JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2024

Choose the option that best completes the sentence. 

Put Chioma's meal in the _______ pack. 

Answer Details

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

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

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

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

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

Choose the option that is opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined.

The commissioner thought that the proposal would fall through.

Answer Details

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.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

Everyone thinks Ojo's decision to be a demagogue is ill-advised. 

Answer Details

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.

The word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given stress relates. 

My mother is expected to be back by this time TOMORROW. 

Answer Details

In the given statement, the word with the emphatic stress is "TOMORROW". This means that the emphasis is on the time when the mother is expected to be back.

To test the emphatic stress, we usually form a question that targets the emphasized word, expecting an answer that confirms or clarifies it. The question should be structured in such a way that the response can be a confirmation of the emphasis.

Let's analyze the options provided:

• : "Who is expected back by this time tomorrow?" - This question emphasizes "who" is expected back. It does not emphasize the time "tomorrow" and hence, doesn't confirm the emphasis.
• : "Is my mother expected back by this time next month?" - This question contrasts "tomorrow" with "next month", allowing the answer to emphasize "TOMORROW" as a confirmation. It directly addresses the time aspect, making it the correct choice to which the emphatic stress on "TOMORROW" relates.
• : "Is my mother assumed back by this time tomorrow?" - This question contrasts "expected" with "assumed", focusing on the nature of the expectation and not on the time. Hence, it doesn't relate to the emphatic stress.
• : "Is my mother expected gone by this time tomorrow?" - This question contrasts "expected to be back" with "expected gone", again not addressing the timing of the return. Therefore, it doesn't relate to the emphatic stress.

Thus, the answer is that the emphatic stress on "TOMORROW" is related to as it focuses on the timing of the event, which is the key aspect being emphasized in the original statement.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined.

We had to prevail upon him to accept that offer. 

Answer Details

The phrase prevail upon generally means to get someone to do something by reasoning with them or urging them consistently. It implies a gentle but firm influence to change someone's mind or decision. Therefore, the term that is nearest in meaning to prevail upon is persuade. When you persuade someone, you are convincing them to do something through reasoning or argument, rather than by forcing or overruling them.

Choose the option that best completes the sentence. 

It was the _______ of brakes that drew our attention. 

Answer Details

In this sentence, we need to choose the word that best describes the sound made by brakes. Let's examine each option:

• Hooting: This word is generally associated with the sound made by owls or ships, often a deep sound. It doesn't typically describe the sound of brakes.
• Blaring: This term usually describes a loud, harsh sound often associated with horns or alarms. While it's loud, it's not typically the sound brakes make.
• Screeching: This word describes a high-pitched, sharp sound. It is often used to characterize the noise made when brakes are applied suddenly, causing friction between the brake pads and the wheels.
• Hammering: This term implies a repeated, percussive sound, like the noise of hitting with a hammer. It's not commonly used to describe the noise of brakes.

Considering the options, the most suitable word to complete the sentence is "screeching". It best describes the high-pitched, sharp sound that draws attention when brakes are applied suddenly.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Let this case stand over for the present, the lawyer pleaded. 

Answer Details

The sentence "Let this case stand over for the present, the lawyer pleaded" means that the lawyer is requesting for the case to be postponed or deferred to a later date, rather than addressing it immediately or removing it entirely from consideration.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

His reckless remark did not go unnoticed. 

Answer Details

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

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

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

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences.

Adeola lives a stone's throw away from the church.

Answer Details

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

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

Choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

She is anxious about her son who has been ill. 

Answer Details

The word anxious refers to a feeling of worry or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. When someone is anxious, they are not calm or assured; rather, they are concerned about a possible problem or risk.

Let's examine the given options:

• Perturbed: This means feeling disturbed, troubled, or unsettled, which closely aligns with being anxious, as both terms involve a state of apprehension or unease.
• Sure: This means being confident in one's knowledge or ability. It suggests certainty and is the opposite of feeling anxious.
• Confident: This means having faith or strong assurance in something, which contrasts with feeling anxious because it suggests a lack of worry.
• Certain: This implies having no doubt about something, which is also contrary to being anxious, as it indicates sureness rather than worry.

Therefore, among the options, the word perturbed is nearest in meaning to anxious, as both convey a sense of worry and unease.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

It is not in my place to keep late, no matter what happens. 

Answer Details

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.

Choose the most appropriate stress pattern from the options below. The stressed syllables are written in capital letters.  

productivity

Answer Details

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

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

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

In each of the following questions, choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. 

