JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2018

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Note the spelling of each word.

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shady means situated in or full of shade (giving shade from sunlight).

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The option nearest in meaning to "mettlesome" is "courageous". Explanation: The word "mettlesome" means having a strong and determined character, especially in difficult situations. This word is often used to describe someone who is brave and unafraid of challenges. The word "courageous" means having or showing bravery in the face of danger or difficulty. The two words have similar connotations, so the option that is closest in meaning to "mettlesome" is "courageous".

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The child derives a sense of strength from the fall of his tower. As mentioned in the text, the child enjoys causing the tower to waver and collapse, and it makes them feel stronger to know that there is something weaker (the tower) that can't cry for help. The child's experience of standing upright on wobbly legs, and the subsequent mastery over a previously passive event (the tower falling), contributes to this sense of strength.

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joint: /dʒɔɪnt/
advantage: /əd.ˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ/

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According to the passage, it gives the child great pleasure to destroy the tower himself. Explanation: The passage describes the child's behavior of building and then destroying a tower. The author argues that the child's pleasure from destroying the tower comes from their active mastery over a previously passive event. The child enjoys causing the tower to waver and collapse and this behavior is not appreciated if the tower falls by accident or is destroyed by someone else. Therefore, the option that best fits the information in the passage is "To destroy the tower himself".

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The opposite in meaning to the word "severity" is "mildness." In this context, "severity" refers to the harshness or intensity of the harmattan weather. It made the writer stay indoors and complete the writing assignment in record time. Therefore, the opposite of severity, which would mean a less harsh or intense condition, is "mildness." The other options are not appropriate antonyms for "severity" in this context. "Warmth" means a comfortable temperature, which is not necessarily opposite to the harshness of the harmattan. "Moderation" means avoiding extremes or excesses, which is not opposite to severity. "Leniency" means showing mercy or forgiveness, which is also not opposite to severity.

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The option that best completes the gap is "glimpse." The sentence suggests that the leader is popular and people are interested in seeing him, but they are having difficulty doing so because he is always on the move. The word "glimpse" means a quick look at something or someone, which makes it the best word to complete the gap. , "look," is a synonym of "glimpse" but is not as fitting in the sentence since it does not convey the sense of a fleeting or quick moment that "glimpse" does. "view," is a broader term that can refer to a longer and more sustained look at something, and is not as fitting in this context. "picture," refers to a static image, and does not capture the dynamic action of trying to see someone who is constantly on the move.

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The correct answer is "would have been" since it shows the possible future action.

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The option opposite in meaning to "entitles" is "disqualifies". Explanation: The word "entitles" means that one has the right or privilege to do something. The opposite of having the right or privilege to do something is not having the right or privilege to do something, which is conveyed by the word "disqualifies". So, "disqualifies" is the option that is opposite in meaning to the word "entitles".

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To aver means to state or assert to be the case.
To deny means to state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of. It is the opposite of aver.

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The opposite of "plucky" is "weak". A plucky defense means that the team put up a brave and determined defense, while a weak defense would mean that the team was not able to defend well against their opponents.

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The nearest in meaning to "big-hearted" in this context is "generous". A ruler who is described as big-hearted in their dealings with the people means that they are kind and charitable in their actions towards the people they rule. Generous means being unselfish with one's resources and showing kindness to others.

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The opposite in meaning to the word "customary" is "unusual." Therefore, "Unusual," is the correct answer.

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According to the passage, it gives the child great pleasure to destroy the tower himself after building it. The child experiences almost manic pleasure in watching the collapse of the tower he has built through long play-labour. It is not satisfying for the child if the tower falls accidentally or is destroyed by someone else. The child enjoys causing the tower to waver and collapse, as it provides active mastery over a previously passive event and makes the child feel stronger.

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The patient is suffering from "rheumatism." This term refers to a broad range of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints, muscles, and other tissues of the body. Rheumatism can affect people of all ages and can be caused by various factors, including genetics, infections, and environmental factors. Treatment for rheumatism may involve medication, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

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The best option that completes the gap in the sentence is "is". The sentence is in the present tense, and "is" is the present tense form of the verb "to be" that agrees with the singular subject "John." Therefore, the completed sentence reads: "I am not sure that all is well with John."

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The best word(s) or phrase(s) to fill the gap is "had plucked". Explanation: The sentence is written in the past tense and has a hypothetical tone, indicating that the speaker was imagining a scenario in which the person in question plucked the orange. The use of "would have been surprised" implies that the scenario being discussed did not actually happen. To reflect the hypothetical and past-tense nature of the sentence, the past perfect tense "had plucked" is the most appropriate choice.

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The correct option is "faked." In this context, the word "feigned" means that Audu pretended or faked his death. The police discovered that Audu was not actually dead, but had only pretended to be. Therefore, the most appropriate option to replace "feigned" is "faked," which conveys the idea of pretending or simulating something. The other options are not appropriate replacements for "feigned" in this context. "Cheated" means to deceive or defraud someone. "Assumed" means to take on a particular role or responsibility. "Suggested" means to propose or imply something.

