JAMB UTME - Use of English - 1988

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

The _____ of the participating countries will hold a preconference on the eve of the conference.

In the question below, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s).

You can never find Ugo, he is a very ____ person

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

The chairman's daughter's laughter was with no _____ to ridicule the applicant

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

The event reported in the newspaper did not happen years ago; they _____

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.

All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:Adah has not been regular at lectures because she has been off colour

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

The college authorities have _____ the students to end the strike

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her son is in a ‘destructive stage’ or even has a ‘destructive personality’ because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labor has puzzles many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder must destroy it himself. This game, I should think arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower ‘stand up’ enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previous passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker-and towers, unlike little sister, can’t cry and call ‘mummy’

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:My son has just been rusticated from the university

To listen properly is hard job and probably one of the toughest skills in the art of communication. Good listening has nothing to do with proper functioning of one’s auditory organs, which is assumed to be inevitable. Good listening in the sense we are interested in is not a biological factor, but a psychological one. Your auditory orangs may be in perfect order, when actually you cannot use them creatively. Creative listening implies your being efficient in the art of concentration; in other words, you concentrate on what one is saying so as to make sure that you hear all that is said. At the same time you are concentrating to hear all that is being said, you are also thinking fast, digesting what is being said, allowing your mental faculties and your memory to accept that which you understand and to reject that which you do not understand, sorting out what you do not understand and storing them somewhere in your brain for future discussion and all at the same time rationalizing what you hear, accepting that which you find rational and rejecting that which you do not find rational.

After you must have listened creatively to what you have been told, then you can respond if the need arises. It is quite proper that you respond because the process of response enhances the art of communication. But your response ought to be only a necessary response; a response that will improve your understanding. This response should involve your mentioning some things you have been told but which do not understand, or politely questioning the rationality of some of the speaker’s argument. But your response must be constructive; must enhance the communicative worth. It should not be an unnecessary argument, or an opportunity for you to express dissatisfaction. The ability properly aids communication and understanding

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

Sola's car is badly damaged; he has to look for an expert mechanic to fix it.

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

I had not given the question a thought before my answer came _____

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

Our government is making determined efforts to eradicate illiteracy

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

The host insisted on _____ what he called 'a little gift'

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.

All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.

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

It's no good _____ about the result until you have sat for examination

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

The water is not good for drinking; it's been _____ by the dead rabbit

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her son is in a ‘destructive stage’ or even has a ‘destructive personality’ because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labor has puzzles many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder must destroy it himself. This game, I should think arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower ‘stand up’ enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previous passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker-and towers, unlike little sister, can’t cry and call ‘mummy’

I was to remember my first day at Freedom University for a long time. On arrival on campus, I expected to be met by some stale students (as was the practice in my secondary school) but every student around was new like myself. I asked the way to Grant Hall but not one could tell me. I asked a number of other questions about issues that bothered me, such as where and how to pay the fees, the way to the dining hall and so on but no help was forthcoming. So in the midst of so many people, I am all alone, I mused to myself. The prospect was not in the least cheerful and all the elation I had felt at gaining entry into a renowned university at sixteen been to disappear. Then so if propelled by an unknown benevolent force, I walked a little bit down the corridor in the direction of notice board at which some ten young men and women were peering. For want of something to do, I decided to stop and look at the notice board. Alas! I had opened on the key to all the riddles that had dribbled me since I set foot on campus that morning. On the board there was a big campus map in which I was able to locate Grant Hall and other places of interest, there were details of various activities lined up for the three days of orientation for freshmen and a comprehensive list of those offered admission into various courses. How blissful I felt to see the light of knowledge , having been wallowing in the darkness of ignorance. Even then I was not able to escape the thought that I could not be sure how much of the responsibility for the darkness was mine, the fact that something had not been done to draw attention to 5that apocalypse of the notice board had contributed clearly to my initial predicament. All that notwithstanding, I learnt from the incident an importance of reading notice boards and handbills if one is to be informed about places and events in the university.

