JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2023

Identify the option with a different stress pattern

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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.

Choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options.The stressed words are in capital letter(s)
Fluency

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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'.

Use the passage to answer the questions below
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian Empire was furious because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian domination. In anger, the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire.

Persia was ruled by one man. In Athens, however, all citiens helped to rule. Emboldened by this participation, Athenians were prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at the marathon, the Persians tried to fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened city of Delos refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise, for the president next conquered the city of Eritrea and captured its people.

Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people to their sanctuaries. There they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians refurbished their weapons and moved to the plan of Marathon where their little band would meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.

The Athenian army attacked and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the Persians in both archery and combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian sheep and burned them and the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died, compared to only 192 Athenians.

Their participation _________to the Athenians.

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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.

In this question, choose the option that best completes the gap(s).

The proprietor of our school with his administrator ------------ expected yesterday.

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The correct option to complete the sentence is "was". In this sentence, we are referring to a singular subject "the proprietor of our school" and his administrator. Since "the proprietor" is a singular noun, the correct form of the verb to use is the singular form "was". Therefore, the correct statement is: "The proprietor of our school with his administrator was expected yesterday."

From the list of words in A to D, choose one that best describes the sentence.
James and Henry were at daggers drawn when I knew them. This means that they

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The word that best describes the sentence "James and Henry were at daggers drawn when I knew them" is "were always angry with each other".
The phrase "at daggers drawn" is an idiomatic expression that means being in a state of intense hostility or conflict. In this context, it means that James and Henry had a strong animosity towards each other. It suggests that their relationship was characterized by constant anger and tension. Therefore, the phrase "were always angry with each other" is the most appropriate description of their dynamic.

In each of the questions, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

A good description INCLUDES specific nouns.

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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.

The coach has asked the Bright Rangers to be paid their --6-- salaries and --7-- so as to --8-- them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns of South Africa in saturday's all importanat CAF Champions leaque Match. Bright Rangers are the third in group B with four points --9-- many matches and need to --10-- defaet at second - placed Al - Ahly to stay in the --11-- for a place in the semi - final of Africa's most prestigious club competition. The Coach told MTN Football.com that the team would be better motivated if they atleast receive their August salaries before the Al - Ahly --12--. We have to make sure that they are paid their salaries --13-- so that they could play the game of their lives. The government has done very well, but it will be a big morale --14-- to get paid for them to go out there and play. The Coach informed MTN Football.com that the Bright Rangers plan to employ the counter --15-- to get a result in Cario.

 --13--

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In the context of the sentence, the coach is emphasizing the importance of the players being paid their salaries on time to ensure their motivation for the upcoming match. Therefore, the correct answer is 'on time'.

Choose the word that has the same rhyme scheme.

sweet

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The word that has the same rhyme scheme as "sweet" is "suite". Both words have the same ending sound of "-eet", making them rhyme with each other. The other words "twice", "sweat", and "suit" do not have the same ending sound, so they do not share the same rhyme scheme with "sweet".

Choose the word or group of words that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined words
The gradual process of transition to civilian rule came to an _____ end.

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The word "gradual" means something that happens slowly or over a period of time. So, the phrase "gradual end" suggests that the process of transition to civilian rule came to a slow or gradual conclusion.
To find the word or group of words that is most nearly opposite in meaning, we need to look for an option that means a sudden or unexpected end.
The answer is "abrupt". The word "abrupt" means something that happens suddenly or unexpectedly. So, the phrase "abrupt end" suggests that the process of transition to civilian rule came to a sudden or unexpected conclusion.
Therefore, the word "abrupt" is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word "gradual" in the given sentence.

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

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The word "short" does not have the same vowel sound as the other three words: "shun", "son", and "sun". The vowel sound in "shun", "son", and "sun" is the "uh" sound, also known as the schwa sound. It is a central vowel sound that is pronounced as a weak and unstressed "uh" sound, similar to the first sound in the word "about". On the other hand, the word "short" has a different vowel sound. It has the "aw" sound, which is pronounced as a low back vowel sound, similar to the sound in the word "law". So, the word "short" is different from the other three words because it has a different vowel sound. The vowel sound in "short" is "aw", while the vowel sound in "shun", "son", and "sun" is "uh".

