JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2023

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Akọwa Nkọwa

The correct answer for the missing word is "an Act." In this passage, the author is discussing the authority of the Senate to pass a motion to oppose the actions of the President. The author argues that it is not within the Senate's competence to do so because the Senate is a part of the National Assembly but not the National Assembly itself. The author explains that if the National Assembly were to have a different view from the Senate, it would create confusion. The strongest objection to the Senate's resolution is that it assumes the role of both the judge and the constitutionality of the President's actions. The Senate's function is to make laws, not to control the President's exercise of powers. Therefore, a mere resolution or motion from the Senate cannot give any directive to the President or undo what he has done. The only way to restrict the exercise of the President's powers is through an Act of the National Assembly. An Act is a legislative proposal that becomes law once it is passed by both houses of the legislature and receives the President's assent. It carries more weight and authority than a motion or resolution from the Senate. So, the missing word is "an Act."

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In the novel 'The Life Changer', Ngozi is described as being reserved and withdrawn yet generous to a fault. This means that despite her quiet and introverted nature, she was extremely generous.

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The best option that completes the sentence is "held up". When we say someone is "held up", it means that they are delayed or prevented from progressing or arriving at a certain place. In this context, the guest would have arrived earlier but their progress was delayed because of traffic.
To further explain, imagine a situation where the guest was driving to their destination but encountered heavy traffic along the way. This traffic caused a delay and prevented the guest from reaching their destination on time. Therefore, the correct option is "held up".
The other options can be eliminated because they do not convey the same meaning as "held up". "Held down" means to restrain or keep someone or something in a lower position, which does not fit the context of someone being delayed in traffic. "Held about" does not have a commonly understood meaning in this context. "Held off" means to postpone or delay something, but it does not specifically refer to a person being delayed in traffic. Therefore, "held up" is the most appropriate option for completing the sentence.
It is important to analyze the word choices in the options and understand their meanings in order to determine the correct answer.

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The correct option to complete the sentence is "was". In this sentence, we are referring to a singular subject "the proprietor of our school" and his administrator. Since "the proprietor" is a singular noun, the correct form of the verb to use is the singular form "was". Therefore, the correct statement is: "The proprietor of our school with his administrator was expected yesterday."

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The correct answer is: My mother

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The correct answer is 'He did not show up and so the occasion lacked much fun'. The sentence 'If he were here, it could be more fun' is a hypothetical condition that implies that the person being referred to is not present, and his presence could have made the situation more enjoyable. The other options do not fully capture the essence of the sentence.

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In this case, 'importance', 'contribute', and 'deposit' all have the stress on the first syllable. However, 'reservoir' has a different stress pattern with the stress on the third syllable, making it the correct answer.

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We are all hungry; we **haven't had** anything to eat since morning.
Explanation: The correct option to fill the gap is "haven't had". This is because the sentence is expressing a present perfect tense, which is used to talk about past actions or experiences that are connected to the present. In this case, the present perfect emphasizes that the hunger from not having anything to eat started in the past and continues until now.
The option "hadn't had" is incorrect because it is in the past perfect tense, which is used to talk about actions that happened before another past action. There is no indication of another past action in the sentence.
The option "never had" is incorrect because it implies an absolute lack of previous experience with eating anything since morning, which may not be the case for the individuals in the sentence.
The option "didn't have" is incorrect because it is in the simple past tense, which suggests a completed action in the past. It does not connect the past action of not having anything to eat to the present moment of being hungry.

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The underlined word in the sentence is "malignant". The word "malignant" describes something that is harmful or cancerous. To find the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning, we need to choose a word that describes something that is not harmful or cancerous. From the given options: - "numerous" means a large number of something, and it is not necessarily related to being harmful or cancerous. This is not the opposite meaning of "malignant". - "cancerous" is a word that describes something related to cancer, which is similar in meaning to "malignant". This is not the opposite meaning of "malignant". - "dominant" means having power, control, or influence over others. It is not directly related to being harmful or cancerous. This is not the opposite meaning of "malignant". - "benign" is the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "malignant". "Benign" describes something that is not harmful or cancerous. Therefore, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "malignant" is "benign".

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When the word "hasten" is used in this context, it means that the speaker had to hurry to the motor park when night fell. "Hasten" refers to the act of moving quickly or rushing in order to reach a destination or complete a task.
Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "hasten" is "hurry". "Hurry" also means to do something quickly or rapidly.

