JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2019

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

Aliya's choice of wanting to study medicine ...

Maelezo ya Majibu

Aliya's interest in medicine was just so that she could help asthmatic children in the nearest future by donating inhalers to schools.

READ THE PASSAGE CAREFULLY AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW.With its radiant color and plant-like shape, the sea anemone looks more like a flower than animal. More specifically, the sea anemone is formed quite like a flower for which is named, with body like a stem and tentacles like petals in brilliant shades; blue, pink, green and red. Its diameters vary from about six millimeters in some species to more than ninety centimeters in the giant verities of Australia. Like corals, hydras and jelly fish, sea anemones are coelenterates. They can move slowly, but more often they attach the lower part of their cylindrical bodies to rocks, shells or wharf pilings.

The upper and end of the sea anemone has a mouth surrounded by tentacles which the animal uses to capture its food. Stinging cells in the tentacles throw out tiny poison threads that paralyze other small sea animals. The tentacles then drag this prey into the sea anemone's mouth.The food is digested in the large inner body cavity. When disturbed, a sea anemone retracts its lump on a rock. Anemones may reproduce by forming eggs. dividing in half or developing buds that grow and break off as independent animals.

The word 'shapes' in line 1 is closest meaning to

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word 'shapes' in line 1 refers to the physical appearance or form of the sea anemone. In this context, it describes how the sea anemone looks like a flower in terms of its shape and radiant color. Therefore, the closest meaning to the word 'shapes' is 'form'.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The statement "Mass communication don't talk" is NOT true in the passage. According to the passage, mass communication is like talking to someone face to face, but there is no personal interaction like smiling, laughing, or answering.

READ THE PASSAGE CAREFULLY AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW.With its radiant color and plant-like shape, the sea anemone looks more like a flower than animal. More specifically, the sea anemone is formed quite like a flower for which is named, with body like a stem and tentacles like petals in brilliant shades; blue, pink, green and red. Its diameters vary from about six millimeters in some species to more than ninety centimeters in the giant verities of Australia. Like corals, hydras and jelly fish, sea anemones are coelenterates. They can move slowly, but more often they attach the lower part of their cylindrical bodies to rocks, shells or wharf pilings.

The upper and end of the sea anemone has a mouth surrounded by tentacles which the animal uses to capture its food. Stinging cells in the tentacles throw out tiny poison threads that paralyze other small sea animals. The tentacles then drag this prey into the sea anemone's mouth.The food is digested in the large inner body cavity. When disturbed, a sea anemone retracts its lump on a rock. Anemones may reproduce by forming eggs. dividing in half or developing buds that grow and break off as independent animals.

The word 'capture' as used in the passage means

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the context of the passage, the word 'capture' means to catch. The sea anemone uses its tentacles to catch and paralyze small sea animals, which it then drags into its mouth for digestion.

....9.... in oilskin ran in the light drizzle

Maelezo ya Majibu

The flight engineers are the members of an aircraft's crew responsible for monitoring and operating its complex aircraft systems.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Its second syllable is stressed unlike the rest of the options where the first syllable is stressed.

Choose the word that has the same rhyme scheme

Thyme

Maelezo ya Majibu

'Time' sounds approximately the same way when pronounced as 'Thyme'

It is high time we ........ seeing her

Maelezo ya Majibu

"It is high time we stopped seeing her" would be the correct option. The phrase "it is high time" is an idiomatic expression that means that something should have happened already, and there is a sense of urgency for it to occur. The correct verb form to use after this phrase is the past simple form, which is "stopped" in this case. So, "It is high time we stopped seeing her" means that it is overdue for us to stop seeing her, and we need to do it now. The other options, "stop", "will stop", and "stops" are not grammatically correct after the phrase "it is high time" because they do not use the past simple form.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

Which of one the following critically relates to the novel's subject of concern

Maelezo ya Majibu

The novelist placed emphatic importance on the value of home training and socialisation. This is exemplified in the information and communication gap between Aliya and her father.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

The writer tried to point out religious intolerance in his book, by

Maelezo ya Majibu

The condemnation of Aliya and some of her Muslim friends to hell because they are non-christians and murderers by one of Aliya's classmates is indicative of religious intolerance.

The employer, not the sales boy and his partner ........ responsible for the loss

Maelezo ya Majibu

The employer is responsible for the loss. This means that the employer has the main duty or accountability for the loss, not the sales boy and his partner. The correct option is "is."

