JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2024

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word or phrase underlined is "fall through." The term "fall through" generally means that a plan, proposal, or project does not happen or fails to be completed as intended. It often refers to something that was expected to happen but did not.

To find the opposite meaning, we need a word that describes a proposal being successful or completed as planned.

Let's review the options given:

• Succeed: This means to achieve something as planned or to accomplish a goal successfully.
• Be discarded: This means to throw away or reject something, which shares a negative aspect, similar to "fall through."
• Be written off: This means to consider something as a failure or lost cause, which also shares similarity with "fall through."
• Fail: This is a synonym for "fall through," indicating lack of success.

The correct opposite of "fall through" is "succeed," as it implies the proposal is achieved or completed successfully, opposite the meaning of failing or not happening.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In English, the word "fast" can be used both as an adjective and as an adverb. When it describes how someone moves, it often acts as an adverb. **Adverbs** modify verbs, and in this context, "fast" describes the verb "hurried." The other options provided are incorrect because:

• **"Fastly"**: This is not a correct form in English as there is no such word. The correct adverb form of "fast" is simply "fast."
• **"As fastly"**: This is incorrect because "fastly" is not a word, and the phrase requires a comparative structure such as "as fast as."
• **"Very fastly"**: Again, this is incorrect since "fastly" is not a valid word in English.

Thus, the best option to complete the sentence is **"fast."** The correct sentence is:

She hurried off **fast** and came back.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "austere" refers to being strict, severe, or stern in manner, attitude, or appearance.

Now, let's look at the options given:

• Harsh: Similar to "austere" as it also suggests a strict or severe quality.
• Ambitious: Refers to having a strong desire for success but does not relate to being strict.
• Disgusting: Means something that arouses disgust or revulsion, focusing on a negative emotional reaction rather than strictness.
• Benign: Means kind, gentle, or harmless. This is opposite in meaning to "austere" because benign suggests a kind and gentle approach rather than a severe or strict one.

Therefore, the option that is opposite in meaning to the word "austere" is benign.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "mother" has the vowel sound represented by the letter "o." This sound is the /ʌ/ sound, which is a short, mid-central, and unrounded vowel. In the context of American English and many dialects of British English, this sound can be found in other words as well. Let's break this down:

1. Verb: The word "verb" does not have the /ʌ/ sound. It has a vowel sound similar to /ɜː/ or /ɜr/ in some dialects. Hence, it does not match the sound in "mother."

2. Mercy: The vowel sound in "mercy" is typically pronounced as /ɜː/ or /ɜr/, which differs from the /ʌ/ sound in "mother."

3. About: "About" contains the /ə/ sound, especially in the first syllable, which is closer to a schwa sound. The vowel sounds in "about" do not match the /ʌ/ sound in "mother."

4. Jump: In "jump," the vowel sound is the same /ʌ/ sound as in "mother." It is the same short, mid-central, unrounded vowel.

Therefore, the word "jump" shares the same vowel sound with "mother."

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word conviviality refers to a quality of being friendly, lively, and enjoyable in social interactions, often associated with feasting, celebrating, and a pleasant atmosphere. In the context of Mr. Jebu displaying a high sense of conviviality during the Gala, it suggests that he was exhibiting friendly and lively behavior that contributed to an enjoyable social environment.

Examining the options:

• Spitefulness refers to acting with malice and a desire to harm or annoy others. This is not related to conviviality, as conviviality is positive and about enjoyment and friendliness.
• Conjugality pertains to marriage or the relationship between married partners. This is not aligned with the concept of conviviality, which is more about social enjoyment and friendliness rather than marital relationships.
• Friendliness means being kind, pleasant, and welcoming to others. This closely aligns with the notion of conviviality, as it captures the essence of being sociable and creating a pleasant atmosphere.
• Blissfulness refers to a state of perfect happiness or joy. While it connotes a positive feeling, it is more about individual happiness rather than the social aspect of friendliness conveyed by conviviality.

Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to the word conviviality is friendliness, as it accurately reflects the sociable and enjoyable spirit described by conviviality.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "cancellation" in this context refers to the ending or termination of an event, and "abortion" can be used to mean the act of stopping something before it is completed.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The phrase on time means completing something at or before the expected or scheduled time.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The phrase "given a free hand" means being granted the autonomy or freedom to make decisions and manage something without interference. Hence, option A correctly explains the conveyed meaning.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In questions like this, the auxiliary verb used in the tag question should match the auxiliary verb or the verb used in the main sentence. All sentences have an auxiliary verb even though it is not visible. Sentences without visible auxiliary verbs carry the auxiliary verb "did" as in "She did used to be the best-behaved girl". Therefore, the correct tag question is "didn't she."

Maelezo ya Majibu

The passage suggests that climate plays a crucial role in determining the type of weathering that occurs. This is inferred from the statement which mentions that climatic conditions greatly affect weathering.

The passage describes two types of weathering: physical or mechanical weathering, which requires temperature and water, and chemical weathering, which thrives in hot climates. Therefore, the relationship between climate and weathering is quite evident.

Physical weathering occurs when the temperature and water cause rocks to break into smaller pieces. This typically happens in climates with fluctuating temperatures where water can freeze and thaw, causing rocks to crack. On the other hand, chemical weathering is more effective in hot climates, where chemical reactions are accelerated, leading to the breakdown of rocks.

Hence, we can conclude that climate determines the type of weathering. It directly refutes any notion that weathering occurs only in cool temperatures or only in hot temperatures, as it provides examples of both types of weathering being influenced by climate conditions.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The sentence "I can't lend him my books. I ______ know him." is meant to express the idea that the speaker does not have enough familiarity or trust with the person in question to lend their books.

The best choice to complete the sentence is "scarcely". This is because "scarcely" means almost not or barely, indicating a very low level of knowing or familiarity. Thus, it implies that the speaker knows the person just a little, which aligns with the reason they are hesitant to lend their books.

To clarify the other options:
- "Often" suggests a frequent occurrence, which is not fitting because the sentence conveys a lack of familiarity.

- "Seldom" means not often, and while it may indicate infrequency, it is not as strong as 'scarcely' in expressing minimal familiarity.

- "Rarely" is also more infrequent than "seldom," yet it doesn't convey the minimal familiarity as effectively as "scarcely."

Therefore, "scarcely" is the best word to complete this sentence because it most accurately communicates a low level of acquaintance or trust.

Maelezo ya Majibu

To determine the correct word to fill in the blank, let's analyze the sentence structure and the options given:

The subject of the sentence is "touts." The word "touts" is a plural noun, meaning it refers to more than one person. Therefore, any verb that accompanies it must also agree with its plural form.

Let's examine the options:

• "were" - This is the past tense form of the verb "to be" that is used with plural nouns. E.g., "They were happy."
• "was" - This is the past tense form of the verb "to be" used with singular nouns or singular third-person subjects. E.g., "He was happy."
• "where" - This is used to indicate a place or position, not a verb.
• "is" - This is the present tense singular form of the verb "to be" and does not match the past tense context of the sentence.

Based on the analysis, the most suitable option is "were." The sentence should read: "The touts were arrested during the riot." This fits because "were" is the correct past tense form of the verb "to be" for plural subjects. The use of "were" indicates that the action occurred in the past, and it agrees with the plural noun "touts."

Maelezo ya Majibu

To choose the most appropriate option to fill the gap labeled 12, we need to consider the context of the sentence. The passage is discussing how a person can locate a book in a library, particularly focusing on the tools and aids available in the library shelves that help in finding books.

The sentence in question states that "all the shelves have instructions and numbers regarding the books on them." This indicates that there must be some sort of guide or aid present on the shelves that provide information about the books located there. The options provided are:

• card's guide
• author's guide
• shelf-guides
• book-guides

Let's analyze the options:

card's guide: This option seems less fitting because it specifically refers to cards, whereas the sentence is describing information or guides related to the shelves.

author's guide: While authorship might be a classification criteria in libraries, an "author's guide" would typically refer to guiding information about authors themselves, not about locating books on shelves.

shelf-guides: This is the most logical choice. The term "shelf-guides" suggests guides or instructions directly related to the shelves, which aligns well with the context of finding books placed on shelves through guidance.

book-guides: This terms is slightly broader, perhaps indicating guides related to books, but not specifically tied to the function of shelving, instructions, and identification mentioned in the sentence.

Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill the gap labeled 12 is "shelf-guides". The sentence makes sense with this choice because it indicates the presence of guides on the shelves used to locate books.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the given sentence, the word "PRODUCT" carries the emphatic stress, which means the emphasis is on what was rejected being the product. Thus, the question that relates best to emphasizing the word "PRODUCT" is: Was the product rejected though genuine?

This question is asking if it was specifically the product (and not anything else) that got rejected, which aligns with emphasizing the product itself. The focus is on identifying that it is indeed the product that experienced the action mentioned in the statement, not anything else. It tests whether, despite the possibility of the product being genuine, the emphasis lies on it being the item that was rejected.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The phrase that best completes the sentence is "very first party dress". Here’s why:

When constructing a sentence, it is essential to follow the correct order of adjectives. English has a typical order for adjectives when more than one is used for a noun. The order goes as follows: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose.

In this case, the adjective "first" refers to the order or sequence (a kind of number), while "very" is an adverb modifying "first," and "party" indicates the purpose of the dress. Therefore, "very first" precedes "party dress" to correctly describe the item being purchased.

Thus, the correct phrase is "very first party dress", describing the specific dress which Sally helped you buy.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "derelict" refers to something that has been abandoned and is in a poor or neglected state. It is often used to describe buildings or structures that are no longer in use and have fallen into disrepair.

• The word "moribund" describes something that is at the point of death or is in decline but does not necessarily imply abandonment or neglect.
• The word "glamorous" describes something that is charmingly or fascinatingly attractive, which is the opposite of the meaning of "derelict".
• The word "enlivened" refers to something that has been made lively or spirited, which also contradicts the meaning of "derelict".
• The word "titivated" means to make something more attractive by adding decorations, which is also opposite to being abandoned or neglected.

The option nearest in meaning to "derelict" is "moribund" because it suggests decline, although it doesn't specifically indicate abandonment. The context of the phrase suggests that the fire station is not only neglected but also likely to be in a state of disrepair, which aligns more closely with "moribund" than the other options.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Books are located on a "shelf" in a library.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "guilty" refers to being responsible for a wrongdoing or a crime. In a legal context, when someone is declared guilty, it means they have been found to have committed the offense they were charged with.

The opposite of being guilty is being free from blame or responsibility for the crime. This means the person is not responsible for the wrongdoing or has not committed the crime they were accused of.

The word that is opposite in meaning to "guilty" is therefore "innocent." This means the person is not blamed for any crime and has no responsibility for wrongdoing.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

The correct answer is "its".

Explanation:

The term "jury" is a collective noun, which represents a group acting as a single unit. When you refer to a collective noun in English, it is generally treated as singular, even though it may represent multiple people. Therefore, the pronoun "its" is used to refer to nouns that are singular and inanimate or to institutions and groups acting as a single entity.

On the other hand:

• "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," which would not be appropriate in this context.
• "His" and "her" are used for singular male and female pronouns, respectively, but do not apply here since the jury is not a person.

Thus, the correct choice to indicate that the jury gave their decision is "its".

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Let me explain the sound of each option:

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

To complete the sentence, we need to choose the word that best fits the context of securing a bank loan using the house. Let’s examine the options:

• Pledge: This term indicates a promise or commitment but is not specific to banking terminology related to loans and assets.




• Agreement: This refers to a mutual understanding or arrangement between parties, and while it could involve loans, it does not specifically describe using an asset to secure a loan.




• Collateral: This is a specific banking and financial term that refers to an asset pledged by a borrower to a lender (usually in the form of property, like a house), to secure the repayment of a loan. It ensures the lender that the loan will be repaid or they can seize the asset if it isn’t. Therefore, this is the most appropriate word to complete the sentence.




