JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2024

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In this context, when we say "The ripe orange was beyond his ______," we refer to something that the person is unable to obtain or access, typically because it is out of their physical range or capability. The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "reach."

This is because "reach" refers to the capability or extent of one's grasp or influence, often implying that something is too far away to be accessed or obtained. Meanwhile, "touch", "catch", and "pluck" all denote different actions:

• "Touch" means to come into physical contact with something.
• "Catch" implies intercepting or capturing something that is moving.
• "Pluck" means to remove something, typically by pulling with a sudden effort.

Hence, none of these options effectively convey the idea of something being out of one’s capacity to access or obtain, which is what "reach" does. Therefore, the phrase would read: "The ripe orange was beyond his reach."

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The word **"guilty"** means having committed an offense or crime, or being responsible for a wrongdoing. Therefore, the word opposite in meaning would imply that the suspect is not held responsible or not having committed the crime.

Let?s examine the options:

1. **Acquitted:** This term means that the suspect has been declared not guilty of the charge; they have been found innocent of the crime. Therefore, **"acquitted"** is the opposite of **"guilty"**.

2. **Discharged:** This word typically means that a person is released from a duty or obligation, but it does not specifically indicate innocence regarding a crime.

3. **Corrected:** This means to make something right or rectify a fault. It doesn't relate directly to legal judgments or guilt.

4. **Executed:** This refers to carrying out a sentence, such as capital punishment, and is often associated with guilt and punishment rather than indicating innocence.

Hence, the correct opposite of **"guilty"** in this context is **"acquitted."**

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The word "inevitable" means something that cannot be avoided or escaped. It implies that an event is certain to happen and there is no way to prevent it from occurring. When we say that "Death is inevitable," we mean that death is a natural part of life that everyone will experience eventually, and there is no way to avoid it.

Let's look at the options:

• Unavoidable: This word is nearest in meaning to "inevitable" because it also means that something cannot be prevented.
• Predictable: While this word refers to something that can be anticipated or expected to happen, it does not necessarily mean that it cannot be avoided.
• Distant: This word refers to something far away in time or space, and it does not convey the idea of inevitability or certainty.
• Surmountable: This word means that something can be overcome or conquered, which is opposite in meaning to inevitable.

Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "inevitable" is unavoidable.

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The sentence "I can't lend him my books. I ______ know him." is meant to express the idea that the speaker does not have enough familiarity or trust with the person in question to lend their books.

The best choice to complete the sentence is "scarcely". This is because "scarcely" means almost not or barely, indicating a very low level of knowing or familiarity. Thus, it implies that the speaker knows the person just a little, which aligns with the reason they are hesitant to lend their books.

To clarify the other options:
- "Often" suggests a frequent occurrence, which is not fitting because the sentence conveys a lack of familiarity.

- "Seldom" means not often, and while it may indicate infrequency, it is not as strong as 'scarcely' in expressing minimal familiarity.

- "Rarely" is also more infrequent than "seldom," yet it doesn't convey the minimal familiarity as effectively as "scarcely."

Therefore, "scarcely" is the best word to complete this sentence because it most accurately communicates a low level of acquaintance or trust.

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The passage suggests that climate plays a crucial role in determining the type of weathering that occurs. This is inferred from the statement which mentions that climatic conditions greatly affect weathering.

The passage describes two types of weathering: physical or mechanical weathering, which requires temperature and water, and chemical weathering, which thrives in hot climates. Therefore, the relationship between climate and weathering is quite evident.

Physical weathering occurs when the temperature and water cause rocks to break into smaller pieces. This typically happens in climates with fluctuating temperatures where water can freeze and thaw, causing rocks to crack. On the other hand, chemical weathering is more effective in hot climates, where chemical reactions are accelerated, leading to the breakdown of rocks.

Hence, we can conclude that climate determines the type of weathering. It directly refutes any notion that weathering occurs only in cool temperatures or only in hot temperatures, as it provides examples of both types of weathering being influenced by climate conditions.

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The sentence "The teacher believed her students were equal to the task" implies that the teacher had confidence in her students' ability to successfully accomplish the task at hand. This means the teacher thought her students were capable and ready to handle whatever was required to complete the task. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is that the students were hardworking and dedicated, as it suggests they have the necessary skills and perseverance to succeed in the task. There is no indication in the sentence that the students were young, weak, or not prepared, nor does it suggest that the task was too difficult for them.

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The most appropriate choice to fill the gap labelled 11 would be call-card. A call-card is a small card used in libraries that contains information about books available for borrowing. It typically includes the book's title, author's name, and the book's unique identification number. This allows library users to locate and check out books easily. The other options, such as book-card, author-card, and seller-card do not typically refer to items used in a library context for borrowing purposes.