Read the Passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The term Mass Communication occurs when information is disseminated to a relatively large number of people in different places. it should be seen as the same thing with talking face to face with someone else. With mass communication, there is no answer, smile, laugh or lock of surprise. the people who receive the message are as far away from the source of the message as far away as you are from the announcers on the radio or from the newscasters on television, or from the writer of a column in the local newspaper.

There are three identifiable means of errors in mass communication. There is one done through the printed words, books, magazine and newspapers. The other is primarily radio, but also records and tape recordings. Also, it can be done through a combination of sound and pictures as in television, films and the more recently popular video tape.

Together, they are referred to as the mass media.

All media can be used to inform and entertain. However, there are coverts roles played. It may be to educate as in school broadcast. Again, the aim may be to persuade as when the media are used by advertisers or for political broadcasts. The media are often in strong position to influence public opinion because they select the topics to be presented and can stress the importance of one issue over the other.

The mass media have, in recent times, come under acerbic criticism. Many presenters have become not only conscientized but also immensely concerned about the possible effects that science of violence and bad behavior may have on their children. More worrisome are the potential danger of political and commercial propaganda.

The means of mass media can be summarized into:

Maelezo ya Majibu

Mass media means technology that is intended to reach a mass audience. It is the primary means of communication used to reach the vast majority of the general public. The most common platforms for mass media according to the passage are newspapers, magazines, radio, television. These can be summarized into print (Newspaper, magazines) and electronic (Radio and Television)

...to cover the improperly secured left rear ....3....

Maelezo ya Majibu

Based on the context provided in the passage, the most appropriate word for the gap would be "hatch". A hatch is a small opening in the aircraft's structure that allows access to internal compartments or mechanical components. In this case, the emergency sheet was used to cover the improperly secured hatch, which suggests that the hatch was the problem area. The other options, such as door, entrance, and gate, do not fit the context of an improperly secured opening on an aircraft.

CHOOSE THE OPTION THAT IS NEAREST IN MEANING TO THE WORD(S) IN BRACKET, FOR QUESTIONS below.

These policies have been [espoused] by the ruling party

Maelezo ya Majibu

The option nearest in meaning to "espoused" is "supported". When someone "espouses" a particular idea, belief, or policy, it means they are expressing support for it and advocating for its adoption. In this case, the ruling party is said to have "espoused" the policies, which implies that they are actively supporting and promoting those policies. Therefore, the correct option is "supported".

to stop on a ...8.....

Maelezo ya Majibu

The airplane stopped on a tarmac. A tarmac is a hard surface, usually made of asphalt, at an airport where planes can take off and land.

Choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one in bracket, from questions below

H[ei]r

Maelezo ya Majibu

The vowel sound here is /e∂/ which perceivable in 'Care', 'air'.

Choose the one nearest in meaning to the word(s) in bracket

There are still [virtous] women in our society today

Maelezo ya Majibu

The correct option is "upright." The sentence is describing women in our society today, and it states that there are still virtuous women. The word "virtuous" means having high moral standards or being righteous. It implies that these women possess good qualities such as honesty, integrity, and decency. , "devilish," has the opposite meaning of virtuous, and it implies that the women are wicked or evil. "clever," means having intelligence or quickness of mind, which is not directly related to morality. "intelligent," means having high mental capacity or being knowledgeable, which again is not directly related to morality. "upright," means honest, honorable, and morally correct, which is the closest in meaning to "virtuous." Therefore, "upright" is the correct option.

Choose the word that has the consonant sound as the one in bracket, from questions below.

A[d]just

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word that has the consonant sound as the one in the bracket is "judge." The consonant sound in the bracket is [d], and "judge" begins with the letter "j," which is pronounced with a [dʒ] sound, which is a voiced consonant sound made by combining [d] and [ʒ] sounds. None of the other options begin with the sound [d]. "Diary" begins with the [dʌɪ] sound, "dynasty" begins with the [dɪn] sound, and "anticipate" begins with the [æn] sound, none of which match the [d] sound in the bracket.

CHOOSE THE OPTION THAT IS NEAREST IN MEANING TO THE WORD(S) IN BRACKET, FOR QUESTIONS below.

