JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2023

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The option with a different rhyme is "Growl".
Rhyme refers to the similarity of sounds at the ends of words. In this case, we are looking for words that end with a similar sound.
- "Roar" and "Four" both end with the "or" sound, so they rhyme with each other. - "Bore" also ends with the "or" sound, so it rhymes with "Roar" and "Four".
However, "Growl" ends with a different sound, the "ow" sound. So it does not rhyme with the other words in the list.

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In "The Life Changer" novel, Talle was given the appellation of "the quiet one" for his amazing show of personality. This means that Talle was known for being quiet and reserved in his demeanor and behavior. He may not speak much or be the center of attention, but his actions and presence still leave a lasting impact on others. Being referred to as "the quiet one" implies that Talle is introspective, thoughtful, and observant. While others may be more vocal or expressive, Talle's calm and composed nature allows him to understand and analyze situations from a different perspective. Often, people who are labeled as "the quiet one" possess qualities such as deep thinking, good listening skills, and a penchant for reflection. They may not feel the need to constantly speak or make themselves known in social settings, but when they do, their words carry weight and significance. Talle's appellation of "the quiet one" highlights his unique personality traits and the impact they have on those around him. It is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most powerful presence can exist in silence and observation rather than loudness and showiness.

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The underlined word "shrewd" in the sentence means that the mother is very clever, astute, and able to make smart business decisions. The word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "shrewd" is "gullible." Gullible means easily deceived or easily tricked, while shrewd means clever and sharp-minded. So, if someone is gullible, they are more likely to be easily fooled or tricked in business or any other situation. Therefore, "gullible" is the most opposite in meaning to "shrewd."

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The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "plagiarize" is "pirate".
Explanation: Plagiarize means to copy or use someone else's work, ideas, or words without giving them proper credit. It is considered a crime because it involves stealing someone else's intellectual property.
The word "pirate" has a similar meaning in this context. When referring to intellectual property, "pirating" refers to the unauthorized copying or use of someone else's work, such as music, movies, or software. Similarly to plagiarism, pirating is also considered illegal because it involves the theft of someone else's creative work.

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The correct answer is 'from'. In this context, the Bright Rangers have four points 'from' many matches. The preposition 'from' is used to indicate the source or origin of something, in this case, the source of the points is the many matches they have played.

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TENNIS is stressed in the expression. Only the correct option asks a question about a sport which is not tennis.

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In the novel "The Life Changer," Ada and Ngozi are from Imo state and Benue state, respectively. Now, to determine where Salma and Tomiwa are from, we need to look for clues in the text.
First, let's consider Salma. Salma is described as having a Hausa-Fulani accent. The Hausa-Fulani people are predominantly found in the northern part of Nigeria. This suggests that Salma is most likely from one of the states in the northern region of the country.
Moving on to Tomiwa, the text doesn't explicitly state where she is from, but we can gather some information about her origin. Tomiwa is described as having a Yoruba accent, and the Yoruba people are mainly found in the southwestern part of Nigeria. This indicates that Tomiwa is likely from one of the states in the western region of the country.
Therefore, based on the information provided, Salma is from the North, and Tomiwa is from the West.
So, in summary, the correct options are: - **North and West.**

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The sentence means that out of all the ministers in the government, only two of them were able to keep their positions after the recent cabinet reshuffle. This implies that the rest of the ministers either lost their positions, were removed from their posts, or were replaced by others.
Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is: **In recent changes in government, all but two ministers were sacked.** This option accurately reflects that the majority of the ministers were removed from their positions during the cabinet reshuffle.

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The 'e' in the word 'naked' is pronounced as  /ɪ/ - /ˈneɪkɪd/. Therefore the word with the same vowel sound is 'bid'.

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Omar said he passed his SSCE by no means a small feat because he passed excellently on his first attempt. This means that he was able to achieve a high level of success in his SSCE examination without having to retake the exam or face any significant challenges. Passing the SSCE on the first attempt is considered impressive because it showcases a strong academic performance and a solid understanding of the subjects taken. It demonstrates that Omar was well-prepared and dedicated to his studies, which is why he regarded his achievement as a significant accomplishment.

