JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2012

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

The woman would not part with her _______pot.

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The best option that completes the gap is "discarded black earthen pot." This sentence describes a woman who is unwilling to give up or sell her earthen pot that is black in color, and has been thrown away or discarded by someone else. The order of the adjectives in English usually follows the pattern of opinion-size-age-shape-color-origin-material-purpose, so "discarded" comes before "black" and "earthen" describes the material the pot is made of. Therefore, "discarded black earthen pot" is the most grammatically correct and coherent option.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

This professor of_______medicine has_______ the mystery of bird flu.

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The best option that completes the gap is "veterinary/unraveled," which means that the professor specializes in animal medicine and has solved the mystery of bird flu. Bird flu is a viral disease that primarily affects birds, but it can also spread to humans and other animals. A veterinary professor is someone who has expertise in diagnosing and treating animal diseases. By using their knowledge, skills, and resources, they may be able to identify the cause of bird flu and develop strategies to prevent or treat it. The word "unraveled" in this context means that the professor has solved the mystery or uncovered the cause of the disease.

In the question below, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined.

The presidential system is an antidote to some political ailments.

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The word "antidote" in the given sentence means a solution or remedy that prevents or counters some political problems or diseases. The opposite in meaning to "antidote" is a word that means a problem or obstacle. Among the given options, the word that conveys this meaning is "an obstacle". An obstacle is something that blocks or hinders progress, rather than promoting it. Therefore, the correct answer is "an obstacle".

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Okibe was rusticated for his derogatory remark about the principal.

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Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s)

For more productivity, the company is focusing attention on the possible_______of available resources.

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The company is trying to make the most of the resources it has available to increase productivity. The word that best completes the gap in the sentence is "tapping". "Tapping" means to make use of or take advantage of something. In this context, the company is looking to tap the potential of their available resources. By doing so, they hope to increase productivity by using their resources effectively and efficiently.

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

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The most appropriate answer for the gap numbered 24 is "increases". The sentence states that "the risk of miscarriage...with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates." This means that as a woman gets older, the quality of her eggs decreases, which makes it more difficult for a pregnancy to develop normally. As a result, the risk of miscarriage increases with age. Therefore, "increases" is the best fit for the gap.

Answer the following question below and choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options. The syllables are underlined in capital letters.

demarcation

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Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s)\:

The driver was short of petrol, so he _______down the hills with the engine switched off.

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The best option to fill in the gap is "coasted." "Coasting" means to travel without using power, such as the engine of a car. In this sentence, the driver was trying to save petrol, so he chose to coast down the hills with the engine switched off. The other options "glided," "wheeled," and "taxied" do not have the same meaning as "coasting" and do not fit the context of the sentence.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

We visited his house_______three times.

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Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

The management wants to consider her reticent behaviour in due course.

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The underlined word "reticent" means being quiet, reserved, or reluctant to speak up. Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to "reticent" is "loquacious," which means being talkative, chatty, or fond of talking. The management wants to consider her "reticent" behaviour, which means they want to take into account her quiet and reserved behaviour in due course.

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

She was absolved by the court from the charge.

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The sentence "She was absolved by the court from the charge" means that she was declared free from the charge by the court. Option D best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

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The correct answer for the gap numbered 25 is "multiple". The passage states that the risk of miscarriage is increased with multiple pregnancies such as twins. This means that if a woman is carrying more than one fetus (twins, triplets, etc.), the risk of miscarriage is higher compared to a single pregnancy. Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill in the gap would be "multiple".

Recent literary researches reveal that Nigerians hardly have time to read . In essence, the reading culture in Nigeria is now at a low ebb. It is disturbing, however, that few Nigerians that read concentrate more on foreign books than indigenous productions. Most Nigerian authors of novels,storybooks, fictions and non-fiction series have decried, on different, occasions, their woes. The were bitter at the way most owners of bookshops and publishers treat them. It was gathered to stock foreign books. when contacted by DAILY INDEPENDENT, the general manager of a popular bookstore on Lagos lsland declared that most of the bookshops preferred to stock foreign books because of higher demands for them. The question that bothers most Nigerian authors is , while their overseas counterparts are being rewarded with great international honours, why are Nigerians not according them such recognition in their own country?

Recently, "Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, won the 2007 Orange Prize Award, the literary world's top award for fiction in English written by women. The award carries a prize tag of $30,000 it was reported in Publishers Weekly, Half of a Yellow Sun, the book that earned her the award, was profoundly gripping. According to the reviewer, the book is a transcendent novel of many descriptive triumphs, most notably its diction of the impact of war brutalities on peasants and intellectuals alike. It is searing history in fictional form, intensely evocative and immensely absorbing. Chinua Achebe, 'Father of Modern African Literature, also won the second ever Man Booker International Prize of £60,000 with his first novel Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. When Professor Wole Syinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, the fame confirmed the relevance of Nigerians in the world of classical excellence. Ben Okri won the 1991 Booker Prize with his work, The Famished Road, and the world celebrated Nigeria as the giant of Africa.