Public

Answer Details

The following question is based on Khadija Abububakar Jalili's The Life Changer.

According to the novel, Bint's Social Studies teacher is

Answer Details

Bint describes her Social Studies teacher as meddlesome as she narrates how she took on her Social Studies teacher who thinks he knows "a little bit about every subject under the sun". This can be found on page 1 of the novel. 

Read the passage below and answer each questions that follow:

Weathering, which is the gradual breaking down or disintegration of rocks into smaller particles or fragments by either physical or chemical process, can be affected by many factors. Generally speaking, the climatic condition of a particular area has a great effect on the weathering. Physical or mechanical weathering needs temperature and water. 

Chemical weathering, on the other hand, thrives where the climate is hot. We were all taught all these in the four walls of the classroom. I made a visit to my village to see these scientific discoveries. I noticed big trees with their roots penetrating into rocks and breaking them. I initially wondered and puzzled seeing trees growing from the rock. 

A similar thing happened to the soil sampling surrounding where there were rocks. I could see the rock particles mixing up with the rest of the soil. 

A suitable title for the passage above is 

Answer Details

The most suitable title for the passage is "Weathering."

Explanation:

The passage primarily discusses the concept of weathering, which is the process by which rocks gradually break down into smaller particles due to physical or chemical processes. It highlights the influence of climatic conditions on weathering processes, distinguishing between **physical weathering**, which involves temperature and water, and **chemical weathering**, which occurs in hot climates.

The author also describes observational experiences of weathering, such as tree roots penetrating rocks and the mixing of rock particles with soil. The overall theme revolves around the process, factors, and examples of weathering, making it the central focus of the passage.

The passage below has gap(s), following each gap is four options. For each gap, choose the most appropriate option. 

Teaching is a noble profession. Only those who have the calling to __6__ [A. impact B. impart C. infer D. confer] knowledge is called great teachers. 

The teachers' duty goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. They teach students various topics and __7__ [A. formula B. courses C. classes D. subjects]. The teacher listens to their students express their worries and fears, yet the teacher has to pacify and __8__ [A. care B. guide C. beat D. guard] them through the right paths. 

As a __9__ [A. stakeholder B. shareholder C. officeholder D. cardholder] in the field of education, the teacher ensures that teaching-learning __10__ [A. habit B. function C. process D. policy] takes place in and out of the classroom. The teacher lights the candle for the others to see. He/ she is fast enough to move at the speed of the __11__ [A. guiness B. genius C. heinous D. spacious] and patient enough for the slow-learner to catch up. 

In his care are the __12__ [A. book B. diary C. register D. attendance], the mark book and every other document which must be duly filled. While at home, the teacher still plans his lesson and prepares his teaching __13__ [A. books B. steps C. maps D. aids], all for the purpose of effective teaching-learning process. 

Teachers should not be brushed aside in the society as teaching is the profession that __14__ [A. birthed B. delivered C. approached D. positioned] other professions. Teachers should be given a great __15__ [A. attention B. honour C. privilege D. care] in the society. 

Fill the gap labelled 13

Answer Details

The gap labeled 13 should be filled with the word "aids". In the context of the passage, the teacher is planning and preparing materials that will assist and support the teaching and learning process. The term "teaching aids" refers to tools and resources such as visual aids, charts, digital tools, or any other implements that help in making the teaching more effective and engaging. The other options like "books" or "steps" do not accurately describe materials used specifically for enhancing the teaching experience, while "maps" is too specific and not contextually broad enough for all subjects or types of teaching.

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as represented by the underlined letter(s)

urn

Answer Details

To identify the option with the same vowel sound as represented by the underlined letters in "urn", we need to focus on the vowel sound of "ur", which is typically pronounced as the "er" sound (/ɜːr/). This sound is often found in words that rhyme with "turn" or "learn".

Let's analyze the words given:

• Bed: The vowel sound here is the short "e" (/ɛ/), similar to "led" or "red".
• Corn: The vowel sound is the diphthong "or" (/ɔːr/), as in "born" or "worn".
• Hearse: This word has the same vowel sound "er" (/ɜːr/) as in "urn", "turn", or "learn".
• Calm: The vowel sound is the long "a" (/ɑː/), often found in words like "palm" or "balm".

Thus, the word "hearse" has the same vowel sound as "urn".

?Choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

What a grotesque attire. 

