WAEC SSCE - English Language - 2010

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

If he declines the offer, it will be better for him.

Détails de la réponse

The word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "declines" is "rejects." This means that if he rejects the offer, it will be better for him. To reject something means to refuse to accept it or to turn it down.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Our teacher was not speaking.................when he said that the bursar was under a cloud

Détails de la réponse

The best word that completes the sentence is "literally". Explanation: The word "literally" means that something is taken exactly as stated, without exaggeration or metaphor. So, in this case, the teacher's words should be taken exactly as they were spoken, without any exaggeration or figurative interpretation. The word "simply" could work too, but it does not convey the same level of emphasis on the exactness of the teacher's words as "literally" does. "Frankly" and "directly" do not fit the context of the sentence.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

It is sad that the rich...............pity the poor

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word to complete the sentence is "don't". The sentence implies that the speaker believes that the rich should feel sorry for the poor but they do not. The subject of the sentence is "the rich", which is plural, so the verb used to complete the sentence should also be in the plural form. The contraction "don't" is the correct plural form of the verb "do". Therefore, the correct option is B, "don't".

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

Cheif Osa prefers fame in the village to............in the city

Détails de la réponse

The underlined word is "obscurity," which means being unknown or not famous. To fill the gap in the sentence with a word that is nearly opposite in meaning, we need to choose a word that means being well-known or famous. Among the options given, the word that fits this description is "fame." Therefore, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "obscurity" and correctly fills the gap in the sentence is "fame." In summary, the sentence means that Chief Osa prefers to be famous in the village rather than being unknown or not famous in the city.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The provocation had an instantaneous effect on him.

Détails de la réponse

The word "instantaneous" means "immediate". Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "instantaneous" is "an immediate".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
The committee is charged with finding a .......solution to the crisis

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word to complete the sentence is "lasting". The sentence implies that the solution the committee is tasked with finding must be one that will continue to be effective and relevant over an extended period of time. The word "lasting" means "enduring or continuing for a long time". Therefore, the correct option is C, "lasting".

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Whenever my cousin comes to realize that I am telling the truth, she will eat the humble pie. This means that my cousin will

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate interpretation for the sentence "Whenever my cousin comes to realize that I am telling the truth, she will eat the humble pie" is that my cousin will apologize. "Eating humble pie" is a common idiom that means to apologize or admit that one was wrong, often in a situation where one has been proud or arrogant. Therefore, when my cousin realizes that I am telling the truth, she will apologize and acknowledge that she was wrong.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The principal advised all the students to be of help to................

Détails de la réponse

The correct answer is "one another". "One another" is a reciprocal pronoun that means each other. The principal is advising the students to help each other, to work as a team, and to be cooperative towards each other.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
Everyone could tell that Binta was happy from the .............on her face.

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word that completes the sentence is "expression". This is because the word "expression" refers to the look on a person's face that conveys their emotions or feelings. Therefore, the sentence is saying that Binta's emotions were evident by the look on her face.

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
His decision to reconcile with his former agent paid off. This means that the reconciliation

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate interpretation of the sentence "His decision to reconcile with his former agent paid off" is "yielded positive results." The phrase "paid off" is an idiom that means that something has resulted in a positive outcome or success. The sentence suggests that the person had a problem or conflict with their former agent, but they made a decision to reconcile with them. This decision turned out to be a good one, as it resulted in positive outcomes or success. Therefore, the sentence means that the reconciliation was successful and brought positive results for the person.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The meeting of the.................will come later today.

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate phrase to complete the sentence is "secretary generals". The sentence implies that a group of people will meet later today, and they are referred to as "secretary generals". The plural form of "secretary general" is "secretary generals", with no apostrophe after "generals". Therefore, the correct option is B, "secretary generals".

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
While the Registrar considers the matter insignificant his deputy sees it as.............