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In English pronunciation, stress is placed on one syllable in a word. The word 'Fluency' is pronounced with stress on the first syllable, therefore the correct stress pattern is 'FLU-en-cy'.

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The correct answer is - Did the union congratulate the ousted president? The option without the emphatic word - ELECTED is the correct answer.

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The consonant sound represented by 'P' in 'Pin' is the same as in 'Pragmatic'. In English phonetics, the 'P' in 'Pin' and 'Pragmatic' is a voiceless bilabial plosive, represented as /p/.

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To check desertification in the arid zones, **drought-resistant** trees should be planted. Drought-resistant trees are those that have adapted to survive in arid conditions with limited water availability. These trees have evolved various mechanisms to cope with water scarcity, such as deep root systems that can access water from deep within the ground, waxy or hairy leaves that reduce water loss through evaporation, or the ability to store water in their tissues. By planting drought-resistant trees in arid zones, we can help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. These trees can provide shade, decreasing soil temperatures and reducing evaporation. Their deep root systems also help to bind the soil together, preventing wind erosion. Furthermore, the presence of trees can improve soil fertility as their leaves fall and decompose, providing organic matter and nutrients. Therefore, planting drought-resistant trees in arid zones is a simple and effective way to combat desertification. These tree species have the ability to survive and thrive in water-scarce environments, making them the most suitable option for addressing desertification.

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In the context of the passage, the President is exercising his 'executive' powers. The term 'executive' refers to the branch of government responsible for implementing, administering, and enforcing laws. The other options 'official', 'authoritative', and 'judicial' do not fit into the context of the sentence.

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Rhyme scheme refers to the pattern of end sounds or words in a verse or line of poetry. In this case, we are looking for a word that rhymes with 'Day' /deɪ/

dare -  /dɛː/

anime  - /ˈanɪmeɪ/

flight - /flaɪt/

ball - /bɔːl/

The word day and anime end with the /eɪ/ sound, therefore, they rhyme with each other.

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In the context of the sentence, the coach is saying that getting paid would be a big morale boost for the team. Therefore, the correct word to fill in the blank is 'Booster'

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The correct answer to the question is: "The prisoner finally conceded that he drank to excess on the night he committed the murder."
In this context, "conceded" means that the prisoner finally admitted or accepted the truth. "Drank to excess" means that the prisoner consumed a larger amount of alcohol than what is considered normal or healthy.
So, the prisoner admitted that he drank too much on the night he committed the murder.

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This best suits.

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Habib called Tomiwa instead of Salma that he gave a ride for two primary reasons. Firstly, **Tomiwa is a Muslim**, while Salma is not. This is significant because in the story, the characters are all Muslims and their beliefs, customs, and interactions are influenced by their Islamic faith. Secondly, **Salma gave Habib Tomiwa's number instead of her own**. This implies that Salma intentionally provided Tomiwa's contact information to Habib, possibly as a way to indirectly keep in touch with him or to establish a connection between Tomiwa and Habib.
Therefore, the correct answer is: **Because Tomiwa is a Muslim and Salma gave him Tomiwa's number instead of hers**.
The option "All of the above" is incorrect because it implies that both of these reasons are true, which is not the case. The option "Because Habib likes Tomiwa more than Salma" is also incorrect as there is no evidence or indication in the story to support this claim.

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The word "indispensable" in the passage means someone who is essential or necessary. Out of the options provided, the word that is nearest in meaning to "indispensable" is **vital**.

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The farmer in the passage is described as someone who used to be self-sufficient. He lives a simple life and does not rely on modern conveniences such as cars, television, or newspapers. He grows his own food, including cocoyam and peppers, and even collects snails for meat. Despite his old age, he still remembers the energy he had as a farmer in his younger days. The passage does not mention anything about the farmer having dreams to expand his farm or being envied more than astronauts. Therefore, the correct answer is : used to be self-sufficient.

