For this question, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics. The debater made a very scurrilous remark about his opponent.

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2025 Subject: English Language

Question 1 Report

For this question, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

The debater made a very scurrilous remark about his opponent.

Answer Details

Scurrilous means making or spreading scandalous, defamatory, or grossly insulting statements about someone. A scurrilous remark is one that attacks a person's character in a vulgar or abusive manner.

The word nearest in meaning is abusive, which means using harsh, insulting, or offensive language. Both words describe speech that is deliberately hurtful and attacks someone verbally.

The other options do not capture this meaning:

  • false means untrue. While scurrilous remarks may sometimes be false, the core meaning of scurrilous is about the abusive and vulgar nature of the language, not whether it is factually incorrect.
  • fake means not genuine or counterfeit, which relates to authenticity rather than verbal abuse.
  • sharp means having a cutting edge or being quick-witted. A sharp remark might be clever or incisive but is not necessarily vulgar or abusive.

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