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The gap labeled 11 needs an option that accurately describes the type of language normally associated with a state. In this context, the passage highlights how states are typically categorized on maps based on a predominant language. Thus, the most fitting choice would be "national". A national language refers to a language that is closely associated with a specific country or state. It often plays a role in government, administration, and cultural identity, thereby making it an apt choice to fill the gap.

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The word prosperous means being successful, especially in terms of wealth or finances. When someone is referred to as a prosperous lawyer, it indicates that they are financially successful and probably earns a substantial income from their legal practice.

To find a word with the opposite meaning, look for a term that indicates a lack of financial success or wealth. Here's an analysis of the options:

• Affluent: This means wealthy or having a great deal of money. It is a synonym rather than an antonym.
• Poor: This means lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society. It indicates financial difficulty, which is the direct opposite of prosperous.
• Stagnant: This means showing no activity or change, especially regarding economic growth. Though it may suggest inactivity, it does not specifically mean lacking wealth.
• Luxurious: This means characterized by luxury or given to a life of luxury. It implies a high standard of living, similar to prosperity.

Based on the meanings, the option that is directly opposite to prosperous is poor, because while prosperous indicates wealth and success, poor indicates a lack of financial resources.

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The word "derelict" refers to something that has been abandoned and is in a poor or neglected state. It is often used to describe buildings or structures that are no longer in use and have fallen into disrepair.

• The word "moribund" describes something that is at the point of death or is in decline but does not necessarily imply abandonment or neglect.
• The word "glamorous" describes something that is charmingly or fascinatingly attractive, which is the opposite of the meaning of "derelict".
• The word "enlivened" refers to something that has been made lively or spirited, which also contradicts the meaning of "derelict".
• The word "titivated" means to make something more attractive by adding decorations, which is also opposite to being abandoned or neglected.

The option nearest in meaning to "derelict" is "moribund" because it suggests decline, although it doesn't specifically indicate abandonment. The context of the phrase suggests that the fire station is not only neglected but also likely to be in a state of disrepair, which aligns more closely with "moribund" than the other options.

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The phrase shows the writer's awareness of the dangerous and violent nature of the insurgents pursuing them.

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The word conviviality refers to a quality of being friendly, lively, and enjoyable in social interactions, often associated with feasting, celebrating, and a pleasant atmosphere. In the context of Mr. Jebu displaying a high sense of conviviality during the Gala, it suggests that he was exhibiting friendly and lively behavior that contributed to an enjoyable social environment.

Examining the options:

• Spitefulness refers to acting with malice and a desire to harm or annoy others. This is not related to conviviality, as conviviality is positive and about enjoyment and friendliness.
• Conjugality pertains to marriage or the relationship between married partners. This is not aligned with the concept of conviviality, which is more about social enjoyment and friendliness rather than marital relationships.
• Friendliness means being kind, pleasant, and welcoming to others. This closely aligns with the notion of conviviality, as it captures the essence of being sociable and creating a pleasant atmosphere.
• Blissfulness refers to a state of perfect happiness or joy. While it connotes a positive feeling, it is more about individual happiness rather than the social aspect of friendliness conveyed by conviviality.

Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to the word conviviality is friendliness, as it accurately reflects the sociable and enjoyable spirit described by conviviality.

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The sentence "I decided to back up my friend's argument at the meeting" conveys the idea of giving support or reinforcement to your friend's argument during the meeting.

Backing up someone generally means providing support, defense, or reinforcement, especially when they're presenting a point of view or argument in a discussion or meeting.

The option that best explains this statement is "I endorsed my friend." When you endorse someone, you are communicating your approval and support for what they have said or done. It shows agreement and willingness to give additional credibility or strength to their argument.

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The phrase that best completes the sentence is "very first party dress". Here’s why:

When constructing a sentence, it is essential to follow the correct order of adjectives. English has a typical order for adjectives when more than one is used for a noun. The order goes as follows: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose.

In this case, the adjective "first" refers to the order or sequence (a kind of number), while "very" is an adverb modifying "first," and "party" indicates the purpose of the dress. Therefore, "very first" precedes "party dress" to correctly describe the item being purchased.

Thus, the correct phrase is "very first party dress", describing the specific dress which Sally helped you buy.

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To determine which word rhymes with the given word "Light," it is essential to understand the sound of the ending part of the word. **Rhyming words** have the same ending sound.

The given word is "Light." The **ending sound** of "Light" is /-aɪt/.

Now, let's consider the options:

1. **Lure** - The ending sound of "Lure" is /-ʊr/. This does not rhyme with "Light" because the sound is different.

