JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2023

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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 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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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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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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The missing word in the sentence is "Showdown". A showdown refers to a critical or decisive confrontation between two opponents. In this context, it means the important match between Bright Rangers and Mamelody Sundowns in the CAF Champions League. The coach believes that paying the players their salaries before this match will motivate them and increase their chances of victory. The coach wants the players to be well motivated and play the game of their lives. The government has done well, but paying the salaries will be a big morale boost for the players. The Bright Rangers are currently third in their group and need to avoid defeat against Al - Ahly to stay in the competition for a place in the semi-finals. The team plans to employ the counter-attacking strategy to achieve a positive result in Cairo.

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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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wash - /ʃ/

treasure - /ʒ/

occasion - /ʒ/

nation - /ʃ/

equation - /ʒ/

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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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In "The Life Changer" novel, Talle was given the appellation of "the quiet one" for his amazing show of personality. This means that Talle was known for being quiet and reserved in his demeanor and behavior. He may not speak much or be the center of attention, but his actions and presence still leave a lasting impact on others. Being referred to as "the quiet one" implies that Talle is introspective, thoughtful, and observant. While others may be more vocal or expressive, Talle's calm and composed nature allows him to understand and analyze situations from a different perspective. Often, people who are labeled as "the quiet one" possess qualities such as deep thinking, good listening skills, and a penchant for reflection. They may not feel the need to constantly speak or make themselves known in social settings, but when they do, their words carry weight and significance. Talle's appellation of "the quiet one" highlights his unique personality traits and the impact they have on those around him. It is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most powerful presence can exist in silence and observation rather than loudness and showiness.

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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.

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In "The Life Changer" novel, the police apprehended Talle **at the palace of Hakimi**.
The palace of Hakimi is an important location in the story, and it is where Talle was found and taken into custody by the police. This is a significant event in the plot, as it marks a turning point for Talle's character and the overall storyline.

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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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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 /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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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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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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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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Habib called Tomiwa instead of Salma that he gave a ride for two primary reasons. Firstly, **Tomiwa is a Muslim**, while Salma is not. This is significant because in the story, the characters are all Muslims and their beliefs, customs, and interactions are influenced by their Islamic faith. Secondly, **Salma gave Habib Tomiwa's number instead of her own**. This implies that Salma intentionally provided Tomiwa's contact information to Habib, possibly as a way to indirectly keep in touch with him or to establish a connection between Tomiwa and Habib.
Therefore, the correct answer is: **Because Tomiwa is a Muslim and Salma gave him Tomiwa's number instead of hers**.
The option "All of the above" is incorrect because it implies that both of these reasons are true, which is not the case. The option "Because Habib likes Tomiwa more than Salma" is also incorrect as there is no evidence or indication in the story to support this claim.

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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 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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"sell up" means to sell all the goods of a debtor to clear the debt, sell off means to clear out (stock) at bargaining prices sell out means to betray for money or reward.

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Without our relentless campaigns, we might **never have been** sure of victory in the race for the National Assembly. This option is the most appropriate because it correctly conveys the meaning that, if not for our relentless campaigns, we would not have achieved or experienced a state of being sure of victory in the race for the National Assembly. The combination of "never" and "have been" in the option suggests that this is a past unrealized possibility that would not have occurred if certain actions (the relentless campaigns) were not undertaken.

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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 word that best suits the definition of "9" is **archaic**. Archaic words or expressions are old words that are no longer in current use and are not acceptable grammatical forms. In the context of the passage, it refers to words that were used in the past but are no longer commonly used or understood. These words are considered outdated and are not part of modern language.

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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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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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My father is parsimonious means that he is someone who is very careful with his money and does not like to spend it unnecessarily. To find the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning, we need to look for a word that describes someone who is NOT careful with their money and is generous in spending it. The option that best fits this description is "generous". Being generous means being willing to give or share one's resources with others without hesitation or reluctance. It is the opposite of being parsimonious which implies being stingy or reluctant to spend. Therefore, the correct answer is "generous."

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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 sentence means that out of all the ministers in the government, only two of them were able to keep their positions after the recent cabinet reshuffle. This implies that the rest of the ministers either lost their positions, were removed from their posts, or were replaced by others.
Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is: **In recent changes in government, all but two ministers were sacked.** This option accurately reflects that the majority of the ministers were removed from their positions during the cabinet reshuffle.

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The word "rough" in the first sentence of the passage means difficulties. It refers to facing challenges or obstacles in life. This could include things that are not easy or smooth. The author is not cursing or wishing harm to the reader, but rather expressing the idea that facing difficulties can lead to growth and opportunities for both the reader and the author.

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The word that best fits in the gap is "enact".
The passage states that the function of the Senate is to **enact** laws. This means that the Senate's role is to create or establish laws. They have the power to propose, debate, and pass laws. Therefore, the Senate's main responsibility is to enact laws, not to pass motions or resolutions to control the executive actions of the President.

