JAMB UTME - Use of English - 1989

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

He has a big heart, but he is inept at following a witty conversation

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In the given sentence, "big heart" is an idiomatic expression which means being kind, compassionate, and generous towards others. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "big heart" is "warm". On the other hand, "inept" means lacking skill or ability, and "following a witty conversation" implies having the ability to engage in or keep up with a conversation that involves humor or cleverness. Thus, the sentence suggests that while the person is warm and caring towards others, they may not have the ability to participate in a witty conversation.

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

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In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

When the driver lost control of his vehicle, the pedestrian began to run for _____

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In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

My younger brother is going to the stream with _____ boys

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The sentence is asking for the number and description of the boys who are going to the stream with the speaker's younger brother. The most appropriate option to fill the blank is "two other little boys." This option conveys that the speaker's younger brother is going to the stream with two boys who are also little. The word "other" implies that the speaker's younger brother is included in the group of boys going to the stream, so "other two little" and "two little other" do not make sense. "Little" is used to describe the boys' age or size, and it makes sense to put it before the word "boys" to clarify what is being described.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The manager was angry with Dauda for _____ seeds of discord among the workers

Answer Details

The best option to fill the blank is "sowing". "Sowing seeds of discord" is a common idiom, which means to intentionally cause problems or create divisions among people. "Planting" and "cultivating" do not fit well in the context of causing problems among workers. "Sewing" is a homophone of "sowing," but it does not fit the meaning of the sentence.

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

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As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

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In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

When i met Amadi yesterday it was the first time i _____ him for six months.

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In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

You do not need to stutter in order to show your excitement

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The word "stutter" means to speak with involuntary pauses or repetitions. In this context, the sentence suggests that stuttering is not necessary to show excitement. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "stutter" is "stammer". However, none of the options exactly matches the meaning of "stutter" in this context. "Jump about" and "shout" are not related to speaking and do not convey the same meaning. "Sob" implies crying and is also not related to speaking. "Stammer" is the closest in meaning, but it still does not fully capture the intended meaning of the sentence.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The soldiers were sufficiently equipped with _____

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The correct option is "arms and ammunition". The sentence refers to the soldiers being equipped, which suggests that they have the necessary items to perform their duties. "Arms" refer to weapons such as guns, while "ammunition" refers to the bullets or shells that are used in those weapons. Therefore, the soldiers being equipped with "arms and ammunition" means that they have the necessary weapons and bullets to carry out their tasks.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The western allies frowned at their enemies indiscriminate bombing of their territory

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The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word "indiscriminate" is "selective". In the sentence, "indiscriminate" is used to describe the bombing carried out by the enemy, indicating that it was random and without any care or judgment about who or what was being targeted. Therefore, "selective" would be the opposite of "indiscriminate", as it refers to something that is done with careful judgment and choice, taking into account specific criteria or factors.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:The chief will launch the fund-raising appeal

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The word "launch" in this sentence means "to start off." Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to this word is "start off." The sentence means that the chief will begin or initiate the fund-raising appeal.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The new singlet factory is built on the _____ of Aba township

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The correct answer is "outskirts". The sentence talks about the location of a new singlet factory and mentions the name of a township - Aba. The word that fits best in the blank should indicate a location that is nearby or surrounding the township. The word "outskirts" means the outer parts or edge of a town or city. It fits perfectly in the sentence, as the factory is built on the outskirts of Aba township. Therefore, the correct answer is "outskirts".

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

_____ is always superior to any other in town

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In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Do you have the same aversion as i do for war films

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The word 'aversion' refers to a strong dislike or opposition to something. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to 'aversion' is 'dislike'.

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

From this passage, we learn that nuclear exchange in the northern hemisphere would be

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According to the given evidence, a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would be fatal to mankind. It means that the consequences of such an event would be catastrophic and would make the existence of humans impossible anywhere in the world, not just in the vicinity of the exchange. Furthermore, the developments in the areas of the Middle East, Europe, North Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean suggest that a nuclear disaster would not be confined to industrialized countries, but also spread to developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

My friend will hate his uncle forever because he left him in the lurch in his hour of need