Every human being is [vulnerable] to communicable disease

Maelezo ya Majibu

The option that is nearest in meaning to the word "vulnerable" in the sentence "Every human being is vulnerable to communicable disease" is "liable." Explanation: - The word "vulnerable" means susceptible to harm or damage from a specific source, in this case, communicable diseases. - The word "liable" means legally responsible for something or subject to something, typically something unpleasant or negative. - In the context of the sentence, "liable" suggests that every human being is subject to the risk of communicable diseases and may contract them. - It implies that humans are not immune to communicable diseases and are therefore susceptible to them. Therefore, "liable" is the correct answer as it best conveys the intended meaning of the sentence.

Choose the correct interpretations of the statement given, for questions below

America is the Mecca of the world

Maelezo ya Majibu

The representative quality or title of Mecca indicates here that America is a sought after State by most people to visit.

Choose the correct interpretations of the statement given, for questions below

All the Nigerian footballers have itchy feet

Maelezo ya Majibu

The footballers like to travel is the best answer. 'Itchy' means not static, by implication.

Choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one in bracket, from questions below

B[oo]k

Maelezo ya Majibu

The vowel sound obtainable here is the short /u/ sound as in 'put'. The rest of the options have elongated pronunciation than 'full'

Read the Passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The term Mass Communication occurs when information is disseminated to a relatively large number of people in different places. it should be seen as the same thing with talking face to face with someone else. With mass communication, there is no answer, smile, laugh or lock of surprise. the people who receive the message are as far away from the source of the message as far away as you are from the announcers on the radio or from the newscasters on television, or from the writer of a column in the local newspaper.

There are three identifiable means of errors in mass communication. There is one done through the printed words, books, magazine and newspapers. The other is primarily radio, but also records and tape recordings. Also, it can be done through a combination of sound and pictures as in television, films and the more recently popular video tape.

Together, they are referred to as the mass media.

All media can be used to inform and entertain. However, there are coverts roles played. It may be to educate as in school broadcast. Again, the aim may be to persuade as when the media are used by advertisers or for political broadcasts. The media are often in strong position to influence public opinion because they select the topics to be presented and can stress the importance of one issue over the other.

The mass media have, in recent times, come under acerbic criticism. Many presenters have become not only conscientized but also immensely concerned about the possible effects that science of violence and bad behavior may have on their children. More worrisome are the potential danger of political and commercial propaganda.

A suitable title for the above passage can be:

Maelezo ya Majibu

The passage is expository enough to largely cover mass communication as a career, practice, relative importance and societal impact and effect.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

"The Gandhi Test" indicates how

Maelezo ya Majibu

Test is that 'you can tell if what you're doing is good or bad, if you want other people to know about it' which means that one should act and be mindful that people are watching.

Choose the most appropriate option for each group for questionsAlice, a small fragile-looking Ugandan mother, is dying of AIDS. She lives with her son and daughter in a tin-roofed shack on the .....1... of Kampala. When her husband died of AIDS in 1987, Alice discovered she was HIV positive. Frequent ...2..... of sickness forced her to give up her embroidery job. She was so depressed that she just wanted to eat. ....3.... by a neighbour, the mobile care unit from Nsambya hospital went to her home. They convinced her to start taking proper ..4....... After three months of ....5.... treatment, she regained her will to live. The AIDS time bomb .....6... on relentlessly. The World Health Organization ....7.... that 1.8 million Ugandans are HIV positive, nearly one in eight of the total population. The Ugandan AIDS Commission set up by President Museveni ..8...... the spread of the disease. However, under-porting and the lack of post-mortem and ...9..... makes it impossible to establish exact figures. No one ....10.... that it is a disaster far worse than the years of civil war.

After three months of ....5.... treatment, she regained her will to live.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "intensive." The sentence suggests that Alice had been receiving proper treatment for her AIDS for three months, which implies that the treatment was more than just a basic or light form of care. "Intensive" means something that is thorough, concentrated, and focused on achieving a specific goal. In this context, it suggests that Alice was receiving a rigorous and demanding form of treatment for her AIDS, which ultimately helped her regain the will to live.

and requested clearance for emergency ...6.....

Maelezo ya Majibu

In the given passage, the most appropriate option for the gap 6 is "landing". To explain this in simple terms, when the pilot reported the misshapen left rear to the control tower, he also requested clearance for an emergency landing. This means that the pilot was seeking permission to land the aircraft immediately due to the mechanical issue with the plane. The word "emergency" indicates that the situation was urgent and required immediate action. Therefore, the correct option for the gap 6 is "landing".