It was also , gathered that most of the publishers hurriedly produce books and in the process marred their good contents. Most of the books are not properly edited and eventually become substandard when compared with foreign products. The extent to which book publishing standard has fallen in Nigeria alarming. Often Nigerian publishers have been blamed for this. It is instructive that none of the books mentioned had been published in Nigeria. It was discovered that most students in tertiary institution depend on dictations from their lectures and /or handouts. A science lecturer in one of the Nigeria universities, who had been a victim of handout sales scandal, told DAILY INDEPENDENT the reality of campus challenges in relation to books; I was forced to dictate notes slowly to students who hung on my every word in the absence of textbooks in a library that had, to all intent and purpose, stopped buying new books when the local currency was devalued. But what other alternative does one have?

Adapted from DAILY INDEPENDENT, Monday, 20 August, 2007

The expression...that earned her the award is profoundly gripping, as used in the passage, means that the book is

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The expression "that earned her the award" in the passage means that the book is highly interesting and captures attention. The reviewer is praising the book Half of a Yellow Sun, stating that it is a "transcendent novel of many descriptive triumphs" and that it is "profoundly gripping." The phrase "earned her the award" also implies that the book was considered to be of exceptional quality, which is why it was able to win a prestigious literary award like the Orange Prize. Therefore, option A, "highly interesting and captures attention," is the correct answer.

It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. T learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt our fingers and now your eyes are open'. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously going out way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance.

Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we lean? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience.

This will involve one making up ones mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher.

To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and -wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new everyday by wisdom rather than rather than experience. It

means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom -invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser.

It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grapes a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

Adapted from Sunday Tribune , July 2007

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Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Hardworking students must not have a finger in every pie at school.

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Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Ola thought that her father was very callous

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The opposite of "callous" is "compassionate." "Callous" means having or showing a lack of sympathy or caring for others, while "compassionate" means having or showing sympathy and concern for others. So in the sentence, "Ola thought that her father was very callous," the opposite would be "Ola thought that her father was very compassionate."

Religion in its various forms is very strong in Nigeria. In other words, Nigerian people are very religious most of them believe that there is an unseen supernatural world, apart from the natural world we see around us. This other world is inhabited by beings who are the source of our knowledge of good and evil. They watch and judge us, and if we offend them they may have to be appeased with prayers and sacrifices. Certain individuals in the natural in the natural world-priests, prophets and diviners- are believed to be endowed with special powers to make contact with the other world. These individuals lay down ceremonies or rituals which must be observed if due honour is to be paid to the unseen beings. The religious belief and practices of Nigerians can be classified under three main headings: Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. In this passage, our focus is on traditional religion.

Traditional or indigenous religion continues to exert a strong influence on many people's mind partly because of its association with their birth places and families. Each ethnic group has its own religious traditional and these are often linked to some sacred spots in the ethnic homeland. Yet the various traditional religions have much in common: a remote but benevolent high god; under him, a number of lesser gods who interact with mankind; and below them various spirits who inhabit natural objects (trees, streams, rock, etc); below them again, and closest to living men and women, the spirits of the ancestors.

In the Yoruba tradition, for example, there are more than 400 lesser deities presided over by the high god, olorun. Because he is remote from mankind, shrines are not built to him and worship is not offered to him directly. The lesser gods, on the other hand, are the subject of special cults, each with its own priests and devotees. Eshu, the messenger of the gods; lfa, the god of divination; Shango, the god of thunder, and so on. Traditional religion was also strong in other parts of Nigeria. In lgbo Traditional religion, there were fewer gods. Although there was a remote high god, the most important figure was Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground owing to the influence of lslam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people, especially woman, is strong in some areas. Each spirit is associated with certain type of behaviou, which is manifested by the possessed individual

Divination - the discovery of what is unknown or is yet to happen by supernatural or magical means - is an important element of traditional religion. It is often one of the functions of medicine - men or herbalists. In lgboland, there also used to be several oracles which people consulted in order to seek solutions to their problems. With the coming of Christianity, their influence has however waned, but in areas like Arochukwu and Okija, the influence of such oracles is still strongly felt.

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Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s)

The driver died in the _______road accident.

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The driver died in the "fatal" road accident. The word "fatal" means causing death. Therefore, in the given sentence, the word "fatal" is the most appropriate choice to describe the severity of the accident and the driver's unfortunate outcome. The other options, "brutal," "serious," and "pathetic," do not specifically indicate that the driver died as a result of the accident.

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

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Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

Vacancies in the company will be notified by_______.

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Vacancies in the company will be notified by "advertisement". The word "advertisement" refers to a notice or announcement in a public medium, such as a newspaper or website, to attract attention to a product, service, or job opening. In the context of the given sentence, the word "advertisement" is the most appropriate choice to indicate that the company will publicly announce its job openings to attract suitable candidates. The other options, "bulletin," "publication," and "publicity," may imply a more general or internal communication about the company, rather than specifically indicating job openings.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

During a particular time of the day, the road shimmers in the heat.

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The word "shimmers" in the sentence means "shines" in a wavering or flickering way. It is used to describe the way the road looks during a particular time of day when the heat causes it to appear to be sparkling or gleaming. Therefore, the option that is nearest in meaning to "shimmers" is "shines".