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The phrase "left him in the lurch" means to abandon someone or to leave them in a difficult situation without any help or support. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to this phrase is "abandoned him." This means that the friend's uncle did not provide the help or support that was needed in a difficult situation, causing the friend to feel angry and resentful towards him. The other options - punished him, disinherited him, and despised him - do not accurately convey the meaning of the original phrase.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined: Sade has been employed. But she is unhappy because it is a run off the mill job

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The phrase "run off the mill" means ordinary or common, lacking in uniqueness or excitement. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to this phrase is "an ordinary" job. Sade is unhappy because her job is unremarkable and uninteresting, not providing her with any new challenges or opportunities for growth.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The minister hit on a plan to retain his post after many months of lobbying

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In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

I didn't think she could be so easily taken in by his pretences

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The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined phrase "taken in" is "deceived." The phrase "taken in" means to be deceived or tricked by someone's words or actions, often because you trust them or believe that they are telling the truth. In this sentence, the speaker is surprised that the woman was easily deceived by the man's pretences. Therefore, the closest option in meaning to "taken in" is "deceived," which means to be misled or tricked into believing something that is not true. The other options are not as close in meaning to "taken in." "Flattered" means to be pleased or complimented, "overcome" means to be overwhelmed or defeated, and "blackmailed" means to be threatened or coerced into doing something by someone who has damaging information about you.

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

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n the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The clerk refused to answer for the mistake made by the manager and his assistants

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The phrase "answer for" in this sentence means to "accept responsibility". The clerk is being asked to take responsibility for the mistake made by the manager and his assistants, but they refused to do so. Therefore, the option that is closest in meaning to "answer for" is "accept responsibility".

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

He was not a very _____ student when i first met him but the years _____ his character ultimately

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The best options to fill the gaps are "mature" and "matured". The sentence suggests that when the speaker first met the person, he was not very mature. However, over the years, his character developed and he became more mature. Therefore, "matured" fits in the second gap, indicating that the change happened gradually over time.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

Men living in an extended family know that they have to be responsible for the welfare of some other person's children

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The opposite word to "extended" is "nuclear". Extended family refers to a family unit that includes not only parents and their children but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives. In contrast, a nuclear family consists only of parents and their children. Therefore, in the given sentence, "nuclear" family would be the opposite of "extended" family.

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

?You?re Tunde Onu, I?m told?, he said to her father.

?That?s right, said her father.

?The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands?, the man continued. I?d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

?When were you thinking of going??

?Right away?.

?That?s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won?t be back before nightfall.

?Oh!? said the stranger. That?s too bad. You couldn?t get someone else instead of him?

?I would have to think hard?, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father?s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

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As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

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In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The man's health has deteriorated in the hospital

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The opposite of "deteriorated" is "improved". If the man's health has deteriorated, it means that it has gotten worse. Therefore, the option that is opposite in meaning to "deteriorated" is "improved".

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

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In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The appearance of the pall-bearers was extremely fascinating

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The opposite of "fascinating" is "repulsive." "Fascinating" means extremely interesting, attractive or captivating, while "repulsive" means extremely unpleasant, offensive or disgusting. Therefore, if something is fascinating, it draws your attention and interest, but if it is repulsive, it repels or disgusts you.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined: The administrator's apathy was soon noticed by all his subordinates.

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The word "apathy" means a lack of interest, concern, or emotion about something. In the given sentence, the word "apathy" refers to the attitude of the administrator towards his subordinates. He is not showing any interest or concern towards them, which is noticed by all his subordinates. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "apathy" is "indifference."

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:The hasty action will bring nothing but discredit to them

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The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word "discredit" is "honour." The word "discredit" means to harm someone's reputation or to cause disbelief or doubt about someone's abilities or character. In this sentence, "discredit" implies that the hasty action will have negative consequences and lead to a loss of respect or credibility for the people involved. Therefore, the opposite of "discredit" would be "honour," which means to show respect, admiration, or esteem for someone. If the hasty action brought honour to the people involved, it would mean that it enhanced their reputation and earned them respect or recognition.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Sociologists are concerned with the problem of man in _____

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In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Tsado and his wife are always fighting. The _____ to be drawn from this is that they are not happy together,

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The word that best fills the gap in the sentence is "inference." An inference is a conclusion that is drawn from evidence or reasoning. In this case, the evidence is that Tsado and his wife are always fighting, and the conclusion or inference drawn from this evidence is that they are not happy together. Therefore, the word "inference" fits the context of the sentence and accurately describes the logical conclusion that can be drawn from the evidence presented.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Our manager has instructed that _____ of customers must be barred from our bank

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In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

One of the rioters who _____ arrested yesterday _____ released

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The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

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In the passage, the word "aggressive" refers to forces that are actively seeking to seize control or expand their influence through military means. A simpler term that conveys the same meaning is "militant".