At the same time, he pushed a button on the panel to activate automatic turning, and the aeroplane ....4.... north-east

Maelezo ya Majibu

The sentence is describing what the pilot did in response to a mechanical issue with the aircraft. The phrase "activate automatic turning" suggests that the pilot used a button on the control panel to activate a feature that would cause the aircraft to turn automatically. The word "north-east" indicates the direction in which the aircraft turned. The word "veered" means to change direction suddenly, so it is the most appropriate option for the given context. Therefore, the correct option is "veered." The completed sentence would read: "At the same time, he pushed a button on the panel to activate automatic turning, and the aeroplane veered north-east."

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

... is quick to anger and doesn't hide it when she is

Maelezo ya Majibu

Mrs Bello doesn't hide her anger whenever she is, she outter speaks her mind on the issue. Although she may not agree with her husband on something, she supports him however.

Read the Passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The term Mass Communication occurs when information is disseminated to a relatively large number of people in different places. it should be seen as the same thing with talking face to face with someone else. With mass communication, there is no answer, smile, laugh or lock of surprise. the people who receive the message are as far away from the source of the message as far away as you are from the announcers on the radio or from the newscasters on television, or from the writer of a column in the local newspaper.

There are three identifiable means of errors in mass communication. There is one done through the printed words, books, magazine and newspapers. The other is primarily radio, but also records and tape recordings. Also, it can be done through a combination of sound and pictures as in television, films and the more recently popular video tape.

Together, they are referred to as the mass media.

All media can be used to inform and entertain. However, there are coverts roles played. It may be to educate as in school broadcast. Again, the aim may be to persuade as when the media are used by advertisers or for political broadcasts. The media are often in strong position to influence public opinion because they select the topics to be presented and can stress the importance of one issue over the other.

The mass media have, in recent times, come under acerbic criticism. Many presenters have become not only conscientized but also immensely concerned about the possible effects that science of violence and bad behavior may have on their children. More worrisome are the potential danger of political and commercial propaganda.

One major source of worry about the mass media is from?

Maelezo ya Majibu

From the last paragraph, the ruling class may influence popular thinking and create certain impression and even direct the course of social discussions by simply buying and/or controlling the media.

Choose the one opposite in meaning to the word(s) in underlined.

Chief Money-Miss-Road is a sitting-duck

Maelezo ya Majibu

The opposite of "sitting duck" would be "invincible" which means incapable of being defeated or overcome. A "sitting duck" is a metaphorical expression that refers to someone who is in a vulnerable position and is an easy target for an attack. It is often used to describe a situation where someone is defenseless and can be easily taken advantage of. Therefore, the opposite of "sitting duck" would be a person or thing that is invincible, meaning they cannot be defeated or harmed.

Choose the word that has an opposite meaning to the one in bracket for questions below.

Mr Santos Laliga is a [dipsomaniac]

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word that has an opposite meaning to "dipsomaniac" is "teetotaler." Explanation: - A "dipsomaniac" is someone who has an uncontrollable urge to drink alcohol excessively. - On the other hand, a "teetotaler" is someone who abstains from drinking alcohol altogether. - The two words have opposite meanings because one describes someone who drinks excessively and uncontrollably, while the other describes someone who avoids alcohol completely.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

The fact that Aliya wanted to be a pilot, then a musician, a songwriter, doctor and later a lawyer points to the

Maelezo ya Majibu

The youthfulness and ambition as well as confusion that comes with choosing a career is evident at every child's tender age. Parents should only guide their children as to the choice of their career based on passion and not on prospects of the course or career only.

Choose the correct interpretations of the statement given, for questions below

Bobrisky is a fashion victim

Maelezo ya Majibu

The correct interpretation of the statement "Bobrisky is a fashion victim" is "he/she likes fashionable things more than anything else." A "fashion victim" is often used to describe someone who is overly obsessed with fashion and is willing to sacrifice comfort, money, or other things for the sake of being fashionable. In this context, the statement is suggesting that Bobrisky is someone who is very interested in and influenced by fashion trends.

