JAMB UTME - Use of English - 1992

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Before mechanization, workers _____ water out of fabrice with their hands

Answer Details

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

It _____ easier if he told us himself

Answer Details

The correct option is "would be". The sentence is in the conditional mood, and the past tense of "would" is used to indicate that the statement is hypothetical or conditional. The speaker is suggesting that if he told them himself, it would make things easier.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

It seems to be a well thought _____ scheme

Answer Details

It seems to be a well thought out scheme means that the scheme appears to have been planned carefully and thoroughly. The correct option to fill the gap is "out".

In the question below select the option (A-D) that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence:

If i were the captain, i would have led the team to victory

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

He reneged on the agreement between him and his employees

Answer Details

The phrase "he reneged on the agreement" suggests that he went back on his promise or failed to keep his end of the bargain. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning is "failed to keep."

In the question below select the option (A-D) that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence:

Tom ought not to have told me

Answer Details

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

My goats are grazing _____ the field

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The terms of the contract stuck in my throat

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In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

Some children mimic their teachers

Answer Details

The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "mimic" is "imitate." "Mimic" means to imitate or copy someone's actions, words, or behavior. Therefore, the sentence means that some children copy or imitate their teachers. The other options, "mime," "ridicule," and "tease," do not convey the same meaning as "mimic" and are not appropriate substitutes in this context. "Mime" means to perform a silent or exaggerated act, and "ridicule" and "tease" both mean to mock or make fun of someone. However, none of these words specifically imply copying or imitating someone's behavior like "mimic" does.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

The police are looking for _____

Answer Details

The correct option to fill in the blank is: "two big black cars". Explanation: The sentence is referring to the police looking for a specific type of car, and it describes the cars as being both "big" and "black". The adjective "big" describes the size of the cars, while "black" describes their color. The word order of the adjectives in English usually follows the pattern of size before color, so "big" comes before "black". Therefore, the correct option to fill the gap is "two big black cars".

IF economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best a guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as a plus 20 million; economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria’s per capita income, birth and mortality rates literacy rate and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures.

So much Nigerians is determined on the basis of the population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just fewer than 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the large number was the main cause of the collapse of that worth scheme after only four years.

Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states’ portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population-related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to estimate based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration’s effort to ascertain the nation’s population is such a worthwhile venture.

Answer Details

The contentious nature of the subject refers to the disputed 1963 census figures. This means that there is disagreement and controversy over the accuracy of the population figures derived from the 1963 census, which affects many important areas such as development planning and revenue allocation. The Babangida Administration’s effort to ascertain the nation’s population is seen as a positive step to address this issue.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

She has a set of gold _____

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

Language teachers believe that grammar exercise stretch the mind

Answer Details

The opposite of "stretch" is "restrict". When we say that grammar exercises "stretch" the mind, we mean that they challenge and stimulate the brain, helping it to grow and develop. On the other hand, if something "restricts" the mind, it limits its potential and inhibits growth. Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to "stretch" is "restrict".

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

Ojo's response infuriated his wife

Answer Details

The option opposite in meaning to the underlined word "infuriated" is "pleased." "Infuriated" is an adjective that describes someone who is extremely angry or outraged. Therefore, the sentence means that Ojo's response made his wife very angry. On the other hand, "pleased" is an adjective that describes someone who is happy or satisfied with something. If Ojo's response had pleased his wife, it would mean that she was happy or satisfied with what he said or did. The other options - "annoyed," "surprised," and "confused" - do not convey the opposite meaning of "infuriated." They all indicate different emotional reactions but not necessarily in opposition to anger. Therefore, option (B) "pleased" is the opposite in meaning to the underlined word "infuriated" in the given sentence.

The preparation which a study of the humanities can provide stems from three observations about education in our world of accelerating social and technological change. First, with the rate of change, we cannot hope to train our student for specific technologies. That kind of vocational education is obsolescent. By the time the specific training will have been completed, the world will have moved on.

If our education consists of narrow training, we will not be prepared to change. Second and paradoxically, what our student desire from their education is preparation for specific careers – business, engineering, medicine, computer programming and the like, but we will not be able to train them for a life-long career. Their confronting the depressed job market gives our students a certain anxiety, but the solution they seek in vocational training is not sufficient. Third, we sense in our students a narrow materialism, with the good life defined in terms of material comforts. Education then means learning to do a job which will make money. I see in this definition a limiting sense of what education and thus life offer, a definition which excludes joy and meaning. Our narrow approach to the study of the humanities responds to these three related problems. In our changing, yet narrow world, the teaching of the humanities finds one powerful justification – it teaches student how to think.

Answer Details

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

I sent _____ news to the press yesterday

Answer Details

The appropriate option to fill the gap is "an item of". This means that the speaker sent some information or news to the press, and this information or news is referred to as "an item".