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

_____ with him for two years, i cannot guarantee his good behaviour.

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The best option to fill in the gap is "Having worked". The sentence means that even though the speaker had experience being associated with the person for two years, they cannot assure that the person will behave well. This implies that the person's behavior is not necessarily dependent on whether the speaker works with them currently or not. Therefore, the correct option is "Having worked," which indicates that the speaker had previous experience of being associated with the person.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

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In the given passage, the word "mimic" means imitated. The author is saying that at the international level, sport is like a copy or imitation of warfare, because the attitudes of the spectators turn it into a battle between nations, and not just a game. The players may not be behaving aggressively, but the spectators and the nations they represent see it as a test of their national virtue, making it a mimic or imitation of warfare.

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The phrase "get the matter off his chest" means to express or talk about something that has been worrying or troubling someone. So, the option that is nearest in meaning is "say what he has been anxious to say."

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The boss made a clean sweep of all old hands in the office

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In the given sentence, the phrase "clean sweep" means to completely get rid of something or someone. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to this phrase is "completely got rid". The boss has removed all the old hands from the office, which means the boss has made a clean sweep of them, leaving no trace behind.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

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In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:The rampage was organized and directed by the militant ones among the students

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In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The case was thrown out because the court lacked jurisdiction

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In this context, "jurisdiction" means the authority or power of the court to hear and make decisions in a legal case. So, the option that is nearest in meaning to "jurisdiction" is "authority."

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

This is the kind of stew _____

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In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The contractors were short _____ cash even before the project was completed

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The best word to fill the gap in the sentence would be "of". "Short of cash" is a common idiomatic expression that means to not have enough money or to be financially lacking. In this context, the sentence suggests that the contractors did not have enough money to complete the project, even before it was finished. Therefore, the correct sentence would be: "The contractors were short of cash even before the project was completed."

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

If we go hunting this weekend we'll have to _____ with scratch meals and sleep in hut in the forest

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The best option to fill the blank is "make do." This means to manage with whatever resources are available or to cope with a situation using whatever is at hand. In the given sentence, it means that if we go hunting this weekend, we'll have to manage with scratch meals and sleep in a hut in the forest since we don't have any other resources or facilities available.

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

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In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The authenticity of the reporter's claims should be established before taking further actions on the matter

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The word "authenticity" in the sentence means whether something is genuine or real. So, the option that is nearest in meaning to "authenticity" is "genuineness."

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Although i am watching television. I _____ what you are saying.

Answer Details

The best option to fill the gap in the sentence is "can hear." "Can hear" implies that the speaker is aware of the sound of what the other person is saying, even though they are also watching television. It indicates that the speaker has the ability to perceive the sound and comprehend the message, rather than simply acknowledging that they are receiving the sound waves. On the other hand, "am hearing" and "was hearing" both suggest a continuous action in progress, which may not be appropriate in this context. "Have heard" implies that the sound has already reached the speaker's ears, but does not necessarily indicate that the speaker is actively processing the message being conveyed.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The committee was disgusted _____ the way the office was being run

Answer Details

The committee was disgusted "with" the way the office was being run. This means that the committee was unhappy or displeased with how the office was being managed. The word "with" indicates that the committee feels that something is wrong or unacceptable, and that the way the office is being run is the cause of their disgust.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Many unrelated issue were touched upon in the _____ of the discussion

Answer Details

The word that best fills the gap in the sentence is "course". The sentence is referring to the different topics or themes that were covered or addressed during the discussion. The word "course" can refer to the direction or path taken by something, or the sequence of events that take place, and in this case it refers to the sequence of topics discussed during the conversation. The word "cause" refers to the reason for something happening, or a motive behind an action. This word does not fit in the context of the sentence as it does not refer to the discussion itself. The word "coarse" means rough or unrefined in texture, and does not fit the context of the sentence either. The word "curse" means a profane or offensive word, or a spell or wish for harm to befall someone. This word is completely unrelated to the sentence and does not fit the context.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

This fertility figure, of course, conceals wide individual variations among the people

Answer Details

The opposite of the word "conceals" is "exposes". "Conceals" means to hide or keep something secret, while "exposes" means to reveal or make something known. Therefore, the correct option is "exposes".