• Surety: This refers to a person who takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, such as the payment of a loan, which is not the same as placing one's own asset at stake for a loan.

Therefore, the best option is collateral because it directly relates to using an asset to secure a loan. The completed sentence should be:

I had to put up my house as collateral for the bank loan.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

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

Let's analyze the options provided:

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the context of the sentence, the phrase "playing the devil's advocate" is a well-known expression used to describe someone who takes a position contrary to the majority opinion or supports an opposing viewpoint, usually to provoke debate or explore an issue more thoroughly. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is:

Jude seems to enjoy advancing the unpopular side of an argument.

This interpretation aligns with the common usage of the term "devil's advocate," which is to deliberately adopt a counter perspective for the sake of argumentation, challenge, and critical thinking.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "epidemic" is often used to describe a situation where a condition or problem is spreading rapidly and affects a large number of people or a community. While it is commonly associated with infectious diseases, it can also be used metaphorically to describe any widespread phenomenon.

In the context of the phrase "Unemployment among school leavers has reached epidemic proportions," it means that the problem of unemployment is not confined to a small area or group, but rather it is very extensive and affects a significant portion of school leavers across a large area or population, similar to how an epidemic disease can spread widely and affect many people.

Therefore, the word that is nearest in meaning to "epidemic" in this context is extensive, as it conveys the idea of something being widespread or having a broad impact.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The passage is discussing how languages are associated with specific territories on maps, and it illustrates this by describing how most of North America is labeled for English and other languages in specific regions. In this context, the correct option for the gap labeled 9 is "coded". The word "**coded**" effectively conveys the idea of assigning or representing a particular language as predominant in a specific area on a map. This term aligns with the passage's description of how territories are designated or labeled with languages, similar to creating a visual representation of language distribution.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The combination of "digging" and explosives is what is needed to harvest coal from a mine.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The term "hovering over" typically means to remain in the air in one place or move slightly above or around something. A vulture hovering over a dead goat suggests that it is staying airborne near the carcass, observing it intently, probably before descending to feed. This does not involve moving erratically or jumping; neither does it imply physically standing on the goat at this moment.

Therefore, the option closest in meaning to "hovering over" in this context is "flying around," as it captures the idea of the bird maintaining a position in the air above the goat.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In this question, you are tasked with identifying which word rhymes with "boys". A rhyme occurs when two or more words have the same or similar ending sounds.

Let's analyze each of the options:

1. Moist: The word "moist" ends with the sound /oist/, which is different from the sound at the end of "boys". Therefore, it does not rhyme with "boys".

2. Elbows: The word "elbows" has the ending sound /bohz/, which doesn't match the ending sound of "boys". Hence, it does not rhyme with "boys".

3. Noise: The word "noise" ends with the sound /oiz/, which is *similar* to the ending sound of "boys". Therefore, it rhymes with "boys".

4. Stays: The word "stays" has the ending sound /eiz/, which is different from the ending sound of "boys". Therefore, it does not rhyme with "boys".

The correct option that rhymes with "boys" is noise because both share the same ending sound /oiz/.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In this question, we need to find a word that is opposite in meaning to the word reticent. The word reticent describes someone who is reserved or not willing to talk much, especially about personal matters.

Now, let's look at each option:

- Unpredictable: This means behaving or changing in a way that is not expected. It does not directly relate to being reserved or open about personal matters.

- Insinuating: Typically, this means introducing something indirectly, especially something negative. It doesn't oppose the idea of being reserved.

- Difficult: While this can describe a challenging temperament, it doesn?t specifically contrast with being reticent.

- Forthcoming: This term means being open, communicative, and willing to talk openly about personal matters. This is the opposite of reticent, as it describes someone who is the exact opposite of reserved.

Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to reticent is forthcoming.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

The phrase stand in in the context "The assistant class teacher was told to stand in for Mrs. Chukwudi" means to take the place of or substitute for someone temporarily. This involves performing the duties or responsibilities of that person when they are unavailable. Therefore, the word or phrase nearest in meaning to stand in in this context would be support but with a particular emphasis on acting on behalf of, or doing what the absent person would have done.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In English, the word "declamation" is divided into syllables as "de-cla-ma-tion". To determine the correct stress pattern for this word, we need to identify which syllable is pronounced more forcefully or with greater emphasis. Stress patterns often follow certain predictable patterns in English words, particularly those derived from Latin or other languages.