Choose the most appropriate option for each group for questionsAlice, a small fragile-looking Ugandan mother, is dying of AIDS. She lives with her son and daughter in a tin-roofed shack on the .....1... of Kampala. When her husband died of AIDS in 1987, Alice discovered she was HIV positive. Frequent ...2..... of sickness forced her to give up her embroidery job. She was so depressed that she just wanted to eat. ....3.... by a neighbour, the mobile care unit from Nsambya hospital went to her home. They convinced her to start taking proper ..4....... After three months of ....5.... treatment, she regained her will to live. The AIDS time bomb .....6... on relentlessly. The World Health Organization ....7.... that 1.8 million Ugandans are HIV positive, nearly one in eight of the total population. The Ugandan AIDS Commission set up by President Museveni ..8...... the spread of the disease. However, under-porting and the lack of post-mortem and ...9..... makes it impossible to establish exact figures. No one ....10.... that it is a disaster far worse than the years of civil war.

When her husband died of AIDS in 1987, Alice discovered she was HIV positive. Frequent ...2..... of sickness forced her to give up her embroidery job.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "Bouts". Bouts of sickness refer to recurring episodes of illness or attacks of a disease. This means that Alice was experiencing frequent episodes of sickness, which forced her to give up her embroidery job.

His many years of success in legal practise.... didn't come out without challenges

Maelezo ya Majibu

The most appropriate option to complete the sentence is "didn't come out without challenges, however". This is because the phrase "didn't come out without challenges" indicates that the person faced difficulties in their legal practice. The word "however" is used to show a contrast or contradiction to what came before, in this case, the success that the person achieved. Therefore, the complete sentence would read, "His many years of success in legal practice didn't come out without challenges, however."

Choose the word that has the same consonant sound as the one in bracket

Ask[ed]

Maelezo ya Majibu

 The sound /t/ as in 'tank' is present here.

Choose the most appropriate option for each group for questionsAlice, a small fragile-looking Ugandan mother, is dying of AIDS. She lives with her son and daughter in a tin-roofed shack on the .....1... of Kampala. When her husband died of AIDS in 1987, Alice discovered she was HIV positive. Frequent ...2..... of sickness forced her to give up her embroidery job. She was so depressed that she just wanted to eat. ....3.... by a neighbour, the mobile care unit from Nsambya hospital went to her home. They convinced her to start taking proper ..4....... After three months of ....5.... treatment, she regained her will to live. The AIDS time bomb .....6... on relentlessly. The World Health Organization ....7.... that 1.8 million Ugandans are HIV positive, nearly one in eight of the total population. The Ugandan AIDS Commission set up by President Museveni ..8...... the spread of the disease. However, under-porting and the lack of post-mortem and ...9..... makes it impossible to establish exact figures. No one ....10.... that it is a disaster far worse than the years of civil war.

However, under-porting and the lack of post-mortem and ...9..... makes it impossible to establish exact figures.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The most suitable and all embracing answer here is facilities.

Choose the word with the same vowel sound as the one in bracket

Band[a]ge

Maelezo ya Majibu

Sounds like ban·dij

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

Jide couldn't have said that. This means that Jide

Maelezo ya Majibu

"Couldn't have" here indicates the past impossibility of the fact that Jide said it is at all i.e it is untrue or rather unlikely for Jide to have said it.

Choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one in bracket, from questions below

G[ua]rantee

Maelezo ya Majibu

The vowel sound here is pronounceable from 'pat', 'apple' etc. Plait is the therefore the right answer.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

In the novel, we learnt that

Maelezo ya Majibu

Among other things, Aliya's father emphasized that beauty is a relative word and as a matter of fact, beauty without good deeds is all vanity and worthless on the long run. As per dating, the advice is for teenagers to act patiently, this nullifies Option C.

Choose the most appropriate option for each group for questionsAlice, a small fragile-looking Ugandan mother, is dying of AIDS. She lives with her son and daughter in a tin-roofed shack on the .....1... of Kampala. When her husband died of AIDS in 1987, Alice discovered she was HIV positive. Frequent ...2..... of sickness forced her to give up her embroidery job. She was so depressed that she just wanted to eat. ....3.... by a neighbour, the mobile care unit from Nsambya hospital went to her home. They convinced her to start taking proper ..4....... After three months of ....5.... treatment, she regained her will to live. The AIDS time bomb .....6... on relentlessly. The World Health Organization ....7.... that 1.8 million Ugandans are HIV positive, nearly one in eight of the total population. The Ugandan AIDS Commission set up by President Museveni ..8...... the spread of the disease. However, under-porting and the lack of post-mortem and ...9..... makes it impossible to establish exact figures. No one ....10.... that it is a disaster far worse than the years of civil war.