Answer the following question below , the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

The ACCOUNTANT paid the workers' July salary in September.

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Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the stress on the first syllable

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Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

We were shocked by the news that he had lost the money.

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The word "shocked" expresses a strong negative emotional reaction to the news that someone had lost money. Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to "shocked" is "unconcerned." If someone is unconcerned, they are not affected by the news and may not feel any strong emotion about it.

It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. T learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt our fingers and now your eyes are open'. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously going out way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance.

Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we lean? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience.

This will involve one making up ones mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher.

To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and -wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new everyday by wisdom rather than rather than experience. It

means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom -invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser.

It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grapes a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

Adapted from Sunday Tribune , July 2007

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Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

As an idiot, the boy is weak in class.

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The opposite of "an idiot" is "a genius." "Idiot" is a derogatory term used to describe someone who is stupid or lacking in intelligence, while "genius" is a term used to describe someone with exceptional intelligence or talent. So in the sentence, "as an idiot, the boy is weak in class," the opposite would be "as a genius, the boy is strong in class."

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

His many years of success in legal practice, _______didn't come without challenges.

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The best option that completes the gap in the sentence is "however". The sentence says "His many years of success in legal practice, however, didn't come without challenges". This means that despite his success, he faced challenges along the way. The word "however" is used to contrast the idea of success with the idea of challenges, indicating that the challenges were present even though he was successful.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

_______a good leader must have two characteristics.

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The correct option to complete the gap is "first and foremost." "First and foremost" means that something is the most important or fundamental aspect to consider. In this context, it means that a good leader must possess two key characteristics that are essential to their success. These characteristics are so critical that they must be considered before any other qualities that a leader may possess. In summary, the phrase "first and foremost" emphasizes the importance of two essential characteristics that a good leader must have, which are fundamental to their success.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better _______a singer.

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The sentence is comparing the skills of the person as a writer, politician, and singer. To make this comparison, we need to use the word "as" to indicate that the person was better in one area than another. Therefore, the correct option is "as." The sentence would read: "He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better as a singer."

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The landlord is fond of throwing his weight about.

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The sentence "The landlord is fond of throwing his weight about" means that the landlord likes to assert his authority or give orders in a forceful or bullying manner. Therefore, the best option that explains the information conveyed in the sentence is "the landlord gives orders to people".

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

He started his career as an _______teacher.

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The correct spelling of the word is "auxiliary". An auxiliary teacher is someone who supports the main teacher in a classroom, usually by assisting with tasks like grading, preparing materials, or working with individual students. Therefore, an auxiliary teacher is not the main teacher in charge of the classroom, but rather provides assistance and support to the main teacher.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

The type of response is typical of a lazy teacher.

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In this sentence, the word "typical" means "characteristic" or showing the usual qualities or features of a lazy teacher. The word "typical" is often used to describe something that is common or standard in a particular group or situation. Therefore, the best option nearest in meaning to the underlined word is "characteristic."

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Bola always looks sober

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The word "sober" means "not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and having a serious and sensible attitude." So the opposite of "sober" in meaning would be "excited," which means "feeling or showing strong emotions or enthusiasm." So it means that Bola always has a serious and sensible attitude and does not show strong emotions or enthusiasm.

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

The principal was advised to be flexible on critical issues.

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The underlined word "flexible" means open to change or willing to adjust. The opposite of flexible would be "rigid", meaning inflexible and unwilling to change. So in this sentence, the advice given to the principal was to not be strict or unyielding on important matters.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

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

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The underlined phrase "loss of sovereignty" refers to the idea that people are not willing to give up their control or power. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "loss of sovereignty" is "autonomy," which means the right of self-government or independence. Justice is difficult to enforce because people are unwilling to accept any loss of sovereignty, which means they are not willing to give up their independence or control. This can create challenges for the enforcement of justice, as people may resist any attempts to take away their autonomy or power.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

_______she didn't trust him, she married him.

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The phrase "though she didn't trust him, she married him" suggests that there is a contradiction between the lack of trust and the decision to marry. Therefore, the best option that completes the sentence is "though". It indicates that despite the lack of trust, the woman still chose to marry the man.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

The student's union leader delivered his speech extempore

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The underlined word "extempore" in the sentence means "off the cuff." It refers to delivering a speech or performance without any prior preparation or planning, improvising on the spot. So, the student's union leader gave an impromptu speech without using any notes or a prepared script.

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The company ought to have issued warrants for one billion shares.

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The sentence "The company ought to have issued warrants for one billion shares" means that the company was expected or required to issue warrants for one billion shares, but it may not have actually done so yet. Therefore, the best option that explains the information conveyed in the sentence is "the company did not issue one billion shares."

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

Her mother brought her some_______.

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The best option that completes the gap is "clothes," which refers to a set of garments that are worn on the body. When someone says that "her mother brought her some clothes," it means that the mother brought her daughter a set of garments to wear, such as a shirt, pants, dress, or other clothing items. Clothes are essential for protecting the body from the elements, expressing personal style, and conforming to social norms. In this context, it's unclear what specific type of clothes the mother brought, but it can be assumed that they were suitable for the daughter's age, size, and preferences. The options "yards," "cloth," and "clothing" are not as suitable because they don't specify the type of garment that was brought and are less commonly used to refer to a set of clothes.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Mariam looks rather furtive to Shehu.