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The word that has the same rhyme scheme as "laugh" is "half". To understand this, we need to first understand what a rhyme scheme is. In poetry, a rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyming lines at the end of each verse. It helps create a rhythmic and musical quality to the poem. In the case of "laugh", the sound at the end of the word is represented by the letters "augh". Let's now look at the other words to see if any of them have the same rhyme scheme as "laugh": - "Life" ends with the sound "ife", so it does not have the same rhyme scheme as "laugh". - "Ghost" ends with the sound "ost", so it does not have the same rhyme scheme as "laugh". - "Light" ends with the sound "ight", so it does not have the same rhyme scheme as "laugh". Only the word "half" ends with the same sound as "laugh", which is "augh". Therefore, "half" has the same rhyme scheme as "laugh". In summary, out of the given options, "half" is the word that has the same rhyme scheme as "laugh" because both words end with the sound "augh".

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Bint is five years of age

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The word "short" does not have the same vowel sound as the other three words: "shun", "son", and "sun". The vowel sound in "shun", "son", and "sun" is the "uh" sound, also known as the schwa sound. It is a central vowel sound that is pronounced as a weak and unstressed "uh" sound, similar to the first sound in the word "about". On the other hand, the word "short" has a different vowel sound. It has the "aw" sound, which is pronounced as a low back vowel sound, similar to the sound in the word "law". So, the word "short" is different from the other three words because it has a different vowel sound. The vowel sound in "short" is "aw", while the vowel sound in "shun", "son", and "sun" is "uh".

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exist - /ɪgzɪst/
helicopter - /helɪkɒptə/
isle - /aɪl/
meant - /ment/
never - /nevə/

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The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "plagiarize" is "pirate".
Explanation: Plagiarize means to copy or use someone else's work, ideas, or words without giving them proper credit. It is considered a crime because it involves stealing someone else's intellectual property.
The word "pirate" has a similar meaning in this context. When referring to intellectual property, "pirating" refers to the unauthorized copying or use of someone else's work, such as music, movies, or software. Similarly to plagiarism, pirating is also considered illegal because it involves the theft of someone else's creative work.

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He started his career as an **auxiliary** teacher. An auxiliary teacher is a term commonly used to describe a teacher who supports the main or lead teacher in the classroom. They assist the lead teacher by providing additional supervision, support, and reinforcement of lessons and activities. They may also assist with classroom management, grading, and other administrative tasks. In summary, an auxiliary teacher is someone who works alongside the main teacher to ensure the smooth functioning of the classroom and enhance the learning experience for students.

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In the novel "The Life Changer," Ada and Ngozi are from Imo state and Benue state, respectively. Now, to determine where Salma and Tomiwa are from, we need to look for clues in the text.
First, let's consider Salma. Salma is described as having a Hausa-Fulani accent. The Hausa-Fulani people are predominantly found in the northern part of Nigeria. This suggests that Salma is most likely from one of the states in the northern region of the country.
Moving on to Tomiwa, the text doesn't explicitly state where she is from, but we can gather some information about her origin. Tomiwa is described as having a Yoruba accent, and the Yoruba people are mainly found in the southwestern part of Nigeria. This indicates that Tomiwa is likely from one of the states in the western region of the country.
Therefore, based on the information provided, Salma is from the North, and Tomiwa is from the West.
So, in summary, the correct options are: - **North and West.**

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In the context of the passage, the Senate is being criticized for overstepping its bounds and acting as both the 'litigant' and the judge of the constitutionality of the President's actions. A 'litigant' is a party involved in a lawsuit, which fits the context better than the other options. 'Defendant' and 'plaintiff' are specific types of litigants, but the passage does not specify which role the Senate is taking on. 'Attorney' does not fit because the Senate is not representing someone in a legal matter, but rather taking on the role of a party in a lawsuit.

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The correct answer to the question is: "The prisoner finally conceded that he drank to excess on the night he committed the murder."
In this context, "conceded" means that the prisoner finally admitted or accepted the truth. "Drank to excess" means that the prisoner consumed a larger amount of alcohol than what is considered normal or healthy.
So, the prisoner admitted that he drank too much on the night he committed the murder.

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reSIST
SALon
conFIRM
inTACT

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Athens had intervened on behalf of the Greek-states against the Persians.

When the Persian Empire launched invasions against the Greek city-states in the 5th century BCE, Athens played a significant role in defending the Greeks. The Athenians, led by their renowned statesman Themistocles, recognized the threat posed by the Persian forces and took action to unite the Greek city-states against this common enemy.