2. **Hate** - The ending sound of "Hate" is /-eɪt/. This does not rhyme with "Light" because the ending sound is different.

3. **Right** - The ending sound of "Right" is /-aɪt/. This rhymes with "Light" because they have the same ending sound.

4. **Caught** - The ending sound of "Caught" is /-ɔːt/. This does not rhyme with "Light" because the ending sound is different.

In summary, among the given options, the only word that rhymes with "Light" is **Right** because they both end with the **same sound**, /-aɪt/.

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To find a word that rhymes with "hurt," we need to look for a word with a similar ending sound. The word "hurt" ends with the sound "urt."

Let's analyze the given options:

• hot: Ends with the sound "ot," so it does not rhyme with "hurt."
• cough: Ends with the sound "off," which does not rhyme with "hurt."
• coil: Ends with the sound "oil," which does not rhyme with "hurt."
• shirt: Ends with the sound "irt," which is very similar to "urt."

Therefore, the word "shirt" rhymes with "hurt" because they both end with a similar sound. The main requirement for words to rhyme is that their ending phonetic sounds match or are very similar.

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The word "unconscionable" refers to behaviour that is immoral or unethical and beyond what is reasonable or just. The nearest in meaning to the word unconscionable is unbecoming, which means inappropriate or not in keeping with the standards of behaviour expected in a particular context, though less severe than unconscionable.

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The word "reckless" in the sentence "His reckless remark did not go unnoticed" suggests that the remark was made without careful thought or consideration of the potential consequences. Let's explore the meaning and implications of each option:

• Salient: This word means something that is most noticeable or important. It does not fit well with "reckless," as "salient" emphasizes visibility or prominence, rather than carelessness.
• Considerable: This refers to something that is significant or worthy of attention, often due to its size or importance. It does not match "reckless," because "considerable" does not imply a lack of caution or foresight.
• Taciturn: This describes a person who is reserved or says little. It is almost the opposite of making a "reckless" remark since taciturn people are cautious about speaking.
• Unguarded: This means lacking in caution or care, especially in speech or behavior. It aligns with "reckless" because both suggest speaking without careful thought or control, leading to unintended consequences.

Therefore, the option closest in meaning to "reckless" is unguarded.

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The correct option to complete the sentence is "were". Let's understand why:

This sentence is an example of a conditional sentence. Specifically, it is a type called the second conditional, which is used to talk about hypothetical situations that are not real or are unlikely to happen in the present or future.

The structure of a second conditional sentence is: If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb. Here is the structure applied to the sentence:

• If her brother were here, he would call the police.

In the conditional clause "If her brother were here," we use the past simple verb "were" which is used for hypothetical situations involving the subject "her brother."

Note: Although "were" typically pairs with plural subjects, in the case of hypothetical or conditional sentences, "were" is also used with singular subjects like "her brother." This use is sometimes referred to as the subjunctive mood.

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The option that best completes the gap is "The city of Abuja."

The correct phrase here is "The city of Abuja" because:

• "The city of Abuja" uses the article "the," which specifies a particular city, making the statement clear and precise.
• The word "city" is appropriately placed to refer to Abuja as an urban area, which is necessary to make the sentence grammatically correct and contextually accurate.

Let's compare this with the other options:

• "A city of Abuja" - The article "a" suggests any city, which gives an ambiguous meaning since it doesn't specify that we are talking about Abuja being recognized as a city.
• "City of Abuja" - This lacks an article ("the" or "a"), making the phrase incomplete. Articles are important to make a noun phrase grammatically correct.
• "Abuja of a city" - This arrangement doesn't make grammatical or logical sense. The phrase appears jumbled and confusing.

Therefore, the most grammatically sound and contextually appropriate choice is "The city of Abuja."

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The best option to complete the sentence is "**to**." The correct sentence would be: "I was glad he called my attention **to** the matter."

Here's a simple explanation:

In English, certain verbs or expressions require specific prepositions that follow them. The phrase "call attention" typically pairs with the preposition **"to"**. This construction is used to indicate directing someone's focus or thoughts **toward** a particular issue or topic.

For example, if you say, "He called my attention **to** the problem," it means that he brought the problem to your notice or made you aware of it. Using other prepositions like "on," "for," or "at" in this context would not be grammatically correct as they do not convey the intended relationship between the action and the subject.

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The word "productivity" consists of five syllables: pro-duc-tiv-i-ty. To determine the correct stress pattern, it is essential to understand where the emphasis naturally falls in standard English pronunciation.