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The word nearest in meaning to "furtive" in the sentence is "sly." "Furtive" means to act in a stealthy or secretive manner, as if trying to conceal something. The word "sly" has a similar meaning, referring to someone who is cunning or deceitful in a way that is not always immediately noticeable. The other options, "intoxicated," "unfriendly," and "sad," do not have the same meaning as "furtive" and do not fit in with the context of the sentence.

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

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The most appropriate word to fill gap number 17 is "symptom." In the context of the passage, it is referring to the signs and indications of a miscarriage. The other options, "type," "cause," and "period," do not fit in with the meaning of the sentence, which is discussing the signs and symptoms of a miscarriage. A symptom is something that a person experiences and can observe, such as vaginal bleeding or cramping, that suggests they may have a particular health condition or problem.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

We stood up when the principal came in, _______?

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The blank in the sentence requires a phrase that indicates the expectation or anticipation of the action taken. The phrase "We stood up when the principal came in" suggests that there was an unspoken rule or tradition to stand up when the principal entered the room. The phrase that best completes the sentence is "didn't we," which implies that standing up was expected or customary. Therefore, the correct option is "didn't we."

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

I wanted to know his political beliefs, so l asked him what_______.

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Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the stress on the first syllable

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Recent literary researches reveal that Nigerians hardly have time to read . In essence, the reading culture in Nigeria is now at a low ebb. It is disturbing, however, that few Nigerians that read concentrate more on foreign books than indigenous productions. Most Nigerian authors of novels,storybooks, fictions and non-fiction series have decried, on different, occasions, their woes. The were bitter at the way most owners of bookshops and publishers treat them. It was gathered to stock foreign books. when contacted by DAILY INDEPENDENT, the general manager of a popular bookstore on Lagos lsland declared that most of the bookshops preferred to stock foreign books because of higher demands for them. The question that bothers most Nigerian authors is , while their overseas counterparts are being rewarded with great international honours, why are Nigerians not according them such recognition in their own country?

Recently, "Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, won the 2007 Orange Prize Award, the literary world's top award for fiction in English written by women. The award carries a prize tag of $30,000 it was reported in Publishers Weekly, Half of a Yellow Sun, the book that earned her the award, was profoundly gripping. According to the reviewer, the book is a transcendent novel of many descriptive triumphs, most notably its diction of the impact of war brutalities on peasants and intellectuals alike. It is searing history in fictional form, intensely evocative and immensely absorbing. Chinua Achebe, 'Father of Modern African Literature, also won the second ever Man Booker International Prize of £60,000 with his first novel Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. When Professor Wole Syinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, the fame confirmed the relevance of Nigerians in the world of classical excellence. Ben Okri won the 1991 Booker Prize with his work, The Famished Road, and the world celebrated Nigeria as the giant of Africa.

It was also , gathered that most of the publishers hurriedly produce books and in the process marred their good contents. Most of the books are not properly edited and eventually become substandard when compared with foreign products. The extent to which book publishing standard has fallen in Nigeria alarming. Often Nigerian publishers have been blamed for this. It is instructive that none of the books mentioned had been published in Nigeria. It was discovered that most students in tertiary institution depend on dictations from their lectures and /or handouts. A science lecturer in one of the Nigeria universities, who had been a victim of handout sales scandal, told DAILY INDEPENDENT the reality of campus challenges in relation to books; I was forced to dictate notes slowly to students who hung on my every word in the absence of textbooks in a library that had, to all intent and purpose, stopped buying new books when the local currency was devalued. But what other alternative does one have?

Adapted from DAILY INDEPENDENT, Monday, 20 August, 2007

It can be inferred from the passage that

Awọn alaye Idahun

Based on the information in the passage, it can be inferred that Nigerians have a stronger preference for foreign books over indigenous books, and that the reading culture in Nigeria is declining. The passage also suggests that Nigerian authors often struggle to gain recognition and support within their own country, and that Nigerian publishers may not always produce books of the same quality as foreign publications. However, the passage does not suggest that Nigerians only have access to foreign books or that Nigerian undergraduates do not read textbooks at all. Therefore, the correct inference is that "Nigerians read mostly foreign books".

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

The way the workshop was organized was rather hit-and-miss

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The phrase "hit-and-miss" implies that the organization of the workshop was not done in a systematic or well-planned manner. Therefore, the option opposite in meaning to "hit-and-miss" would be "systematic."

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

We must not foreclose reconciliation as the purpose of his trip.

Awọn alaye Idahun

In the sentence, the word "foreclose" means "exclude." To foreclose means to prevent something from happening or to shut out a possibility. In this context, the sentence is saying that it's important not to shut out the possibility of reconciliation as the purpose of his trip. The word "exclude" means to leave out or to prevent something or someone from being included, and is the option nearest in meaning to "foreclose."

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Election processes often become volatile

Awọn alaye Idahun

The word "volatile" means unstable, unpredictable, or prone to sudden changes or outbursts of emotion. Therefore, the option that is opposite in meaning to "volatile" is "calm". "Calm" implies a peaceful and stable situation, without any sudden or unpredictable changes or outbursts.