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

The doctor tried to alleviate his patients pain

Answer Details

, "worsen" is the opposite in meaning to the underlined word "alleviate." "Alleviate" means to reduce or ease something, particularly pain or suffering. Therefore, "worsen," which means to make something worse, is the opposite of "alleviate."

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

A survey of opinions on how pupils feels about their teachers _____ carried out

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the blank is "has been." The subject of the sentence is "survey," which is singular. Therefore, the verb that follows should also be singular. "Has been" is the correct form of the verb to agree with the singular subject "survey." So the correct sentence would be: "A survey of opinions on how pupils feel about their teachers has been carried out." This means that the survey has already been completed, and the results are available.

Lets begin with a picture.

He must not have been more than thirty years old. The oval face, devoid of those wrinkles of age, the well-turfed and black hair, and his still complete though brown set of teeth supported this assessment. All he had for clothing was a piece of cloth with some words written on it. It must have been one of those cloth-posters used but now abandon by ‘show-biz’ promoters. Across his neck was yet another cloth which bore our national colors of green and white. His feet were naked – just as they came from their creator. In one hand he had an empty tin. He talked ceaselessly and in a disordered fashion. The other free hand emphasized his spoken words and gesture. As he talked, he gazed at you as if you were responsible for his pathetic condition. He looked redeemable, though. There are many of his type in various urban centers.

Beggars! They are in every conceivable place. At the bank, the supermarket, the church, the mosque, the post office – there you will meet them. Before you know it, the more healthy ones besiege you for alms almost to the point of assault. Surely, there is no rationale in giving alms to someone who is physically stronger than you are and who, from all indication, can and should work and fend for himself. Some others are feeble and unfortunately handicapped. Women and young girls constitute a sizeable number of these healthy beggars. Some are nursing mothers and one wonders who their husbands are. Conception by Mr Nobody, perhaps. The young girls in this category are the mother-beggars of tomorrow. But tell me; can’t the society be spared the human waste?

Answer Details

The passage is describing a picture of a man who is a beggar. The man is young, physically fit and able to work, but he is dressed in rags and holds an empty tin. The author observes that beggars like him can be found in many urban areas, and questions why they are not able to support themselves instead of relying on handouts from others. The author suggests that there are also many beggars who are genuinely in need, such as those who are handicapped or unable to work. However, the author ultimately wonders why society cannot find a way to help these individuals rather than allowing them to become a "human waste."

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

_____ him around, i would have informed you

Answer Details

The appropriate option to fill in the gap is "Had I seen". The sentence is a conditional statement where the speaker is expressing regret that they did not inform the listener about something in the past. The structure of the sentence requires the use of the third conditional form "had + past participle" to indicate an unrealized past event.

Lets begin with a picture.

He must not have been more than thirty years old. The oval face, devoid of those wrinkles of age, the well-turfed and black hair, and his still complete though brown set of teeth supported this assessment. All he had for clothing was a piece of cloth with some words written on it. It must have been one of those cloth-posters used but now abandon by ‘show-biz’ promoters. Across his neck was yet another cloth which bore our national colors of green and white. His feet were naked – just as they came from their creator. In one hand he had an empty tin. He talked ceaselessly and in a disordered fashion. The other free hand emphasized his spoken words and gesture. As he talked, he gazed at you as if you were responsible for his pathetic condition. He looked redeemable, though. There are many of his type in various urban centers.

Beggars! They are in every conceivable place. At the bank, the supermarket, the church, the mosque, the post office – there you will meet them. Before you know it, the more healthy ones besiege you for alms almost to the point of assault. Surely, there is no rationale in giving alms to someone who is physically stronger than you are and who, from all indication, can and should work and fend for himself. Some others are feeble and unfortunately handicapped. Women and young girls constitute a sizeable number of these healthy beggars. Some are nursing mothers and one wonders who their husbands are. Conception by Mr Nobody, perhaps. The young girls in this category are the mother-beggars of tomorrow. But tell me; can’t the society be spared the human waste?

_____this assessment’ refers to the man’s

Answer Details

"This assessment" refers to the man's age. The paragraph describes the physical appearance of a beggar, including his oval face, black hair, teeth, and lack of clothing except for two pieces of cloth. The author then goes on to assess the man's age, noting that he appears to be no more than thirty years old, based on his lack of wrinkles and healthy appearance. The phrase "this assessment" refers back to this observation about the man's age, indicating that the author believes he is relatively young. Therefore, the correct option is "Age."

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

Everybody complained of a lean harvest last year

Answer Details

In this context, the word "lean" describes a harvest that did not yield as much as expected or desired, so the option that is nearest in meaning is "poor".

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

One wonders if the situation will improve

Answer Details

The opposite of "improve" is to get worse or deteriorate. Therefore, the correct option is "worsen".