No one ....10.... that it is a disaster far worse than the years of civil war.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Denies is the best answer. It is unarguably true that AIDS in Ugandan is a disaster worse off than the tragedies of their Civil War.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

A child's choice of career is matter of

Maelezo ya Majibu

The novelist noted that the choice of career of a child shouldn't be based on parental discretion as what is sellable and commands respect in the society but as to their child's interest in the course, with a bit of parental guidance.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

Aliya's sixteenth birthday is special because

Maelezo ya Majibu

Aliya's sixteenth birthday is special because her father gave her a sixteen-page letter detailing her life journey thus far. This letter not only serves as a birthday gift but also as a memoir of her father's experiences, values, and life lessons. The letter helps Aliya understand her roots and provides her with a sense of identity. It also shows the love and affection her father has for her and how much he cares about her growth and development. Therefore, this gift is unique and significant because it is not just a present but a precious and timeless piece of her family history.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

The novel places emphasis on the

Maelezo ya Majibu

In "Sweet Sixteen," the novel places emphasis on the relevance of bridging the communication gap between children and their parents. To explain this in simple terms, the novel highlights the importance of open and honest communication between parents and their children. It shows that many problems and misunderstandings arise from a lack of communication or miscommunication between the two parties. By having meaningful conversations and listening to each other, parents and children can better understand each other's perspectives, values, and concerns. This can help build stronger relationships and avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.

In each of the questions, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress, Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

The traditional chief NARRATED the story to the children

Maelezo ya Majibu

By way of juxtaposition, and recurring emphatic importance, Did the chief hide the story from the children is the most preferred answer.

In each of the questions, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress, Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

The cat DEVOURED the rat

Maelezo ya Majibu

Did the cat pet the rat is the correct answer. The same reasoning in the authoritative answer to Question 59 is also relevant here to support Option as the most suitable answer.

Choose the word that has the same consonant sound as the one in bracket

Non[ch]alant

Maelezo ya Majibu

The /∫/ sound prevalent here is evidenced in the pronunciation of the 'SH' of 'shout' of which the 'CH' in Champagne belongs to.

Choose the most appropriate option for each group for questionsAlice, a small fragile-looking Ugandan mother, is dying of AIDS. She lives with her son and daughter in a tin-roofed shack on the .....1... of Kampala. When her husband died of AIDS in 1987, Alice discovered she was HIV positive. Frequent ...2..... of sickness forced her to give up her embroidery job. She was so depressed that she just wanted to eat. ....3.... by a neighbour, the mobile care unit from Nsambya hospital went to her home. They convinced her to start taking proper ..4....... After three months of ....5.... treatment, she regained her will to live. The AIDS time bomb .....6... on relentlessly. The World Health Organization ....7.... that 1.8 million Ugandans are HIV positive, nearly one in eight of the total population. The Ugandan AIDS Commission set up by President Museveni ..8...... the spread of the disease. However, under-porting and the lack of post-mortem and ...9..... makes it impossible to establish exact figures. No one ....10.... that it is a disaster far worse than the years of civil war.

The AIDS time bomb .....6... on relentlessly.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Strikes as in this context means to occur suddenly and have harmful or damaging effects.

He called the control ....5.... to report the mishap

Maelezo ya Majibu

The Control tower is the air traffic control, and service provider unit which directs aircrafts and advise in non-controlled airspace.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

It may be argued that Chapter Two is titled, "The Drive" particularly because...?

Maelezo ya Majibu

Readers must see through the meanings of words and titles beyond their ordinarily usage where necessary. Aliya's drive home by Mr Bello is relevant not because of the drive but especially because Mr Bello used the opportunity of the informal atmosphere to educate his daughter about sexual maturity and the realities of life pictured by the hawking girls and their aspiration to be great in life.

You can have ........ of these two books

Maelezo ya Majibu

'Either' is used when there is an alternative choice or decision to be made.

