JAMB UTME - Use of English - 1990

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

We enjoy the story but it sounds larger than life

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. What happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centres are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do.

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

Bola broke _____ when he heard the news of the arrest of his twin brother

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

The chemistry teacher seized the girl's comic _____ during the laboratory work

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

The president took exception to the ignoble role the young man played in the matter

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

I heard that Kayode's car was stolen last night. It _____ be true because I saw him _____ it, this morning.

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

Lola was agitated when the sad news of her mother's accidents was broken to her

This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

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

_____ all probability, the train will arrive today

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

No matter to whom i _____ , nobody in the crowd had a clue to what was going on

By the time a child reached the age of two years, the psychologist says he is ‘self-conscious’. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word ‘no’ with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperative) are given throughout these two years first for the child’s own safety e.g. ‘Don’t touch the fire and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequence of his actions, partly because he has developed a concept of idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is ‘good’ for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.

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

General Murtala Mohammed excelled in deeds of prowess

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

After months of tedious climbing, the team reached the _____ of the mountain

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

The teacher's face broke into an incredulous smile when he heard Adamu's reason for coming late

The importance of the code theory in education lies in the fact that the school system requires the use of an elaborated code but not all students have access to it. The importance of this theory to sociology lies in the fact that the differential access to the elaborated code does not occur randomly but rather is controlled by the class system. Lower working-class urban children tend to have a restricted code. Middle-class children possess both a restricted and an elaborated code. The two groups enter into different types of relationship and learn to express themselves in different ways through language. They do not use language for the same functions, some of which it seems are necessary for the school situation. When the lower working-class child is expected implicity to exploit language for functions, he normally does not express verbally a discontinuity is created between his home and his school environment. He has learned to verbalize certain range of meanings in his home and when he enters school, another range of meaning is required. There is then a very subtle but nonetheless very real, sense in which what is taught is personally irrelevant for this child. The school system does not talk to him. Middle class children possessing both codes experience no such discontinuity. They can use languages for these functions required by the school.

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

I could have agreed with your action if i _____ not _____ you promised to increase the worker's salaries

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be first to blood his spear, the one who does so claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal.

But as brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine and undergrowth, where it was impossible for man to poise and throw a spear. Superstition had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twings as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim, if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practising ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions invulnerability many hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.

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

The buildings damaged by the rainstorm _____schools, hospitals and private houses

This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

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

He _____ during the whole of last month

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

Ogedebge was an Intrepid fighter for human freedom and dignity

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. What happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centres are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do.

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

One can no longer take for granted today what _____ enjoyed in the university some years ago, can _____ ?

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

When the farmers were found guilty of unlawful assembly and procession, their lawyer _____ before the sentence was passed

This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

The story of the old soldier and a book in the passage is an illustration of the point that

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

Attention has shifted to the teaching of science nowadays _____ the usefulness of the Arts

By the time a child reached the age of two years, the psychologist says he is ‘self-conscious’. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word ‘no’ with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperative) are given throughout these two years first for the child’s own safety e.g. ‘Don’t touch the fire and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequence of his actions, partly because he has developed a concept of idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is ‘good’ for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.

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

We cannot explain his objection _____ the new law

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

Ladies and gentlemen, our guest speaker, Dr. Oni _____ also a resident doctor at the teaching hospital.

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

Yemi said 'i'm coming' to her friend Biola who was waiting for her instead of saying _____

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

It was difficult to _____ a man walking on the moon two centuries

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

The man who had been seriously ill was convalescing at a sea-side resort

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. What happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centres are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do.

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be first to blood his spear, the one who does so claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal.

But as brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine and undergrowth, where it was impossible for man to poise and throw a spear. Superstition had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twings as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim, if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practising ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions invulnerability many hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.

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

The lecturer said that we _____ be able to finish the next chapter this evening

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

I can always depend _____ my father for my survival.

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

Animals in _____ behave differently from animals living in the natural habitat

The importance of the code theory in education lies in the fact that the school system requires the use of an elaborated code but not all students have access to it. The importance of this theory to sociology lies in the fact that the differential access to the elaborated code does not occur randomly but rather is controlled by the class system. Lower working-class urban children tend to have a restricted code. Middle-class children possess both a restricted and an elaborated code. The two groups enter into different types of relationship and learn to express themselves in different ways through language. They do not use language for the same functions, some of which it seems are necessary for the school situation. When the lower working-class child is expected implicity to exploit language for functions, he normally does not express verbally a discontinuity is created between his home and his school environment. He has learned to verbalize certain range of meanings in his home and when he enters school, another range of meaning is required. There is then a very subtle but nonetheless very real, sense in which what is taught is personally irrelevant for this child. The school system does not talk to him. Middle class children possessing both codes experience no such discontinuity. They can use languages for these functions required by the school.

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

'Be that as _____ we are determined to get to the root of the matter!' shouted the officer

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

After Jerry had made the bed, he _____ on it

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. What happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centres are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do.

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

If it had rained, we would have had to postpone the concert. It didn't rain, so _____

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

Let's have a cup of coffee, _____

By the time a child reached the age of two years, the psychologist says he is ‘self-conscious’. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word ‘no’ with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperative) are given throughout these two years first for the child’s own safety e.g. ‘Don’t touch the fire and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequence of his actions, partly because he has developed a concept of idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is ‘good’ for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.