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The answer is match bonuses. Match bonuses refer to additional payments that players receive based on their performance or the outcome of a match. In this context, the coach wants the Bright Rangers to be paid their match bonuses before the game against Mamelody Sundowns. The coach believes that receiving their bonuses will motivate the players and help them perform better in the match. It is a form of incentive for the players to give their best and potentially secure a place in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

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In the context of the passage, the Athenians were 'strengthened' by some soldiers who arrived at Plataea. This is because the soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops, providing them with additional strength and support in their battle against the Persians.

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The correct answer is - running.

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He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better **as** a singer.
The word "as" is used to show similarity or comparison. In this sentence, it is used to compare his skills or abilities in different roles - writer, politician, and singer. The sentence implies that out of these three roles, he was most skilled or talented in singing.
When we say he was better "as" a singer, it means that his singing abilities surpassed or excelled in comparison to his skills as a writer and a politician. So, in terms of his talents and abilities, singing was the area where he truly shone or stood out.

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Their participation **gave strength** to the Athenians.
The Athenians benefited from the participation of their people because it added strength to their society. When individuals actively took part in the affairs of the city-state, it contributed to the overall power and capability of the Athenians. This participation included activities such as military service, voting in the assembly, serving on jury duty, and engaging in public debates.
By actively engaging in these activities, the people of Athens not only demonstrated their commitment to their city but also contributed to its ability to defend itself, make important decisions, and maintain a functioning democracy. Their participation gave the Athenians a sense of solidarity, as they worked together towards common goals.
Additionally, the involvement of citizens provided a sense of empowerment and confidence. It gave individuals a voice and an opportunity to shape the direction of their city-state. This active engagement fostered a sense of ownership and pride among the Athenians.
In summary, their participation **gave strength** to the Athenians by increasing their collective power, fostering a sense of solidarity, and empowering the individuals within the society.

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Emphatic stress usually emphasis contrast, thus the right option should contain a word that contrasts with the emphasized word.

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When answering emphatic stress questions, the option that does not have the "stressed word" becomes the correct answer.

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The most appropriate option for the 2nd gap is nullify.
To nullify means to void or invalidate. In the context of the sentence, the passage is discussing whether the Senate has the authority to pass a motion to invalidate or cancel out the executive action of the President. The author argues that it is not within the competence of the Senate to nullify the President's actions.

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The word "extant" in this context means that elephants still continue to exist after thousands of years. It implies that they have not become extinct or disappeared. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "extant" is "enduring". This is because enduring means to continue to exist or last for a long time without significant damage or change. Elephants have endured and continue to exist for thousands of years.

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In this case, 'importance', 'contribute', and 'deposit' all have the stress on the first syllable. However, 'reservoir' has a different stress pattern with the stress on the third syllable, making it the correct answer.

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The sentence states that "Though he is our elected representative, he often takes a rather jaundiced view of our problems." To understand the meaning of this sentence, we need to understand the meaning of the phrase "jaundiced view." The term "jaundiced" is often used metaphorically to describe a negative or biased perspective. It implies that the person sees things in a negative light or has a pessimistic attitude. Therefore, the best option that explains the information conveyed in the sentence is: **He takes an unfavourable position concerning our problems**. This option accurately captures the meaning that the person's perspective is negative or unfavorable towards the problems.

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In the context of the passage, the Senate is being criticized for overstepping its bounds and acting as both the 'litigant' and the judge of the constitutionality of the President's actions. A 'litigant' is a party involved in a lawsuit, which fits the context better than the other options. 'Defendant' and 'plaintiff' are specific types of litigants, but the passage does not specify which role the Senate is taking on. 'Attorney' does not fit because the Senate is not representing someone in a legal matter, but rather taking on the role of a party in a lawsuit.

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The phrase "gospel truth" is often used to emphasize that the information being conveyed is completely true and reliable. It implies that there is no doubt or room for error in the information being shared. Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation for the sentence "What I told you is the gospel truth" is that the information is completely true.

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The term used in the given text is "salaries". Now, looking at the context, it seems the coach is requesting for the players' salaries to be paid before their upcoming match against Mamelody Sundowns.
Given the options, the term that best fits the context is "outstanding". This means that the players' salaries are due and have not been paid yet. By using the term "outstanding", the coach is emphasizing that the salaries need to be paid in order to motivate the players and improve their performance in the important match.