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

The economist concluded that several factors have been adduced to explain the fall in the birth rate.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The word "adduced" means "to bring forward or offer as evidence." So the opposite of "adduced" in meaning would be "refuted," which means "to prove to be false or incorrect." So the economist concluded that several factors have been brought forward as evidence to explain the fall in the birth rate, but none of these factors have been proven to be false or incorrect.

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

Awọn alaye Idahun

Religion in its various forms is very strong in Nigeria. In other words, Nigerian people are very religious most of them believe that there is an unseen supernatural world, apart from the natural world we see around us. This other world is inhabited by beings who are the source of our knowledge of good and evil. They watch and judge us, and if we offend them they may have to be appeased with prayers and sacrifices. Certain individuals in the natural in the natural world-priests, prophets and diviners- are believed to be endowed with special powers to make contact with the other world. These individuals lay down ceremonies or rituals which must be observed if due honour is to be paid to the unseen beings. The religious belief and practices of Nigerians can be classified under three main headings: Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. In this passage, our focus is on traditional religion.

Traditional or indigenous religion continues to exert a strong influence on many people's mind partly because of its association with their birth places and families. Each ethnic group has its own religious traditional and these are often linked to some sacred spots in the ethnic homeland. Yet the various traditional religions have much in common: a remote but benevolent high god; under him, a number of lesser gods who interact with mankind; and below them various spirits who inhabit natural objects (trees, streams, rock, etc); below them again, and closest to living men and women, the spirits of the ancestors.

In the Yoruba tradition, for example, there are more than 400 lesser deities presided over by the high god, olorun. Because he is remote from mankind, shrines are not built to him and worship is not offered to him directly. The lesser gods, on the other hand, are the subject of special cults, each with its own priests and devotees. Eshu, the messenger of the gods; lfa, the god of divination; Shango, the god of thunder, and so on. Traditional religion was also strong in other parts of Nigeria. In lgbo Traditional religion, there were fewer gods. Although there was a remote high god, the most important figure was Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground owing to the influence of lslam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people, especially woman, is strong in some areas. Each spirit is associated with certain type of behaviou, which is manifested by the possessed individual

Divination - the discovery of what is unknown or is yet to happen by supernatural or magical means - is an important element of traditional religion. It is often one of the functions of medicine - men or herbalists. In lgboland, there also used to be several oracles which people consulted in order to seek solutions to their problems. With the coming of Christianity, their influence has however waned, but in areas like Arochukwu and Okija, the influence of such oracles is still strongly felt.

Awọn alaye Idahun

Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter (s) underlined.

village

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Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

These polices have been espoused by the ruling party.

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The nearest in meaning to the underlined word "espoused" is "supported". The sentence says "These policies have been espoused by the ruling party". This means that the ruling party has expressed support for these policies. The word "espoused" means to publicly declare or express support for an idea or belief, so in this context it means that the ruling party supports these policies.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Some men will continue to cause offences until they are give a taste of their own medicine

Awọn alaye Idahun

The phrase "give a taste of their own medicine" means to treat someone in the same negative way that they have been treating others, in order to make them realize the harm they have caused and possibly change their behavior. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to this phrase is "revenged on". However, it's important to note that "revenged on" implies a sense of retaliation or vengeance, whereas "give a taste of their own medicine" may not necessarily involve those elements.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

His story gave us an inkling of what he passed through during the strike.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The word "inkling" means a possible idea or a slight understanding of something. In this context, it means that the story the person shared provided a small hint or suggestion of what they experienced during the strike.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The word "virtuous" in the sentence "There are still virtuous women in our society today" means "upright." This means that there are still women in our society today who are morally good and follow ethical principles. Being virtuous is about having strong moral character and doing the right thing, even when it may not be easy. It is an admirable quality and is an important aspect of being a good person.

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

As far as Abu is concerned , Mero should be given fifty naira at the most.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The sentence, "As far as Abu is concerned, Mero should be given fifty naira at the most" means that in Abu's estimation, Mero deserves no more than fifty naira. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is: "In Abu's estimation, Mero merits not more than fifty naria." Option C is the correct answer. The sentence implies that Abu has set a limit on how much Mero should receive and that limit is fifty naira at most.

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Her findings exploded widely held beliefs about learning.

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Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Every human being is vulnerable to communicable diseases.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The word "vulnerable" in this sentence means that every human being is susceptible or at risk of getting communicable diseases. It means that anyone can catch these diseases if they come into contact with someone who has them or if they are exposed to the germs that cause the diseases. Therefore, the option nearest in meaning to "vulnerable" is "liable."

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

She was_______the verge of tears.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The correct option to complete the gap is "on." The phrase "on the verge of tears" is a common idiom that means someone is about to cry or is very close to crying. The word "on" is the most appropriate preposition to use with this idiom, as it conveys the sense of being close to or about to experience something. In summary, the phrase "on the verge of tears" means that someone is about to cry or is very close to crying, and the correct preposition to use with this idiom is "on." Therefore, the option that best completes the gap is "on."

