author as ……..24……[A. complementary B. complimentary C. acknowledgement D. sample] copies. Since it is not just the aim of the publisher to offset the cost of production but also to make some gains, there is a strong marketing division which promotes sales. A certain percentage of the cover price of the book is paid to the author as ……..25……[A. royalty B. honorarium C. dividend D. interest].

Answer Details

The correct option for the space numbered 19 is "an editor". This is because a good publishing house has an editor section, which is concerned with proofreading the manuscript and correcting both the spelling and typing errors. An editor is a person responsible for revising and preparing written work for publication, ensuring that the text is free of errors, and is coherent and readable. Therefore, an editor is the best option to fill the gap.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

His chances in the games _____ seriously jeopardized?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank space is "have been". This is because the sentence is referring to chances, which is a plural noun, and requires a plural verb. "Have been" is the present perfect tense of the verb "to be" in plural form, which means that it is the correct verb form to use when referring to something that started in the past and continues to the present. Therefore, the correct sentence is "His chances in the games have been seriously jeopardized."

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

They attacked all regulations designed to emasculate student militancy?

Answer Details

The opposite meaning of the word "emasculate" is "strengthen". To "emasculate" means to weaken or deprive of strength, while to "strengthen" means to make something stronger or more powerful. In the given sentence, the regulations are being attacked, and it is stated that they are designed to "emasculate" student militancy. This means that the regulations are intended to weaken or limit the students' ability to be militant. Therefore, if they are being attacked, it implies that the attackers want to prevent the regulations from having that effect, and instead, they want to "strengthen" the students' ability to be militant.

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 values 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 a democratic society must provide for its citizen’s minimum status protection in his deprivation, losses and fears.

In our time, the nations of the democratic world have installed elaborate system of social security and welfare, ranging from compensation for industrial accidents to subsidize housing, unemployment insurance, old age pension, 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, injustice 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.

Answer Details

A suitable title for the passage is "The Meaning of Equality and the Need for Social Security." The passage discusses how the concept of equality in the American Declaration of Independence pertains to political and legal rights rather than physical endowments, and emphasizes the importance of providing basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and livelihood to ensure true equality. It also mentions the efforts of democratic nations to establish social security and welfare systems to protect their citizens from life's challenges. Additionally, the passage highlights the struggle for human rights faced by colored citizens in America. Therefore, "The Meaning of Equality and the Need for Social Security" accurately captures the central theme and ideas presented in the passage.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

The freed robber expressed his gratitude in a _____ prayer of thanksgiving?

Answer Details

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

We found it difficult to identify him as the crowd was ______ around him?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill in the gap is "shoulder to shoulder." The phrase "shoulder to shoulder" is used to describe a group of people standing close together, side by side, with their shoulders touching. In this context, it means that the crowd was standing very close to the person, making it difficult to identify him. The other options, "head to head," "head above head," and "shoulder from shoulder," do not accurately describe the situation of a crowded group of people. "Head to head" implies a confrontational or intimate interaction between two individuals, while "head above head" and "shoulder from shoulder" do not convey the idea of a tightly packed crowd.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

Before we embarking on his current research, the professor carried out a feasibility study of the area?

Answer Details

The underlined word "feasibility" means "practicability" which refers to the ability of something to be done or put into practice. So, the answer is option D - practicability.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined world(S).

They have tried circumvent the restriction on the importation of the commodities?

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "circumvent" is "bypass". In this context, it means to find a way around a restriction or obstacle, to avoid it or to overcome it by cleverness or deception.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

There is much indifference in his behaviour?

Answer Details

The option opposite in meaning to the underlined word "indifference" is "concern." Indifference means a lack of interest, concern, or sympathy while concern refers to an interest in someone or something and a willingness to get involved with it.

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 trade. Nearly all the developing countries have a modern sector, where the pattern 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 works, 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 cities because their chances of finding some work appear to be greater there than in the village, where they are nil. Rural unemployment then produces mass migration into 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 workplace, literally millions of workplaces.

Answer Details

If present trends continue, the world would face major crises by end of the 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 of 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 calculation 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 is 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.

Answer Details

Based on the writer's description of the world energy situation, we may conclude that fossil fuels, which are the primary source of energy for industrial production, agriculture, and transportation, are finite and will be exhausted within a relatively short time. If present trends continue, oil and gas reserves will be exhausted by the middle of the 21st century, while coal and wood reserves suggest a projected supply of 250-300 years. The writer also notes that demand for energy is increasing rapidly, and that consumption of fossil fuels has been greater in recent years than throughout history. Therefore, it is likely that there will be a decline in the standard of living in developed countries and a significant impact on industrial production, agriculture, and transportation.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The secretary runs down anybody that does not sing his praises?

Answer Details

The opposite in meaning to the underlined phrase "runs down" is "honours." To "run down" someone means to criticize or speak negatively about them. So, if the secretary "runs down" anybody who doesn't praise him, it means that he speaks badly about them. Therefore, the option that means the opposite is "honours," which means to show respect or admiration for someone.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

I am _____ admission to the university this year?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option is "seeking." The sentence is incomplete, and the verb is in the present participle form. The most common way to complete the sentence would be to use the preposition "for" after the verb "seeking." The preposition "for" is commonly used after the verb "seeking" to indicate the object of the search. In this case, the object of the search is admission to the university. Therefore, the correct option is "seeking for." The other options do not fit this sentence because they do not use the correct preposition to indicate the object of the search.

Fill in the gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided?

The visitor was very uncomfortable because of his _____ nose?

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill the blank in this sentence is "runny". When we say that someone has a "runny" nose, it means that their nose is producing more mucus than usual, which can be uncomfortable and irritating. In this sentence, the visitor is uncomfortable because of his nose, which indicates that there is some problem with his nose. Therefore, "runny" is the most appropriate option that fits the context of the sentence. The word "running" can also be used to describe a nose that is producing excess mucus, but it is not as commonly used as "runny". "Watery" and "flowing" are not typically used to describe a nose that is producing excess mucus, so they would not be the best options to fill the blank in this sentence.