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The best word(s) or phrase(s) to fill the gap is "erode". Explanation: The verb "erode" means to gradually wear away or destroy a surface by natural processes such as wind, water, or ice. In this sentence, the sea waves are causing the cliff on the west coast to wear away or be destroyed gradually over time. This gradual wearing away of the cliff is a result of the constant action of the sea waves, so "erode" is the most appropriate choice to fill the gap.

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The option that is opposite in meaning to the word "unique" in the given sentence is option "B" - Common. "Unique" means one of a kind, exceptional, or unusual, while "common" means ordinary, usual, or familiar. Therefore, if something is "unique," it is not common, and vice versa. In the given sentence, the speaker is emphasizing that the flavor of their product is special and different from others, which means the opposite of "unique" would be "common" as it implies that the taste is not distinctive or special. Options "A," "C," and "D" do not have meanings opposite to "unique." "Offensive" means causing anger or displeasure, "uncommon" means rare or infrequent, and "sufficient" means enough or adequate.

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The word "cancelled" means that the meeting was not held and was stopped from happening. "Cancelled" is closest in meaning to "called off."

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The word "verge" in this sentence means "brink." Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word is "brink."

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The best word to fill in the blank is "bare." The sentence is asking the women to open up or reveal their innermost thoughts and emotions to God through prayer. The word "bare" means to reveal or uncover, while "bear" means to carry or support, "bar" means to block or prevent, and "Barrr" is not a valid English word.

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The opposite of "abundance" is "paucity." In this context, "abundance" means that Father Francis's family received many blessings. "Paucity," on the other hand, means a scarcity or lack of something. Therefore, the option that is opposite in meaning to "abundance" is "Paucity."

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The principal "seized" our mobile phones. The word "seized" means to take hold of something suddenly and forcibly. In this case, it suggests that the principal took the students' mobile phones away, possibly as a form of punishment or to prevent distractions during school hours.

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in a (constant) state of flux means a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action.

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We didn't have to postpone the concert.

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To discharge someone means to legally release them from confinement.
To detain means to put someone under custody.

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Freelance means self-employed and hired to work for different companies on particular assignments. A freelancer or freelance worker, is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. In other words, a freelancer works somewhat independently.

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The expression is a reported speech and should maintain the past tense.
Reported speech: a speaker's words reported in subordinate clauses governed by a reporting verb, with the required changes of person and tense (e.g. he said that he would go, based on I will go ).

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The correct option is "pastime/through." "Pastime" refers to a hobby or leisure activity that one enjoys doing during their free time. In this context, the speaker is saying that they will find time for their hobby once they are finished with the difficult assignment. The word "through" means to come to the end of a task or activity, which fits with the context of the sentence. The other options are incorrect spellings or combinations of the words "pastime" and "through" with other words that do not fit the context of the sentence.

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The best word to fill in the blank is "smash." The sentence is describing an action that Ifueko performed on an egg, which is to break it against a wall. The past tense of the verb "smash" is "smashed," which fits the sentence structure. The other options, "smash," "smashing," and "smashes," are not in the past tense and do not fit the sentence grammatically.

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The expression 'must kick it and make it collapse' means that the child feels compelled or driven to destroy the tower that they have built. It implies that the child cannot resist the urge to demolish it. The phrase 'must kick it' suggests a sense of necessity or obligation to destroy the tower.

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The author tries to explain the "destructive stage" as growing out of the child's recent experiences of sudden falls. Explanation: The author argues that the child's behavior of building and then destroying a tower is rooted in their recent experience of sudden falls while learning to stand upright. The child has learned to make the tower "stand up," and the pleasure they feel from causing the same tower to waver and collapse comes from their active mastery over a previously passive event. The author suggests that this behavior is not simply a "destructive stage," but rather a result of the child's experiences and the desire to feel stronger.

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An ardent supporter means a passionate supporter. Therefore, the option closest in meaning to the underlined word is "a passionate".

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The option nearest in meaning to "becoming increasingly predominant" is "rampant". Explanation: The word "predominant" means widespread or widespread in dominance. The word "increasingly" implies that the situation is becoming more and more widespread. The word "rampant" means growing or spreading unchecked, which is a similar idea to "becoming increasingly predominant". Therefore, "rampant" is the option that is closest in meaning to the italicized words.

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The expression ‘as clean as a whistle’ means perfectly and without errors.

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notorious means famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed.
popular means liked or admired by many people or by a particular person or group.

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The opposite of 'altruism' is 'selfishness'. Altruism refers to the quality of being selfless and putting the needs of others before oneself, while selfishness refers to the quality of being concerned primarily with one's own interests or welfare, often at the expense of others. Therefore, if someone is loved for their altruism, it means they are appreciated for their selfless behavior, and the opposite of that would be selfish behavior.

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The best option to complete the sentence is "loose". Explanation: "Loose" means not tightly fixed in place or likely to become unattached or move around. In the context of the sentence, if someone keeps playing with the door handle, it is likely to become loose over time, meaning it may not fit properly or might not work correctly. "Lose" means to be deprived of something or to fail to win a game or competition. It does not make sense in the context of the sentence. "Loosed" is the past tense of "loose", but it is not appropriate in the sentence since the sentence is in the present tense. "Loosing" is the present participle of "loose", but it is not appropriate in the sentence since it does not fit the tense of the sentence.