IF economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best a guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as a plus 20 million; economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria’s per capita income, birth and mortality rates literacy rate and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures.

So much Nigerians is determined on the basis of the population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just fewer than 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the large number was the main cause of the collapse of that worth scheme after only four years.

Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states’ portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population-related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to estimate based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration’s effort to ascertain the nation’s population is such a worthwhile venture.

Answer Details

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Four engineers _____ on this system since March

Answer Details

The most appropriate option to fill the blank is "have been working." Explanation: The use of "since March" indicates that the action started in the past and is still ongoing. "Have been working" is the present perfect continuous tense and is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present. So, the sentence means that the four engineers started working on the system in March, and they are still working on it.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

The _____ was filled _____ the Ilorin Magistrate Court

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:`

These two books are identical

Answer Details

The option opposite in meaning to the underlined word "identical" is "different." "Identical" means that two things are exactly the same in every way, so the opposite of that would be that two things are not the same and have differences.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

In addition, their comments are vague and abstract, _____ difficult to interpret

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the gap is "but students find them difficult to interpret." This means that the comments being referred to are vague and abstract, which makes it challenging for students to understand or make sense of them. The word "but" implies a contrast between the vagueness of the comments and the difficulty that students have in interpreting them.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

The choice to go to the university or not is _____

Answer Details

The appropriate option to fill the gap is "yours". Explanation: The sentence is asking about the ownership of the choice, which refers to the person being addressed. The possessive pronoun "yours" is the correct form to use in this case. The options "your" and "your's" are incorrect because they are not grammatically correct forms of the possessive pronoun "yours".

The preparation which a study of the humanities can provide stems from three observations about education in our world of accelerating social and technological change. First, with the rate of change, we cannot hope to train our student for specific technologies. That kind of vocational education is obsolescent. By the time the specific training will have been completed, the world will have moved on.

If our education consists of narrow training, we will not be prepared to change. Second and paradoxically, what our student desire from their education is preparation for specific careers – business, engineering, medicine, computer programming and the like, but we will not be able to train them for a life-long career. Their confronting the depressed job market gives our students a certain anxiety, but the solution they seek in vocational training is not sufficient. Third, we sense in our students a narrow materialism, with the good life defined in terms of material comforts. Education then means learning to do a job which will make money. I see in this definition a limiting sense of what education and thus life offer, a definition which excludes joy and meaning. Our narrow approach to the study of the humanities responds to these three related problems. In our changing, yet narrow world, the teaching of the humanities finds one powerful justification – it teaches student how to think.

Answer Details

According to the writer, a study of the humanities provides a missing link in the education of our students. It teaches students how to think and responds to the problems caused by the fast-changing and narrow world we live in, such as the inability to prepare for specific technologies or a life-long career, and the narrow materialism that limits the definition of education and life to making money and acquiring material comforts.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

My experience in Lagos last week was _____ about

Answer Details

The phrase "nothing to write home" is the most appropriate option to fill in the gap. This expression means that the experience was not noteworthy enough to warrant a letter or message to be sent home to share the details. In other words, the experience was uneventful or not particularly exciting or interesting.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

Statesmen are revered for their objectivity

Answer Details

The word "revered" means to be respected deeply or to be held in great awe or admiration. Therefore, the option that is closest in meaning to "revered" is "respected."

In the question below select the option (A-D) that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence:

He can't be swimming all day

Answer Details

Option A: it's possible he is not swimming now, best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. The sentence implies that the person being referred to may have been swimming for a period of time, but it is not likely that they have been swimming all day. Therefore, it is possible that the person is not swimming at the moment. Options B, C, and D are not supported by the sentence.

Lets begin with a picture.

He must not have been more than thirty years old. The oval face, devoid of those wrinkles of age, the well-turfed and black hair, and his still complete though brown set of teeth supported this assessment. All he had for clothing was a piece of cloth with some words written on it. It must have been one of those cloth-posters used but now abandon by ‘show-biz’ promoters. Across his neck was yet another cloth which bore our national colors of green and white. His feet were naked – just as they came from their creator. In one hand he had an empty tin. He talked ceaselessly and in a disordered fashion. The other free hand emphasized his spoken words and gesture. As he talked, he gazed at you as if you were responsible for his pathetic condition. He looked redeemable, though. There are many of his type in various urban centers.

Beggars! They are in every conceivable place. At the bank, the supermarket, the church, the mosque, the post office – there you will meet them. Before you know it, the more healthy ones besiege you for alms almost to the point of assault. Surely, there is no rationale in giving alms to someone who is physically stronger than you are and who, from all indication, can and should work and fend for himself. Some others are feeble and unfortunately handicapped. Women and young girls constitute a sizeable number of these healthy beggars. Some are nursing mothers and one wonders who their husbands are. Conception by Mr Nobody, perhaps. The young girls in this category are the mother-beggars of tomorrow. But tell me; can’t the society be spared the human waste?