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

If Kaka hadn't tried to stand up in the boat, he _____ into the lake

Answer Details

The correct answer is "wouldn't have fallen". Explanation: The sentence is in the past tense, and the conditional tense is being used to describe a hypothetical situation. The correct form of the conditional perfect is "would have + past participle". Therefore, the correct option is "wouldn't have fallen".

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The teacher invited Akpan and _____ to his office

Answer Details

The teacher invited Akpan and me to his office. The correct pronoun to use in this case is "me" because it is the object of the verb "invited." When using pronouns as objects of a verb or preposition, "me" is used instead of "I." For example, "The teacher invited Akpan and me" is correct, while "The teacher invited Akpan and I" would be incorrect. "Himself" would not be the correct pronoun to use here because it refers to the teacher and not one of the students.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Her anxiety was apparent to everyone present at the ceremony

Answer Details

The word "apparent" in the sentence means "visible" or "easily seen", which implies that the anxiety of the person was noticeable or observable to everyone present at the ceremony. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning is "visible".

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Our school prefect is too officious and we all hate him because of his behaviour.

Answer Details

The word "officious" refers to someone who is overly assertive or aggressive in performing their duties, often in a way that is annoying or intrusive. In this context, the sentence suggests that the school prefect's behavior is unpleasant and disliked by others. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "officious" is "over-zealous." This implies that the school prefect is too eager or enthusiastic in performing his duties, to the point of being annoying or intrusive. "Efficient" and "efficacious" imply competence and effectiveness, respectively, and do not convey the negative connotations of "officious." "Active" is too general and does not capture the intended meaning of the sentence.

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

Answer Details

The act of the snake was described as 'fatal' because it led to the snake's fall from the narrow ledge, which made it impossible for the snake to recover. The snake's fall resulted in its crippling and writhing in agony on a flat roof below.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The president made a passionate appeal for calm

Answer Details

The word "passionate" in this context means "intense" or "emotional," so the option nearest in meaning is "intense."

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

Answer Details

In the passage, the word "nightmare" means "all those hazards which made life hideous." It refers to the combination of famine, diseases, and natural disasters that plagued mankind in the past and continued to pose a threat even with the present development in technology and modern agriculture. The author uses the term "nightmare" to emphasize the severity and fear associated with these problems.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

Many mines protested against the order to march into the coal pits

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

As the wedding day approached, the bride began to develop cold feet

Answer Details

The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined phrase "develop cold feet" is "be reluctant." The phrase "cold feet" is an idiom that means to feel hesitant, nervous, or unsure about a decision or course of action, especially before an important event like a wedding. In this sentence, the bride is feeling anxious or doubtful about getting married as the wedding day approaches. "Be reluctant" also means to feel hesitant or unwilling to do something, which makes it the closest in meaning to "develop cold feet."

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

The girl is very intelligent, but her jokes are rather outrageous

Answer Details

The word "outrageous" in this sentence means that the girl's jokes are offensive or shocking. Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to "outrageous" would be "pleasant."

Answer Details

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Many a man _____ done without milk in _____ tea these days

Answer Details

The best option to fill in the first gap is "has" and the best option to fill in the second gap is "his," resulting in "Many a man has done without milk in his tea these days." This sentence is in the present perfect tense, indicating that the action of men doing without milk in their tea is a recent or ongoing phenomenon. "Has" is the correct verb form for third-person singular subjects like "many a man," while "his" is the correct possessive pronoun to refer to a singular male subject's tea.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

The governor advised his people to get off the beaten tracks in their approach to community matters

Answer Details

The phrase "get off the beaten tracks" means to avoid the usual or traditional methods and explore new, innovative ways of doing things. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning is "find new ways."