Hadn't it rained, it wouldn't have been so bad

Maelezo ya Majibu

The usage of the anomalous verb 'had' alongside with the negatives; 'not' and that in 'wouldn't' means that, it actually rained and that didn't make things good or go as it would have been preferred.

Choose the most appropriate option for each group for questionsAlice, a small fragile-looking Ugandan mother, is dying of AIDS. She lives with her son and daughter in a tin-roofed shack on the .....1... of Kampala. When her husband died of AIDS in 1987, Alice discovered she was HIV positive. Frequent ...2..... of sickness forced her to give up her embroidery job. She was so depressed that she just wanted to eat. ....3.... by a neighbour, the mobile care unit from Nsambya hospital went to her home. They convinced her to start taking proper ..4....... After three months of ....5.... treatment, she regained her will to live. The AIDS time bomb .....6... on relentlessly. The World Health Organization ....7.... that 1.8 million Ugandans are HIV positive, nearly one in eight of the total population. The Ugandan AIDS Commission set up by President Museveni ..8...... the spread of the disease. However, under-porting and the lack of post-mortem and ...9..... makes it impossible to establish exact figures. No one ....10.... that it is a disaster far worse than the years of civil war.

The Ugandan AIDS Commission set up by President Museveni ..8...... the spread of the disease.

Maelezo ya Majibu

The most appropriate option for this group is "monitors". The sentence states that the Ugandan AIDS Commission was set up by President Museveni to deal with the spread of the disease. The word "monitors" means to keep a close watch over something, which is exactly what the Ugandan AIDS Commission was created to do. The Commission's main role is to monitor the spread of HIV and AIDS in Uganda and to implement measures to prevent it from spreading further. The other options, "limits", "anticipates", and "increases", do not make sense in this context. The Ugandan AIDS Commission was not set up to limit or increase the spread of the disease, nor was it created to anticipate the spread of the disease.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

Bobo proved Mr Bello's advice on infatuation as right when he

Maelezo ya Majibu

The fact that Bobo later travelled to Ireland without even informing Aliya finally and undoubtedly cements Mr Bello's advice that his love for her was temporary.

Choose the one nearest in meaning to the word(s) in bracket

Justice is difficult to enforce because people are unwilling to accept any loss of [sovereignty]

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word "sovereignty" refers to the power or authority to govern oneself or others. In the context of the sentence, it implies that people are unwilling to accept any loss of their own power or authority, which makes it difficult to enforce justice. Therefore, the word that is nearest in meaning to "sovereignty" is "autonomy," which refers to the right or condition of self-government or self-determination.

Read the passage and choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

Just after ...1..... the aircraft gave a shudder and coughed. The pilot, from the ..2...... activated the emergency sheet to cover the improperly secured left rear ....3.... At the same time, he pushed a button on the panel to activate automatic turning, and the airplane ....4.... north-east He called the control ....5.... to report the misshaped requested clearance for emergency ....6....The plane circled the airport and prepared to return to the airport it had just left. Moments later, the aircraft ....7....to stop on a ....8.... ....9.... in oilskin ran in the light drizzle and were soon perched on the ....10.... of the plane, from where they began their inspection.

The plane circled the airport and prepared to return to the airport it had just left. Moments later, the aircraft ...7.....

Maelezo ya Majibu

Taxiing or taxying is a term for the movement of an aircraft on the ground. Seeing as in this case, the aircraft was about to take off again.

Choose the one nearest in meaning to the word(s) in bracket.

This type of response is [typical] of a lazy teacher

Maelezo ya Majibu

The word nearest in meaning to "typical" is "characteristics". When we say that something is typical of a certain group or person, it means that it has the usual or expected features or characteristics of that group or person. In this case, the response being referred to is typical of a lazy teacher, meaning that it has the usual or expected features or characteristics of a lazy teacher.

Questions below are based on Bolaji Abdullahi's "Sweet Sixteen"

The stereotypical act in the book centres

Maelezo ya Majibu

Aliya asks her Dad if it is true that all Muslims are terrorists and that they all perish. Her father corrects this stereotypical notion or unfounded generalised belief of some members of the society as regards their religion.

CHOOSE THE OPTION THAT IS NEAREST IN MEANING TO THE WORD(S) IN BRACKET, FOR QUESTIONS below.

We must not [foreclose] reconciliation as the purpose of his trip

Maelezo ya Majibu

To foreclose is to leave out the consideration of an option or alternative to something.