Answer Details

The word "grotesque" refers to something that is distorted, strange, or ugly in an exaggerated or unnatural way. It often implies a strange and unpleasant appearance. When we look at the options given:

• Beautiful: This describes something that is pleasing and attractive, which is the opposite of grotesque.
• Splendid: This suggests something that is magnificent or very impressive, not fitting for the meaning of grotesque.
• Horrid: This word means extremely unpleasant or ugly, which aligns very well with the idea of being grotesque.
• Fine: This refers to something of high quality or delicate, again, the opposite of grotesque.

Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "grotesque" is "horrid" because both imply something that is unpleasant or unattractive.

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as represented by the underlined letter(s)

busy

Answer Details

To identify the vowel sound, let's first isolate the vowel sound in the word "busy," which is represented by the "u" and pronounced as /ɪ/. This is similar to the "i" in "bit" or "sit".

Now, let's analyze each option:

• Vineyard: The "i" in "vineyard" sounds like /ɪ/, similar to the "i" in "bit" or "sit," which is the same as "busy".
• Automobile: The vowels sound like /ɔː/, /ə/, /ʊ/, which don't match the /ɪ/ sound in "busy".
• Twilight: The "i" here sounds like /aɪ/ as in "light," which is different from the /ɪ/ sound in "busy".
• Island: The "i" sounds like /aɪ/ as in "high," which is also different from the /ɪ/ sound in "busy".

Therefore, **"vineyard"** has the same vowel sound as the word "busy".

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap. 

If one is looking for a particular book, he can either use the __6__ [A. reverse catalogue B. borrower's catalogue C. dictionary catalogue D. title catalogue] or the __7__ [A. author catalogue B. book catalogue C. title catalogue D. yearly catalogue] to locate the position of the book on the __8__ [A. table B. shelf C. cupboard D. desk] This can be done through the __9__ [A. borrower-mark B. reserve-mark C. call-mark D. year-mark] identification number. On the other hand, if the student has no particular book in mind, but wants to borrow any on a particular subject, say Mathematics, he can go to the __10__ [A. subject catalogue B. publisher catalogue C. reference catalogue D. cover catalogue]. There he will find the __11__ [A. book-card B. call-card C. author-card D. seller-card] of every book that deals with Mathematics as a subject. Apart from this, since all the shelves have instructions and numbers regarding the books on them, the person can read the __12__ [A. card's guide B. author's guide C. shelf-guides D. book-guides] and the book __13__ [A. acknowledgements B. commentaries C. titles D. spines] to get the book he wants. He can take the book to the __14__ [A. table B. reserve section C. sitting corner D. lending desk] where the library assistant removes the book card from the book __15__ [A. pocket B. title C. call-names D. reserve] and record the borrower's name on it.

Choose the option that best fills the gap labelled 14

Answer Details

Without the specific context or knowledge of the passage where "labelled 14" appears, it is generally difficult to choose the option that best fills the gap. However, I can explain the typical context where each of these terms might be applicable:

Table: A table is a piece of furniture consisting of a flat top supported by one or more legs, commonly used in libraries, dining rooms, or studies. If the context relates to a place where items are kept or used for activities like reading, writing, or studying, "table" might be appropriate.

Reserve Section: This term is often used in libraries to refer to a specific area where certain books or materials that are in high demand or are reference items are kept. Access might be limited, and items cannot be checked out for home use.

Sitting Corner: A sitting corner typically describes a cozy or designated area with chairs or cushions where people can sit, relax, or engage in conversation. It might be found in living rooms, libraries, or reading areas.

Lending Desk: This is often found in libraries and is the place where library users check out books or return borrowed items. The lending desk is a critical part of the library system.

To choose the best option, consider what the passage is describing or needing. If it's a place for borrowing books, the lending desk is appropriate. If it's a location where books not in circulation are kept, the reserve section is correct. For a resting or reading area, the sitting corner fits best, and for general workspace, a table is the suitable choice.

Choose the option that best completes the sentence.

Sally assisted me in buying my _____ yesterday. 

Answer Details

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.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

He bequeathed his company to his last daughter. 

Answer Details

The word bequeathed means to leave something, usually in a will, to a person or beneficiary after someone's death. In this context, it implies that the owner has decided to transfer or hand over ownership of the company to his last daughter. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to bequeathed is left.

The passage below has gaps. Immediately after each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap. 