For the word "declamation," the stress typically falls on the third syllable: "ma." This is because many English words that end in "-ation" have their primary stress on the syllable right before "-tion." Therefore, the correct stress pattern is "declaMAtion," with the emphasis on "ma."

Maelezo ya Majibu

The option that best completes the gap is "The city of Abuja."

The correct phrase here is "The city of Abuja" because:

• "The city of Abuja" uses the article "the," which specifies a particular city, making the statement clear and precise.
• The word "city" is appropriately placed to refer to Abuja as an urban area, which is necessary to make the sentence grammatically correct and contextually accurate.

Let's compare this with the other options:

• "A city of Abuja" - The article "a" suggests any city, which gives an ambiguous meaning since it doesn't specify that we are talking about Abuja being recognized as a city.
• "City of Abuja" - This lacks an article ("the" or "a"), making the phrase incomplete. Articles are important to make a noun phrase grammatically correct.
• "Abuja of a city" - This arrangement doesn't make grammatical or logical sense. The phrase appears jumbled and confusing.

Therefore, the most grammatically sound and contextually appropriate choice is "The city of Abuja."

Maelezo ya Majibu

From the passage, it is clear that some children were not able to make it to Cameroon. The narrative describes how the journey towards safety was perilous and how the group faced several challenges, including snakebites. The passage explicitly mentions that some of the children bitten by snakes died because they could not be taken to a hospital for treatment. Therefore, it indicates that not everyone, specifically some children, were able to reach their destination in Cameroon alive.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

To determine the best option to fill the gap labelled 8, we need to consider the context of the passage, which describes a section in a coal mine where miners are working. The passage mentions that the coal is neatly cut, and it describes the setting of a mining environment. In mining terminology, the exposed surface of a coal seam where mining takes place is commonly referred to as the "coal face." This term specifically denotes the part of the seam being actively worked on or extracted.

Here's a breakdown of the options:

• Front: While it suggests an area or section in front, it is not the specific term used to describe the area where mining occurs.
• Slope: This implies an inclined surface, which does not aptly describe the structure where coal is being extracted.
• Obstacle: This suggests a barrier or hindrance, which is not relevant in describing the structure of the coal seam being mined.
• Face: This is the most accurate and specific term used in mining to describe the area where the coal is actively being cut and extracted.

Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill gap 8 is "face," as it accurately represents the mining term for the exposed surface of the coal seam that is being worked on.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Let's consider the options:

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Now let's examine the options:

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "unconscionable" refers to behaviour that is immoral or unethical and beyond what is reasonable or just. The nearest in meaning to the word unconscionable is unbecoming, which means inappropriate or not in keeping with the standards of behaviour expected in a particular context, though less severe than unconscionable.

Maelezo ya Majibu

To find the word opposite in meaning to **phony**, we need to first understand its meaning. The word **phony** means something that is fake or not genuine. It is used to describe something that is not real or authentic.

Now, let's look at each option:

• Factual: refers to something based on facts, and is true or real. This is the opposite of **phony**, as **phony** indicates something false or counterfeit.
• Misleading: means likely to lead someone into a wrong direction or belief. It is not directly opposite to phony, as misleading can still involve some truths.
• Fake: means not genuine or counterfeit, which is actually synonymous with **phony**, rather than opposite.
• Unreal: refers to something that is not real or imaginary, similar to **phony** in certain contexts, rather than being opposite.

Therefore, the word factual is the option opposite in meaning to the word **phony**.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

To find the option with the same consonant sound as the one underlined in "Yesterday," we first need to identify the specific consonant sound in question. The word "Yesterday" begins with the letter 'Y'. In "Yesterday," the 'Y' represents a consonant sound similar to the first sound in the word "yes." This sound is called a voiced palatal approximant and is represented by the phonetic symbol /j/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

Let's examine each given option:

1. Jam: The word "Jam" begins with the consonant sound /d?/, which is different from the /j/ sound we find at the beginning of "Yesterday."