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

The senior had the habit of setting the cat among the pigeon whenever matters concerning his constituency came up for debate

To listen properly is hard job and probably one of the toughest skills in the art of communication. Good listening has nothing to do with proper functioning of one’s auditory organs, which is assumed to be inevitable. Good listening in the sense we are interested in is not a biological factor, but a psychological one. Your auditory orangs may be in perfect order, when actually you cannot use them creatively. Creative listening implies your being efficient in the art of concentration; in other words, you concentrate on what one is saying so as to make sure that you hear all that is said. At the same time you are concentrating to hear all that is being said, you are also thinking fast, digesting what is being said, allowing your mental faculties and your memory to accept that which you understand and to reject that which you do not understand, sorting out what you do not understand and storing them somewhere in your brain for future discussion and all at the same time rationalizing what you hear, accepting that which you find rational and rejecting that which you do not find rational.

After you must have listened creatively to what you have been told, then you can respond if the need arises. It is quite proper that you respond because the process of response enhances the art of communication. But your response ought to be only a necessary response; a response that will improve your understanding. This response should involve your mentioning some things you have been told but which do not understand, or politely questioning the rationality of some of the speaker’s argument. But your response must be constructive; must enhance the communicative worth. It should not be an unnecessary argument, or an opportunity for you to express dissatisfaction. The ability properly aids communication and understanding

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.

All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.

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

The policeman looked at the face of the robber and saw tell-tale signs of a dyed-in-the wool convict.

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

Makerere University has a large intake of students each year

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

The judge blamed the plaintiff for misleading the court

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

The austerity of the times has made people to be more _____ in their spending

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

If you don't want to _____ your car to robbers, then don't travel in the night

I was to remember my first day at Freedom University for a long time. On arrival on campus, I expected to be met by some stale students (as was the practice in my secondary school) but every student around was new like myself. I asked the way to Grant Hall but not one could tell me. I asked a number of other questions about issues that bothered me, such as where and how to pay the fees, the way to the dining hall and so on but no help was forthcoming. So in the midst of so many people, I am all alone, I mused to myself. The prospect was not in the least cheerful and all the elation I had felt at gaining entry into a renowned university at sixteen been to disappear. Then so if propelled by an unknown benevolent force, I walked a little bit down the corridor in the direction of notice board at which some ten young men and women were peering. For want of something to do, I decided to stop and look at the notice board. Alas! I had opened on the key to all the riddles that had dribbled me since I set foot on campus that morning. On the board there was a big campus map in which I was able to locate Grant Hall and other places of interest, there were details of various activities lined up for the three days of orientation for freshmen and a comprehensive list of those offered admission into various courses. How blissful I felt to see the light of knowledge , having been wallowing in the darkness of ignorance. Even then I was not able to escape the thought that I could not be sure how much of the responsibility for the darkness was mine, the fact that something had not been done to draw attention to 5that apocalypse of the notice board had contributed clearly to my initial predicament. All that notwithstanding, I learnt from the incident an importance of reading notice boards and handbills if one is to be informed about places and events in the university.

According to the passage, the writer's predicament was caused by

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

The politician played to the gallery to win the election

To listen properly is hard job and probably one of the toughest skills in the art of communication. Good listening has nothing to do with proper functioning of one’s auditory organs, which is assumed to be inevitable. Good listening in the sense we are interested in is not a biological factor, but a psychological one. Your auditory orangs may be in perfect order, when actually you cannot use them creatively. Creative listening implies your being efficient in the art of concentration; in other words, you concentrate on what one is saying so as to make sure that you hear all that is said. At the same time you are concentrating to hear all that is being said, you are also thinking fast, digesting what is being said, allowing your mental faculties and your memory to accept that which you understand and to reject that which you do not understand, sorting out what you do not understand and storing them somewhere in your brain for future discussion and all at the same time rationalizing what you hear, accepting that which you find rational and rejecting that which you do not find rational.

After you must have listened creatively to what you have been told, then you can respond if the need arises. It is quite proper that you respond because the process of response enhances the art of communication. But your response ought to be only a necessary response; a response that will improve your understanding. This response should involve your mentioning some things you have been told but which do not understand, or politely questioning the rationality of some of the speaker’s argument. But your response must be constructive; must enhance the communicative worth. It should not be an unnecessary argument, or an opportunity for you to express dissatisfaction. The ability properly aids communication and understanding

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

The students went on whispering in _____ of the teacher

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

Just to convince you about my commitment to the project, i shall _____ at the office before i leave for Kano tomorrow.

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

The whole class looked forward to _____ Kainji Dam at christmas.

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her son is in a ‘destructive stage’ or even has a ‘destructive personality’ because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labor has puzzles many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder must destroy it himself. This game, I should think arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower ‘stand up’ enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previous passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker-and towers, unlike little sister, can’t cry and call ‘mummy’

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

The beautiful plan made for the expansion of the business fell _____ as soon as the manager died.