In modern mining, there is a network of __6__ [A. way B. tunnels C. paths D. avenues] and passages, with openings and walls which in the dim light seem very bewildering. Right across the wall at the end of the inky black passage, the __7__ [A. miners B. toilers C. workers D. foreman] approach. The coal __8__ [A. front B. slope C. obstacle D. face] is neatly cut __9__ [A. slit B. gash C. bare D. aperture]. It extends level to a height of rather less than three feet. The rays of the miner's lamp shine on steel roof __10__ [A. beams B. supports C. spurs D. stays]. Thousands of feet of rock and earth are pressing down on those steel plates and __11__ [A. props B. wedges C. poles D. stakes], and the miners have to crawl through the small, deep opening in the wall to get to the coal in the mine that we are considering, the __12__ [A. gash B. hole C. seam D. opening] is nearly four feet thick and is being worked by a combination of __13__ [A. digging B. manpower C. machinery D. spade] and explosives. A mechanical __14__ [A. slit B. gash C. knife D. mesh] saws into the coal to a depth of four or five feet, thus separating it from its base. Explosives pushed into holes drilled at intervals in the coal are __15__ [A. fused B. extinguished C. detonated D. stuck] by remote control and blow the separated section of the coal to pieces. 

What option best fills the gap labelled 6

Answer Details

To fill the gap labeled 6, we must consider the context of modern mining. In a mining environment, particularly in underground mines, there is a complex system of underground passages. These passages are not just random paths or tracks, but specific types of structures that allow for access to different parts of the mine.

The most appropriate word from the given options is "tunnels". Here's why:

• Way generally refers to a method or direction and is too generic for the context of mining.
• Tunnels are specifically constructed subterranean passages often used in mining. They facilitate movement of miners and equipment and are a fundamental component of mine structure.
• Paths typically refer to less formal routes, often above ground, and do not convey the same structured passageway as needed in a mine.
• Avenues are commonly associated with roads or broad streets, and are not used to describe passages within a mine.

Therefore, given the description of a network with walls and openings, "tunnels" is the most logical choice, accurately reflecting the structured underground passageways in modern mines.

The following question is based on Khadija Abububakar Jalili's The Life Changer.

How much did Dr Kabir Mohammed collect from Salma in order to cover up her EMAL offence? 

Answer Details

In the novel, Khadija Abubakar Jalli's "The Life Changer", Dr. Kabir Mohammed plays a significant role in the story involving Salma's academic challenges. The specific incident in question revolves around covering up Salma's EMAL offence.

To resolve the issue related to her examination malpractice, Dr. Kabir Mohammed demanded a sum from Salma. The amount he requested and collected was three hundred thousand naira.

Choose the option that has the same consonant sounds as represented by the underlined letter(s)

archbishop

Answer Details

The following question is based on Khadija Abububakar Jalili's The Life Changer.

The acronym "EMEC" as used in the novel means

Answer Details

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.

In each of the following questions, the word in capital letter has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given words relate. 

His reign was noted for PEACE. 

Answer Details

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?"

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s)

The new national security committee ____ retired military personnel. 

Answer Details

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."

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Titi was the cynosure of all eyes at the party.

Answer Details

The expression "cynosure of all eyes" is often used to describe someone who attracts a lot of attention or is the center of attraction. In simple terms, when Titi is described as the "cynosure of all eyes at the party," it means that she was the primary focus of attention and everyone was looking at her.

The emphasis is on her being the center of attraction, and it does not necessarily imply anything about how she was dressed, whether she was ashamed, or if she wanted to leave the party. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is that she was the centre of attraction at the party.

Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows

One of the basic language skills is reading. In any literate society, reading is a very essential aspect of effective communication in daily activities. Reading has been many things to many people. To some people, it is like looking at printed words while most students see it as a tedious task that has to be performed in order to pass a particular examination. Reading, like any other term, has been described in different ways, such as "Reading as an intellectual activity directed towards the extraction of information from a written piece". One of the causes of mass failure in various examinations among candidates is their inability to imbibe a good reading culture. With poor reading habits, learners cannot comprehend the emphasised hence adequate textbooks should be provided for students.

(Adapted from Ayo Banjo et al (2020) New Oxford Secondary English Course for Senior Secondary School. Ibadan: Oxford University)

According to the passage, students perform poorly in examinations because

Answer Details

According to the passage, students perform poorly in examinations because of their inability to imbibe a good reading culture. The passage emphasizes that poor reading habits lead to difficulties in understanding and comprehending the information emphasized in their studies. This lack of a strong reading culture prevents students from effectively grasping and extracting necessary information from their textbooks, contributing to inadequate performance in examinations.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

Ebere's indolence contrasts with her sister's. 

Answer Details

The word indolence means a tendency to avoid activity or exertion; essentially, it refers to being lazy or avoiding work. To find the word that is opposite in meaning, we need to look for a term that conveys the idea of someone being hardworking or active.