2. Union: The word "Union" begins with the consonant sound /j/, which is the same as the sound at the start of "Yesterday." It is also the voiced palatal approximant.

3. Jump: The word "Jump" begins with the consonant sound /d?/, differing from the /j/ sound in "Yesterday."

4. Umbrella: The word "Umbrella" begins with the vowel sound /?/ or /?/ depending on the accent, and it does not have a 'Y' consonantal sound at the beginning.

In conclusion, the option that has the same consonant sound as the beginning of the word "Yesterday" is Union because it correctly starts with the /j/ sound, which is the voiced palatal approximant sound represented by the letter 'Y' in "Yesterday."

Maelezo ya Majibu

When a word in a sentence is given emphatic stress, it signifies that the word is crucial to the meaning or emphasis of the sentence. In this case, the word in capital letters is "PEACE," implying that the emphasis is on what his reign was noted for. To determine the appropriate question form that relates to the emphasis, we look at options that focus on contrasting what his reign could be noted for.

The original statement is "His reign was noted for PEACE." Emphatic stress looks for an alternative or contrasting term to the emphasized word. Here, the emphasized word is "PEACE," so we need to check for an option that contrasts with "peace."

The option "Was his reign noted for wealth?" fits this requirement. By asking about a different characteristic, such as "wealth," it directly contrasts with the original statement's emphasis on "PEACE." Therefore, this question would have the emphatic stress on "peace" to highlight the contrast.

Hence, when the response is "His reign was noted for PEACE," the contrasting question would be "Was his reign noted for wealth?"

Maelezo ya Majibu

To select the best option to complete the sentence "The movie wasn't fantastic, was it?" we need to understand the structure of a tag question. A **tag question** consists of a **statement** followed by a short question. The tag question is typically used to confirm something the speaker believes to be true. In English, the **tag** is generally formed by inverting the auxiliary verb and subject of the main sentence and is usually the opposite in form (affirmative vs. negative).

In this case, the statement is "The movie wasn't fantastic". The tag "was it?" is used to seek confirmation and implies that the speaker anticipates agreement. **Since the statement is negative ("wasn't"), the agreement or confirmation often expected is affirmative.**

Therefore, if you agree that the movie wasn't fantastic, you'd say "No, it wasn't" to confirm the negative statement because agreement to a negative statement is expressed with "no".

Thus, the correct option to complete the sentence is:
No, it wasn't.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

To complete the sentence "My uncle is not sure ____ the strange guests were," we need to select a word that logically fits in the context of identifying or specifying something about the "strange guests."

1. **Which:** Typically used to choose between options or to specify a particular item or group from others. It does not fit well here because we are not choosing between a set of known options.

2. **Who:** Used to refer to the subject or inquiring about the identity of a person or people. This option fits well here since we are talking about people, the "strange guests," and trying to identify them. The sentence would be: "My uncle is not sure who the strange guests were."

3. **Whom:** Used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition and often follows a preposition. It would not fit here because the structure of the sentence requires a subject complement, not an object.

4. **What:** Generally used to ask questions about things, rather than people. Since we are talking about people, "strange guests," this option doesn't fit well.

Therefore, the best choice is **who**, as it properly addresses the question of identifying the strange guests, effectively completing the sentence as "My uncle is not sure who the strange guests were."

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "moth" rhymes with "wrath." In English, words "rhyme" when they have the same ending sound.

Let's break it down:

• The ending sound of both "moth" and "wrath" is /ɒθ/ in British English or /ɑːθ/ in American English.
• On the other hand, "both" ends with the /oʊθ/ sound.
• "What" ends with the /ʌt/ sound.
• "Boat" ends with the /oʊt/ sound.

Therefore, the word "wrath" is the one that rhymes with "moth" because they share similar ending sounds.

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

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

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

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

Maelezo ya Majibu

The correct option to complete the sentence is: comprises.

Here's the explanation:

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