Athens intervened on behalf of the Greek-states by organizing a naval alliance called the Delian League. This league consisted of numerous Greek city-states, with Athens assuming a leading role due to its strong navy and political influence.

With the formation of the Delian League, Athens coordinated military efforts and provided financial, logistical, and strategic support to the allied Greek city-states. They used the resources of the league to build a powerful navy, which played a crucial role in defeating the Persians in key battles such as the Battle of Salamis.

By intervening on behalf of the Greek-states, Athens demonstrated its commitment to defending Greek freedom and autonomy. They recognized the importance of unity in the face of a powerful external threat and took decisive action to protect their shared interests.

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The given sentence is "I bought my WIFE a red dress?".
The emphatic stress is on the word "WIFE", which means that it is being emphasized or given importance in the sentence.
From the options provided, the correct answer would be: "Did I buy my husband a red dress?".
This is because the given sentence indicates that the speaker, who is referring to themselves as "I", bought something for their wife. Therefore, the opposite option that refers to the husband instead of the wife would be the correct answer.
The other options can be ruled out because they either mention a different item (red shoe) or a different person (he) than what is mentioned in the original sentence.
In conclusion, the correct option is "Did I buy my husband a red dress?".

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The correct stress in the word "category" is "CAT-e-go-ry". The primary stress falls on the second syllable, which is "CAT".
In English, stress refers to the emphasis or prominence given to a syllable or word in speech. It involves making that particular syllable louder, longer, and higher in pitch compared to the surrounding syllables.
In the word "category", the stress is placed on the second syllable "CAT". This means that when pronouncing the word, we put more emphasis on the "CAT" syllable, making it louder, longer, and higher in pitch. The other syllables, "e-go-ry", are pronounced with a lower level of prominence.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B: "CAT-e-go-ry", where the capital letters indicate the syllable with the primary stress.

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In the context of the sentence, the coach is saying that getting paid would be a big morale boost for the team. Therefore, the correct word to fill in the blank is 'Booster'

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The word 'battle' has the same rhyme scheme as 'kettle'. Both words have two syllables and end with '-tle'.

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This best suits.

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In the given sentence, the word "approximate" means an estimation or rough calculation. To find the option that is opposite in meaning, we need to look for a word that refers to an exact or accurate score.
Among the given options, the word that is opposite in meaning to "approximate" is "a precise" score. A precise score means an accurate and exact measurement.
Option opposite in meaning: a precise

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The vowel /i/ as in bit is present here. Only the very last sound pronunciation of 'cacophony' bears the same answer.

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The people of Delos did not want to ENCOURAGE the conquest of Greece.
Explanation: The word "encourage" means to support, promote, or inspire something. In this case, the people of Delos did not want to support or promote the conquest of Greece. They did not want to encourage the idea of Greece being conquered by someone or some force.

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The option with a different rhyme is "Growl".
Rhyme refers to the similarity of sounds at the ends of words. In this case, we are looking for words that end with a similar sound.
- "Roar" and "Four" both end with the "or" sound, so they rhyme with each other. - "Bore" also ends with the "or" sound, so it rhymes with "Roar" and "Four".
However, "Growl" ends with a different sound, the "ow" sound. So it does not rhyme with the other words in the list.

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The correct stress for the word 'presidency' is 'PRE-si-den-cy'. In English, stress means pronouncing one syllable of a multisyllabic word with greater emphasis (stress) than the other syllables in the word. The primary stress in a word is the syllable that is pronounced with the most force. In the word 'presidency', the first syllable 'pre' is pronounced with the most force, hence it has the primary stress.

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The correct answer is - running.

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The correct answer is - Does a good description exclude specific nouns?. The option without the emphatic word - INCLUDES is the correct answer.

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Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is beneficial to one's health, as they provide essential nutrients and contribute to overall well-being. On the other hand, eating processed foods is harmful. Processed foods usually undergo various processes such as refining, adding preservatives, and artificial flavorings, which can strip them of their nutritional value. These types of food are often high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium, which can lead to negative health effects such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "beneficial" and correctly fills the gap in the sentence is "harmful." Processed foods are harmful to our health, contrasting with the positive effects of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

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The word 'Witch' rhymes with 'Pitch'. In English, words are said to rhyme when the stressed vowel sounds in their final syllables are the same. Here, 'Pitch' and 'Witch' both have the /ɪtʃ/ sound in their final syllables.