Let's go through the options:

Indulgence means allowing oneself or another to enjoy something, which doesn't directly relate to being lazy or hardworking.

Laziness is actually similar in meaning to indolence, as it also refers to the avoidance of work or being idle.

Diligence means careful and persistent work or effort. This is the opposite of indolence because it implies being active, hardworking, and industrious. Therefore, diligence is the correct opposite of indolence.

Prudence involves being careful and sensible in one's actions, especially in willful consideration of the future. While it involves thoughtful behavior, it doesn't directly relate to laziness or being hardworking.

In summary, the word opposite in meaning to indolence is diligence, as it represents being hardworking and dedicated to tasks.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

All men in public life should be altruistic. 

Answer Details

The term "altruistic" means being selflessly concerned for the well-being of others. Essentially, an altruistic person prioritizes the needs and interests of others over their own.

To find the word that is opposite in meaning to "altruistic," we need to identify a word that implies a lack of concern for others and a focus on oneself.

• "Selfish" describes someone who is primarily concerned with their own interests, benefits, and well-being, often at the expense of others. This is the opposite of altruistic behavior.
• "Antagonistic" refers to being opposed or hostile to someone or something, which is not directly opposite to altruistic.
• "Selfless" means having little or no concern for oneself, similar to altruistic, hence it is not an opposite.
• "Unkind" refers to a lack of compassion or friendliness. While it is negative, it does not specifically focus on self-interest like "selfish" does.

So, the option that is opposite in meaning to "altruistic" is "selfish".

The following question is based on Khadija Abububakar Jalili's The Life Changer.

The narrator and her children sat  _______ because the room was stuffy. 

Answer Details

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.

Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows

One of the basic language skills is reading. In any literate society, reading is a very essential aspect of effective communication in daily activities. Reading has been many things to many people. To some people, it is like looking at printed words while most students see it as a tedious task that has to be performed in order to pass a particular examination. Reading, like any other term, has been described in different ways, such as "Reading as an intellectual activity directed towards the extraction of information from a written piece". One of the causes of mass failure in various examinations among candidates is their inability to imbibe a good reading culture. With poor reading habits, learners cannot comprehend the emphasised hence adequate textbooks should be provided for students.

(Adapted from Ayo Banjo et al (2020) New Oxford Secondary English Course for Senior Secondary School. Ibadan: Oxford University)

It is implied in the passage that

Answer Details

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.

Choose the option that best completes the gap in the sentence. 

Are those girls friends of _____?

Answer Details

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?"

Choose the option that best completes the sentence.

The movie wasn't fantastic, was it? _____

Answer Details

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.

The passage below has gap(s), following each gap is four options. For each gap, choose the most appropriate option. 

Teaching is a noble profession. Only those who have the calling to __6__ [A. impact B. impart C. infer D. confer] knowledge is called great teachers. 

The teachers' duty goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. They teach students various topics and __7__ [A. formula B. courses C. classes D. subjects]. The teacher listens to their students express their worries and fears, yet the teacher has to pacify and __8__ [A. care B. guide C. beat D. guard] them through the right paths. 

As a __9__ [A. stakeholder B. shareholder C. officeholder D. cardholder] in the field of education, the teacher ensures that teaching-learning __10__ [A. habit B. function C. process D. policy] takes place in and out of the classroom. The teacher lights the candle for the others to see. He/ she is fast enough to move at the speed of the __11__ [A. guiness B. genius C. heinous D. spacious] and patient enough for the slow-learner to catch up. 

In his care are the __12__ [A. book B. diary C. register D. attendance], the mark book and every other document which must be duly filled. While at home, the teacher still plans his lesson and prepares his teaching __13__ [A. books B. steps C. maps D. aids], all for the purpose of effective teaching-learning process. 

Teachers should not be brushed aside in the society as teaching is the profession that __14__ [A. birthed B. delivered C. approached D. positioned] other professions. Teachers should be given a great __15__ [A. attention B. honour C. privilege D. care] in the society. 

Fill the gap labelled 12

Answer Details

Teachers manage the "register," which is a record of attendance.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

The old fire station has obviously become derelict.

Answer Details

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.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences.

Moses won the contest hands down. 

Answer Details

The phrase "won the contest hands down" is an idiomatic expression. In this context, it means that Moses won the contest very easily and with little effort. The term "hands down" originates from horse racing, where a jockey could win so comfortably that they did not need to keep a tight grip on the reins, hence, hands down. Therefore, it implies a victory that is decisive and without any struggle.