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The word "skeptical" means having doubts or being unsure about something. In the given sentence, the person is unsure or doubtful about the story they were told. So, the option that is nearest in meaning to "skeptical" is "doubtful."

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The best option that completes the sentence is "held up". When we say someone is "held up", it means that they are delayed or prevented from progressing or arriving at a certain place. In this context, the guest would have arrived earlier but their progress was delayed because of traffic.
To further explain, imagine a situation where the guest was driving to their destination but encountered heavy traffic along the way. This traffic caused a delay and prevented the guest from reaching their destination on time. Therefore, the correct option is "held up".
The other options can be eliminated because they do not convey the same meaning as "held up". "Held down" means to restrain or keep someone or something in a lower position, which does not fit the context of someone being delayed in traffic. "Held about" does not have a commonly understood meaning in this context. "Held off" means to postpone or delay something, but it does not specifically refer to a person being delayed in traffic. Therefore, "held up" is the most appropriate option for completing the sentence.
It is important to analyze the word choices in the options and understand their meanings in order to determine the correct answer.

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In this context, the underlined word "astute" means having good judgment and being clever in business matters. The word that is nearest in meaning to "astute" is "shrewd". A shrewd businessman is someone who is intelligent, perceptive, and can make wise decisions.

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My father is parsimonious means that he is someone who is very careful with his money and does not like to spend it unnecessarily. To find the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning, we need to look for a word that describes someone who is NOT careful with their money and is generous in spending it. The option that best fits this description is "generous". Being generous means being willing to give or share one's resources with others without hesitation or reluctance. It is the opposite of being parsimonious which implies being stingy or reluctant to spend. Therefore, the correct answer is "generous."

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The underlined word in the sentence is "abeyance", which means a temporary suspension or halt. We are looking for the word that is opposite in meaning to "abeyance".
The opposite of "abeyance" would be "continuance". "Continuance" means the act of continuing or the state of being continued. So, if school activities were in "abeyance", it means they were temporarily suspended or halted. Therefore, the opposite scenario would be if school activities were in "continuance", which means they were continuing without any interruption.
To understand it better, imagine a situation where school activities were temporarily suspended last semester. This suspension created concern among the people. On the other hand, if school activities were in continuance, it means they were carrying on as usual without any breaks or pauses and this would not cause concern.
Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to "abeyance" is continuance.

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Salma stayed at the most coveted and famous Queen Amina hostel. Queen Amina is the correct answer because in "The Life Changer" novel, the Queen Amina hostel is described as the most coveted and famous hostel. This means that it is highly sought after and well-known among students. Queen Amina was a powerful and influential queen who ruled over the city-state of Zazzau, which is present-day Nigeria. She was known for her bravery, military skills, and leadership qualities. The hostel named after Queen Amina is likely to symbolize strength, courage, and excellence – traits that students staying there might aspire to possess. It is important to note that the other options mentioned, Queen Moremi, Queen Lateefat, and Queen Haneefa, are not described in the novel as being as coveted and famous as Queen Amina. Therefore, the correct answer is Queen Amina.

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The vowel /i/ as in bit is present here. Only the very last sound pronunciation of 'cacophony' bears the same answer.

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The word 'Witch' rhymes with 'Pitch'. In English, words are said to rhyme when the stressed vowel sounds in their final syllables are the same. Here, 'Pitch' and 'Witch' both have the /ɪtʃ/ sound in their final syllables.

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The underlined word in the sentence is "malignant". The word "malignant" describes something that is harmful or cancerous. To find the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning, we need to choose a word that describes something that is not harmful or cancerous. From the given options: - "numerous" means a large number of something, and it is not necessarily related to being harmful or cancerous. This is not the opposite meaning of "malignant". - "cancerous" is a word that describes something related to cancer, which is similar in meaning to "malignant". This is not the opposite meaning of "malignant". - "dominant" means having power, control, or influence over others. It is not directly related to being harmful or cancerous. This is not the opposite meaning of "malignant". - "benign" is the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "malignant". "Benign" describes something that is not harmful or cancerous. Therefore, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "malignant" is "benign".