An appropriate title for the passage is

Answer Details

The preparation which a study of the humanities can provide stems from three observations about education in our world of accelerating social and technological change. First, with the rate of change, we cannot hope to train our student for specific technologies. That kind of vocational education is obsolescent. By the time the specific training will have been completed, the world will have moved on.

If our education consists of narrow training, we will not be prepared to change. Second and paradoxically, what our student desire from their education is preparation for specific careers – business, engineering, medicine, computer programming and the like, but we will not be able to train them for a life-long career. Their confronting the depressed job market gives our students a certain anxiety, but the solution they seek in vocational training is not sufficient. Third, we sense in our students a narrow materialism, with the good life defined in terms of material comforts. Education then means learning to do a job which will make money. I see in this definition a limiting sense of what education and thus life offer, a definition which excludes joy and meaning. Our narrow approach to the study of the humanities responds to these three related problems. In our changing, yet narrow world, the teaching of the humanities finds one powerful justification – it teaches student how to think.

Answer Details

"Our world of accelerating social and technological change" means that our world is going through more rapid and constant social and technological changes than before. The changes are happening faster and faster, and this has significant implications for education and training. The passage suggests that a narrow focus on vocational training is not enough to prepare students for the changing world, and that a broader education in the humanities can teach students how to think and adapt to new situations.

In the question below select the option (A-D) that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence:

People may not pick flower in this park

Answer Details

The option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is: "people are prohibited from picking flowers from this park." The sentence is written in the negative form, which means that the intended meaning is the opposite of what is being expressed. Therefore, "People may not pick flowers in this park" means that people are not allowed to pick flowers in this park. The word "prohibited" means not allowed or forbidden, which matches the intended meaning of the sentence. The other options do not convey the sense of prohibition or restriction that is implied in the sentence. Therefore, option (C) "people are prohibited from picking flowers from this park" is the most accurate interpretation of the given sentence.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

Garba always puts his shoulder to the wheel

Answer Details

In the sentence, "Garba always puts his shoulder to the wheel," the phrase "puts his shoulder to the wheel" means "works energetically at the task in hand." It implies that Garba puts in a lot of effort and hard work into whatever he does, just as someone who puts their shoulder to a wheel would have to exert physical effort to move the wheel forward.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

He has been advised to keep his head,the confusion not withstanding

Answer Details

The underlined phrase "keep his head" means to stay calm and composed even in a confusing or chaotic situation. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning is "keep calm."

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Adekunle is prepared for a _____ with his opponent following his defeat last season

Answer Details

The appropriate option to fill the gap is "show-down". The sentence suggests that Adekunle is prepared for a competition or confrontation with his opponent after losing to him in the previous season. A "show-down" refers to a final confrontation between two opponents, which seems to be an appropriate word to use in this context. The other options, "show-off", "show-out", and "show up" do not fit the context of the sentence.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

A programme of good exercise may help a person fight _____ cold

Answer Details

A programme of good exercise may help a person fight off cold. "Fight off" in this context means to resist or repel something, in this case, cold. So, the correct option to fill the gap is "off".

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Having worked all night, the security man _____ a sense of accomplishment

Answer Details

The correct word to fill in the blank is "felt". The sentence is in the past tense ("having worked all night"), so the appropriate verb tense to use is the past tense. The sentence describes a completed action in the past, so "felt" is the correct option. Therefore, the sentence reads: "Having worked all night, the security man felt a sense of accomplishment", which means that the security man experienced a feeling of satisfaction or achievement after working all night. Option (A) "had felt" would be appropriate if there were another past event in the sentence to which the security man's sense of accomplishment was being compared to, but that is not the case in the given sentence. Option (C) "is feeling" and option (D) "has felt" are in the present tense and present perfect tense, respectively, which are not suitable for the given sentence in the past tense.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

Adaobi is contemptuous _____ dishonest people

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the blank is "of." The word "contemptuous" means showing contempt or disdain, which is a feeling of disrespect or disgust towards someone or something. In this sentence, the subject is "Adaobi," and the sentence is describing her attitude towards "dishonest people." To complete the sentence grammatically, we need a preposition that connects "contemptuous" to "dishonest people." The preposition that best fits this context is "of." Therefore, the correct sentence is "Adaobi is contemptuous of dishonest people." This sentence means that Adaobi feels disrespect or disgust towards people who are dishonest, implying that she does not approve of dishonesty and has a low opinion of those who engage in it.

The preparation which a study of the humanities can provide stems from three observations about education in our world of accelerating social and technological change. First, with the rate of change, we cannot hope to train our student for specific technologies. That kind of vocational education is obsolescent. By the time the specific training will have been completed, the world will have moved on.

