JAMB UTME - Use of English - 1989

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:It was their custom to keep an open house on Sundays

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The appearance of the pall-bearers was extremely fascinating

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Tsado and his wife are always fighting. The _____ to be drawn from this is that they are not happy together,

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

This is the kind of stew _____

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

If i had not finished my assignment, i would not _____ the opportunity to go with the group

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

Our school prefect is too officious and we all hate him because of his behaviour.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

This fertility figure, of course, conceals wide individual variations among the people

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

Many mines protested against the order to march into the coal pits

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

You do not need to stutter in order to show your excitement

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

The boss made a clean sweep of all old hands in the office

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

A student's natural ability should be a _____ factor in his choosing a course of study at the university.

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The girl is very intelligent, but her jokes are rather outrageous

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

The governor advised his people to get off the beaten tracks in their approach to community matters

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

Men living in an extended family know that they have to be responsible for the welfare of some other person's children

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

The case was thrown out because the court lacked jurisdiction

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

When the driver lost control of his vehicle, the pedestrian began to run for _____

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The contractors were short _____ cash even before the project was completed

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

From this passage, we learn that nuclear exchange in the northern hemisphere would be

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

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

He has a big heart, but he is inept at following a witty conversation

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined: I have never been accustomed to seeing my brother in such a pensive mood

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

He was not a very _____ student when i first met him but the years _____ his character ultimately

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The _____ car is the center of attraction.

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

Do you have the same aversion as i do for war films

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The new singlet factory is built on the _____ of Aba township

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

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

The president made a passionate appeal for calm

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The western allies frowned at their enemies indiscriminate bombing of their territory

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

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

My friend will hate his uncle forever because he left him in the lurch in his hour of need

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

I looked for you all over the campus but i could not _____ you

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Sociologists are concerned with the problem of man in _____

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:The government is making concerted efforts at providing essential social facilities in the rural areas.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Our manager has instructed that _____ of customers must be barred from our bank

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:The rampage was organized and directed by the militant ones among the students

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

The authenticity of the reporter's claims should be established before taking further actions on the matter

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:The chief will launch the fund-raising appeal

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

Her anxiety was apparent to everyone present at the ceremony

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

Most of his observations were wide of the mark

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

If we go hunting this weekend we'll have to _____ with scratch meals and sleep in hut in the forest

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

_____ with him for two years, i cannot guarantee his good behaviour.

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

If Kaka hadn't tried to stand up in the boat, he _____ into the lake

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Many unrelated issue were touched upon in the _____ of the discussion

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

Mali stole the day's takings from the bakery.

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

The minister hit on a plan to retain his post after many months of lobbying

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The man's health has deteriorated in the hospital

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

Our experience on board the aircraft is nothing to write home about

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The committee was disgusted _____ the way the office was being run

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Many a man _____ done without milk in _____ tea these days

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:After careful investigation, the police found no iota of truth in Ibrahim's allegations

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Because of the _____ he did to my car, i am going to sue him for _____

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

His summary of the meeting was brief and to the point

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

What embarrasses is the stealthy way in which the new servant goes about his duties in the house

Options

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

_____ is always superior to any other in town

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined: The administrator's apathy was soon noticed by all his subordinates.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The teacher invited Akpan and _____ to his office

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

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

I would like to like to believe that this brilliant performance of yours is not just a flash in the pan

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

Which of the following is true of the stranger in the passage?

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

As the wedding day approached, the bride began to develop cold feet

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The soldiers were sufficiently equipped with _____

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

My younger brother is going to the stream with _____ boys

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

?You?re Tunde Onu, I?m told?, he said to her father.

?That?s right, said her father.

?The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands?, the man continued. I?d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

?When were you thinking of going??

?Right away?.

?That?s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won?t be back before nightfall.

?Oh!? said the stranger. That?s too bad. You couldn?t get someone else instead of him?

?I would have to think hard?, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father?s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The judge acquitted the accused _____ all the eight counts

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

One of the rioters who _____ arrested yesterday _____ released

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Although i am watching television. I _____ what you are saying.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:We cannot but talk about his invaluable contributions to the affairs of the society

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined: Sade has been employed. But she is unhappy because it is a run off the mill job

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The manager was angry with Dauda for _____ seeds of discord among the workers

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:The hasty action will bring nothing but discredit to them

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

He regarded the betrayal of his friend as a stab _____ the back

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

I didn't think she could be so easily taken in by his pretences

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

When i met Amadi yesterday it was the first time i _____ him for six months.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:The way he handled the whole issue was rather despicable

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Okoro intends to wear his _____ dress to zoo this afternoon

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

You had better _____ what the doctor recommended this morning

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

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

The clerk refused to answer for the mistake made by the manager and his assistants

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The government has provided new _____ for the local government polls