The phrase on that fateful day is

Answer Details

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

Answer Details

The word "bathe" has the vowel sound **/eɪ/**, which is represented by the underlined "a". This vowel sound is a diphthong, meaning it consists of two vowel sounds gliding together to form one sound. The sound **/eɪ/** is similar to the vowel sound in the word "face".

Let's analyze the options to determine which one has the same vowel sound:

• "Rake" has the vowel sound **/eɪ/**, which is the same as in "bathe".
• "Tear" can have two vowel sounds: **/ɪə/** as in "tear" (rip) or **/ɛə/** as in "tear" (a liquid drop), neither of which matches **/eɪ/**.
• "Bath" has the vowel sound **/æ/**, which is different from **/eɪ/**.
• "Care" has the vowel sound **/ɛə/**, which does not match **/eɪ/**.

Thus, the word "rake" shares the same vowel sound **/eɪ/** as the underlined vowel sound in "bathe".

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined.

The judge pronounced the suspect guilty.

Answer Details

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

Let?s examine the options:

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

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

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

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

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

The passage below has gaps. Following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

One way in which we come to see monolingual standard languages as the norm and __6__ [A. deviations B. aberrations C. criticisms D. deviants] from the imagined monolingual standard language as aberrant, and remember each individual __7__ [A. repertoire B. word C. idea D. statement] is a deviation but repertoires characterised by greater deviation as problematic is through the close association between language and place. You would have seen maps that map languages into territory. You probably can __8__ [A. write B. set C. conjure D. let] in your mind a map of the Americas where almost all of North America is __9__ [A. known B.  coded C. accepted D. conceded] for English except for a bit of French in East Canada, more than half of Central and South America would be coded for Spanish, the other big chunk (Brazil) for Portuguese, and three tiny __10__ [A. havens B. colonies C. isles D. pockets] of English, Dutch and French where the states of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are located in addition to maps based on the __11__ [A. national B. common C. local D regional] language of a state, you would be able to find more fine-grained maps that map traditional minority languages into a particular territory. Language maps do not only inform us about global language distributions; they also fulfil a __12__ [A. interactive B. discursive C. intuitive D. reclusive] function, they establish a __13__ [A. plan B. wedge C. bridge D. link] between language and territory as a central and normal way to think about language use. The territorial __14__ [A. principle B. concept C. perception D. technique] is foundational to most thinking about linguistic justice because it __15__ [A. undergirds B. undermines C. underestimate D. underserved] linguistic legislation.

(Source: Ingrid Piler, 2016 p. 33, Linguistic Diversity and Social Justice. Oxford, Oxford University Press)

Select the option that best fills the gap labelled 11

Answer Details

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

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

The newly employed teachers gave their work rapt attention.

Answer Details

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.

Read the passage below and answer each questions that follow:

Weathering, which is the gradual breaking down or disintegration of rocks into smaller particles or fragments by either physical or chemical process, can be affected by many factors. Generally speaking, the climatic condition of a particular area has a great effect on the weathering. Physical or mechanical weathering needs temperature and water. 

Chemical weathering, on the other hand, thrives where the climate is hot. We were all taught all these in the four walls of the classroom. I made a visit to my village to see these scientific discoveries. I noticed big trees with their roots penetrating into rocks and breaking them. I initially wondered and puzzled seeing trees growing from the rock. 

A similar thing happened to the soil sampling surrounding where there were rocks. I could see the rock particles mixing up with the rest of the soil. 

One can conclude from the passage that

Answer Details

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

Choose the option that best completes the sentence.

My uncle is not sure ____ the strange guests were. 

Answer Details

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."

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s)

We have known Rose for some years now, she is a friend of ____

Answer Details

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.

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The honeybee includes a group of insects that in a broad sense comprises all bees that make honey. They are social insects and live together in hives. The honeybee is remarkable for the dancing movement it performs in the hive to communicate information to its fellow bees about the location, distance, size, and quality of a particular food source in the surrounding area. There are two honeybee sexes, male and female, and two female castes. The two female castes are known as workers and queens. The males, or drones, are larger than the workers and are present only for about eight weeks, in early summer. The workers and queen have stingers, whereas the drones are stingless. The queens' unfertilised eggs develop into drones, whereas fertilised eggs develop into females, which may be either workers or virgin queens. Eggs destined to become queens are deposited in queen cells. After hatching, the virgin queens are fed royal jelly. When not fed a diet consisting solely of royal jelly, virgin queens will develop into workers. 

Adapted from Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2020, March 24), honeybee. Encyclopedia Britannica. 

https://www.britannica.com/animal/honeybee  

Honeybees have two characteristics similar to humans. 