If our education consists of narrow training, we will not be prepared to change. Second and paradoxically, what our student desire from their education is preparation for specific careers – business, engineering, medicine, computer programming and the like, but we will not be able to train them for a life-long career. Their confronting the depressed job market gives our students a certain anxiety, but the solution they seek in vocational training is not sufficient. Third, we sense in our students a narrow materialism, with the good life defined in terms of material comforts. Education then means learning to do a job which will make money. I see in this definition a limiting sense of what education and thus life offer, a definition which excludes joy and meaning. Our narrow approach to the study of the humanities responds to these three related problems. In our changing, yet narrow world, the teaching of the humanities finds one powerful justification – it teaches student how to think.

Answer Details

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

I have stopped writing letters application because i _____ that all the vacancies are filled

Answer Details

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Baba and _____ participated in the tournament

Answer Details

To determine the correct option to fill in the blank, we need to identify the grammatical role of the missing word in the sentence. In this sentence, "Baba and _____ participated in the tournament," the missing word is the subject pronoun, which refers to a person who participated in the tournament along with Baba. Out of the given options, "him" is an object pronoun used for the object of the verb or preposition. Therefore, it cannot be used as a subject pronoun in this sentence. "His" is a possessive pronoun used to show ownership or possession. Since we are talking about a person who participated in the tournament, "his" would not be appropriate as it indicates possession and not the person themselves. "He" is a subject pronoun used for a male person. It is appropriate to use in the given sentence to refer to another male person who participated in the tournament along with Baba. "He's" is a contraction of "he is" or "he has." It cannot be used as a subject pronoun in this sentence. Therefore, the correct option to fill in the blank is "he." Thus, the sentence becomes "Baba and he participated in the tournament."

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

A number of students _____ missed the opportunity to re-register

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the gap is "have". The complete sentence would be "A number of students have missed the opportunity to re-register." The subject "a number of students" is a plural noun phrase, so the appropriate verb form to use is "have", which is the plural form of "has".

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

He keeps his _____ clean always

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the gap would be "surroundings." "Surroundings" refers to the area or space around a particular location, person, or thing. Therefore, saying that someone keeps their surroundings clean means that they maintain cleanliness in the space around them. This could include their home, workplace, or other areas where they spend time. In contrast, "surrounding" refers to the immediate area or environment surrounding a particular location or thing. "Premises" refers specifically to a building and its surrounding property. "Environments" refers to the natural world or a specific setting in which something exists. Therefore, based on the context of the sentence, "surroundings" is the most appropriate option to use.

IF economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best a guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as a plus 20 million; economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria’s per capita income, birth and mortality rates literacy rate and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures.

So much Nigerians is determined on the basis of the population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just fewer than 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the large number was the main cause of the collapse of that worth scheme after only four years.

Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states’ portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population-related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to estimate based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration’s effort to ascertain the nation’s population is such a worthwhile venture.

Answer Details

Lets begin with a picture.

He must not have been more than thirty years old. The oval face, devoid of those wrinkles of age, the well-turfed and black hair, and his still complete though brown set of teeth supported this assessment. All he had for clothing was a piece of cloth with some words written on it. It must have been one of those cloth-posters used but now abandon by ‘show-biz’ promoters. Across his neck was yet another cloth which bore our national colors of green and white. His feet were naked – just as they came from their creator. In one hand he had an empty tin. He talked ceaselessly and in a disordered fashion. The other free hand emphasized his spoken words and gesture. As he talked, he gazed at you as if you were responsible for his pathetic condition. He looked redeemable, though. There are many of his type in various urban centers.

Beggars! They are in every conceivable place. At the bank, the supermarket, the church, the mosque, the post office – there you will meet them. Before you know it, the more healthy ones besiege you for alms almost to the point of assault. Surely, there is no rationale in giving alms to someone who is physically stronger than you are and who, from all indication, can and should work and fend for himself. Some others are feeble and unfortunately handicapped. Women and young girls constitute a sizeable number of these healthy beggars. Some are nursing mothers and one wonders who their husbands are. Conception by Mr Nobody, perhaps. The young girls in this category are the mother-beggars of tomorrow. But tell me; can’t the society be spared the human waste?

Answer Details

In the context of the first line of the third paragraph, 'beggars' is a noun. A noun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'beggars' refers to individuals who beg for money or assistance in various locations such as banks, supermarkets, churches, and mosques.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

The patient disregarded the advice of the doctor

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the word "disregarded" in the sentence is "ignored". This means that the patient did not follow or pay attention to the advice of the doctor.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:
Adeniji is suffering from the consequences of alienation

Answer Details

The word "alienation" suggests a feeling of estrangement or disconnection, so the option that is nearest in meaning to it is "isolation." Therefore, the sentence means that Adeniji is experiencing the consequences of being isolated or feeling disconnected from something or someone.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Do you know one of the most astounding events of my life?