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

Answer Details

Options

Answer Details

The correct options are "fast" and "catch." "Fast" means to move quickly or at a high speed, and "catch" means to grab or get on board something that is moving. Therefore, the sentence means that the traveller had to run quickly in order to catch the train.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The judge acquitted the accused _____ all the eight counts

Answer Details

The correct option to fill the gap is "of". The verb "acquit" means to declare someone not guilty of a criminal charge. When someone is acquitted, it means they are cleared of the charges against them. In this sentence, the accused is being cleared or declared not guilty of "all the eight counts". The correct preposition to use after "acquitted" in this sentence is "of". This is because "of" is the preposition that is commonly used with "acquit" to indicate the crime or charges for which the accused has been found not guilty. Example: The judge acquitted the accused of robbery. Therefore, the correct sentence would be: "The judge acquitted the accused of all the eight counts."

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The _____ car is the center of attraction.

Answer Details

The correct phrase to fill the blank is "small light-green racing". The word "small" describes the size of the car, "light-green" describes the color of the car, and "racing" indicates the type or style of the car.

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

Which of the following is true of the stranger in the passage?

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Mali stole the day's takings from the bakery.

Answer Details

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

You had better _____ what the doctor recommended this morning

Answer Details

The best word to fill the gap in this sentence is "do". The phrase "had better" is often used to give strong advice or a warning, and it is followed by a verb in its base form. So, in this case, "do" is the correct option. The sentence means that it is advisable to follow the doctor's recommendation, and "do" indicates that the action should be taken in the present or future.

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oil fields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the rapid deployment of forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean and the tensions in the south Atlantic and the Caribbean.

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Most of his observations were wide of the mark

Answer Details

The phrase "wide of the mark" means inaccurate or incorrect. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to this phrase is "irrelevant". The observations being made are not relevant or on the right track. Option B, "irrelevant", means not relevant or applicable, which is similar to being inaccurate or incorrect.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

I looked for you all over the campus but i could not _____ you

Answer Details

The word that best fills the gap in the sentence is "find." The sentence implies that the speaker searched for the person in question but was unable to locate them. The word "find" means to discover or locate something that was lost or misplaced. In this case, the speaker was looking for the person, and "find" is the most appropriate word to describe the action of locating someone. The other options, "see," "meet," and "catch," do not convey the same meaning as "find" in this context. "See" means to perceive something with one's eyes, "meet" means to come into the presence of someone for the first time, and "catch" means to capture something or someone.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:The way he handled the whole issue was rather despicable

Answer Details

The word "despicable" means something that is deserving of contempt or disgust, or something that is morally reprehensible. In other words, it refers to an action or behavior that is very bad or unpleasant. Out of the given options, the word that is nearest in meaning to "despicable" is "contemptible." Therefore, if someone says that the way someone handled an issue was "despicable," they mean that the way the person handled the issue was extremely bad and deserving of contempt or disgust.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined: I have never been accustomed to seeing my brother in such a pensive mood

Answer Details

The underlined word "pensive" means deeply or seriously thoughtful. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "pensive" is "thoughtful." The sentence means that the speaker is surprised to see their brother in a very serious and reflective mood, which is not something they are used to seeing.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

He regarded the betrayal of his friend as a stab _____ the back

Answer Details

The correct answer is "in". The phrase "stab in the back" is a common idiom used to describe a situation where someone is betrayed by a friend or ally. In this context, the word "in" indicates the location of the stab, implying that the betrayal was carried out from a position of trust or friendship. Therefore, the most appropriate preposition to fill the gap in the sentence would be "in".

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

Answer Details

The passage argues that the 1936 Olympic games demonstrated that international sporting contests can lead to orgies of hatred. Therefore, the correct option is: "lead to excessive hatred."

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

I would like to like to believe that this brilliant performance of yours is not just a flash in the pan

Answer Details

The phrase "flash in the pan" means a sudden and impressive event that is not likely to be repeated. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to this phrase is "chance occurrence".

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

His summary of the meeting was brief and to the point

Answer Details

The underlined phrase "brief and to the point" means that the summary of the meeting was concise and focused only on the important details. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to this phrase is "precise." This is because being precise involves using few words to convey a lot of information, which is what was done in the summary. The other options do not fully capture the meaning of the phrase. "Accurate" and "exact" both suggest that the information provided was completely true, which is not necessarily implied by "brief and to the point." "Crucial" means something that is of great importance, which is not what the underlined phrase is conveying.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Okoro intends to wear his _____ dress to zoo this afternoon

Answer Details

The best option to fill the blank in the sentence is "new white cotton." This is because "new" describes the age of the dress, "white" describes its color, and "cotton" describes the material it is made from. Placing the words in this order makes the sentence clear and grammatically correct. If the words were in a different order, the sentence might still make sense but it would not be as clear or accurate.

n the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

What embarrasses is the stealthy way in which the new servant goes about his duties in the house

Answer Details

The word "stealthy" suggests that the new servant is trying to avoid being seen or heard while doing his duties. The word that is nearest in meaning to "stealthy" is "furtive," which means attempting to avoid notice or attention.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

A student's natural ability should be a _____ factor in his choosing a course of study at the university.