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

Knowledge of figures of speech as well as idioms and lexical items _____ in this section

This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

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

Olu might visit London next summer

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

The shipping company advertised for _____ accountants

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

Olu, Akpan and Ovbiagele's _____ make people to believe that they belong to same school of thought

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

The answers to the questions were discussed _____ the students

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

I would have been off to see Biola at Festac Town by the time you _____ tomorrow

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be first to blood his spear, the one who does so claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal.

But as brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine and undergrowth, where it was impossible for man to poise and throw a spear. Superstition had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twings as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim, if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practising ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions invulnerability many hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.

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

Now, i am used _____ bread without butter.

The importance of the code theory in education lies in the fact that the school system requires the use of an elaborated code but not all students have access to it. The importance of this theory to sociology lies in the fact that the differential access to the elaborated code does not occur randomly but rather is controlled by the class system. Lower working-class urban children tend to have a restricted code. Middle-class children possess both a restricted and an elaborated code. The two groups enter into different types of relationship and learn to express themselves in different ways through language. They do not use language for the same functions, some of which it seems are necessary for the school situation. When the lower working-class child is expected implicity to exploit language for functions, he normally does not express verbally a discontinuity is created between his home and his school environment. He has learned to verbalize certain range of meanings in his home and when he enters school, another range of meaning is required. There is then a very subtle but nonetheless very real, sense in which what is taught is personally irrelevant for this child. The school system does not talk to him. Middle class children possessing both codes experience no such discontinuity. They can use languages for these functions required by the school.

This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.

This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’

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

The policeman was asked to investigate the matter

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

Biola decided to give the task everything he had

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

My price for the pair of shoes is fifty naira. I cannot _____ anything less than that

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

The pastor said 'lay _____ your hearts to God'

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

It seems fashionable, in some quaters today to decry examinations and the ability to pass them

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

We are not surprised he was not elected; every one of his constituents _____ that he is unreliable

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

Dan and Tina met on the ship and greeted _____

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

The boss told the man to let sleeping dogs lie

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

The company representative in Nigeria is a _____

If we examine the opportunities for education of girls or women in less developed countries, we usually find a dismal picture. In some countries, the ratio of boys to girls in secondary schools is more than seven to one. What happens to the girls? Often they are kept at home to look after younger siblings and to perform a variety of domestic chores. Their education is not perceived as in any way equal in importance to that of boys. When a non-literate or barely literate girl reaches adolescence, she has little or no qualification for employment, even if her community provides any opportunity for the employment of women. The solution is to get her married as soon as possible, with the inevitable result that she produces children too soon, too often and too late. With no formal education, she is hardly aware that there is any alternative. In a study made in Thailand, it was noted that the literate woman marries later and ceases childbearing earlier than her non-literate counterpart. But the latter is so chained to her household by the necessities of gathering fuel, preparing food and tending children that she is very difficult to reach, even if health services, nutrition, education, maternal and child health centres are available in her community. She does not understand what they are intended to do.

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

If you want a successful marriage , you _____ pray for it

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

Silk materials ought be be prohibited _____ being brought into the country

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

Aishatu: Could you please give this book to Aminu? Chidi: Certainly, I _____ him on something, so it won't be _____

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

The principal warned us against burning candle at both ends

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

A number of teachers in secondary schools are not so well disposed to _____ these days, _____ they?

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

I have the _____ of meeting him

By the time a child reached the age of two years, the psychologist says he is ‘self-conscious’. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word ‘no’ with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperative) are given throughout these two years first for the child’s own safety e.g. ‘Don’t touch the fire and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequence of his actions, partly because he has developed a concept of idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is ‘good’ for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.

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

Why do you worry about such _____ matters?

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

The Director is _____ pains to ensure the success of the programme.

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

_____ to help him, being the only person in the vicinity.

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

The result of the election would have been different if some people had not been disfranchised

As a rule the Emopa are very brave indeed and are among the few Africans who still hunt lion with the spear. They also kill elephants, not for food but for spear blooding or to prove their manhood. When elephants are located, there is great excitement and fierce competition among the young men. Each tries to be first to blood his spear, the one who does so claims the trophy. No young man is looked upon with favour by the girls until he has won his spurs by killing a dangerous animal.

But as brave as the Emopa are, two fierce man-eaters completely overawed them. This was partly due to the cunning and boldness of the lions, partly to the fact that when hunted, they would always retreat into dense riverine and undergrowth, where it was impossible for man to poise and throw a spear. Superstition had also added its quota to the fear with which they were regarded. It was said that before starting off on a raid the lions would retire to an open sandy place and there make two rows of depressions in the sand with their paws. Then, using twings as counters, they would play the ancient game of ‘baw’ (a game of unknown antiquity, which resembles draughts and is played all over Africa). If the omens were good they would raid a village and claim a victim, if not, they would wait. Another story had it that the lions were the spirits of two ‘holy men’ who had now come back in this shape to seek their revenge. So strongly was this view held that the local Emopa had petitioned a practising ‘holy man’ to come from a great distance to exorcise the spirits. He came with book, bell and candle and charged a fee of a hundred goats but the lions continued their depredations. To add to the legend of the lions invulnerability many hunters had tried on previous occasions to kill them and had failed owing to lack of time. This confirmed the Emopa’s opinion that lions were supernatural beings and that it was useless to hunt them.