Détails de la réponse

The word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word "insignificant" is "crucial". The sentence indicates that the Registrar thinks the matter is not important, while his deputy sees it as important or significant. The word "crucial" is the best fit for the gap as it means something that is of great importance or essential. The other options do not make sense in the given context.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

My friends would not believe me If I............ them this story

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word to complete the sentence is "told". The sentence is in the past tense, so the verb used to complete the sentence must be in the past tense as well. The word "told" is the past tense form of the verb "tell". Therefore, the correct option is B, "told".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The student wondered why the sun constantly rises..........the east

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

Our club encourages benevolence

Détails de la réponse

The word that is nearest in meaning to "benevolence" is "charity." In the sentence, "benevolence" refers to the quality of being kind, generous, and giving to others, especially those in need. "Charity" is a similar concept, as it involves giving to those in need or helping those who are less fortunate. Therefore, if a club encourages benevolence, it is likely that they are also promoting charity work or encouraging members to give back to their community. So the sentence can be understood as: "Our club encourages charity," meaning that the club promotes and supports acts of kindness and generosity towards others.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

We are no...........friends

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word to complete the sentence is "longer". The sentence implies that the speaker and the person being addressed were once friends but are no longer friends. The word "longer" is used to indicate that the friendship has ended or ceased to exist. Therefore, the correct option is B, "longer".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

She wondered if the water was not..............hot for drinking

Détails de la réponse

The correct answer is "too". "Too" means excessively or to a higher degree than is desirable, necessary or possible. In the sentence, the speaker is wondering if the water is excessively hot for drinking.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Though Yusuf is a much younger lawyer, you cannot compare his eloquence.............his master's

Détails de la réponse

The best word to complete the sentence is "with." When comparing two things, the correct preposition to use is "with." Therefore, if we say that you cannot compare Yusuf's eloquence with his master's, it means that Yusuf's eloquence is not at the same level as that of his master. The word "with" is used to indicate the comparison between two things.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The motorcycle nearly hit Jane and..............

Détails de la réponse

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
The beauty of Bimpe's garden shows that she has green fingers. This means that Bimpe

Détails de la réponse

The sentence states that the beauty of Bimpe's garden shows that she has green fingers. "Green fingers" is an idiomatic expression that means someone is skilled at gardening or has a talent for growing plants. Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation of the sentence is that Bimpe is good at growing plants, option B.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
It is about time you..............to bed.

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

It is about time you..............to bed.

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teacher, as well as his students...........working very hard.

Détails de la réponse

The correct answer is "is". In the sentence, "as well as" is a conjunction that adds a similar idea to the subject "teacher". Therefore, the verb must agree with the singular subject "teacher," making "is" the correct choice. The phrase "his students" is just additional information and does not change the subject-verb agreement.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teacher made us.........five poems each.

Détails de la réponse

The word that best completes the sentence is "recite." The sentence is in the past tense, which means that it is describing something that has already happened. The verb "made" suggests that the teacher required or instructed the speaker and their classmates to do something. The phrase "five poems each" indicates what the teacher required them to do, which was to recite five poems each. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "The teacher made us recite five poems each." This means that the teacher instructed them to stand up in front of the class and say five poems each.

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
I had dinner with Tony and Nick and they talked shop the whole time. This means that they talked

Détails de la réponse

The correct interpretation of the sentence is that Tony and Nick talked about their job (option B). When someone talks "shop", it means they are talking about work-related topics or business matters. So, in this case, Tony and Nick talked about work-related topics throughout the entire dinner. The other options are not appropriate because they do not accurately reflect the meaning of "talking shop".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

If they had known us, they..........

Détails de la réponse

The sentence is in the past tense, and it suggests a hypothetical situation. Therefore, the correct option should be "would not have treated us like that."

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The president appointed staunch supporters of his policies as advisers.