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

Awọn alaye Idahun

The most appropriate answer for the gap numbered 23 is "system". This is because the sentence is referring to "problems in the immune..." which suggests that the sentence is incomplete and requires a word that fits well with "immune". The immune system is responsible for defending the body against infections and diseases, and problems in this system can make miscarriages more likely. Therefore, "system" is the most appropriate word to complete the sentence.

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The vice chancellor is riding the crest of the last quarter of his administration.

Awọn alaye Idahun

It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. T learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt our fingers and now your eyes are open'. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously going out way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance.

Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we lean? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience.

This will involve one making up ones mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher.

To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and -wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new everyday by wisdom rather than rather than experience. It

means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom -invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser.

It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grapes a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

Adapted from Sunday Tribune , July 2007

Awọn alaye Idahun

Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the stress on the first syllable

Awọn alaye Idahun

The word with the stress on the first syllable is "mother." In English, stress is the emphasis placed on certain syllables when speaking, and it can change the meaning of a word. The stress in "mother" is on the first syllable, making it sound like "MOTHER." The other options "nineteen," "estate," and "announce" have the stress on different syllables, making them sound like "NINEteeen," "esTATE," and "anNOUNCE."

Awọn alaye Idahun

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

He was very much respected, though he had no temporal power.

Awọn alaye Idahun

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

One should be careful how _______behaves in public, shouldn't_______?

Awọn alaye Idahun

One should be careful how one behaves in public, shouldn't one? Explain your answer in a very simple, comprehensive, and understandable way. It is important to be mindful of one's actions and behavior in public spaces because it can affect one's reputation and image. How one presents themselves in public can influence how others perceive and judge them. Additionally, it is important to behave appropriately in public spaces to show respect for others and to maintain a positive social environment. Simply put, being mindful of one's behavior in public is a matter of being considerate and respectful towards others.

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

I wouldn't have responded to his rude talk, if l were you.

Awọn alaye Idahun

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

He needed not to have played in the position of quarterback in volley ball.

Awọn alaye Idahun

Recent literary researches reveal that Nigerians hardly have time to read . In essence, the reading culture in Nigeria is now at a low ebb. It is disturbing, however, that few Nigerians that read concentrate more on foreign books than indigenous productions. Most Nigerian authors of novels,storybooks, fictions and non-fiction series have decried, on different, occasions, their woes. The were bitter at the way most owners of bookshops and publishers treat them. It was gathered to stock foreign books. when contacted by DAILY INDEPENDENT, the general manager of a popular bookstore on Lagos lsland declared that most of the bookshops preferred to stock foreign books because of higher demands for them. The question that bothers most Nigerian authors is , while their overseas counterparts are being rewarded with great international honours, why are Nigerians not according them such recognition in their own country?

Recently, "Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, won the 2007 Orange Prize Award, the literary world's top award for fiction in English written by women. The award carries a prize tag of $30,000 it was reported in Publishers Weekly, Half of a Yellow Sun, the book that earned her the award, was profoundly gripping. According to the reviewer, the book is a transcendent novel of many descriptive triumphs, most notably its diction of the impact of war brutalities on peasants and intellectuals alike. It is searing history in fictional form, intensely evocative and immensely absorbing. Chinua Achebe, 'Father of Modern African Literature, also won the second ever Man Booker International Prize of £60,000 with his first novel Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. When Professor Wole Syinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, the fame confirmed the relevance of Nigerians in the world of classical excellence. Ben Okri won the 1991 Booker Prize with his work, The Famished Road, and the world celebrated Nigeria as the giant of Africa.

It was also , gathered that most of the publishers hurriedly produce books and in the process marred their good contents. Most of the books are not properly edited and eventually become substandard when compared with foreign products. The extent to which book publishing standard has fallen in Nigeria alarming. Often Nigerian publishers have been blamed for this. It is instructive that none of the books mentioned had been published in Nigeria. It was discovered that most students in tertiary institution depend on dictations from their lectures and /or handouts. A science lecturer in one of the Nigeria universities, who had been a victim of handout sales scandal, told DAILY INDEPENDENT the reality of campus challenges in relation to books; I was forced to dictate notes slowly to students who hung on my every word in the absence of textbooks in a library that had, to all intent and purpose, stopped buying new books when the local currency was devalued. But what other alternative does one have?

Adapted from DAILY INDEPENDENT, Monday, 20 August, 2007

The reason for lack of indigenous books in most renowned bookshop, according to the passage, is

Awọn alaye Idahun

The reason for the lack of indigenous books in most renowned bookshops, according to the passage, is that most bookshops and publishers in Nigeria prefer to stock and sell foreign books. The general manager of a popular bookstore on Lagos Island mentioned that foreign books have higher demands and sell more than indigenous books. This preference for foreign books has left Nigerian authors feeling bitter and neglected. Furthermore, the low quality of some indigenous books due to poor editing has also contributed to the problem. Therefore, the best option that explains the reason for the lack of indigenous books in most renowned bookshops is: "foreign books attract more buyers."