Answer Details

The passage mentions that honeybees are social insects and live together in hives. Additionally, it highlights that they communicate with each other through a unique dancing movement to share information about food sources. This reflects a social structure and communication, which is a characteristic similar to humans.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The paper stated that the driver of the lorry was helping the police in their investigation. 

Answer Details

"The paper stated that the driver of the lorry was helping the police in their investigation" means that the driver is cooperating with the police and providing information to assist their investigation.

When a news report says someone is "helping police with their inquiries" or "helping in their investigation," it is a polite way of saying that the person is being questioned by the police in connection with an incident or crime. It doesn't necessarily mean the person is under arrest, but they are providing information that the police believe is relevant to their investigation.

Choose the option that best completes the sentence. 

If her brother ____ here, he would call the police. 

Answer Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

Select the option that best completes the gap in the sentence. 

Tests reveal that the winning athlete had taken some performance-enhancing ______. 

Answer Details

The best option to complete the sentence is: drugs.

In the context of sports and athletics, the term "performance-enhancing drugs" is commonly used to refer to substances that are taken to improve athletic performance. These substances can include various types of steroids and other medications that enhance physical capabilities, such as increasing strength or endurance.

The word "drugs" is the most appropriate term because it encompasses a wide range of chemical substances that can affect physical abilities. In contrast, "tablets," "caplets," and "capsules" refer to specific forms of medication delivery and do not specifically indicate substances that enhance performance. These terms describe the physical form in which a drug might be administered, but not the function or purpose of the substance.

Thus, when referring to substances taken by athletes to enhance performance, the correct term is drugs.

In each of the following questions, choose the option that has the same vowel sounds as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

Market

Answer Details

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap. 

If one is looking for a particular book, he can either use the __6__ [A. reverse catalogue B. borrower's catalogue C. dictionary catalogue D. title catalogue] or the __7__ [A. author catalogue B. book catalogue C. title catalogue D. yearly catalogue] to locate the position of the book on the __8__ [A. table B. shelf C. cupboard D. desk] This can be done through the __9__ [A. borrower-mark B. reserve-mark C. call-mark D. year-mark] identification number. On the other hand, if the student has no particular book in mind, but wants to borrow any on a particular subject, say Mathematics, he can go to the __10__ [A. subject catalogue B. publisher catalogue C. reference catalogue D. cover catalogue]. There he will find the __11__ [A. book-card B. call-card C. author-card D. seller-card] of every book that deals with Mathematics as a subject. Apart from this, since all the shelves have instructions and numbers regarding the books on them, the person can read the __12__ [A. card's guide B. author's guide C. shelf-guides D. book-guides] and the book __13__ [A. acknowledgements B. commentaries C. titles D. spines] to get the book he wants. He can take the book to the __14__ [A. table B. reserve section C. sitting corner D. lending desk] where the library assistant removes the book card from the book __15__ [A. pocket B. title C. call-names D. reserve] and record the borrower's name on it. 

Choose the option that best fills the gap labelled 10

Answer Details

When dealing with library or book cataloging, it is important to understand the terminology associated with categorizing books. Each option refers to a specific type of catalog.

• Subject Catalogue: This organizes books or materials based on subjects or topics. It typically allows users to find all the works related to a particular subject.
• Publisher Catalogue: This lists books or materials based on the publisher that published them. It helps users find books by specific publishers.
• Reference Catalogue: This is typically used for materials that are consulted for specific information, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries, which are not usually for general reading.
• Cover Catalogue: This type of catalog does not exist in traditional cataloging terms. It may refer to organizing books by their physical covers, which is unconventional.

Assuming the text is aiming to fill the gap in a context related to book categorization, the best choice to fill the gap is the "subject catalogue", as it is a standard and recognized method of organizing library materials, allowing users to locate books in specific areas of interest.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence

The manager told his workers to call it a day. 

Answer Details

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.

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. 

money

Answer Details

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

Let's analyze the options:

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

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

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined. 

The roads in major cities are broad. 

Answer Details

The word **broad** refers to something that has a great extent from side to side or is very wide. In this context, **broad** is describing the roads in major cities as having a large width.

The option that is opposite in meaning to **broad** is **narrow**. While **broad** suggests something wide, **narrow** means something that has a small width or is much less wide. Therefore, if roads are described as **narrow**, they have a small extent from side to side, which is contrary to being **broad**.

Choose the option that best completes the sentence.

But for the timely intervention of the police, the thief ______ by the angry mob. 