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Rhyme scheme refers to the pattern of end sounds or words in a verse or line of poetry. In this case, we are looking for a word that rhymes with 'Day' /deɪ/

dare -  /dɛː/

anime  - /ˈanɪmeɪ/

flight - /flaɪt/

ball - /bɔːl/

The word day and anime end with the /eɪ/ sound, therefore, they rhyme with each other.

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The word that fits in the blank is "spur".
The coach wants the Bright Rangers to be paid their salaries and spur them to victory against Mamelody Sundowns.
To "spur" means to stimulate or encourage someone or something to take action or to do something. In this context, the coach wants the players to be motivated and inspired to perform at their best in the upcoming match. By receiving their salaries before the game, it is believed that the players will have a higher level of motivation and determination to succeed.
Paying the players their salaries acts as a form of motivation and encouragement for them to give their best effort on the field. It helps to boost their morale and gives them an extra push to perform well in the game. When players are well-compensated and financially satisfied, they are more likely to be focused and driven to achieve success. Therefore, paying the salaries can be seen as a way to spur the players on and increase their chances of victory.

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He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better **as** a singer.
The word "as" is used to show similarity or comparison. In this sentence, it is used to compare his skills or abilities in different roles - writer, politician, and singer. The sentence implies that out of these three roles, he was most skilled or talented in singing.
When we say he was better "as" a singer, it means that his singing abilities surpassed or excelled in comparison to his skills as a writer and a politician. So, in terms of his talents and abilities, singing was the area where he truly shone or stood out.

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When answering emphatic stress questions, the option that does not have the "stressed word" becomes the correct answer.

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The /θ/ sound is a voiceless dental fricative, which is found in English words like 'think', 'thorough', and 'health'. In the word 'health', the /θ/ sound is represented by the 'th'. Therefore, the correct answer is 'health'.

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According to the passage, success depends on **risks**. The passage states that "Our successes are conditioned by the amount of risk we are about to take." This means that in order to achieve success, we need to be willing to take risks. Taking risks involves stepping out of our comfort zones, facing uncertainties, and being open to new opportunities. It requires us to be brave and willing to face challenges and obstacles along the way. By taking risks, we increase our chances of achieving our goals and experiencing growth and success in our lives.

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The word that is opposite in meaning to "haughty" is "modest". Haughty means having a sense of superiority and looking down on others. On the other hand, modest means being humble and not excessively proud. So, in the given sentence, if Victor played the role of a haughty prince, the opposite would be if he played the role of a modest prince.

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In the passage, it is mentioned that 'In anger the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire.' This implies that Darius, the king, took drastic steps to calm the rebellious Athenians. Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.

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The word "gradual" means something that happens slowly or over a period of time. So, the phrase "gradual end" suggests that the process of transition to civilian rule came to a slow or gradual conclusion.
To find the word or group of words that is most nearly opposite in meaning, we need to look for an option that means a sudden or unexpected end.
The answer is "abrupt". The word "abrupt" means something that happens suddenly or unexpectedly. So, the phrase "abrupt end" suggests that the process of transition to civilian rule came to a sudden or unexpected conclusion.
Therefore, the word "abrupt" is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word "gradual" in the given sentence.

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The word that best describes the sentence "James and Henry were at daggers drawn when I knew them" is "were always angry with each other".
The phrase "at daggers drawn" is an idiomatic expression that means being in a state of intense hostility or conflict. In this context, it means that James and Henry had a strong animosity towards each other. It suggests that their relationship was characterized by constant anger and tension. Therefore, the phrase "were always angry with each other" is the most appropriate description of their dynamic.

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TENNIS is stressed in the expression. Only the correct option asks a question about a sport which is not tennis.

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Salma stayed at the most coveted and famous Queen Amina hostel. Queen Amina is the correct answer because in "The Life Changer" novel, the Queen Amina hostel is described as the most coveted and famous hostel. This means that it is highly sought after and well-known among students. Queen Amina was a powerful and influential queen who ruled over the city-state of Zazzau, which is present-day Nigeria. She was known for her bravery, military skills, and leadership qualities. The hostel named after Queen Amina is likely to symbolize strength, courage, and excellence – traits that students staying there might aspire to possess. It is important to note that the other options mentioned, Queen Moremi, Queen Lateefat, and Queen Haneefa, are not described in the novel as being as coveted and famous as Queen Amina. Therefore, the correct answer is Queen Amina.