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An imp is a mischievous child or person. In fairy stories, an imp is a small, magical creature that often causes trouble in a playful way.

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The expression 'when this excuse failed him' suggests that the wolf was trying to find a reason to justify his desire to eat the lamb, and the lamb had successfully refuted his accusations. The phrase indicates that the wolf's first excuse had been proven false by the lamb's explanation, forcing the wolf to come up with a different pretext for attacking the lamb. Therefore, the most appropriate option is that the lamb was prepared for the charges levelled against him.

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The option nearest in meaning to the italicized words is "foreign" as it refers to French being an unfamiliar language.

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unprecedented means never done or known before.
insignificant means too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.

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The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "verge" is "brink." The word "verge" in the sentence means the point where something is about to happen, or is almost at the point of happening. The word "brink" also means the edge or border of something, usually referring to the point before something significant or disastrous occurs. Therefore, "brink" is the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word. The other options, "summit," "height," and "shore," do not convey the same meaning as "verge" and are not related to the context of the sentence. Therefore, the correct option is "brink."

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The option that best completes the gap is "away". Explanation: The phrase "made away with" means to steal or take something without permission. In this sentence, a thief is taking the collection while the worshippers are closing their eyes in prayer. The verb "made away with" is the most appropriate option to complete the gap because it conveys the idea of the thief stealing the collection.

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Today, however, the phrase no love lost signifies ill will exclusively. If there is no love lost between two people, they have a strong enmity towards or hate for the other and make no effort to conceal it.

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The correct option is "its." The sentence is referring to the beauty of the cliff in the morning, and the word "its" is the possessive form of "it," indicating that the morning beauty belongs to the cliff. "It" is a pronoun used to refer to a noun previously mentioned or easily identifiable, while "it’s" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," which doesn't make sense in this context. "Its'" is incorrect as it includes an unnecessary apostrophe.

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The option opposite in meaning to the word "freelance" is "dependently". "Freelance" means working independently, without being tied to a particular employer or company. Option "tireless" means without becoming tired or exhausted, and is not opposite in meaning to "freelance". Option "without pay" is similar in meaning to "freelance" in the sense that both describe a lack of permanent employment, but "without pay" implies that the work is done voluntarily or without compensation, while "freelance" implies that the work is done for pay. Option "satisfactorily" is not opposite in meaning to "freelance", as it does not relate to the concept of employment or working independently.

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The conclusion of the story is that the wolf killed the lamb, despite the lamb's attempts to reason with the wolf and explain that he and his parents were not hunters and had no ill-will towards wolves. The wolf had already made up his mind to kill the lamb and was simply using any excuse he could find to justify his actions. Therefore, is correct: the lamb did not survive the encounter.

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chateau: /??at??/
champagne: /?am?pe?n/
church: /t???t?/
chart: /t???t/
chemical: /?k?m?k(?)l/

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The stress pattern of a word is the way all the syllables are stressed in it. There can be main and secondary stress, or unstressed sounds. There are different ways to show the stress pattern of a word. Notice the point of syllabic stress at the point where we have the apostrophe and compare the first word (the correct answer) to the other words.
registration: /rɛdʒɪˈstreɪʃ(ə)n/
quadruplicate: /kwɒˈdruːplɪkət/
ability: /əˈbɪlɪti/
revivalist: /rɪˈvʌɪv(ə)list/

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manic means showing wild, apparently deranged, excitement and energy

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The word that best completes the gap is "glimpse". Explanation: The sentence is describing a leader who is being followed by people who are trying to see him. The word "glimpse" means a quick look or a brief sighting, which fits perfectly in the context. The other options, such as "look", "view", and "picture", do not convey the sense of a fleeting or quick observation that the sentence is trying to convey.

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The correct option is "commission." "Commission" means to be entrusted with the authority or responsibility to carry out a particular task or duty. In this context, the prophets were entrusted with the task of preaching salvation to people. The other options are incorrect spellings of the word "commission." "Commision," "Commition," and "Comission" are misspellings of "commission" and do not exist in standard English.

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The option opposite in meaning to "altruism" is "selfishness". Explanation: The word "altruism" means the quality of being concerned with the welfare of others and acting to promote that welfare, often at a cost to oneself. The word "selfishness" means being concerned primarily with one's own interests and personal gain, often disregarding the welfare of others. The two words are opposite in meaning, so the option that is opposite in meaning to "altruism" is "selfishness".

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When the phrasal verb used to is used, the following word must be in the –in gerundial form. Gerunds are nouns that end with –ing. They are also called deverbalised nouns.
Note: A phrasal verb is a phrase (such as take off or look down on) that combines a verb with a preposition or adverb or both and that functions as a verb whose meaning is different from the combined meanings of the individual words.

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Present perfect progressive tense describes an action that began in the past, continues in the present, and may continue into the future. This tense is formed by using has/have been and the present participle of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing).