JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2024

Akọwa Nkọwa

The best option to complete the gap is "Look up."

Explanation:

When you want to find the meaning, synonym, or other information about a word, you use the phrase "Look up." This is a common phrase used when referring to searching for something specific in a reference source, like a dictionary or thesaurus. Here, you are being asked to look up the word in the Thesaurus to find more information about it, such as its synonyms. Thus, the correct completion of the sentence is to "Look up the word in the Thesaurus!"

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

In this sentence, the word **WALKED** is given the emphatic stress. This means that the emphasis is on the action of walking rather than any other possibility. In the options provided, the purpose of the question is to confirm or deny the action of walking.

The most relevant option to which the emphatic stress relates is: **Did we run to the school?**

Here's the explanation:

• Since the emphasis is on **WALKED**, the question's focus must contrast with this action. In the sentence provided in the question, the action of **walking** is stressed. So if you are emphasizing that you **walked**, you are implicitly denying another similar action, such as **running**.
• The question **Did we run to the school?** is directly related because it contrasts the action of walking with running.
• Therefore, the emphatic stress on **WALKED** answers the question by implying: "No, we did not run; we **walked**."

Akọwa Nkọwa

To fill the gap labelled 12 effectively, we need to understand the function that language maps perform beyond just informing us about global language distributions. They shape our understanding of how language and territory are connected. This involves engaging in a process of discussion and thought around the role of language in society and its spatial distribution.

The word "discursive" is most appropriate here because it pertains to discourse or modes of discourse. It refers to the way in which topics or subjects are talked about and discussed. In this context, language maps go beyond a simple informational purpose and fulfil a function related to discourse on language, territory, and their interrelation. They are part of the broader conversation and conceptual framework that connects linguistic practices to specific geographical areas.

The other options don't fit as well because "interactive" implies engaging with or involving an active exchange, "intuitive" implies something that is easily understandable without conscious reasoning, and "reclusive" suggests avoiding interaction, all of which do not accurately describe the role that language maps play in shaping discourse about language-territory relations.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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."

Akọwa Nkọwa

The phrase "learning in the four walls of a classroom" implies formal education. Formal education refers to the systematic, structured education that occurs primarily in school settings, often involving a specific curriculum and conducted by trained teachers. This type of education takes place within classrooms, which are typically part of school buildings, hence the phrase about the "four walls". Students are educated in a formal environment where knowledge is imparted through a set curriculum, examinations, and assessments.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Teachers teach various "subjects," which are the areas of study, like mathematics or literature.

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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?"

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The sentence "It is not in my place to keep late, no matter what happens" conveys the idea of a personal principle or belief regarding punctuality or staying late. It suggests that the speaker has a strong stance against staying late regardless of the circumstances. The best explanation is that the speaker has a self-imposed rule or personal boundary that dictates punctuality or avoiding staying late. This emphasizes a commitment to being on time or leaving at an appropriate time.

The most appropriate option would be: I am not used to keeping late, which indicates a habitual or personal principle that they adhere to. This aligns with the sentiment expressed in the sentence about not keeping late "no matter what happens," emphasizing a strong personal conviction.

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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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The expression "call it a day" is an idiomatic phrase used to signify that work should come to an end. When the manager tells his workers to "call it a day," he is instructing them to stop working for the day. It means that the work period has concluded and they should cease all work-related activities. Therefore, the best explanation of the information conveyed in the sentence is that the workers were told to stop working.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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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Akọwa Nkọwa

A "call-mark" is used to identify the specific location of a book on a shelf.

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In Khadija Abubakar Jalili's novel The Life Changer, the acronym "EMEC" stands for Examination Malpractice and Ethics Committee. This committee is responsible for addressing issues related to unfair practices in examinations. It works to maintain the integrity and ethical standards of the examination process by ensuring that students and educators adhere to the rules and regulations set to promote a fair and honest academic environment. The main function of this committee is to investigate and resolve cases of cheating or other misconduct during examinations.

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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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The gap labeled 10 should be filled with the word "process". In the context of teaching and education, the term "teaching-learning process" refers to the comprehensive series of actions and activities involved in imparting and acquiring knowledge. This holistic approach includes different methods, strategies, and interactions between teachers and students to facilitate learning. Other options do not fit this context as accurately. For example, "habit" refers to regular practices or routine behaviors, "function" refers to a specific role or work performed, and "policy" refers to a set of rules or principles. Therefore, "process" is the most suitable word because it captures the ongoing and dynamic nature of teaching and learning activities in an educational setting.

Akọwa Nkọwa

Emphatic stress is the placement of greater stress on a particular word in a sentence or utterance for emphasis, correction or clarification. To test for emphatic stress, the contrasting question should affirm or negate the specific word in capital letters ("DESIGN"). Option D contrasts "design" with "draft," making it the appropriate response to confirm emphasis.

Akọwa Nkọwa

"The quiet one" was named Talle on account of the fact that his mother died shortly after his birth. This can be found on page 21 of the novel. 

Akọwa Nkọwa

The correct option to complete the sentence is "ours".

Here's the explanation:

• Ours: This is the correct possessive pronoun. It is used to show ownership and does not require an apostrophe. It means "belonging to us". In the sentence, "she is a friend of ours" effectively means "she is a friend belonging to us".
• Our's: This is incorrect because there is no possessive pronoun form with an apostrophe before 's'. Possessive pronouns are inherently complete and do not need an apostrophe.
• Ours': This is also incorrect. The placement of the apostrophe after 's' suggests a plural possessive, which is not applicable here.
• Our: "Our" is a possessive adjective and must be followed by a noun to make sense in a sentence. The phrase would be ungrammatically incomplete if constructed as "she is a friend of our".

Therefore, the correct choice is "ours" because it properly shows possession without the need for an apostrophe.

Akọwa Nkọwa

To determine which catalogue one should use when looking for a particular book, especially after already deciding to use the title catalogue in the first gap, we should consider how libraries typically organize their collections. Libraries commonly offer various catalogues to help users locate books.

If a person knows the title of a book, it makes sense to use a title catalogue. Conversely, if the person knows the author of the book, they should use the author catalogue to find the book.

Given that the passage starts by suggesting the use of the title catalogue in the previous blank, it would be logical to provide another commonly used method to locate a book by a known author in the following blank. Therefore, the best option for the gap labeled 7 is the author catalogue.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The word "likeness" means similarity or resemblance. The opposite of this is dissimilarity

Akọwa Nkọwa

In Khadija Abubakar Jalili's "The Life Changer," the "Note of Salvation" refers specifically to the cheat notes that Kolawole Abdul passed to Salma. These notes were intended to help Salma during an examination by providing her with the answers she needed. It was a clandestine method of cheating, aiming to ensure her success in the exam.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The passage emphasises the importance of a good reading culture and its connection to effective comprehension. This implies that students who develop the habit of reading are more likely to grasp the writer's intentions and understand the text better.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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."

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

In the word "clothe", the underlined letter(s) is "th", and it has a voiced consonant sound represented by /ð/. This sound is produced by vibrating the vocal cords while placing the tongue between the teeth. We can find the same consonant sound in the word "smooth". In "smooth," the final "th" also represents the voiced /ð/ sound.

Let me explain the sound of each option:

• "Cloth" – The "th" at the end has an unvoiced /θ/ sound, which is different from the voiced /ð/ sound in "clothe."
• "Smooth" – The final "th" has the voiced /ð/ sound, which is the same as in "clothe."
• "Good" – The consonant sounds are /g/ and /d/, which do not match /ð/.
• "Thesis" – The "th" sound here is unvoiced /θ/, which is different from /ð/.

Therefore, the word "smooth" has the same consonant sound as the underlined letters in "clothe."

Akọwa Nkọwa

The phrase on that fateful day modifies the verb had pursued by providing information about when the action occurred, making it an adverbial phrase.

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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."

Akọwa Nkọwa

To complete the sentence "You know that you ____ it before tomorrow," we need to choose a verb phrase that correctly conveys an obligation or probability in this context. Let's analyze the options:

1. Might do: This implies a possibility of doing something but with uncertainty. Therefore, it doesn't fit well after "you know" because knowing implies certainty.

2. Ought to do: This implies a recommendation or obligation. "You know that you ought to do it before tomorrow" suggests a sense of necessity or duty that aligns well with "you know."

3. Like to do: This implies a preference, habit, or enjoyment, which doesn't necessarily align with the sense of certainty or requirement implied by "you know."

4. May do: This suggests permission or possibility, which again does not fit well after "you know" due to the lack of certainty or obligation.

Therefore, the best option to complete the sentence, considering the context of certainty or a strong recommendation, is "ought to do." This reflects that there is a known obligation to complete the task before tomorrow.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The word **inconclusive** indicates that something has not led to a final result or decision. It suggests that the situation is **uncertain** or **not fully resolved**. This means there is no definite outcome or conclusion at this point. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to **inconclusive** is **indeterminate**, as it also describes a scenario where something cannot be clearly or conclusively determined.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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?"

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

To determine the most appropriate option for the gap labeled 10, we need to consider the role and characteristics of what is being described in the passage.

The passage describes something that shines in the light of the miner's lamp and is responsible for holding up thousands of feet of rock and earth, providing structural support within the mining environment. This description indicates that the structures in question are essential for maintaining the stability of the mining tunnels.

Let's examine the meaning of each option:

• Beams: Beams are long, sturdy pieces made of materials like steel or wood that are used to support weight and maintain structural integrity in a building, tunnel, or other construction. This term fits well, as beams are commonly used in mining to support the roof and prevent the collapse of tunnels.


• Supports: This term is more general and can refer to any structure that provides support. However, it is less specific than the other options available.


• Spurs: Spurs generally refer to projections or appendages, but not typically as structural elements in mining to support loads from above.


• Stays: Stays are types of braces or ties that hold things in position, but they are not typically the primary structural support like beams would be.

Given the context and the role of providing strong, essential support to hold the rock and earth pressing down, the most appropriate option is "beams".

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The word **messy** implies a state of disorder or confusion where things are scattered around and not organized. To find an opposite, we look for a word that describes the room as **orderly and well-organized**.

Let's consider the options:

• Muddled: This word is similar to **messy** and implies confusion or disorder. It's not opposite in meaning.
• Dirty: This focuses on cleanliness, indicating something is not clean, but it does not specifically address organization or tidiness.
• Unkept: Similar to **messy**, it implies a lack of care in organization or tidiness.
• Tidy: This word means everything is in its proper place, well-organized, and clean. It reflects a state opposite to **messy**.

Therefore, the opposite of **messy** is **tidy**, as it describes a room that is neat and organized.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

To understand the meaning of the word decisive, let's break it down. The word decisive is often used to describe actions or decisions that are firm, clear, and have a definite resolution. If someone takes a decisive action, it means they are making a clear and conclusive decision, often leading to a solution or outcome without hesitation.

Now, let's examine each of the options:

• Significant: This means important or meaningful. While a decisive action might be significant, the word significant doesn't capture the full essence of being firm or final in decision-making.
• Inconclusive: This means something that does not lead to a firm conclusion or result. This is the opposite of decisive, as it implies uncertainty and a lack of resolution.
• Indecisive: This describes someone or something not having the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. It is also the opposite of decisive.
• Trivial: This means unimportant or insignificant. A decisive action would not be trivial as it is meant to resolve or settle an important issue.

From the above explanations, the closest word in meaning to decisive is significant. However, it is important to note that although they are related, they are not exact synonyms. Decisive involves being firm and having a clear conclusion, while significant pertains to the importance or impact of an action.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The phrase "driving someone round the bend" is an idiomatic expression that means to cause frustration or distress. While "mad" (option B) might seem like a close option, "causing his parents some problems" is the most accurate choice in this context, as it suggests that the poor performance is creating difficulty for the parents.

Akọwa Nkọwa

According to the passage, it is not all honeybees that produce eggs. The passage explains that there are different roles and castes within honeybee society. Only the queen has the ability to lay eggs. The other bees, such as the workers and drones, do not lay eggs. Workers carry out other functions like foraging and taking care of the hive, while drones do not participate in laying eggs as they are males.

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Akọwa Nkọwa

The options provided for the gap labeled 15 are "undergirds," "undermines," "underestimate," and "underserved." In this context, the sentence is trying to convey how the "territorial principle" is important to most thinking about linguistic justice. The term "linguistic legislation" suggests some kind of legal support or structure related to language use. For this reason, the most appropriate option is "undergirds." This is because "undergirds" means to provide foundational support or a basis for something. Here, it indicates that the territorial principle forms the basis or supportive framework for linguistic legislation. Therefore, the correct choice is undergirds.

Akọwa Nkọwa

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.

Akọwa Nkọwa

"Bare" describes the exposed or uncovered coal surface. Other options do not fit the description appropriately.

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To determine the best option for filling the gap labelled 14 in the passage, we need to consider the context where the sentence mentions a mechanical tool that saws into coal. In this context, the passage is describing a tool that cuts into the coal to separate it from its base, similar to how a saw or a cutting tool would work. The term that best fits this description is a "knife". A mechanical knife can refer to a cutting blade or tool designed specifically for cutting purposes, which is consistent with the action of sawing into coal. Thus, the most appropriate word to fill gap 14 is "knife". This is because a mechanical knife would effectively separate the coal, aligning perfectly with the context of separating the coal from its base.

Akọwa Nkọwa

The sentence "It is highly improbable that it will snow in June" communicates the idea that there is a very small chance of snow occurring in June. The emphasis is on the **small probability** or **unlikely nature** of the event.

The option that best explains this information is: It is highly unlikely that it will snow in June. This option directly reflects the notion of a low probability or rare occurrence of snow in June, similar to what the original sentence states.

Let's examine the other options for clarity:

• It is possible that it will snow in June: This suggests a potential or some possibility of snow, which contradicts the original sentence's emphasis on low likelihood.
• It will never snow in June: The word "never" implies an impossibility, which is too strong compared to "highly improbable" suggesting a small chance.
• The snowfall will probably be high in June: This indicates an expectation of significant snowfall, which is the opposite of what is conveyed in the sentence.

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The word "radioactive" is divided into four syllables: "ra-di-o-ac-tive." To determine the stress pattern, it's important to note how the word is often pronounced naturally in English.

In English, many words have a certain syllable that is pronounced more prominently than others, and this is called the stressed syllable. In "radioactive," the stress falls on the third syllable "ac," making it "radioACtive." This means when you pronounce the word, you will tend to say the "AC" part with more emphasis compared to the other syllables.

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The correct option to complete the sentence "How many eggs were _____ by the hen?" is laid.

Here's the explanation:

The word "laid" is the past participle form of the verb "lay," which means to put something down in a flat position or make it sit somewhere. Hens lay eggs, and when we use the past participle in a passive voice construction ("were _____ by"), we need to use "laid" to indicate the action completed by the hen.

Let's briefly consider why the other options are not suitable:

• lain: This is the past participle form of the verb "lie," which means to recline or be in a horizontal position. It is not used for placing objects like eggs.
• layed: This is not a correct form of the verb "lay." It is a common misspelling.
• laying: This is the present participle form of the verb "lay." However, in this sentence's context, we need the past participle to indicate the past action done by the hen, which is "laid."

Therefore, the accurate and grammatically correct answer is "laid."

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The phrase "rapt attention" means giving complete and undivided attention. When someone gives "rapt attention," they are fully absorbed and focused on something. Let?s consider each option:

• Concentrated: This means focusing intently or exclusively on something. It closely aligns with the idea of being absorbed and giving full attention.
• Conflicting: This implies having opposing or clashing thoughts or emotions, which does not match the idea of focused attention.
• Half-hearted: This means lacking enthusiasm or commitment, which is the opposite of being fully focused.
• Divided: This means attention is split between different things, which contradicts the idea of full, undivided attention.

Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "rapt attention" is concentrated.

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The sentence "The government has promised to pay our gratuity, we need to have our fingers crossed," suggests a sense of uncertainty about whether the promise will actually be fulfilled. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is that we should remain hopeful.

When someone says to "keep your fingers crossed," it means that they are hoping for something positive to happen, despite a degree of uncertainty. It expresses a wishful anticipation that the desired outcome will occur.

Thus, the **underlying idea** in the sentence is to remain hopeful about the promise being fulfilled, acknowledging that there might be a chance it won't happen, but hoping for the best outcome.

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The correct option to complete the sentence is: comprises.

Here's the explanation:

• The word "comprises" is used correctly when the subject of a sentence includes or consists of certain elements. The basic structure is: "A comprises B." In this case, "The new national security committee comprises retired military personnel."
• The word "comprised" is the past tense of "comprise," and it would indicate a past situation. Since there is no indication that the sentence is referring to the past, "comprises" is more appropriate.
• The option "comprises of" is incorrect because when you use "comprise," you do not follow it with "of." The phrase "comprises of" is not grammatically correct.
• The phrase "is comprising" is also incorrect because "comprise" is typically not used in a progressive tense. The verb "comprise" usually follows the pattern of present tense (comprises) or is used in simple past (comprised) without the auxiliary "is."

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The writer was puzzled because he saw big trees growing from the rocks. This observation puzzled him as it contradicted his understanding or expectations based on the classroom teachings about weathering and the capacity of rocks to be penetrated by tree roots. It was unexpected for him to see tree roots capable of breaking down rocks, demonstrating a natural occurrence of weathering in action. This newfound understanding of how weathering can occur in different ways, such as through the penetration of tree roots, was the source of his puzzlement.

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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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The word "admires" means to have a positive feeling of respect or approval towards someone or something. Therefore, the word opposite in meaning would suggest having a negative feeling or showing disrespect or disapproval.

Let's examine the options:

• Scorns: This means to show contempt or disdain towards someone or something. In other words, it indicates a strong feeling of disapproval or derogation. This is opposite in meaning to "admires."
• Accepts: This means to consent to receive or undertake something offered, indicating a neutral or positive feeling. It is not opposite to "admires."
• Sanctions: This generally means giving official permission or approval for an action, which does not have an opposite relation to "admires."
• Regards: This means to consider or think of something in a specified way, and it often holds a neutral or positive meaning. Thus, it is not opposite to "admires."

Based on this analysis, the word "scorns" is opposite in meaning to "admires."

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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.