The coach has asked the Bright Rangers to be paid their --6-- salaries and --7-- so as to --8-- them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns of South Africa in saturday's all importanat CAF Champions leaque Match. Bright Rangers are the third in group B with four points --9-- many matches and need to --10-- defaet at second - placed Al - Ahly to stay in the --11-- for a place in the semi - final of Africa's most prestigious club competition. The Coach told MTN Football.com that the team would be better motivated if they atleast receive their August salaries before the Al - Ahly --12--. We have to make sure that they are paid their salaries --13-- so that they could play the game of their lives. The government has done very well, but it will be a big morale --14-- to get paid for them to go out there and play. The Coach informed MTN Football.com that the Bright Rangers plan to employ the counter --15-- to get a result in Cario.

 --14--

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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'

Use the passage to answer the questions below
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian Empire was furious because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian domination. In anger, the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire.

Persia was ruled by one man. In Athens, however, all citiens helped to rule. Emboldened by this participation, Athenians were prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at the marathon, the Persians tried to fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened city of Delos refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise, for the president next conquered the city of Eritrea and captured its people.

Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people to their sanctuaries. There they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians refurbished their weapons and moved to the plan of Marathon where their little band would meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.

The Athenian army attacked and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the Persians in both archery and combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian sheep and burned them and the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died, compared to only 192 Athenians.

The people of Delos did not want to __________ the conquest of Greece

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The people of Delos did not want to ENCOURAGE the conquest of Greece.
Explanation: The word "encourage" means to support, promote, or inspire something. In this case, the people of Delos did not want to support or promote the conquest of Greece. They did not want to encourage the idea of Greece being conquered by someone or some force.

Choose the word that has the same rhyme scheme for questions below.
Day

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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.

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

PASSAGE IV

With the most profound respect to the members of the Senate, I do not think that it is within the competence of that ...1... body to pass a motion to ...2... the executive action of the President. The Senate is ...3... of the National Assembly. But it is not by itself alone the National Assembly. One can imagine the confusion, which would be created if the ...4... were to take a view diametrically opposed to that reflected in the Senate resolution. The strongest objection to the action of the Senate in passing the resolution is the fact that it constituted itself the ...5... as well as the judge of the constitutionality of the action of the President. The function of the Senate is to ...6... laws. But the Senate has no authority or ...7... to control the President in the exercise of his ...8... powers. It cannot by a mere resolution or motion give any directive to the President regarding the exercise of his powers nor can it undo what the President has done in the exercise of those powers. The only way in which the exercise of the powers of the President can be ...9... is by ...10... of the National Assembly.
Adapted from The Guardian of July 8, 1999, p. 8.

...9...

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The word that best fits in the gap is "regulated". In this context, it means that the exercise of the powers of the President can be controlled or governed by the National Assembly. The passage states that the only way in which the exercise of the President's powers can be regulated is by intervention of the National Assembly. This means that the National Assembly can set rules or guidelines for how the President should use his powers. The other options ("modified", "standardized", "ordered") do not accurately convey the meaning of controlling or governing the President's powers.

From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.

My father is parsimonious.

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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."

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

PASSAGE IV

With the most profound respect to the members of the Senate, I do not think that it is within the competence of that ...1... body to pass a motion to ...2... the executive action of the President. The Senate is ...3... of the National Assembly. But it is not by itself alone the National Assembly. One can imagine the confusion, which would be created if the ...4... were to take a view diametrically opposed to that reflected in the Senate resolution. The strongest objection to the action of the Senate in passing the resolution is the fact that it constituted itself the ...5... as well as the judge of the constitutionality of the action of the President. The function of the Senate is to ...6... laws. But the Senate has no authority or ...7... to control the President in the exercise of his ...8... powers. It cannot by a mere resolution or motion give any directive to the President regarding the exercise of his powers nor can it undo what the President has done in the exercise of those powers. The only way in which the exercise of the powers of the President can be ...9... is by ...10... of the National Assembly.
Adapted from The Guardian of July 8, 1999, p. 8.

...1...

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The missing word in the first gap is "legislative". The passage is discussing the competence of the Senate, and it states that the members of the Senate do not have the authority or competence to pass a motion to review or challenge the executive action of the President. The word "executive" refers to the branch of government that is responsible for carrying out and enforce laws. Therefore, the appropriate option for the first gap is "executive". In simpler terms, the passage is saying that the Senate does not have the power to challenge or review the actions taken by the President in carrying out and enforcing laws.

The coach has asked the Bright Rangers to be paid their --6-- salaries and --7-- so as to --8-- them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns of South Africa in saturday's all importanat CAF Champions leaque Match. Bright Rangers are the third in group B with four points --9-- many matches and need to --10-- defaet at second - placed Al - Ahly to stay in the --11-- for a place in the semi - final of Africa's most prestigious club competition. The Coach told MTN Football.com that the team would be better motivated if they atleast receive their August salaries before the Al - Ahly --12--. We have to make sure that they are paid their salaries --13-- so that they could play the game of their lives. The government has done very well, but it will be a big morale --14-- to get paid for them to go out there and play. The Coach informed MTN Football.com that the Bright Rangers plan to employ the counter --15-- to get a result in Cario.