The market was old, timeless Africa; loud, crowed and free. Here a man sat making sandals from old discarded motor-car tyres; there another worked at an old sewing machine, making a nightgown-like affair while the buyer waited; a little further on, an old goldsmith worked at his dying art, but using now copper fillings instead of gold to fashion the lovely trinkets women wear the world over; elsewhere a woman sold country cloth fashioned with such fine art that only Africans think of it as a garment of utility. Trade was slow and loud everywhere. This was as much a social as a shopping centre. For an excuse to spend the day at the market, a woman would walk all way from her village to town with half dozen eggs. She would spread them on a little bit of ground for which she paid rent. Through the day she would squat on the ground and talk to others who came for the same reason. She would refuse to sell her wares till it was time to leave. They were the excuse for business. Whether in earnest or as an excuse, the traders were boisterously free, loud-mouthed and happy. The laughter of the market was a laughter found nowhere else in all the world……………

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

The thieves vandalized the vault's lock

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

All we need is a concerted effort to combat the epidemic

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

The popularity of the slogan is beginning to wane

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

Wale Agun, in creating his characters, draws freely _____ his experience in life

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

I know you will think am talking nonsense, Shehu, but _____ you'll realize that i was right.

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

The dancers were all in _____ before their departure

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

Florence flogged the girl reluctantly

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.

All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.

The expression 'his language often betrays him into dullness,coldness,or worst of all, rudeness' means that

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

_____ to your request, we have decided to provide the necessary information

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

Coastal plains are often very densely populated.

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

The builder's taste reflected superfluous grandeur

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

The preacher is under a cloud among the congregation

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

The students were suspended because they were _____

In the question below, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s).

You could see that Uduak did not give the evidence _________

To listen properly is hard job and probably one of the toughest skills in the art of communication. Good listening has nothing to do with proper functioning of one’s auditory organs, which is assumed to be inevitable. Good listening in the sense we are interested in is not a biological factor, but a psychological one. Your auditory orangs may be in perfect order, when actually you cannot use them creatively. Creative listening implies your being efficient in the art of concentration; in other words, you concentrate on what one is saying so as to make sure that you hear all that is said. At the same time you are concentrating to hear all that is being said, you are also thinking fast, digesting what is being said, allowing your mental faculties and your memory to accept that which you understand and to reject that which you do not understand, sorting out what you do not understand and storing them somewhere in your brain for future discussion and all at the same time rationalizing what you hear, accepting that which you find rational and rejecting that which you do not find rational.

After you must have listened creatively to what you have been told, then you can respond if the need arises. It is quite proper that you respond because the process of response enhances the art of communication. But your response ought to be only a necessary response; a response that will improve your understanding. This response should involve your mentioning some things you have been told but which do not understand, or politely questioning the rationality of some of the speaker’s argument. But your response must be constructive; must enhance the communicative worth. It should not be an unnecessary argument, or an opportunity for you to express dissatisfaction. The ability properly aids communication and understanding

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

The vice principal asked the students to always _____ their answer only from the textbooks recommended for the course

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

The man rebuked his son severely, but his words seem to have cut on ice

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

There is no point getting upset by problems; I take them _____

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

I know that your friend will not accept the proposal _____

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

The small girl is _____ than her elder sister

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

Ebun _____ the edge of the cliff after his shoes had failed to grip.

We heard the _____ of breaks which was followed by a crashing noise

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

The angry waves swallowed the boat

I was to remember my first day at Freedom University for a long time. On arrival on campus, I expected to be met by some stale students (as was the practice in my secondary school) but every student around was new like myself. I asked the way to Grant Hall but not one could tell me. I asked a number of other questions about issues that bothered me, such as where and how to pay the fees, the way to the dining hall and so on but no help was forthcoming. So in the midst of so many people, I am all alone, I mused to myself. The prospect was not in the least cheerful and all the elation I had felt at gaining entry into a renowned university at sixteen been to disappear. Then so if propelled by an unknown benevolent force, I walked a little bit down the corridor in the direction of notice board at which some ten young men and women were peering. For want of something to do, I decided to stop and look at the notice board. Alas! I had opened on the key to all the riddles that had dribbled me since I set foot on campus that morning. On the board there was a big campus map in which I was able to locate Grant Hall and other places of interest, there were details of various activities lined up for the three days of orientation for freshmen and a comprehensive list of those offered admission into various courses. How blissful I felt to see the light of knowledge , having been wallowing in the darkness of ignorance. Even then I was not able to escape the thought that I could not be sure how much of the responsibility for the darkness was mine, the fact that something had not been done to draw attention to 5that apocalypse of the notice board had contributed clearly to my initial predicament. All that notwithstanding, I learnt from the incident an importance of reading notice boards and handbills if one is to be informed about places and events in the university.