Détails de la réponse

The word "staunch" in this context means firm and steadfast in supporting something, so the best word that is nearest in meaning to "staunch" is "trusted". Therefore, the correct answer is A.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Mr. Ackon needed..............help to succeed in the business

Détails de la réponse

The correct option is "a little". "A little" is used to modify uncountable nouns, indicating a small amount, while "a few" is used to modify countable nouns, indicating a small number. In this context, the word "help" is an uncountable noun, so the correct option is "a little help".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The two tasks were performed........................and we were able to finish early.

Détails de la réponse

The best word to complete the sentence is "simultaneously." Simultaneously means "at the same time." Therefore, if two tasks were performed simultaneously, it means they were done at the same time, which allowed the work to be completed more quickly, as indicated in the sentence.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Each one of the ten chosen contestants............lunch with patron

Détails de la réponse

The correct word to complete the sentence is "has had." The sentence is in the present perfect tense, which is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present. Since the sentence refers to each one of the ten contestants, which is a singular subject, the correct verb form to use is "has had," which agrees with the singular subject.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Even before his burial, Okoye's family members were already planning how to share his wealth...........themselves.

Détails de la réponse

The correct answer is "among". Explanation: "Between" is used when only two parties or groups are involved, while "among" is used when more than two parties or groups are involved. In this sentence, the family members are more than two, hence the correct word to use is "among". So the correct sentence is: Even before his burial, Okoye's family members were already planning how to share his wealth among themselves.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Until I heard him myself, I ................imagined that he said that

Détails de la réponse

The correct option is "could not have." The sentence talks about the speaker hearing something directly from someone else, and they were surprised by what they heard. Using "did not" would indicate a straightforward denial of hearing it, which doesn't fit the context. "Should not have" and "will not have" also don't fit the context. "Could not have" suggests that the speaker was not aware of what was said until they heard it directly, and it was not something they had imagined.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

No sooner had war started..............the soldiers deserted the village

Détails de la réponse

The correct answer is "than". This is because "No sooner had war started" is an expression that is usually followed by "than" to indicate that something happened immediately after something else happened. Therefore, the correct sentence is "No sooner had war started than the soldiers deserted the village."

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The little boy gave his candid opinion of the incident.

Détails de la réponse

The word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "candid" is "frank." "Candid" means truthful and straightforward, especially in a way that is honest and impartial. Therefore, if the little boy gave his candid opinion of the incident, it means he gave his honest and straightforward opinion without any attempt to hide or distort the truth. The word "frank" has a similar meaning and is therefore the best choice.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

My mother remarked that it was high time we..........preparing supper.

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
We are worried by the............that exists between the two factions of the party

Détails de la réponse

The word that best completes the sentence is "rivalry". The sentence is talking about the existence of a gap or division between two factions of a political party, and the word "rivalry" fits this context well as it implies a sense of competition or conflict between the two groups. The other options do not convey the same meaning as "rivalry".

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

The handsome profit from her fish business made Mrs. Uba stop complaining about her husband's ..........salary

Détails de la réponse

The word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "meagre" is "handsome". The sentence suggests that the profit from Mrs. Uba's fish business was good, which made her stop complaining about her husband's salary that was probably not as good. So, the word that will correctly fill the gap in the sentence and means the opposite of "meagre" is "handsome". Therefore, the answer is option A - "ugly" and option D - "lowly" are incorrect because they do not mean the opposite of "meagre". Option C - "modest" might be similar in meaning to "meagre" in some contexts, but it doesn't fit the context of the sentence, so it is also incorrect.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

What do you intend to do with these inanimate objects?

Détails de la réponse

The word "inanimate" means "lifeless" or "not alive". Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "inanimate" is D: lifeless.

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
The man's first wife is loyal while second is............

Détails de la réponse

The word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "loyal" is "unfaithful". In the sentence, the man's first wife is described as loyal, so the word that would best complete the sentence and be opposite in meaning to "loyal" would be "unfaithful". Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

All we need...............dedicated teachers

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
His last novel was........by his visit to the prisons

Détails de la réponse

The correct option is "inspired". This is because the sentence suggests that the author's visit to the prisons influenced or sparked the creation of his last novel. "Inspired" means to be influenced or motivated to do something creative or artistic. The other options do not necessarily convey the same meaning or context as "inspired".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The robbers were subjected..............a thorough beating by the irate mob.