Answer Details

To correctly complete the sentence, we must understand the structure and the context. The phrase "But for" indicates a situation where something was prevented. It sets up a conditional statement of something that did not happen because of an intervention.

Here, the intervention of the police prevented a potential action by the mob. Thus, we use a conditional perfect tense to express this unreal past condition.

The correct option to complete the sentence is: would have been lynched. This phrase, "would have been lynched," is in the past perfect conditional tense. It describes an action that could have happened in the past but did not occur due to an intervening factor, in this case, the timely intervention of the police.

Read the passage below and answer each questions that follow:

Weathering, which is the gradual breaking down or disintegration of rocks into smaller particles or fragments by either physical or chemical process, can be affected by many factors. Generally speaking, the climatic condition of a particular area has a great effect on the weathering. Physical or mechanical weathering needs temperature and water. 

Chemical weathering, on the other hand, thrives where the climate is hot. We were all taught all these in the four walls of the classroom. I made a visit to my village to see these scientific discoveries. I noticed big trees with their roots penetrating into rocks and breaking them. I initially wondered and puzzled seeing trees growing from the rock. 

A similar thing happened to the soil sampling surrounding where there were rocks. I could see the rock particles mixing up with the rest of the soil. 

Learning in the four walls of a classroom implies

Answer Details

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.

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence

Our school field is bigger than yours.

Answer Details

The sentence "Our school field is bigger than yours" conveys a comparison of size between two school fields. This sentence clearly indicates that our school field is larger in size compared to your school field.

Now let's examine the options:

• Your school is bigger than ours: This option talks about the overall school size, not the field. It contradicts the original sentence because it implies your school is bigger, which is not discussed in the context of fields.
• Your school is not bigger than ours: This option, again, refers to the schools instead of just the fields. It might align with the general notion, but it does not directly address the field size comparison.
• Our school field is as big as yours: This implies that both fields are of the same size. However, the original sentence clearly states that our field is bigger, not equal in size.
• Your school field is not as big as ours: This option accurately paraphrases the original comparison by saying that your field is smaller than ours, maintaining the original meaning and focus on field size.

Thus, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is "Your school field is not as big as ours."

The passage below has gaps. Following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

One way in which we come to see monolingual standard languages as the norm and __6__ [A. deviations B. aberrations C. criticisms D. deviants] from the imagined monolingual standard language as aberrant, and remember each individual __7__ [A. repertoire B. word C. idea D. statement] is a deviation but repertoires characterised by greater deviation as problematic is through the close association between language and place. You would have seen maps that map languages into territory. You probably can __8__ [A. write B. set C. conjure D. let] in your mind a map of the Americas where almost all of North America is __9__ [A. known B.  coded C. accepted D. conceded] for English except for a bit of French in East Canada, more than half of Central and South America would be coded for Spanish, the other big chunk (Brazil) for Portuguese, and three tiny __10__ [A. havens B. colonies C. isles D. pockets] of English, Dutch and French where the states of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are located in addition to maps based on the __11__ [A. national B. common C. local D regional] language of a state, you would be able to find more fine-grained maps that map traditional minority languages into a particular territory. Language maps do not only inform us about global language distributions; they also fulfil a __12__ [A. interactive B. discursive C. intuitive D. reclusive] function, they establish a __13__ [A. plan B. wedge C. bridge D. link] between language and territory as a central and normal way to think about language use. The territorial __14__ [A. principle B. concept C. perception D. technique] is foundational to most thinking about linguistic justice because it __15__ [A. undergirds B. undermines C. underestimate D. underserved] linguistic legislation.

(Source: Ingrid Piler, 2016 p. 33, Linguistic Diversity and Social Justice. Oxford, Oxford University Press)

Select the option that best fills the gap labelled 13

Answer Details

To select the best option for the gap labeled 13, it is important to understand the context of the passage. The sentence discusses how language maps influence the way we associate language with territory. They establish a certain connection or relationship between the two.

The word "link" is appropriate here because it denotes a connection or relationship, which aligns well with the idea of associating language with specific territories. A "link" in this context serves to connect the concept of language to geographical areas, which is central to understanding language distribution and usage.

On the other hand:

• Plan suggests a strategy or method, which does not fit the context of establishing a relationship.
• Wedge implies something that divides or separates, rather than connects, which is opposite of the intended meaning.
• Bridge could have been correct as it also suggests connecting, but it often involves overcoming a gap or barrier, which is not the nuance required here.

Thus, the most suitable option is "link" as it effectively conveys the act of connecting language with territory. This connection is fundamental to the way we conceptualize language distribution.