 --10--

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The correct answer is - avoid.

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

_________ is the euphemism use for Cheat notes.

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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.

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

Whose reticent nature while growing up earned him the title: "The quiet one".?

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Talle was regarded as the quiet one while growing

The coach has asked the Bright Rangers to be paid their --6-- salaries and --7-- so as to --8-- them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns of South Africa in saturday's all importanat CAF Champions leaque Match. Bright Rangers are the third in group B with four points --9-- many matches and need to --10-- defaet at second - placed Al - Ahly to stay in the --11-- for a place in the semi - final of Africa's most prestigious club competition. The Coach told MTN Football.com that the team would be better motivated if they atleast receive their August salaries before the Al - Ahly --12--. We have to make sure that they are paid their salaries --13-- so that they could play the game of their lives. The government has done very well, but it will be a big morale --14-- to get paid for them to go out there and play. The Coach informed MTN Football.com that the Bright Rangers plan to employ the counter --15-- to get a result in Cario.

 --9--

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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.

In this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

If he were here, it could be more fun.

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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.

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

PASSAGE IV

With the most profound respect to the members of the Senate, I do not think that it is within the competence of that ...1... body to pass a motion to ...2... the executive action of the President. The Senate is ...3... of the National Assembly. But it is not by itself alone the National Assembly. One can imagine the confusion, which would be created if the ...4... were to take a view diametrically opposed to that reflected in the Senate resolution. The strongest objection to the action of the Senate in passing the resolution is the fact that it constituted itself the ...5... as well as the judge of the constitutionality of the action of the President. The function of the Senate is to ...6... laws. But the Senate has no authority or ...7... to control the President in the exercise of his ...8... powers. It cannot by a mere resolution or motion give any directive to the President regarding the exercise of his powers nor can it undo what the President has done in the exercise of those powers. The only way in which the exercise of the powers of the President can be ...9... is by ...10... of the National Assembly.
Adapted from The Guardian of July 8, 1999, p. 8.

...2...

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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.

In each of the following sentences, there is one underlined word. From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
The test shows that the lumps are malignant.

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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".

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

Where did the police apprehend Talle?

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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.

In each of the questions, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.The union congratulated the ELECTED president.

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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.

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

Why was it a double celebration for Ummi and members of her community when she gained admission into the university?

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This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

Ada and Ngozi were from the Imo state and Benue state, while Salma and Tomiwa were from______ and ______.

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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.**

The coach has asked the Bright Rangers to be paid their --6-- salaries and --7-- so as to --8-- them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns of South Africa in saturday's all importanat CAF Champions leaque Match. Bright Rangers are the third in group B with four points --9-- many matches and need to --10-- defaet at second - placed Al - Ahly to stay in the --11-- for a place in the semi - final of Africa's most prestigious club competition. The Coach told MTN Football.com that the team would be better motivated if they atleast receive their August salaries before the Al - Ahly --12--. We have to make sure that they are paid their salaries --13-- so that they could play the game of their lives. The government has done very well, but it will be a big morale --14-- to get paid for them to go out there and play. The Coach informed MTN Football.com that the Bright Rangers plan to employ the counter --15-- to get a result in Cario.

 --11--

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The correct answer is - running.

The primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters. From the words lettered A to D choose the one that has the correct stress.
category

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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.

In the following question, choose the option that best completes the sentence.
The guest would have arrived earlier but he was _______ in traffic.

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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.

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

What were Ummi's children waiting for when Bint narrates her encounter with Mr. Salihu?

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This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

Bint was encouraged to take French at the primary level because _____

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Bint was encouraged to take French at the primary level because **her parents believed that language acquisition at an early age is relatively easy**.
At a young age, children have a greater capacity for language learning due to their developing brains and ability to absorb and process information more effectively. By introducing French to Bint at the primary level, her parents believed that she would have a better chance of grasping the language and becoming fluent in it.
The idea behind encouraging language learning at an early age is that young children are like sponges, capable of effortlessly picking up new languages and mastering their intricacies. With consistent exposure and practice, they can develop strong linguistic skills. This is why Bint's parents wanted her to start learning French early on.
By gaining proficiency in French, Bint would have an added advantage in her future endeavors. She would be able to communicate effectively with French-speaking individuals, whether it be for academic, professional, or personal reasons. Additionally, knowing French could open up exciting opportunities for her, such as studying or working abroad in France.
While the option "she would want to be a French mistress when she grows up" may seem like a possible reason, it is not mentioned in the question as a motivation for Bint's parents. Therefore, the correct answer is that Bint was encouraged to take French at the primary level because **her parents believed that language acquisition at an early age is relatively easy**.

The prisoner finally ........ that he drank to ........ on the night he committed the murder

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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.

In this question, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

EMEKA finished his homework yesterday.

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The sentence "EMEKA finished his homework yesterday" has the emphatic stress on the word "EMEKA."
The question "Who finished his homework yesterday?" is related to the given sentence. This is because the sentence emphasizes that EMEKA completed his homework yesterday. The focus is on identifying who finished the homework. Therefore, the correct option is the first one: "Who finished his homework yesterday?"

Use the passage to answer the questions below
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian Empire was furious because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian domination. In anger, the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire.

Persia was ruled by one man. In Athens, however, all citiens helped to rule. Emboldened by this participation, Athenians were prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at the marathon, the Persians tried to fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened city of Delos refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise, for the president next conquered the city of Eritrea and captured its people.

Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people to their sanctuaries. There they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians refurbished their weapons and moved to the plan of Marathon where their little band would meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.

The Athenian army attacked and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the Persians in both archery and combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian sheep and burned them and the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died, compared to only 192 Athenians.

The Athenians were__________ by some soldiers who arrived at Plataea

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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.

Band[a]ge

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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.

In this question, fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided.

To check desertification in the arid zones, ...... trees should be planted

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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.

In this question, fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided.

We are all hungry; we ...... anything to eat since morning.

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We are all hungry; we **haven't had** anything to eat since morning.
Explanation: The correct option to fill the gap is "haven't had". This is because the sentence is expressing a present perfect tense, which is used to talk about past actions or experiences that are connected to the present. In this case, the present perfect emphasizes that the hunger from not having anything to eat started in the past and continues until now.
The option "hadn't had" is incorrect because it is in the past perfect tense, which is used to talk about actions that happened before another past action. There is no indication of another past action in the sentence.
The option "never had" is incorrect because it implies an absolute lack of previous experience with eating anything since morning, which may not be the case for the individuals in the sentence.
The option "didn't have" is incorrect because it is in the simple past tense, which suggests a completed action in the past. It does not connect the past action of not having anything to eat to the present moment of being hungry.

From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.

My mother is a shrewd businesswoman.

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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."

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

_____ was always on the first row during prayer at his office.

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Choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the underlined letter(s)
Children are not allowed in the park ...... dark.

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The word that has the same vowel sound as the underlined letter(s) in "dark" is "after". The reason is that both "dark" and "after" have the same vowel sound, which is pronounced as /ɑː/. In contrast, the other options (at, over, in) have different vowel sounds.

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

What appellation was given to Talle for all his amazing show of personality.

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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.

Read the passage carefully and answer this question.

May your road be rough. I am not cursing you: I am wishing you what I wish myself every year, I therefore repeat, may you have a hard time this year. May there be troubles for you this year. If you are not sure of what to say back, why not just say "same to you" – I ask for no more.

Our successes are conditioned by the amount of risk we are about to take. Earlier today, I visited a local farmer about five kilometers from where I live. He could not have been 55, but he said he was already too old to farm vigorously. He still suffered, he said, from the energy he displayed as a farmer in his younger days. Around his hut were two pepperbushes. There were cocoyam growing around him. There were snail shells which had given him meat. There must have been more snails around the banana trees than I saw. He hardly ever went to town to buy things. He was self-sufficient. The car, the television or radio and the newspaper were things he could live without. He had no ambition whatsoever, he told me.

I am not sure if you are already envious of him, but were we all to revert to such a life, we would be driven back like aimless sheep to cave dwelling. On the other hand, try to put yourself in the shoes of the Russian or American astronauts. Any moment you are shot into space, you have to be mentally alert, else, if you forget what to do, one of the things that might happen to you is that you could forever become a satellite going round until you die of starvation, and even then, your dead body would continue the gyration.

Naturally, they may have some slight foreboding on the contingency of their non-return. However, it is their courage for going in spite of these apprehensions that makes the world hail them so loudly today.
(Akinyemi, A., Olupe, F., & Adetutu, S. (2012): Rubrics of English Language for Schools and Colleges. Divine Glory Printers, Abeokuta.)

"Rough" in the first sentence of the passage means ......

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The word "rough" in the first sentence of the passage means difficulties. It refers to facing challenges or obstacles in life. This could include things that are not easy or smooth. The author is not cursing or wishing harm to the reader, but rather expressing the idea that facing difficulties can lead to growth and opportunities for both the reader and the author.

The primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters. From the words lettered A to D choose the one that has the correct stress.
presidency

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The correct stress for the word 'presidency' is 'PRE-si-den-cy'. In English, stress means pronouncing one syllable of a multisyllabic word with greater emphasis (stress) than the other syllables in the word. The primary stress in a word is the syllable that is pronounced with the most force. In the word 'presidency', the first syllable 'pre' is pronounced with the most force, hence it has the primary stress.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence.
The abeyance of school activities last semester was a reason for concern.

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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.

In this question, identify the word that has the stress on the first syllable.

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reSIST
SALon
conFIRM
inTACT

Choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word
The boss is quite inflexible once he has made up his mind.

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The word "inflexible" means that someone is unwilling to change their opinion or decision. In this case, it is referring to the boss being unyielding or not willing to compromise once he has made up his mind. Therefore, the nearest option in meaning to "inflexible" is "unyielding."

The coach has asked the Bright Rangers to be paid their --6-- salaries and --7-- so as to --8-- them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns of South Africa in saturday's all importanat CAF Champions leaque Match. Bright Rangers are the third in group B with four points --9-- many matches and need to --10-- defaet at second - placed Al - Ahly to stay in the --11-- for a place in the semi - final of Africa's most prestigious club competition. The Coach told MTN Football.com that the team would be better motivated if they atleast receive their August salaries before the Al - Ahly --12--. We have to make sure that they are paid their salaries --13-- so that they could play the game of their lives. The government has done very well, but it will be a big morale --14-- to get paid for them to go out there and play. The Coach informed MTN Football.com that the Bright Rangers plan to employ the counter --15-- to get a result in Cario.

 --12--

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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.

From the list of words letter A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is beneficial to one's health while eating processed foods is ......

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Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is beneficial to one's health, as they provide essential nutrients and contribute to overall well-being. On the other hand, eating processed foods is harmful. Processed foods usually undergo various processes such as refining, adding preservatives, and artificial flavorings, which can strip them of their nutritional value. These types of food are often high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium, which can lead to negative health effects such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "beneficial" and correctly fills the gap in the sentence is "harmful." Processed foods are harmful to our health, contrasting with the positive effects of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

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

The conference is biannial.

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Occurring twice a year.

In each of the following sentences, the word that resolves the emphatic stress is written in capital letters. From the options letters A to D, choose the one to which the given sentence is the appropriate answer.

Daddy plays TENNIS on Saturday afternoons

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

In each of the questions, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.A good description INCLUDES specific nouns.

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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.

Choose the options to which the given sentence relate.

Spain won their last friendly FOOTBALL match

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

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

Why did Habib call Tomiwa instead of Salma that he gave a ride?

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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.

In this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Though he is our elected representative, he often takes a rather jaundiced view of our problems.

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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.

From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

I have an aversion for war movies.

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Aversion in this context refers to a strong dislike or distaste for something. It means that the person has a negative feeling towards war movies and does not enjoy watching them. This is different from addiction, which refers to a strong dependency on something, and preference, which relates to having a liking or favor for something. Bitterness, on the other hand, describes a feeling of resentment or anger. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to aversion in this context is dislike.

Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list provided.
We had to ..... the group headed by Taiwo.

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"sell up" means to sell all the goods of a debtor to clear the debt, sell off means to clear out (stock) at bargaining prices sell out means to betray for money or reward.

This question is based on "The Life Changer" novel.

Who among Salma's roommate was reserved and withdrawn yet generous to a fault?

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In the novel 'The Life Changer', Ngozi is described as being reserved and withdrawn yet generous to a fault. This means that despite her quiet and introverted nature, she was extremely generous.

Use the passage to answer the questions below
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian Empire was furious because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian domination. In anger, the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire.

Persia was ruled by one man. In Athens, however, all citiens helped to rule. Emboldened by this participation, Athenians were prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at the marathon, the Persians tried to fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened city of Delos refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise, for the president next conquered the city of Eritrea and captured its people.

Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people to their sanctuaries. There they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians refurbished their weapons and moved to the plan of Marathon where their little band would meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.

The Athenian army attacked and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the Persians in both archery and combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian sheep and burned them and the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died, compared to only 192 Athenians.

Darius took drastic step to __________ the rebellious Anthenians.

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In the passage, it is mentioned that 'In anger the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire.' This implies that Darius, the king, took drastic steps to calm the rebellious Athenians. Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.

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

The stadium had a capacity crowd in spite of the weather.

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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.