Détails de la réponse

The correct word is "to". "Subjected to" means to experience or undergo something, usually unpleasant or unwanted. In the context of the sentence, the robbers experienced a thorough beating by the irate mob.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Madam Abike turned..........13 bags of maize at the first harvest

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word to complete the sentence is "out". The sentence implies that Madam Abike was able to produce or harvest 13 bags of maize, so the phrasal verb "turn out" is used to mean "produce or yield as a result". For example, "The event turned out to be a success." Therefore, the correct option is B, "out".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

As a result of the power cut, production at the paint factory came to a ...................

Détails de la réponse

As a result of the power cut, production at the paint factory came to a stand still. "Stand still" means that the production stopped completely or was suspended temporarily due to the power cut. It could not continue without the necessary power supply, and so it came to a halt.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The chairman observed that Andrew was the most qualified candidate for the job

Détails de la réponse

The word "qualified" means having the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience to do a particular job or task. Among the options given, the word that is nearest in meaning to "qualified" is "suitable", which means having the right qualities for a particular person, purpose, or situation. Therefore, the correct answer is A - suitable.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Why are you always jealous.............other people?

Détails de la réponse

The correct answer is "of." The preposition "of" is commonly used to indicate the object of jealousy. Therefore, the sentence is saying "Why are you always jealous of other people?" The other prepositions do not fit in the context of the sentence.

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Musa does not believe that there is poverty in Africa; he is a dyed-in-the-wool capitalist. This means that Musa is

Détails de la réponse

The sentence states that Musa is a "dyed-in-the-wool" capitalist and that he does not believe that there is poverty in Africa. The term "dyed-in-the-wool" is an idiomatic expression that means someone is firmly and immovably committed to a certain belief or ideology. Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation of the sentence is that Musa is an unbending capitalist, meaning he is firmly committed to the ideology of capitalism and cannot be easily persuaded otherwise, option D.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

I found my friends sitting..............the beach.

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

One of his close friends...............a soldier

Détails de la réponse

The correct answer is "is". The subject of the sentence is "one", which is singular. Therefore, the correct form of the verb to use is "is" as it agrees with the singular subject.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teacher needs.......to write the note on the chalkboard

Détails de la réponse

The correct option is "some chalk." The sentence is talking about the teacher's need for writing the note on the chalkboard, which implies that the teacher needs a certain quantity of chalk. The article "a" implies a single piece of chalk, which might not be enough for writing the whole note. The option "many chalks" implies too much chalk, which would be unnecessary for writing the note, while "chalks" is not grammatically correct, since "chalk" is a non-countable noun. The option "some chalk" is the most appropriate one, as it implies an unspecified but sufficient quantity of chalk to perform the task.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
It is sad that the rich...............pity the poor

Détails de la réponse

The correct word to complete the sentence is "don't". The subject of the sentence is "the rich," which is plural, so we need a plural verb to match. The verb "don't" is the correct plural form of "do" in the present tense. The sentence is saying that it is unfortunate that wealthy people often do not have compassion for those who are less fortunate.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The signature on the document lacked..............so it was rejected

Détails de la réponse

The best word to complete the sentence is "authenticity." The authenticity of a signature refers to whether or not it is genuine and belongs to the person who purportedly signed it. Therefore, if the signature on a document lacks authenticity, it means that it is not genuine or that there is doubt as to whether it belongs to the person who supposedly signed it. As a result, the document may be rejected.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

Everybody noticed that the chairman's excuse was lame

Détails de la réponse

The word "lame" in the sentence means that the chairman's excuse was unsatisfactory. This means that it was not convincing and did not adequately explain the situation. Therefore, the word that is nearest in meaning to "lame" is option C, "unsatisfactory".

In the following passages the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the below each passage, four options are offered in columns lettered A to D. choose the word that is the most suitable to fill the numbered gap in the passages.
The prefect oral system is one of the most -76- ways of involving students directly in the -77- of the school. In the system, the students are -78- certain -79- connected with the day –t0-day life of the school: for instance, the organization and co-ordination of all sorts of -80- activities, such as games, societies, clubs or dealing with some minor cases of -81-, taking responsibility for students welfare’, -82- of learning after school hours, arranging advisory services for junior students and checking -83-. Properly -84-, the perfect oral system helps to -85- the work of the administrator and set a good -86- for the school. The operation of the system and the exact -87- performed by perfects differ from institution to institution; the important thing is to adapt the system in such a way as to make it a useful -88- of the day to-day administration of your -89-.
Mrs. Agu decided to -90- her friend, She picked up her -91- and -92- her friends -93-, there was no response. However, after a few trails she discovered from the -94- that she was not in -95- and so, the -96- could not go -97-, That was surprising because she had bought some -98- cards the previous day did not -99- any call. However, she could not remember -100- them into her phone.

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

One very important aspect of human relationship is.................trust.

Détails de la réponse

The word that best completes the sentence is "mutual". This is because trust is a two-way street and requires mutual agreement between two parties. Trust cannot be achieved if it is only one-sided, as it requires both parties to be willing to be vulnerable and to have faith in each other. Therefore, the correct option is C, "mutual".

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

I woke up feeling rather queer

Détails de la réponse

The word "queer" in this context means "strange." So, the option that is nearest in meaning to "queer" is "strange." Therefore, the correct option is B, "strange."

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Three kilometres...............quite a long distance

Détails de la réponse

The word that best completes the sentence is "is." "Three kilometers" is a measurement of distance, and "is" is the correct verb to use when referring to a singular distance. For example, you might say, "Three kilometers is quite a long distance to walk," or "Is three kilometers a long distance to run?" In general, whether or not three kilometers is a long distance depends on the context. For some people, three kilometers might be a relatively easy distance to walk or run, while for others it might be quite challenging. It can also depend on factors such as terrain, elevation, and personal fitness level.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teachers don't teach us............?

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Can you tell us how the accident came...............?

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Does Omar...........in the city?

Détails de la réponse

The correct option to complete the sentence is "live." The sentence is asking whether Omar currently resides in the city, which means we need to use the present tense. The only option that is in the present tense is "live." So the complete sentence is: "Does Omar live in the city?"

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The cook should have.............the pepper and the tomatoes together

Détails de la réponse

The word that best completes the sentence is "ground." The verb "ground" means to crush something into small particles using a machine or a tool. In the context of the sentence, the cook should mix the pepper and tomatoes after crushing them into small particles. The word "grind" is also a verb that means the same as "ground," but it does not agree with the grammatical structure of the sentence. "Grinds" is not the correct form of the verb for the sentence, and "grounded" is not a verb at all in this context.

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
I would have visited you but for my father's ill health. This means that my

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate interpretation for the sentence "I would have visited you but for my father's ill health" is that "father's ill health prevented me from visiting you." This means that the speaker had the intention to visit but couldn't because of their father's illness.

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

The media houses should employ both the novice and the............journalist

Détails de la réponse

The word "novice" implies someone who is new and inexperienced in a particular field or job. Therefore, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning is "veteran," which refers to someone who is experienced and skilled in a particular area. The sentence suggests that media houses should hire both inexperienced and experienced journalists. So, the word that will correctly fill the gap in the sentence is "veteran."

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
James and Henry were at daggers drawn when I knew them. This means that they

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate interpretation of the sentence "James and Henry were at daggers drawn when I knew them" is that they were always angry with each other. The phrase "at daggers drawn" is an idiomatic expression which means to be in a state of intense hostility or animosity towards someone. Therefore, the sentence suggests that James and Henry had a serious and ongoing conflict, and were not on good terms with each other. The other interpretations do not accurately reflect the meaning of the phrase "at daggers drawn" and the context of the sentence.

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
My book has become dog-eared through use. This means that

Détails de la réponse

The interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence "My book has become dog-eared through use" is that "the corners of the pages of my book are crumpled". This means that the pages of the book have been folded over and creased, most likely due to frequent use and handling. The term "dog-eared" comes from the similarity of the folded corners of the pages to the ears of a dog.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The two tasks were performed........................and we were able to finish early.

Détails de la réponse

The word that best completes the sentence is "simultaneously". This is because the sentence suggests that the two tasks were performed at the same time, which is the meaning of "simultaneously". The other options, "alternatively", "consecutively", and "separately", all suggest a different way of performing the tasks that is not consistent with the sentence.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Susan has been urging me to join the..............`

Détails de la réponse

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

Such utterances are inimical to the peaceful co-existence of the two communities

Détails de la réponse

The word "inimical" suggests that the utterances referred to in the sentence are harmful to the peaceful co-existence of two communities. Therefore, the word that is nearest in meaning to "inimical" is "harmful". The correct option is C, "harmful".

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
Instead of reconciling her parents, Roxanne worked hard at..................them

Détails de la réponse

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Her husband's death has forced her to tighten her belt. This means that she has

Détails de la réponse

The interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence, "Her husband's death has forced her to tighten her belt" is that she has become more economical. To tighten one's belt is an idiomatic expression that means to spend less money and reduce expenses. Therefore, the sentence suggests that the woman is facing financial difficulties due to her husband's death and is forced to be more frugal with her spending to make ends meet.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
His father has a .............

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate phrase to complete the sentence is "beautiful round wooden table". When describing the features of an object, the order of the adjectives is usually size, shape, age, color, origin, material, purpose, and then noun. Therefore, the correct option is D, "beautiful round wooden table".

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Even before his burial, Okoye's family members were already planning how to share his wealth...........themselves.

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word to complete the sentence is "among". "Among" indicates distribution to three or more people or things, and it suggests that the wealth will be divided equally or fairly. Therefore, "Even before his burial, Okoye's family members were already planning how to share his wealth among themselves" means that Okoye's family members were discussing how to divide his wealth equally among each member.

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
We thought that Uncle Sam's health had improved but it had rather................

Détails de la réponse

The word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "improved" is "deteriorated." Therefore, the correct option to fill the gap is "deteriorated." The sentence would then read, "We thought that Uncle Sam's health had improved but it had rather deteriorated."

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
It pays to be firm rather than..........in a case like this.

Détails de la réponse

The word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will correctly fill the gap in the sentence is "flexible". The sentence means that in a case like this, it is better to be firm than to be flexible. To be flexible means to be adaptable or able to change easily, while being firm means being strict or not easily swayed. Therefore, "flexible" is the correct answer as it is the opposite of "firm" and fits the context of the sentence.

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Some candidates takes examinations in their stride.This means that they

Détails de la réponse

The correct interpretation of the sentence "Some candidates take examinations in their stride" is that they do not worry about them. Taking something "in stride" means that you are able to deal with it calmly and without being overly affected by it. So, in this case, it means that some candidates are able to take examinations calmly and without worrying too much about them. Option B is the correct answer.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Mrs. Kofi is angry..............her daughter's lack of interest in her business

Détails de la réponse

The correct word to complete the sentence is "at." Mrs. Kofi is angry at her daughter's lack of interest in her business, which means she is feeling upset or frustrated about her daughter's disinterest. The preposition "at" is used to indicate the object of someone's anger or annoyance. Therefore, in this sentence, "at" is the most appropriate preposition to convey the meaning that Mrs. Kofi is directing her anger towards her daughter's lack of interest in her business.

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

Rather than convict him, the impartial judge........him.