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "astounding" is "amazing." "Astounding" and "amazing" are both adjectives used to describe something that is very impressive, surprising, or awe-inspiring. They both convey a sense of wonder and excitement. In the given sentence, the speaker is asking if the listener knows about one of the most amazing events of their life. They are expressing that this event was something truly remarkable and memorable. "Special" and "outstanding" are also positive adjectives, but they do not necessarily convey the same level of surprise and amazement as "astounding" and "amazing." "Serious" has a more negative connotation and is not a suitable option in this context.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Ahmed is one of the boys who always _____ good work

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the blank is "do." The sentence is in the present tense, and "Ahmed" is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, the verb needs to be in the third person singular form, which is "does." The phrase "always does good work" indicates that Ahmed is a reliable and hardworking individual who consistently produces quality work.

IF economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best a guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as a plus 20 million; economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria’s per capita income, birth and mortality rates literacy rate and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures.

So much Nigerians is determined on the basis of the population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just fewer than 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the large number was the main cause of the collapse of that worth scheme after only four years.

Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states’ portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population-related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to estimate based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration’s effort to ascertain the nation’s population is such a worthwhile venture.

Answer Details

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

The plaintiff _____ the court to restrain the defendants from further action

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In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

The economic situation in the country is obviously gloomy

Answer Details

The opposite of "gloomy" is "encouraging." In the given sentence, "gloomy" is used to describe the economic situation of the country in a negative way, meaning that the economy is in a bad state. Therefore, the opposite of "gloomy" would be a positive description of the economic situation, which is "encouraging."

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

From 7 a.m to 9 a.m, he _____ hot chocolate, often not having time for his own breakfast

Answer Details

From 7 a.m to 9 a.m, he is kept busy serving hot chocolate, often not having time for his own breakfast. Explanation: The correct option is "is kept busy serving" because it indicates that during the mentioned time period, he is continuously occupied with serving hot chocolate to others, which results in him not having time for his own breakfast. The other options are grammatically incorrect or do not convey the intended meaning.

IF economists were a bit more modest, they would admit that no one knows exactly how many Nigerians there are. The National population Bureau estimated that there would be 116 million in 1986, but this figure was derived from projections based on the much disputed figures of the 1963 census, using an annual population growth rate that was at best a guess work. Notwithstanding that the margin of error could be as large as a plus 20 million; economists have still felt confident to speak of Nigeria’s per capita income, birth and mortality rates literacy rate and so on, as if they were quoting precise figures.

So much Nigerians is determined on the basis of the population that the lack of accurate figures has a significantly adverse effect on policies. One obviously affected area is development planning, which for the lack of reliable data, frequently looks like an exercise in futility. An example of what happens is the country’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme launched in 1976. Policy makers had expected, on the basis of the 1975/76 primary school enrolment of just fewer than 5 million, that they would not have to cope with much more than 6 million school children in the first year. But the enrolment in 1976/77 turned out to be 8.4 million rising to 10.1 million the following year. The unanticipated cost of catering for the large number was the main cause of the collapse of that worth scheme after only four years.

Population also plays an important role in revenue allocation, specifically in the sharing of the states’ portion of the Federation Account, some percentage of which is based on population or population-related factors. Because of the contentious nature of the subject, the compromise has been to estimate based on the 1963 census figures, even when such a move produces ridiculous situations. It is for all these reasons that the Babangida Administration’s effort to ascertain the nation’s population is such a worthwhile venture.

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

He was asked to give copious, examples to appear convincing

Answer Details

In the sentence, "He was asked to give copious examples to appear convincing," the word "copious" means "many." The word "copious" is often used to describe a large quantity or amount of something, in this case, examples. The sentence implies that the person needs to give a large number of examples to make a convincing argument or point.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

In _____ we, as politicians, are identified with the masses

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the gap is "a much deeper sense". The phrase "much deeper" means to a great extent or far down, indicating that the identification between politicians and the masses is strong and profound. The use of "a" before "much deeper" is appropriate because "deeper sense" is a singular noun phrase.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Many people believe that nuclear power will solve our energy problems _____ , this has not been proved to be true

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In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Three quarters of the Physics class _____ dramatically

Answer Details

The appropriate option to fill the gap is "is improving." The subject "Three quarters of the Physics class" is treated as a singular entity, and therefore, the singular verb "is" should be used instead of "are." "Improving" is the present participle of the verb "improve" and is used to describe ongoing or continuous actions, which is appropriate in this context.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

One of the _____ selective marking of errors

Answer Details

One of the schools of thought suggests selective marking of errors.

The preparation which a study of the humanities can provide stems from three observations about education in our world of accelerating social and technological change. First, with the rate of change, we cannot hope to train our student for specific technologies. That kind of vocational education is obsolescent. By the time the specific training will have been completed, the world will have moved on.