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exist - /ɪgzɪst/
helicopter - /helɪkɒptə/
isle - /aɪl/
meant - /ment/
never - /nevə/

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The missing word in the sentence is "Showdown". A showdown refers to a critical or decisive confrontation between two opponents. In this context, it means the important match between Bright Rangers and Mamelody Sundowns in the CAF Champions League. The coach believes that paying the players their salaries before this match will motivate them and increase their chances of victory. The coach wants the players to be well motivated and play the game of their lives. The government has done well, but paying the salaries will be a big morale boost for the players. The Bright Rangers are currently third in their group and need to avoid defeat against Al - Ahly to stay in the competition for a place in the semi-finals. The team plans to employ the counter-attacking strategy to achieve a positive result in Cairo.

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In "The Life Changer" novel, the police apprehended Talle **at the palace of Hakimi**.
The palace of Hakimi is an important location in the story, and it is where Talle was found and taken into custody by the police. This is a significant event in the plot, as it marks a turning point for Talle's character and the overall storyline.

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In the given sentence, the word "approximate" means an estimation or rough calculation. To find the option that is opposite in meaning, we need to look for a word that refers to an exact or accurate score.
Among the given options, the word that is opposite in meaning to "approximate" is "a precise" score. A precise score means an accurate and exact measurement.
Option opposite in meaning: a precise

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The correct answer is - Does a good description exclude specific nouns?. The option without the emphatic word - INCLUDES is the correct answer.

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The correct answer is 'He did not show up and so the occasion lacked much fun'. The sentence 'If he were here, it could be more fun' is a hypothetical condition that implies that the person being referred to is not present, and his presence could have made the situation more enjoyable. The other options do not fully capture the essence of the sentence.

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The word that is opposite in meaning to "haughty" is "modest". Haughty means having a sense of superiority and looking down on others. On the other hand, modest means being humble and not excessively proud. So, in the given sentence, if Victor played the role of a haughty prince, the opposite would be if he played the role of a modest prince.

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The word that fits in the blank is "spur".
The coach wants the Bright Rangers to be paid their salaries and spur them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns.
To "spur" means to stimulate or encourage someone or something to take action or to do something. In this context, the coach wants the players to be motivated and inspired to perform at their best in the upcoming match. By receiving their salaries before the game, it is believed that the players will have a higher level of motivation and determination to succeed.
Paying the players their salaries acts as a form of motivation and encouragement for them to give their best effort on the field. It helps to boost their morale and gives them an extra push to perform well in the game. When players are well-compensated and financially satisfied, they are more likely to be focused and driven to achieve success. Therefore, paying the salaries can be seen as a way to spur the players on and increase their chances of victory.

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The sentence is saying that the stadium had a full crowd despite the bad weather. This means that even though the weather was not good, many people still came to the stadium. The best option that explains this is: The crowd defied the weather to fill the stadium.

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The correct answer is - avoid.

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The underlined letter(s) in the word 'pleasure' is 's'. The consonant sound of 's' in 'pleasure' is /ʒ/ (as in 'vision'). Among the options, the word 'seizure' has the same consonant sound /ʒ/.

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The correct stress in the word "category" is "CAT-e-go-ry". The primary stress falls on the second syllable, which is "CAT".
In English, stress refers to the emphasis or prominence given to a syllable or word in speech. It involves making that particular syllable louder, longer, and higher in pitch compared to the surrounding syllables.
In the word "category", the stress is placed on the second syllable "CAT". This means that when pronouncing the word, we put more emphasis on the "CAT" syllable, making it louder, longer, and higher in pitch. The other syllables, "e-go-ry", are pronounced with a lower level of prominence.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B: "CAT-e-go-ry", where the capital letters indicate the syllable with the primary stress.

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In the context of the novel 'The Life Changer', the euphemism used for cheat notes is 'Notes of salvation'. A euphemism is a polite or mild word or expression used to refer to something embarrassing, taboo, or unpleasant.