The most appropriate stress pattern for "productivity" is producTIvity. In English, multi-syllable words commonly have one syllable that is emphasized more than the others. For "productivity," the stress falls on the third syllable "TIv". This is because "productivity" follows a common stress pattern in English where the emphasis is placed on the antepenultimate syllable (the third syllable from the end) in words with more than three syllables.

Therefore, the correct stress pattern for "productivity" emphasizes the third syllable, making it producTIvity.

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The word underlined here is "indifferent." This word describes someone who shows a lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; they are neutral or unconcerned about the situation.

To find the option that is opposite in meaning, we need to look for a word that suggests actively showing concern or emotion. Let's evaluate each option:

a strong: This option refers to being powerful or forceful. It does not directly relate to the level of concern or interest.

a concerned: This option implies that someone cares about something and is involved or worried about it. This is the opposite of being indifferent because an indifferent person does not show interest or concern.

an uninterested: This is synonymous with being indifferent, as both mean showing a lack of interest.

an unresponsive: This implies not responding or reacting, which is related but not directly opposite to being indifferent.

Therefore, the option "a concerned" is the correct choice as it is the opposite of "indifferent," showing that the person has interest and is involved emotionally.

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The correct answer is "its".

Explanation:

The term "jury" is a collective noun, which represents a group acting as a single unit. When you refer to a collective noun in English, it is generally treated as singular, even though it may represent multiple people. Therefore, the pronoun "its" is used to refer to nouns that are singular and inanimate or to institutions and groups acting as a single entity.

On the other hand:

• "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," which would not be appropriate in this context.
• "His" and "her" are used for singular male and female pronouns, respectively, but do not apply here since the jury is not a person.

Thus, the correct choice to indicate that the jury gave their decision is "its".

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The word "epidemic" is often used to describe a situation where a condition or problem is spreading rapidly and affects a large number of people or a community. While it is commonly associated with infectious diseases, it can also be used metaphorically to describe any widespread phenomenon.

In the context of the phrase "Unemployment among school leavers has reached epidemic proportions," it means that the problem of unemployment is not confined to a small area or group, but rather it is very extensive and affects a significant portion of school leavers across a large area or population, similar to how an epidemic disease can spread widely and affect many people.

Therefore, the word that is nearest in meaning to "epidemic" in this context is extensive, as it conveys the idea of something being widespread or having a broad impact.

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In the statement "Bala ate a slice of BREAD," the word "BREAD" is emphasized. When a word in a sentence is emphasized, it means that word is being highlighted as the key piece of information. To determine the correct sentence that relates to this emphatic stress, we need to contrast the emphasized word ("BREAD") with alternative options provided.

Among the given options, we are looking for a question where the replacement or alternative to "BREAD" is mentioned. The question "Did Bala eat a slice of cake?" challenges the emphasized word "BREAD" by replacing it with "cake." This makes it the correct option because it tests the emphasis placed on "BREAD."

Therefore, the question "Did Bala eat a slice of cake?" directly contrasts with the emphasis on "BREAD" in the original statement.

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A queen bee can lose her status and develop into a worker bee primarily due to a **change in her diet**. When a bee larva is developing, its diet determines whether it becomes a queen or a worker. Larvae that are destined to become queens are fed **royal jelly** throughout their development. This special diet contains higher levels of certain nutrients and hormones that trigger the development of queen-specific characteristics, such as fully developed ovaries and larger body size.

If a larva does not receive a continuous diet of royal jelly but instead is given a substance called **bee bread** (a mixture of pollen and honey), it will develop into a worker bee. Worker bees are sterile females and have different physical and behavioral characteristics compared to queens.

Thus, if a potential queen bee larva is not fed an adequate amount of royal jelly due to the absence of certain conditions or mishaps, it can lead to the development of a worker bee. In essence, the appropriate diet is crucial for the maintenance of a bee's royal status.

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In Khadija Abubakar Jalili's The Life Changer, **Habib Lawal** holds the position of **Speaker** in the House of Assembly. The role of the Speaker involves presiding over the meetings and sessions of the House, guiding discussions, and ensuring that its proceedings are carried out smoothly and according to the rules. As **Speaker**, Habib Lawal holds a pivotal role in maintaining order during debates and has a significant influence on legislative processes.

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Books are located on a "shelf" in a library.

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In questions like this, the auxiliary verb used in the tag question should match the auxiliary verb or the verb used in the main sentence. All sentences have an auxiliary verb even though it is not visible. Sentences without visible auxiliary verbs carry the auxiliary verb "did" as in "She did used to be the best-behaved girl". Therefore, the correct tag question is "didn't she."