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined:Yahaya hardly knows on which side his bread is buttered in the matter

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

The painting in the museum was beautifully faked?

The market was old, timeless Africa; loud, crowed and free. Here a man sat making sandals from old discarded motor-car tyres; there another worked at an old sewing machine, making a nightgown-like affair while the buyer waited; a little further on, an old goldsmith worked at his dying art, but using now copper fillings instead of gold to fashion the lovely trinkets women wear the world over; elsewhere a woman sold country cloth fashioned with such fine art that only Africans think of it as a garment of utility. Trade was slow and loud everywhere. This was as much a social as a shopping centre. For an excuse to spend the day at the market, a woman would walk all way from her village to town with half dozen eggs. She would spread them on a little bit of ground for which she paid rent. Through the day she would squat on the ground and talk to others who came for the same reason. She would refuse to sell her wares till it was time to leave. They were the excuse for business. Whether in earnest or as an excuse, the traders were boisterously free, loud-mouthed and happy. The laughter of the market was a laughter found nowhere else in all the world……………

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

Many young men of nowadays do not know how to properly _____ their cloths.

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

_____ are good friends

I was to remember my first day at Freedom University for a long time. On arrival on campus, I expected to be met by some stale students (as was the practice in my secondary school) but every student around was new like myself. I asked the way to Grant Hall but not one could tell me. I asked a number of other questions about issues that bothered me, such as where and how to pay the fees, the way to the dining hall and so on but no help was forthcoming. So in the midst of so many people, I am all alone, I mused to myself. The prospect was not in the least cheerful and all the elation I had felt at gaining entry into a renowned university at sixteen been to disappear. Then so if propelled by an unknown benevolent force, I walked a little bit down the corridor in the direction of notice board at which some ten young men and women were peering. For want of something to do, I decided to stop and look at the notice board. Alas! I had opened on the key to all the riddles that had dribbled me since I set foot on campus that morning. On the board there was a big campus map in which I was able to locate Grant Hall and other places of interest, there were details of various activities lined up for the three days of orientation for freshmen and a comprehensive list of those offered admission into various courses. How blissful I felt to see the light of knowledge , having been wallowing in the darkness of ignorance. Even then I was not able to escape the thought that I could not be sure how much of the responsibility for the darkness was mine, the fact that something had not been done to draw attention to 5that apocalypse of the notice board had contributed clearly to my initial predicament. All that notwithstanding, I learnt from the incident an importance of reading notice boards and handbills if one is to be informed about places and events in the university.

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

Mark is a very handsome fellow who informs me that he was _____ for pretty girls

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

The senior prefect had to carry the can because he refused to identify the culprit

The market was old, timeless Africa; loud, crowed and free. Here a man sat making sandals from old discarded motor-car tyres; there another worked at an old sewing machine, making a nightgown-like affair while the buyer waited; a little further on, an old goldsmith worked at his dying art, but using now copper fillings instead of gold to fashion the lovely trinkets women wear the world over; elsewhere a woman sold country cloth fashioned with such fine art that only Africans think of it as a garment of utility. Trade was slow and loud everywhere. This was as much a social as a shopping centre. For an excuse to spend the day at the market, a woman would walk all way from her village to town with half dozen eggs. She would spread them on a little bit of ground for which she paid rent. Through the day she would squat on the ground and talk to others who came for the same reason. She would refuse to sell her wares till it was time to leave. They were the excuse for business. Whether in earnest or as an excuse, the traders were boisterously free, loud-mouthed and happy. The laughter of the market was a laughter found nowhere else in all the world……………

To listen properly is hard job and probably one of the toughest skills in the art of communication. Good listening has nothing to do with proper functioning of one’s auditory organs, which is assumed to be inevitable. Good listening in the sense we are interested in is not a biological factor, but a psychological one. Your auditory orangs may be in perfect order, when actually you cannot use them creatively. Creative listening implies your being efficient in the art of concentration; in other words, you concentrate on what one is saying so as to make sure that you hear all that is said. At the same time you are concentrating to hear all that is being said, you are also thinking fast, digesting what is being said, allowing your mental faculties and your memory to accept that which you understand and to reject that which you do not understand, sorting out what you do not understand and storing them somewhere in your brain for future discussion and all at the same time rationalizing what you hear, accepting that which you find rational and rejecting that which you do not find rational.