Answer Details

The sentence talks about how a student's natural ability should affect their choice of course of study at the university. The blank space needs a word that describes natural ability as a factor that decides or influences the choice. The word that fits best in the blank space is "determining" as it is the present participle form of the verb "determine" which means to be the deciding factor or to have an influence on. Therefore, the correct option is "determining".

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:

Our experience on board the aircraft is nothing to write home about

Answer Details

The phrase "nothing to write home about" means that something is not remarkable or exceptional. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to this phrase is "not remarkable". It implies that the experience on board the aircraft was not particularly noteworthy or outstanding. It was an average or ordinary experience, and there was nothing exceptional or impressive about it that would warrant a special mention to someone back home. The other options such as "not unpleasant," "nobody's business," and "not a home affair" do not convey the same meaning as the original phrase.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battle field. Even if one didn’t know from concrete example (the 1936 Olympic games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principals.

Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning. Unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and not feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simple for fun of it and exercise, but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly a mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators and behind the spectators are the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests and seriously believe at any rate for short period that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

Even a leisurely game demanding grace rather than strength can cause much ill-will. Football, a game in which everyone gets hurt and every nation has its own style or play is far worse. Worst of all is boxing. One of the most horrible sights in the world is a fight between white and coloured boxers before a mixed audience

Answer Details

As the stranger approached, shola noticed that he was handsome and her excitement increased. It was of such a man she had dreamt. He had fine, arrogant carriage, like a soldier or someone in authority. When he reached the end of the pier, he addressed them in a rich, deep voice that disturbed her as the voluptuous rising of the tide had gone.

‘You’re Tunde Onu, I’m told’, he said to her father.

‘That’s right, said her father.

‘The bus conductor told me you take people to the islands’, the man continued. I’d like to go there if you can take me.

Her father examined the man from head to foot, shrewdly measuring his capacity to pay. Then he said:

‘When were you thinking of going?’

‘Right away’.

‘That’s different story, for my boatman is gone to Badagry and he won’t be back before nightfall.

‘Oh!’ said the stranger. That’s too bad. You couldn’t get someone else instead of him?

‘I would have to think hard’, he said gloomily, for its not everyone would do for the job of going with me beyond the bay to the islands at this time of the year.

Shola understood her father’s manoeuvre and felt ashamed.

Answer Details

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:The government is making concerted efforts at providing essential social facilities in the rural areas.

Answer Details

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

Answer Details

At first, the narrator felt instinctive antipathy towards the snake, but as he watched it, his feelings changed. He entered into the snake's cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. He could understand the snake's uneasiness and confusion, and his initial antipathy melted away. However, when the snake fell from the gutter and writhed in agony, the narrator felt a deep trouble and wonder, realizing that the world was a place of mystery and horror. Therefore, the answer is (d) angry bewildement.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:It was their custom to keep an open house on Sundays

Answer Details

The phrase "keep an open house" means to welcome all visitors or guests to one's home. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to this phrase is "welcome all visitors." This means that the family in the sentence has a tradition of opening their home to visitors on Sundays.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:We cannot but talk about his invaluable contributions to the affairs of the society

Answer Details

The word "invaluable" means extremely valuable or priceless, so the option opposite in meaning is "worthless", which means having no value or importance.

In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

Answer Details

The working population engaged in agriculture cannot produce enough food to feed the growing population because there are too many people to feed and not enough people engaged in tilling the soil. Even though technology and modern agriculture have improved, population growth continues to outstrip food production. This means that there are more people to feed than there are people to produce the food, leading to scarcity of food in many parts of the world. While improved methods of agriculture have helped to increase food production, they have not been able to keep up with the rapidly growing population. Therefore, the main reason why the working population engaged in agriculture cannot feed the teeming population sufficiently is that there are too many people to feed and not enough people engaged in tilling the soil.