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To determine the correct word to fill in the blank, let's analyze the sentence structure and the options given:

The subject of the sentence is "touts." The word "touts" is a plural noun, meaning it refers to more than one person. Therefore, any verb that accompanies it must also agree with its plural form.

Let's examine the options:

• "were" - This is the past tense form of the verb "to be" that is used with plural nouns. E.g., "They were happy."
• "was" - This is the past tense form of the verb "to be" used with singular nouns or singular third-person subjects. E.g., "He was happy."
• "where" - This is used to indicate a place or position, not a verb.
• "is" - This is the present tense singular form of the verb "to be" and does not match the past tense context of the sentence.

Based on the analysis, the most suitable option is "were." The sentence should read: "The touts were arrested during the riot." This fits because "were" is the correct past tense form of the verb "to be" for plural subjects. The use of "were" indicates that the action occurred in the past, and it agrees with the plural noun "touts."

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The phrase "a stone's throw away" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a short distance. The metaphor suggests that if you were to throw a stone, it would reach the location being referred to, implying that the place is quite close.

Given this interpretation, the sentence "Adeola lives a stone's throw away from the church" means that Adeola lives very close to the church. It conveys the idea that the distance between Adeola's residence and the church is minimal or easily walkable.

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To select the best option to complete the sentence "The movie wasn't fantastic, was it?" we need to understand the structure of a tag question. A **tag question** consists of a **statement** followed by a short question. The tag question is typically used to confirm something the speaker believes to be true. In English, the **tag** is generally formed by inverting the auxiliary verb and subject of the main sentence and is usually the opposite in form (affirmative vs. negative).

In this case, the statement is "The movie wasn't fantastic". The tag "was it?" is used to seek confirmation and implies that the speaker anticipates agreement. **Since the statement is negative ("wasn't"), the agreement or confirmation often expected is affirmative.**

Therefore, if you agree that the movie wasn't fantastic, you'd say "No, it wasn't" to confirm the negative statement because agreement to a negative statement is expressed with "no".

Thus, the correct option to complete the sentence is:
No, it wasn't.

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To fill the gap labeled 8, we need a word that appropriately conveys the action of forming a mental image or visualization of a map. The word that best fits this context is "conjure". The phrase "conjure in your mind a map of the Americas" suggests the idea of creating or visualizing a map in one's mind. This is similar to magically bringing an image into mind, just as one would conjure an image or idea through imagination. The other options do not effectively convey this mental visualization process:

• "Write" is more closely associated with putting down words or marks on a surface, which does not fit the context of visualizing a map.
• "Set" often implies placing or establishing something in a particular position or state, which doesn't align with creating a visual mental image.
• "Let" means to allow or permit, which doesn't fit the context of forming an image in one's mind.

Therefore, the correct choice is the word that effectively captures the imaginal process described, which is "conjure."

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The correct choice to complete the sentence is "yours."

Here's the explanation:

• "your's" is incorrect because the apostrophe indicates possession, but in standard English, the word "yours" is already the possessive pronoun, so no apostrophe is needed.


• "your" is a possessive adjective used before a noun, for example, "your book." Since the sentence is asking about the pronoun referring to the owner of the friends, "your" is not appropriate.
• "yours'" is incorrect because it attempts to pluralize or possess a form that is already possessive. "Yours" is the correct possessive pronoun and does not need an apostrophe.
• "yours" is the correct answer. It is the possessive pronoun which indicates that something belongs to "you." In this context, it functions correctly to refer to the ownership of the friends being inquired about.

Therefore, the sentence should read: "Are those girls friends of yours?"

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The word vague means something that is not clearly expressed, or is uncertain and lacking in specificity. When something is vague, it is not precise or definite.
To find a word that is opposite in meaning, we look for terms that imply clarity or exactness. The word "clear" is the best opposite for "vague". "Clear" means something that is easy to perceive, understand, or recognize with no ambiguity. It indicates that there is no confusion or uncertainty, making it the direct opposite of vague.
On the other hand, the words "obscure" and "hazy" both suggest a lack of clarity similar to "vague," while "sure" indicates certainty in belief but does not necessarily relate to clarity of instruction. Therefore, "clear" is the correct choice.

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To understand the meaning of the word demagogue, it's important to look at the characteristics associated with it. A demagogue is someone who seeks to gain power, influence, or leadership by appealing to people's emotions, fears, and prejudices rather than using rational arguments and reasoning. This often involves using rhetoric and propaganda to manipulate public opinion.