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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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Emphatic stress usually emphasis contrast, thus the right option should contain a word that contrasts with the emphasized word.

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The correct answer is - Did the union congratulate the ousted president? The option without the emphatic word - ELECTED is the correct answer.

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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 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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In the context of the passage, the Athenians were 'strengthened' by some soldiers who arrived at Plataea. This is because the soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops, providing them with additional strength and support in their battle against the Persians.

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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 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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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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The consonant sound represented by 'P' in 'Pin' is the same as in 'Pragmatic'. In English phonetics, the 'P' in 'Pin' and 'Pragmatic' is a voiceless bilabial plosive, represented as /p/.

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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 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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The most appropriate option for the 2nd gap is nullify.
To nullify means to void or invalidate. In the context of the sentence, the passage is discussing whether the Senate has the authority to pass a motion to invalidate or cancel out the executive action of the President. The author argues that it is not within the competence of the Senate to nullify the President's actions.

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Omar said he passed his SSCE by no means a small feat because he passed excellently on his first attempt. This means that he was able to achieve a high level of success in his SSCE examination without having to retake the exam or face any significant challenges. Passing the SSCE on the first attempt is considered impressive because it showcases a strong academic performance and a solid understanding of the subjects taken. It demonstrates that Omar was well-prepared and dedicated to his studies, which is why he regarded his achievement as a significant accomplishment.

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Their participation **gave strength** to the Athenians.
The Athenians benefited from the participation of their people because it added strength to their society. When individuals actively took part in the affairs of the city-state, it contributed to the overall power and capability of the Athenians. This participation included activities such as military service, voting in the assembly, serving on jury duty, and engaging in public debates.
By actively engaging in these activities, the people of Athens not only demonstrated their commitment to their city but also contributed to its ability to defend itself, make important decisions, and maintain a functioning democracy. Their participation gave the Athenians a sense of solidarity, as they worked together towards common goals.
Additionally, the involvement of citizens provided a sense of empowerment and confidence. It gave individuals a voice and an opportunity to shape the direction of their city-state. This active engagement fostered a sense of ownership and pride among the Athenians.
In summary, their participation **gave strength** to the Athenians by increasing their collective power, fostering a sense of solidarity, and empowering the individuals within the society.

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Occurring twice a year.

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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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In this context, the word "repugnant" means something that is very disagreeable or offensive. We can choose the option that is nearest in meaning to "repugnant" by looking for a word that conveys a similar idea.
- "Enacted" means to make a law or rule, so it does not have the same meaning as "repugnant." - "Exemplary" means to serve as a good example or model, which is also different in meaning from "repugnant." - "Abhorrent" means causing a feeling of disgust or hatred, which is very similar to "repugnant." It captures the idea of something being offensive or disagreeable. - "Justified" means having a valid reason or excuse, which is not the same meaning as "repugnant."
Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "repugnant" is "abhorrent."

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Aversion in this context refers to a strong dislike or distaste for something. It means that the person has a negative feeling towards war movies and does not enjoy watching them. This is different from addiction, which refers to a strong dependency on something, and preference, which relates to having a liking or favor for something. Bitterness, on the other hand, describes a feeling of resentment or anger. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to aversion in this context is dislike.

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Refuse(N) and student are both stressed on the first syllable unlike other options stressed on the second syllable.

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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 'e' in the word 'naked' is pronounced as  /ɪ/ - /ˈneɪkɪd/. Therefore the word with the same vowel sound is 'bid'.

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The word "inconceivable" means something that is impossible to believe or imagine. The opposite of "inconceivable" would be something that is possible to believe or imagine. "unimagineable" and "incomprehensible" suggest something similar to "inconceivable" and are not the opposite. "contestable" means something that can be argued or disputed, which is not opposite to "inconceivable". "credible" means something that is believable and can be trusted, which is opposite in meaning to "inconceivable". So, the opposite of "inconceivable" is "credible".

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To check desertification in the arid zones, **drought-resistant** trees should be planted. Drought-resistant trees are those that have adapted to survive in arid conditions with limited water availability. These trees have evolved various mechanisms to cope with water scarcity, such as deep root systems that can access water from deep within the ground, waxy or hairy leaves that reduce water loss through evaporation, or the ability to store water in their tissues. By planting drought-resistant trees in arid zones, we can help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. These trees can provide shade, decreasing soil temperatures and reducing evaporation. Their deep root systems also help to bind the soil together, preventing wind erosion. Furthermore, the presence of trees can improve soil fertility as their leaves fall and decompose, providing organic matter and nutrients. Therefore, planting drought-resistant trees in arid zones is a simple and effective way to combat desertification. These tree species have the ability to survive and thrive in water-scarce environments, making them the most suitable option for addressing desertification.

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