If our education consists of narrow training, we will not be prepared to change. Second and paradoxically, what our student desire from their education is preparation for specific careers – business, engineering, medicine, computer programming and the like, but we will not be able to train them for a life-long career. Their confronting the depressed job market gives our students a certain anxiety, but the solution they seek in vocational training is not sufficient. Third, we sense in our students a narrow materialism, with the good life defined in terms of material comforts. Education then means learning to do a job which will make money. I see in this definition a limiting sense of what education and thus life offer, a definition which excludes joy and meaning. Our narrow approach to the study of the humanities responds to these three related problems. In our changing, yet narrow world, the teaching of the humanities finds one powerful justification – it teaches student how to think.

Answer Details

The major weakness of training students for specific technologies is that it cannot help them to cope with the rapid changes in the world. In a world of accelerating social and technological change, specific vocational training becomes obsolete by the time it is completed. Therefore, if students are trained for only specific technologies, they will not be prepared to adapt to the changes in the world. They will be limited in their ability to think critically and creatively, which are essential skills for success in a rapidly changing world.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

People who live by _____ what loneliness is like

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In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

It has been confirmed that the election _____ held in July

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In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

You avoid facing _____ the reality of life

Answer Details

You avoid facing up to the reality of life. The phrase "face up to" means to confront or accept a difficult or unpleasant situation. In this context, the question is asking which preposition should be used after "facing" to complete the sentence. "Facing at," "facing up," and "facing on to" are not commonly used phrases in English, but "facing up to" is a commonly used phrasal verb that fits the context of the sentence.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

If your life is in turmoil, always take courage

Answer Details

The underlined word "turmoil" means a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning is "crisis", which also refers to a time of intense difficulty, danger, or trouble. The sentence suggests that in times of turmoil or crisis, it's important to take courage, which means to be brave and face the challenges ahead.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

It was _____ who fought the civil war

Answer Details

"It was they who fought the civil war" is the correct sentence. The correct option is "they". In this sentence, "they" is the subject of the sentence and refers to the people who fought the civil war. The pronoun "they" is in the nominative case and functions as the subject of the sentence.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

The physicians have more people in _____ waiting rooms than _____

Answer Details

The physicians have more people in **their** waiting rooms than **they**? Explanation: The sentence refers to the waiting rooms of physicians, which are the possession of the physicians, hence the possessive pronoun "their" is appropriate. The second blank requires a subject pronoun to compare the number of people in the waiting room to the physicians, and "they" is the appropriate subject pronoun.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

Our principal and chairman of the occasion _____ just arrived

Answer Details

The appropriate option to fill the gap in the sentence would be "has". This is because "principal and chairman of the occasion" is a singular noun phrase, and therefore requires a singular verb form to agree with it in number. "Has" is the present tense form of the verb "have" in the third person singular (he/she/it), and is therefore the correct form to use in this context.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

The university has a large collection of sporting _____

Answer Details

The university has a large collection of sporting equipment. Explanation: The correct term to use in this context is "equipment" which is an uncountable noun. "Equipments" is not a correct word in standard English. "Costumes" are clothes worn for a particular activity or event, and "aids" are items that assist with a particular task or activity, but they may not necessarily be sporting-related. Therefore, "sporting equipment" is the appropriate and most fitting option to fill the gap in this context.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

The company has gone under

Answer Details

The phrase "gone under" usually means "become bankrupt", which is when a company is unable to pay its debts and ceases trading.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

_____ , sign post words are used to readers

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

He is very modest in his demands

Answer Details

The word "modest" in this sentence means that the person is not making excessive or unreasonable demands. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning would be "humble", which means not thinking too highly of oneself and being modest.

In the question below select the option (A-D) that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence:

Bolade would make a mess of cooking the rice

Answer Details

The option (C) "Bolade will not cook the rice well" best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. The sentence indicates that Bolade is likely to "make a mess" while cooking the rice, implying that he won't do it well. Therefore, the correct option is (C) "Bolade will not cook rice the rice well". Option (A) "it was typical of Bolade to make a mess of things" might be a possible interpretation, but it is not as directly supported by the sentence. Option (B) "Bolade cannot cook" is too extreme and not necessarily implied by the sentence. Option (D) "Bolade does not like cooking rice" is not supported by the sentence as it only suggests that Bolade may not be good at cooking rice, but does not necessarily mean that he does not like it.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

Okoro is an amateur wrestler

Answer Details

The opposite of "amateur" is "professional." An amateur wrestler is someone who engages in wrestling as a hobby or for fun, without being paid, while a professional wrestler is someone who is paid to wrestle and has usually undergone extensive training. Therefore, the opposite of "amateur" in this context is "professional."