His eyes widened as they fell upon something strange. Something was moving slowly and cautiously along the gutter. The pale yellow and brown of the snake’s body glistened like a stream of flowing metal. By what mistake had the creature strayed into this unlikely place? Impossible to say. Yet there it was and its slow movements betrayed uneasiness and confusion.

As he watched it, his instinctive antipathy melted away. He could understand so well what the snake was feeling. He entered into the cold, narrow intelligence and shared its angry perplexity. Its movement were cramped, its advance difficulty and it was in constant danger of slipping over the edge. Now and then it lay still in dull reflection, nursing a cold anger that could find no vent.

Meanwhile the little plant bent downward by every puff of wind was beating its thin twings against the gutter like a birch. The snake seemed not to see the plant. It moved forward until a light touch from the twings fell upon its head. At this, it stopped and lifted its neck; the plant was now doing no more than lightly sway and dip. The snake, its head still reared, waited, flickering tongue. One could feel the angry heaving and straining in the sluggish brain-the dull red anger waiting to explode. Then came a strong gust sweeping along the wall and at once the twings thrashed down upon the furious head-thrashed down and beat it with a movement that seemed to osun both comic and dreadful. In a flash, the head reared itself higher, the neck drew back and there was a lunge at the twings and the empty air. O fatal act! To strike, the snake had been obliged to coil and its coiled body could not support itself upon the narrow ledge. No recovery was possible; it overbalanced and fell with a thud upon a small flat roof fifty feet below. There, osun saw the creature begin to writhe in agony. It could do no more than twist and turn upon the same spot

Osun was trembling but beneath his agitation there was a deep trouble wonder. Here was the little plants now waving with kind of jaunty cynicism and here was the snake writhing in agony. The world unquestionably was a place of mystery and horror. This was revealed in the writhing of the crippled snake in the jaunty waving of the innocent plant in the wind.

Answer Details

The 'fight' between the plant and the snake was not prompted by any of the mentioned options. It was a result of the snake's anger and confusion towards its situation and the plant's natural swaying movements in the wind. The plant and the snake were not aware of each other's presence until the plant's twigs lightly touched the snake's head, which caused the snake to stop and wait. The strong gust of wind then caused the plant to thrash down on the snake's head, which triggered the snake to attack the plant and ultimately led to the snake's fall and agony.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

The government has provided new _____ for the local government polls

Answer Details

The government has provided new "guidelines" for the local government polls. Guidelines are instructions or recommendations that provide guidance and direction to those who are expected to follow them. In this context, the government has provided new guidelines for the local government polls, which means that they have given instructions and recommendations on how the polls should be conducted. These guidelines could cover various aspects such as the conduct of candidates, voter registration, polling stations, counting of votes, and other relevant issues.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:After careful investigation, the police found no iota of truth in Ibrahim's allegations

Answer Details

In the given sentence, the word "iota" means a very small amount or quantity of something. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "iota" is "grain," which also refers to a tiny amount of something. However, in the context of the sentence, a better option would be "evidence," which means proof or information that supports or proves something. This is because the sentence is referring to the fact that the police found no evidence to support Ibrahim's allegations, meaning that they did not find any proof that what he was saying was true.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

If i had not finished my assignment, i would not _____ the opportunity to go with the group

Answer Details

The correct answer is "have been given". "If I had not finished my assignment, I would not have been given the opportunity to go with the group." This sentence is written in the past perfect conditional tense, which refers to a hypothetical situation in the past. The speaker is saying that they were given the opportunity to go with the group, but only because they finished their assignment. If they had not finished their assignment, they would not have received the opportunity. The phrase "have been given" is the correct choice because it matches the tense and meaning of the sentence. The other options, "be given", "be giving", and "have been giving", are not correct because they do not match the verb tense or the meaning of the sentence.

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

Because of the _____ he did to my car, i am going to sue him for _____

Answer Details

The sentence is talking about a situation where someone has caused harm or injury to a car. In this context, we need to use the word that correctly expresses this idea. The first blank requires a noun that can describe the action of harm or injury done to the car. The correct word to use is "damage." The second blank requires a noun that describes the compensation or payment that is being demanded for the harm or injury done to the car. The correct word to use is "damages." Therefore, the correct answer is "damage/damages."