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In the context of the novel 'The Life Changer', the euphemism used for cheat notes is 'Notes of salvation'. A euphemism is a polite or mild word or expression used to refer to something embarrassing, taboo, or unpleasant.

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The most appropriate interpretation for the sentence "Peter and Jane love each other ... the difficulties they face" is "despite". Explanation: The word "despite" indicates that Peter and Jane love each other even in the face of the difficulties they encounter. It implies that their love remains strong and unaffected by the challenges they experience. The word "therefore" implies causality, suggesting that their love for each other is a result of the difficulties they face, which is not specified or supported in the sentence. The word "however" implies contrast, indicating that their love for each other might be unexpected or contradictory to the difficulties they face. However, the sentence does not provide any contrasting information. The word "besides" implies the addition of information, suggesting that there is something else in addition to their love for each other. However, the sentence does not provide any additional information.

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Salma was looking more stunning on the last day of her exams because her classmates had organized a mini picnic to wrap up the good work. This means that her classmates had arranged a small gathering or celebration to mark the end of their exams.
By organizing a mini picnic, Salma's classmates showed their appreciation for the effort they had put into their exams and wanted to have a fun and relaxed time together. During this picnic, they could have enjoyed delicious food, played games, and shared stories and laughter with each other.
This festive and enjoyable atmosphere created by her classmates' thoughtful gesture likely put Salma in a positive and joyful mood, which could explain why she looked so stunning on the last day of her exams. When we are happy and surrounded by friends, our natural beauty tends to shine through.

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The word that has the same rhyme scheme as "sweet" is "suite". Both words have the same ending sound of "-eet", making them rhyme with each other. The other words "twice", "sweat", and "suit" do not have the same ending sound, so they do not share the same rhyme scheme with "sweet".

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The word that has the same consonant sound as "th" in "smooth" is "brother". The consonant sound in "smooth" is the "th" sound, which is voiceless dental fricative. It is produced by placing the tip of the tongue between the upper teeth and blowing air. Out of the given options, only "brother" has the same "th" sound. The other options do not have the "th" sound.

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The word "skeptical" means having doubts or being unsure about something. In the given sentence, the person is unsure or doubtful about the story they were told. So, the option that is nearest in meaning to "skeptical" is "doubtful."

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In this context, the underlined word "astute" means having good judgment and being clever in business matters. The word that is nearest in meaning to "astute" is "shrewd". A shrewd businessman is someone who is intelligent, perceptive, and can make wise decisions.

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The word that has the same vowel sound as the underlined letter(s) in "dark" is "after". The reason is that both "dark" and "after" have the same vowel sound, which is pronounced as /ɑː/. In contrast, the other options (at, over, in) have different vowel sounds.

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The sentence "EMEKA finished his homework yesterday" has the emphatic stress on the word "EMEKA."
The question "Who finished his homework yesterday?" is related to the given sentence. This is because the sentence emphasizes that EMEKA completed his homework yesterday. The focus is on identifying who finished the homework. Therefore, the correct option is the first one: "Who finished his homework yesterday?"

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According to the passage, a life without ambition will drive people back like aimless sheep to cave dwelling. The passage describes a local farmer who is self-sufficient and lives a simple life, without any desire for material possessions or success. While this may seem attractive to some, the passage emphasizes that reverting to such a life would be regressive for humanity as a whole.
The passage suggests that having ambition and striving for success are essential aspects of human progress. Without ambition, individuals may become complacent and stagnant, lacking the drive to improve themselves and their circumstances. It is through ambition that individuals set goals, take risks, and work towards achieving greater heights.
In contrast, a life without ambition can lead to a lack of innovation, exploration, and societal advancement. It would be like going back to a primitive existence, devoid of growth and development. Humans are inherently curious and driven to explore new frontiers, both personally and collectively. It is through ambition that new inventions, discoveries, and achievements are made.
Therefore, the passage implies that a life without ambition would hinder progress and lead people to a state of aimlessness akin to cave dwelling. It is the aspiration for something greater, the desire to overcome challenges and achieve success, that propels human civilization forward.

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The correct option for gap 4 is "House of Representatives". In the passage, it is mentioned that the Senate is a part of the National Assembly, but it is not the National Assembly itself. The National Assembly is the legislative body of the country, responsible for making laws. If the House of Representatives were to take a view diametrically opposed to that reflected in the Senate resolution, it would create confusion. Therefore, the House of Representatives is the most appropriate option for gap 4.