Now, let's look at the options:

• Pastor: Typically a religious leader or minister who leads a church and provides spiritual guidance to its congregation. This does not match the idea of manipulating people's emotions for power.
• Teacher: An educator who imparts knowledge and encourages learning, typically in an academic setting. This role involves logical reasoning and educating, not manipulation.
• Manipulator: This refers to someone who tries to influence or control others in a clever or unscrupulous way. This closely aligns with the characteristics of a demagogue, who manipulates people's emotions for personal gain.
• Demographer: A person who studies the statistical characteristics of human populations, such as births, deaths, income, etc. This is unrelated to manipulation for power.

Based on these explanations, the option nearest in meaning to demagogue is manipulator, because both involve influencing others by playing on their emotions or fears, often for selfish purposes.

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The passage suggests that rock particles can be found in the soil. It describes an observation where the roots of big trees penetrate and break rocks, leading to the mixing of rock particles with the soil surrounding the rocks. This indicates that weathering processes break down rocks into smaller fragments, and these fragments can become part of the soil. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude from the passage that rock particles can be found in any type of soil as they are a result of the natural weathering process mixing rock particles with the rest of the soil.

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In the word "money," the vowel sound produced by the underlined letters is similar to the short "u" sound we hear in words like "fun" or "sun." When matching this sound to the options provided, we need to listen for a sound that mimics this short "u" sound.

Let's analyze the options:

• Monday: Contains a vowel sound similar to the short "u," exactly like in "money."
• Go: Has an "o" sound, pronounced as a long vowel, which doesn't match the sound in "money."
• Mouth: Contains a diphthong, a combination of two sounds ("ow"), which is different from the sound in "money."
• Rock: Contains a short "o" sound, which doesn't match the short "u" sound.

Therefore, the appropriate choice is Monday, as it shares the same vowel sound as "money."

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In this question, you are tasked with identifying which word rhymes with "boys". A rhyme occurs when two or more words have the same or similar ending sounds.

Let's analyze each of the options:

1. Moist: The word "moist" ends with the sound /oist/, which is different from the sound at the end of "boys". Therefore, it does not rhyme with "boys".

2. Elbows: The word "elbows" has the ending sound /bohz/, which doesn't match the ending sound of "boys". Hence, it does not rhyme with "boys".

3. Noise: The word "noise" ends with the sound /oiz/, which is *similar* to the ending sound of "boys". Therefore, it rhymes with "boys".

4. Stays: The word "stays" has the ending sound /eiz/, which is different from the ending sound of "boys". Therefore, it does not rhyme with "boys".

The correct option that rhymes with "boys" is noise because both share the same ending sound /oiz/.

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The word or phrase underlined is "fall through." The term "fall through" generally means that a plan, proposal, or project does not happen or fails to be completed as intended. It often refers to something that was expected to happen but did not.

To find the opposite meaning, we need a word that describes a proposal being successful or completed as planned.

Let's review the options given:

• Succeed: This means to achieve something as planned or to accomplish a goal successfully.
• Be discarded: This means to throw away or reject something, which shares a negative aspect, similar to "fall through."
• Be written off: This means to consider something as a failure or lost cause, which also shares similarity with "fall through."
• Fail: This is a synonym for "fall through," indicating lack of success.

The correct opposite of "fall through" is "succeed," as it implies the proposal is achieved or completed successfully, opposite the meaning of failing or not happening.

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To comprehend the meaning of the sentence "He played his wife false by inviting his mistress to the house as his cousin," it's essential to break down the phrase:

The key expression here is "played his wife false." The phrase "played false" commonly means to be deceitful or unfaithful. In this context, it indicates an act of betrayal or cheating on one's spouse.

Now, linking this with the rest of the sentence, where he invited someone under false pretense as his cousin, suggests that he was trying to disguise or hide the true identity of this person from his wife. The term "mistress" typically refers to a woman with whom a married man has a romantic or sexual relationship outside his marriage.

Therefore, the sentence implies that the man was being unfaithful — he was cheating on his wife by inviting his mistress into their home, pretending that she was his cousin to cover up this infidelity. So, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is: He cheated on his wife with his mistress.

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In English, stress in a word refers to the syllable that is emphasized or spoken louder, longer, or at a higher pitch than the others. For the word "dedication," the correct stress is on the fourth syllable, which is: dediCAtion.

To comprehend why this is the case, let's break down the pronunciation: "ded-i-CA-tion". Here, the syllable "CA" is pronounced with greater emphasis compared to the other syllables "ded," "i," and "tion." This pattern of stress is common in English words with a similar suffix structure, where the emphasis often falls on the syllable before the suffix "-tion."