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

Awọn alaye Idahun

The most appropriate answer for the gap numbered 20 is "discovered." The sentence states that sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage, and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only __ in a routine scan. This means that the miscarriage was not noticed or detected until a routine scan was performed, indicating that it was discovered during the scan. Therefore, "discovered" is the best fit for the sentence.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

Many workers were_______ as a result of the textile closure.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The best option to complete the gap is "laid off." Many workers were laid off as a result of the textile closure means that the workers were dismissed or terminated from their jobs due to the closure of the textile factory. This could have been caused by various reasons, such as financial difficulties, changes in demand for products, or the relocation of the factory. When a company shuts down, workers may lose their jobs and may have to find new employment elsewhere. "Laid off" specifically refers to the temporary or permanent termination of employment due to economic reasons, such as the closure of a business.

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Otokpa is a member of the ad hoc committee on stock acquisition.

Awọn alaye Idahun

The underlined word in the sentence is "ad hoc". In this context, "ad hoc" means that the committee is formed for a specific and temporary purpose. An opposite word for "ad hoc" would be a word that means permanent, planned, or regular. The option that best fits this description is "formal". Therefore, the opposite of "ad hoc" is "formal".

It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. T learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt our fingers and now your eyes are open'. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously going out way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance.

Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we lean? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience.

This will involve one making up ones mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher.

To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and -wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new everyday by wisdom rather than rather than experience. It

means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom -invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser.

It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grapes a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

Adapted from Sunday Tribune , July 2007

Awọn alaye Idahun

_______your parents frown_______our friendship, we shouldn't see each other anymore.

Awọn alaye Idahun

Religion in its various forms is very strong in Nigeria. In other words, Nigerian people are very religious most of them believe that there is an unseen supernatural world, apart from the natural world we see around us. This other world is inhabited by beings who are the source of our knowledge of good and evil. They watch and judge us, and if we offend them they may have to be appeased with prayers and sacrifices. Certain individuals in the natural in the natural world-priests, prophets and diviners- are believed to be endowed with special powers to make contact with the other world. These individuals lay down ceremonies or rituals which must be observed if due honour is to be paid to the unseen beings. The religious belief and practices of Nigerians can be classified under three main headings: Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. In this passage, our focus is on traditional religion.

Traditional or indigenous religion continues to exert a strong influence on many people's mind partly because of its association with their birth places and families. Each ethnic group has its own religious traditional and these are often linked to some sacred spots in the ethnic homeland. Yet the various traditional religions have much in common: a remote but benevolent high god; under him, a number of lesser gods who interact with mankind; and below them various spirits who inhabit natural objects (trees, streams, rock, etc); below them again, and closest to living men and women, the spirits of the ancestors.

In the Yoruba tradition, for example, there are more than 400 lesser deities presided over by the high god, olorun. Because he is remote from mankind, shrines are not built to him and worship is not offered to him directly. The lesser gods, on the other hand, are the subject of special cults, each with its own priests and devotees. Eshu, the messenger of the gods; lfa, the god of divination; Shango, the god of thunder, and so on. Traditional religion was also strong in other parts of Nigeria. In lgbo Traditional religion, there were fewer gods. Although there was a remote high god, the most important figure was Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground owing to the influence of lslam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people, especially woman, is strong in some areas. Each spirit is associated with certain type of behaviou, which is manifested by the possessed individual

Divination - the discovery of what is unknown or is yet to happen by supernatural or magical means - is an important element of traditional religion. It is often one of the functions of medicine - men or herbalists. In lgboland, there also used to be several oracles which people consulted in order to seek solutions to their problems. With the coming of Christianity, their influence has however waned, but in areas like Arochukwu and Okija, the influence of such oracles is still strongly felt.

Awọn alaye Idahun

From the passage, one can say that all the ethnic groups have different traditional religions with some elements of similarities. Each ethnic group has its own religious traditions, beliefs, and practices, but they share common features such as the belief in a remote high god, lesser gods who interact with mankind, various spirits, and the importance of divination. For example, the Yoruba people have over 400 lesser deities, while the Igbo people have fewer gods and the most important figure is Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground due to the influence of Islam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people is still strong in some areas.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that best completes the gap(s):

Everyone makes mistakes occasionally, nobody is_______.

Awọn alaye Idahun

Everyone makes mistakes occasionally, nobody is infallible. This means that nobody is perfect and everyone makes mistakes sometimes. This is a normal part of being human and making mistakes is a natural part of learning and growing. No one is expected to always be perfect and make the right decision every time. It's important to recognize that everyone makes mistakes and to use those experiences as opportunities to learn and improve.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter (s) underlined.

hair

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The consonant sound represented by the underlined letter "h" in "hair" is /h/. Among the given options, the word that has the same consonant sound as /h/ is "house". The initial sound of the word "house" is /h/, just like the initial sound in "hair". Therefore, the correct option is "house".

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

Choose the most appropriate answer in the gap numbered 22

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The most appropriate word to fill gap number 22 is "occurred". The sentence mentions that it can be difficult to find out why there has been a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm combined, and the word "occurred" fits well in this context as it means "to take place or happen". This word helps to complete the idea that the problem with the genetic material happened, but the reason is not clear.

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The player wasted a golden opportunity during the penalty shoot-out.