Détails de la réponse

The most appropriate word for the gap in the sentence is "acquitted". The word "acquitted" means to free someone from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty. The sentence states that the judge was impartial and did not convict the person, which implies that the judge found the person not guilty of the charge. Therefore, the opposite of "convict" would be "acquit", making it the correct choice for the gap.

You are the Chief Speaker in a debate on the topic: The youths of today are more interested in the pursuit of pleasure than in academic work. Write your speech for or against the topic.
      

Détails de la réponse

None

Write a story to illustrate the saying: A good name is better than riches.

Détails de la réponse

None

Your country's public transport system is not functioning properly. Write a letter to the Minister of Transport, highlighting the causes and suggesting at least two measures to remedy the situation.

Détails de la réponse

None

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

      Miss Williamson announced in class one day that she wanted one of us to live with her to help her with her domestic work after school. There was a rush to volunteer which took her completely by surprise. When she recovered and had quietened our excited shouting, there was a moment during which none of us dared breathe, as she scanned the eager faces. What made her choose me i had never found out, but i had noticed before that she was partial to me. "All right Karimu," she said. "You can come, but first run along and get your father's consent"

      My parents were only too glad to have one mouth fewer to feed and my brothers and sisters to see the back of one who inevitably, had begun to assume an air of superiority in talking to them. Miss Williamson's bungalow was a stone's throw from school. That very evening saw me installed on a mat in a corner of her back veranda. I was unable to sleep, excited at the thought of the good fortune that had come my  way. To be within earshot of Miss Williamson's English all day, to have access to her books, to nurse the possibility, overwhelming even in thought, of going with her frequently of Rofunkti - all these visions kept my eyes wide open and my brain racing until very late that night. With my "lapa" pulled right over my head and happy beyond all description in my heart, I smiled myself to sleep.

      I learnt a very great deal in Miss Williamson's bungalow. Apart from improving my English, I learnt about the world outside and began to sense that were barriers much higher and much less easily gauged than those of mere language and colour, between my own people and those from whom she sprang. The smiling teacher in the daytime often became the brooding restless, ill-tempered spinster in the evening. Her bungalow was shared by another lady, a doctor, also a Scot, who traveled to and fro between the villages on a bicycle. I noticed that when not at their work or talking about it, these women showed no signs of being happy. As I grew up with them, i found myself wondering what had made them leave their country and come to live among a people whose ways were totally different from theirs.

(a) Why was Miss Williamson completely surprised?

(b) Why was Karimu's family happy to see him go to stay at the bungalow?

(C) State the overwhelming thought that kept Karimu awake.

(d) What did Karimu find difficult to understand about the two ladies?

(e) Mention the identical trait in these two ladies behaviour.  

(f) "What made her choose me. ."

(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage? ;

(ii) What is its function?

(g) "I smiled myself to sleep."What is the meaning of this expression?

(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage: (i) scanned; (ii) inevitably; (iii) nurse; (iv) vision; (v)gauged; (vi) brooding.

Détails de la réponse

None

Write an article for publication in a national newspaper on the topic: Vocational Training is the answer to unemployment among the youths.

Détails de la réponse

None

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

      No one can deny the fact that anyone who wants to be successful in learning the English language needs a good English dictionary. Such a dictionary should be a source of information about the language — information that is not generally available in grammar books It should not only contain a list words and their meanings, but also a lot of information that can help a leaner to speak and write good English.

      In order to use a word correctly, the reader needs to know how to link it with other words in a sentence. He should also know the structures that often precede or follow it, and whether it is formal or informal. This will help him to choose what word is appropriate for a particular context. The dictionary is therefore, an invaluable aid to reading as well as writing skills.