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In English grammar, when we refer to hypothetical or unreal situations, especially when expressing actions or states using 'as if', we often use the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood reflects wishes, hypotheticals, demands, or suggestions. In this case, "treats people as if she _____ better than they are," denotes a hypothetical situation. **Maryam is not actually better; it is just a hypothetical situation.**

For such hypotheticals in English, we typically use 'were,' regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. Hence, the correct completion of the sentence is, Maryam, the girl in my neighbourhood, treats people as if she **were** better than they are.

Thus, "**were**" effectively completes the sentence because it aligns with the grammatical rules applied for hypothetical or unlikely conditions. This makes **"were"** the correct choice.

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The word "extinguish" typically refers to the act of putting out something like a fire, or in this case, turning off lights. When we search for the opposite meaning, we are looking for a word or phrase that conveys the idea of activating or starting something.

Analyzing the options provided:

1. "Turn off" means to deactivate or stop something from functioning. This does not represent the opposite of extinguishing, as they both suggest a stopping action.

2. "Turn out" is more commonly used for lights meaning to extinguish or turn off, similar to "extinguish."

3. "Switch on" refers to activating or starting something, like turning on a light. This is the opposite of "extinguish."

4. "Switch off" is similar in meaning to "extinguish," as it suggests stopping or deactivating lights or electrical devices.

Thus, the option that is opposite in meaning to "extinguish" is "switch on", as it involves starting or turning on something instead of stopping it.

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To determine the correct order of adjectives in a sentence, it is important to follow the hierarchy that native English speakers intuitively recognize, known as the "order of adjectives." According to the order of adjectives, adjectives are generally placed in the following sequence:

1. Quantity or number
2. Quality or opinion
3. Size
4. Age
5. Shape
6. Color
7. Origin
8. Material
9. Purpose or qualifier

In the options given, we need to sequence the adjectives "shiny," "new," and "red," to describe a “lunch pack.” Here’s how it fits:

• "New" - This adjective refers to the age of the lunch pack; it comes before color and quality.
• "Shiny" - While "shiny" relates to the quality or appearance, adjectives denoting a quality or opinion are commonly placed before color in the adjective hierarchy.
• "Red" - This adjective denotes color and typically comes after descriptors of age and quality.

Therefore, the correct sequence is, "Put Chioma's meal in the shiny, new, red lunch pack." This order follows the standard convention for arranging multiple adjectives in English.

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The phrase "to separate neck and crop" means to completely detach or disassociate oneself from something or someone. In this context, the sentence "Tayo had to separate himself neck and crop from his old friend" implies that Tayo made a **deliberate and total break** from his old friend without leaving any connections or ties.

Given this understanding, the option that best matches the meaning of the sentence is that:

He completely severed from his old friend.

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To determine the best option to complete the sentence, we need to consider the direction and context provided by the sentence. The sentence is describing the action of "going" in relation to the "corridor". Let's analyze each option:

• Under: This option implies moving beneath something. "Under the corridor" would suggest moving below the corridor, which doesn't make sense in this context.
• Among: This option suggests being in the midst of or surrounded by something. "Among the corridor" is not logical because a corridor typically doesn't have multiple objects to be surrounded by; it's a passageway.
• Along: This implies movement in the same line or direction as an object. "Along the corridor" makes sense because it suggests moving in the direction of the corridor towards the principal's office.
• Around: This signifies movement in a circular or surrounding manner. "Around the corridor" would suggest moving around the corridor's perimeter, not through it, which is not the intended direction in this context.

In conclusion, the best option is "along" because it accurately describes moving in the same direction as the corridor while looking for the principal's office.

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To find the word with an opposite meaning (antonym) to the underlined word "invincible," we first need to understand its meaning. The word invincible means too powerful to be defeated or overcome.

1. The word invisible means something that cannot be seen. This is not related to power or the ability to be defeated, hence it's not opposite to "invincible."

2. The word unconquerable means impossible to defeat. This is a synonym, not an antonym, of "invincible."

3. The word vindictive means having a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge. This is unrelated to being unbeatable and thus is not the antonym of "invincible."

4. The word surmountable means able to be overcome or conquered. This is the direct opposite of "invincible," which means too powerful to be defeated.

Therefore, the word that is opposite in meaning to invincible is surmountable because it implies that something can be overcome or defeated.

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To complete the sentence "My uncle is not sure ____ the strange guests were," we need to select a word that logically fits in the context of identifying or specifying something about the "strange guests."

1. **Which:** Typically used to choose between options or to specify a particular item or group from others. It does not fit well here because we are not choosing between a set of known options.

2. **Who:** Used to refer to the subject or inquiring about the identity of a person or people. This option fits well here since we are talking about people, the "strange guests," and trying to identify them. The sentence would be: "My uncle is not sure who the strange guests were."

3. **Whom:** Used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition and often follows a preposition. It would not fit here because the structure of the sentence requires a subject complement, not an object.

4. **What:** Generally used to ask questions about things, rather than people. Since we are talking about people, "strange guests," this option doesn't fit well.

Therefore, the best choice is **who**, as it properly addresses the question of identifying the strange guests, effectively completing the sentence as "My uncle is not sure who the strange guests were."

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The phrase "given a free hand" means being granted the autonomy or freedom to make decisions and manage something without interference. Hence, option A correctly explains the conveyed meaning.

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The sentence "Yerima always holds his own in any situation he finds himself" best conveys the information that **Yerima has self-confidence**.

The phrase "holds his own" means that a person is able to maintain their position and assert themselves effectively, regardless of circumstances. This typically requires a belief in one's abilities and a strong sense of self-assurance. Therefore, the key quality being described here is self-confidence.

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The word "anguish" as used in the passage refers to intense pain or suffering, both emotionally and physically. The context of the passage describes a harrowing experience where people are fleeing from danger, facing numerous hardships like swollen feet and snake bites, along with the emotional distress of being pursued and fearing for their lives. All these elements collectively point towards the feeling of intense pain and distress, making "pain" the most appropriate meaning of the word "anguish" in this passage.

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When a word in a sentence is given emphatic stress, it signifies that the word is crucial to the meaning or emphasis of the sentence. In this case, the word in capital letters is "PEACE," implying that the emphasis is on what his reign was noted for. To determine the appropriate question form that relates to the emphasis, we look at options that focus on contrasting what his reign could be noted for.

The original statement is "His reign was noted for PEACE." Emphatic stress looks for an alternative or contrasting term to the emphasized word. Here, the emphasized word is "PEACE," so we need to check for an option that contrasts with "peace."

The option "Was his reign noted for wealth?" fits this requirement. By asking about a different characteristic, such as "wealth," it directly contrasts with the original statement's emphasis on "PEACE." Therefore, this question would have the emphatic stress on "peace" to highlight the contrast.

Hence, when the response is "His reign was noted for PEACE," the contrasting question would be "Was his reign noted for wealth?"

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To find the option with the same consonant sound as the one underlined in "Yesterday," we first need to identify the specific consonant sound in question. The word "Yesterday" begins with the letter 'Y'. In "Yesterday," the 'Y' represents a consonant sound similar to the first sound in the word "yes." This sound is called a voiced palatal approximant and is represented by the phonetic symbol /j/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

Let's examine each given option:

1. Jam: The word "Jam" begins with the consonant sound /d?/, which is different from the /j/ sound we find at the beginning of "Yesterday."

2. Union: The word "Union" begins with the consonant sound /j/, which is the same as the sound at the start of "Yesterday." It is also the voiced palatal approximant.

3. Jump: The word "Jump" begins with the consonant sound /d?/, differing from the /j/ sound in "Yesterday."

4. Umbrella: The word "Umbrella" begins with the vowel sound /?/ or /?/ depending on the accent, and it does not have a 'Y' consonantal sound at the beginning.

In conclusion, the option that has the same consonant sound as the beginning of the word "Yesterday" is Union because it correctly starts with the /j/ sound, which is the voiced palatal approximant sound represented by the letter 'Y' in "Yesterday."

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In the sentence "Why do children _____ adults' conversations?", the most suitable verb is "break into". This is because "to break into" is a phrasal verb that means to enter or join a situation suddenly or unexpectedly. In the context of conversations, it refers to a sudden or unsolicited interruption.

Let's briefly examine the other options:

Break up: This usually means to end or separate (commonly used with relationships or groups), and it does not fit well with the sentence.

Break down: This typically refers to something failing or ceasing to function (like a machine or discussing emotions), which does not make sense in the given context.

Break off: This often means to end or pause something abruptly, like a conversation. However, it implies a deliberate action to stop rather than interrupt.

Therefore, "break into" is the most appropriate completion because it accurately describes the action of a child interrupting or joining an ongoing conversation suddenly.

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In Khadija Abubakar Jalili's novel "The Life Changer," the narrator and her children sat under the mango tree because the room was stuffy. This choice of location was likely due to the cool shade and relief provided by the tree, which would offer a natural escape from the heat found indoors in a stuffy room.

Mango trees are known to provide a thick canopy of leaves, offering ample shade. This makes them an excellent spot for sitting and enjoying a breath of fresh air. Additionally, sitting under a mango tree can also offer some enjoyable ambiance with its pleasant surroundings, potentially making it a perfect spot for the narrator and her children to sit and talk comfortably.

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A "hole" is what the miners crawl through to get to the coal.