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Adeniji is suffering from the consequences of alienation

Answer Details

The word "alienation" refers to the state of feeling disconnected, separated, or estranged from others. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "alienation" is "isolation". "Confinement" and "imprisonment" both refer to physical restriction, while "enclosure" suggests being surrounded by something. Therefore, neither of these options conveys the same meaning as "alienation".

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

The instructions on the examination paper are explicit

Answer Details

The opposite in meaning to the word "explicit" is "ambiguous". "Explicit" means that something is clear, detailed, and easy to understand. Therefore, the opposite would be "ambiguous", which means unclear, vague, and hard to understand.

In the question below fill the gap with the appropriate option :

We are _____ to receive your letter and to know that you are _____

Answer Details

The sentence is expressing joy or gratitude about receiving a letter from someone and knowing about their condition. "happy/in good health", and "grateful/sound", both convey a positive emotional response and the indication of the person being in good health. "pleased/all well", is also appropriate in this context, as it expresses happiness and reassurance that everything is good. However, "appreciative/swimming in good health", is not appropriate, as it adds an unnecessary and odd detail about the person swimming. Therefore, the most suitable options for filling the gaps would be either or or depending on the writer's preference for language use.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

On his _____ of office, the new presidents announced some drastic measures

Answer Details

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Tosin refused to be _____ though he has written the same examination three times

Answer Details

Tosin refused to be "frustrated" though he has written the same examination three times. The word "frustrated" means feeling or expressing distress and annoyance resulting from an inability to achieve a desired outcome or goal. In this context, Tosin has attempted the same examination three times and has not been successful, but he is not giving up or feeling down about it. Instead, he is persevering and trying again, despite the challenges he has faced. This shows that he is determined and resilient, which are positive qualities to have in any situation.

In question below fill the gap with the appropriate option:

Every programming language and software package _____ limitations

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the gap is: "has its". Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "every programming language and software package", which is singular. Therefore, the correct verb to use is "has". The possessive pronoun to use is "its" because we are referring to the limitations of each individual language or package, not their collective limitations. So the correct sentence is "Every programming language and software package has its limitations."

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

He is credulous

Answer Details

If someone is described as "credulous," it means that they are easily convinced or too ready to believe things without requiring sufficient evidence. Another way to put it is that they tend to be too trusting or gullible. So, the option nearest in meaning to "credulous" is "gullible."

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:The newly elected leader has pledge to ensure better life for the citizens

Answer Details

The word "pledge" in the given sentence means a promise or commitment made by the newly elected leader to ensure a better life for the citizens. Among the given options, the word that is nearest in meaning to "pledge" is "vowed". "Vowed" also means making a solemn promise or commitment to do something. Hence, the answer is "vowed".

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

The police ran the criminal to earth

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined phrase "ran the criminal to earth" is (C) "discovered him". The phrase "ran to earth" means to track down or find someone who is trying to hide or evade capture. Therefore, "The police ran the criminal to earth" implies that the police successfully located and apprehended the criminal. "Discovered him" is the option that most closely conveys this meaning. Option (A) "jailed him" is not necessarily implied by the sentence and is too specific. Option (B) "knocked him down" is completely unrelated to the meaning of the underlined phrase. Option (D) "buried him" is the opposite of what the sentence implies and is therefore incorrect.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:He works long hour collecting trash to make out a livelihood

Answer Details

The option nearest in meaning to the underlined phrase "make out a livelihood" is "make a living". This means that he works long hours collecting trash to earn enough money to support himself or his family.

Lets begin with a picture.

He must not have been more than thirty years old. The oval face, devoid of those wrinkles of age, the well-turfed and black hair, and his still complete though brown set of teeth supported this assessment. All he had for clothing was a piece of cloth with some words written on it. It must have been one of those cloth-posters used but now abandon by ‘show-biz’ promoters. Across his neck was yet another cloth which bore our national colors of green and white. His feet were naked – just as they came from their creator. In one hand he had an empty tin. He talked ceaselessly and in a disordered fashion. The other free hand emphasized his spoken words and gesture. As he talked, he gazed at you as if you were responsible for his pathetic condition. He looked redeemable, though. There are many of his type in various urban centers.

Beggars! They are in every conceivable place. At the bank, the supermarket, the church, the mosque, the post office – there you will meet them. Before you know it, the more healthy ones besiege you for alms almost to the point of assault. Surely, there is no rationale in giving alms to someone who is physically stronger than you are and who, from all indication, can and should work and fend for himself. Some others are feeble and unfortunately handicapped. Women and young girls constitute a sizeable number of these healthy beggars. Some are nursing mothers and one wonders who their husbands are. Conception by Mr Nobody, perhaps. The young girls in this category are the mother-beggars of tomorrow. But tell me; can’t the society be spared the human waste?

Answer Details