      If the meaning of a particular word in a passage impedes the overall comprehension of the main ideas presented in it, then a dictionary should be used. Most teachers must have observed a widespread tendency among their students to attack a new passage by reading it word by word, stopping to reach for a dictionary whenever they come across a word they do not know. This is a wrong approach;  the dictionary should be used only as a last resort. The main objective of reading a passage is not to define  specific words but to understand the ideas and concepts of the passage. the frequent use of a dictionary tends to focus the reader's attention on words when he should be concentrating on understanding the main ideas of the passage. Efficient reading implies obtaining the greatest amount of information from the passage in the shortest time possible. The frequent use of a dictionary takes too much time — time that can better be employed in getting an overall understanding of the passage.

      Instead of turning to the last resort, the reader should continue reading. Very often, the meaning of an unfamiliar ford can be guessed from the context in which it is used. The passage may give a definition, cite examples or describe )e circumstances surrounding the use of such a word well enough for him to know what it means. After reading the 'hole passage, the reader may realize that he has understood the important ideas presented without knowing the leaning of every word. If, after reading the entire passage, the reader is still unable to guess the meaning of a word from the context, then he should study the structure of the word The word may be a compound word which, when broken into its component parts, can be easily understood.

      If after exhausting these approaches. the reader still does not understand the meaning of a word, and if this word is vital to the comprehension of the whole passage, then and only then, should he refer to a dictionary,

(a) In one sentence state the purpose of a good dictionary

(b) In two sentences, one for each, state the two disadvantages of constantly referring to a dictionary when reading a passage.

(c) In three sentences, one for each, summarize the three steps that a reader should take before referring to a dictionary.

Détails de la réponse

None

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

 
      It was a little past 10 a.m. but the medium-sized hall that served as a prayer house was already brimming with people from different parts of the metropolis, who had come to seek cure or answers to their problems. The majority of this lot were those with seemingly intractable mental health conditions. The superintendent of the prayer house in question was often spoken of in whispers as possessing uncanny spiritual powers to exorcise evil spirits. it was also believed that he had answers to numerous illnesses that defied orthodox medication. Wednesday of each week was set aside for these healing sessions. 
      On this particular Wednesday, noisy supplications to the Most High and ceaseless invocation of His name to free those supposedly held captive by alleged evil spirits had reached fever pitch. Suddenly, a middle-aged man broke loose from the crowd and ran as fast as his wobbly legs could permit. Some male workers from the prayer house gave him a hot chase. 
At first, bemused by-standers rained curses on the fleeing man, wondering why a man in his right senses would in broad daylight rob a house of God. They obviously mistook the man for a robber fleeing from the scene of his crime. But he was not. Minutes later, he was caught and chained hands and feet, despite his struggle against his captors who intermittently lashed him with horse-whip. As he was being violently dragged along the street, the man ceaselessly muttered incomprehensible words that sounded like the muttering of a colony of baboons. Then, a clear picture of the situation dawned on the on-lookers. The man, after all, was not a thief and had stolen nothing; rather, his ability to think and reason properly had taken flight of him. Simply put, he was mentally deranged. 
      The above incident is a common occurrence in many parts of the country. It aptly underscores the devastating mental health conditions plaguing a sizeable number of people in recent times. It also points to the unspeakable and inhuman treatment which people with such health disorders suffer at the hands of self-styled spiritualists. This is the usual lot of mental patients whose family members refuse to take advantage of orthodox treatment. 
(a) What brought the people to the prayer house?
(b) State the functions of the superintendent of the prayer house. 
(c) What was wrong with the on-lookers' assessment of the run-away man? 
(d) Mention two instances of inhuman treatment in the passage. 
(e) What is the writer's attitude towards the treatment of lunatics at prayer house? 
(f)"... like the muttering of a colony of baboons." What figure of speech is contained in this expression? 
(g) "... Whose family member refuse to take advantage of orthodox treatment." (I) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage? (ii) What is its function? 
(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage. 

(i) intractable ; (ii) supplications; (iii) wobbly; (iv) bemused; (v) intermittently (vi) deranged. 

Détails de la réponse

None

You have recently moved into a new neighbourhood with your parents. Write a letter to your sister who is studying overseas giving, at least, three reasons for disliking the new place. 

Détails de la réponse

None