After you must have listened creatively to what you have been told, then you can respond if the need arises. It is quite proper that you respond because the process of response enhances the art of communication. But your response ought to be only a necessary response; a response that will improve your understanding. This response should involve your mentioning some things you have been told but which do not understand, or politely questioning the rationality of some of the speaker’s argument. But your response must be constructive; must enhance the communicative worth. It should not be an unnecessary argument, or an opportunity for you to express dissatisfaction. The ability properly aids communication and understanding

In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) Underlined: The news of his performance in the sessional examination has made Okechukwu crestfallen

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

'Marcus bears watching; remarked Emperor Nero.

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

The Inspector of Education who made several trips on bad road returned yesterday completely _____ by fever

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.

All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.

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

The drummers struck their drums with great efforts and the surging crowds of dancers _____ and _____ the grounds around the palace.

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

I have been trying to locate you _____

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

Are you sure he prefers a horse ride _____ a walk?

I was to remember my first day at Freedom University for a long time. On arrival on campus, I expected to be met by some stale students (as was the practice in my secondary school) but every student around was new like myself. I asked the way to Grant Hall but not one could tell me. I asked a number of other questions about issues that bothered me, such as where and how to pay the fees, the way to the dining hall and so on but no help was forthcoming. So in the midst of so many people, I am all alone, I mused to myself. The prospect was not in the least cheerful and all the elation I had felt at gaining entry into a renowned university at sixteen been to disappear. Then so if propelled by an unknown benevolent force, I walked a little bit down the corridor in the direction of notice board at which some ten young men and women were peering. For want of something to do, I decided to stop and look at the notice board. Alas! I had opened on the key to all the riddles that had dribbled me since I set foot on campus that morning. On the board there was a big campus map in which I was able to locate Grant Hall and other places of interest, there were details of various activities lined up for the three days of orientation for freshmen and a comprehensive list of those offered admission into various courses. How blissful I felt to see the light of knowledge , having been wallowing in the darkness of ignorance. Even then I was not able to escape the thought that I could not be sure how much of the responsibility for the darkness was mine, the fact that something had not been done to draw attention to 5that apocalypse of the notice board had contributed clearly to my initial predicament. All that notwithstanding, I learnt from the incident an importance of reading notice boards and handbills if one is to be informed about places and events in the university.

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

Jimoh has cupboard love for Sidikatu

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

The urban environment tends to form the nucleus of a common dialect.

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

The driver will _____ all the students interested in going to Lagos tomorrow at 7 a:m outside the Main Building

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

The price of everything seems to have _____ up in the last few months

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

That old lady prefers _____ bread _____ clothes.

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

When i have an appointment with someone, i hate _____ waiting

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her son is in a ‘destructive stage’ or even has a ‘destructive personality’ because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labor has puzzles many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder must destroy it himself. This game, I should think arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower ‘stand up’ enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previous passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker-and towers, unlike little sister, can’t cry and call ‘mummy’

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

I shall be with you presently

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

The child's recent training has not been very effective, he is likely to _____ to his old habits

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

When the man lost his two sons in a motor accident, he cracked up

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

There is no need to stand _____ ceremony in matters of this nature

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her son is in a ‘destructive stage’ or even has a ‘destructive personality’ because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labor has puzzles many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder must destroy it himself. This game, I should think arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower ‘stand up’ enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previous passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker-and towers, unlike little sister, can’t cry and call ‘mummy’

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

I wonder how much _____

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

What bothered me about the lecture was that the speaker _____ too many irrelevant works

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

The hefty warder came in and all the prisoners snuffed out their cigarettes

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

Wilfred was a mindless criminal

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

A government spokesman announced that efforts _____ the release of hostages are continuing

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

The suspect defrauded his _____ victims of large sums of money

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

Ngozi and Ekaette were fast friends when we were in the secondary school

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

There was a _____ of steps.

In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:The demonstrators have refused to call off their action