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The sentence "The player wasted a golden opportunity during the penalty shoot-out" means that the player did not take full advantage of an excellent opportunity to score a goal during the penalty shoot-out. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is "The player did not score the shot." The player missed the chance to score a goal, which could have had a significant impact on the outcome of the match.

Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Oche entered the principal's office in a rather abrasive manner.

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The option opposite in meaning to the underlined word "abrasive" is "gentle". The word "abrasive" means rough or harsh in manner, speech or behavior. Therefore, in the given sentence, Oche entered the principal's office in a rough or harsh manner. The opposite of "abrasive" would be "gentle", which means having a mild or kindly nature or character. If Oche had entered the principal's office in a "gentle" manner, it would imply that he was polite, calm, and respectful in his approach. The other options, "rude," "lackadaisical," and "indifferent," all imply negative attitudes or behaviors, which are not the opposite of "abrasive".

Religion in its various forms is very strong in Nigeria. In other words, Nigerian people are very religious most of them believe that there is an unseen supernatural world, apart from the natural world we see around us. This other world is inhabited by beings who are the source of our knowledge of good and evil. They watch and judge us, and if we offend them they may have to be appeased with prayers and sacrifices. Certain individuals in the natural in the natural world-priests, prophets and diviners- are believed to be endowed with special powers to make contact with the other world. These individuals lay down ceremonies or rituals which must be observed if due honour is to be paid to the unseen beings. The religious belief and practices of Nigerians can be classified under three main headings: Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. In this passage, our focus is on traditional religion.

Traditional or indigenous religion continues to exert a strong influence on many people's mind partly because of its association with their birth places and families. Each ethnic group has its own religious traditional and these are often linked to some sacred spots in the ethnic homeland. Yet the various traditional religions have much in common: a remote but benevolent high god; under him, a number of lesser gods who interact with mankind; and below them various spirits who inhabit natural objects (trees, streams, rock, etc); below them again, and closest to living men and women, the spirits of the ancestors.

In the Yoruba tradition, for example, there are more than 400 lesser deities presided over by the high god, olorun. Because he is remote from mankind, shrines are not built to him and worship is not offered to him directly. The lesser gods, on the other hand, are the subject of special cults, each with its own priests and devotees. Eshu, the messenger of the gods; lfa, the god of divination; Shango, the god of thunder, and so on. Traditional religion was also strong in other parts of Nigeria. In lgbo Traditional religion, there were fewer gods. Although there was a remote high god, the most important figure was Ala or Ani, the goddess of the earth. In Hausaland, traditional religion has largely gone underground owing to the influence of lslam, but belief in the existence of 'Bori' spirits and their power to possess people, especially woman, is strong in some areas. Each spirit is associated with certain type of behaviou, which is manifested by the possessed individual

Divination - the discovery of what is unknown or is yet to happen by supernatural or magical means - is an important element of traditional religion. It is often one of the functions of medicine - men or herbalists. In lgboland, there also used to be several oracles which people consulted in order to seek solutions to their problems. With the coming of Christianity, their influence has however waned, but in areas like Arochukwu and Okija, the influence of such oracles is still strongly felt.

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Recent literary researches reveal that Nigerians hardly have time to read . In essence, the reading culture in Nigeria is now at a low ebb. It is disturbing, however, that few Nigerians that read concentrate more on foreign books than indigenous productions. Most Nigerian authors of novels,storybooks, fictions and non-fiction series have decried, on different, occasions, their woes. The were bitter at the way most owners of bookshops and publishers treat them. It was gathered to stock foreign books. when contacted by DAILY INDEPENDENT, the general manager of a popular bookstore on Lagos lsland declared that most of the bookshops preferred to stock foreign books because of higher demands for them. The question that bothers most Nigerian authors is , while their overseas counterparts are being rewarded with great international honours, why are Nigerians not according them such recognition in their own country?

Recently, "Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, won the 2007 Orange Prize Award, the literary world's top award for fiction in English written by women. The award carries a prize tag of $30,000 it was reported in Publishers Weekly, Half of a Yellow Sun, the book that earned her the award, was profoundly gripping. According to the reviewer, the book is a transcendent novel of many descriptive triumphs, most notably its diction of the impact of war brutalities on peasants and intellectuals alike. It is searing history in fictional form, intensely evocative and immensely absorbing. Chinua Achebe, 'Father of Modern African Literature, also won the second ever Man Booker International Prize of £60,000 with his first novel Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. When Professor Wole Syinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, the fame confirmed the relevance of Nigerians in the world of classical excellence. Ben Okri won the 1991 Booker Prize with his work, The Famished Road, and the world celebrated Nigeria as the giant of Africa.

It was also , gathered that most of the publishers hurriedly produce books and in the process marred their good contents. Most of the books are not properly edited and eventually become substandard when compared with foreign products. The extent to which book publishing standard has fallen in Nigeria alarming. Often Nigerian publishers have been blamed for this. It is instructive that none of the books mentioned had been published in Nigeria. It was discovered that most students in tertiary institution depend on dictations from their lectures and /or handouts. A science lecturer in one of the Nigeria universities, who had been a victim of handout sales scandal, told DAILY INDEPENDENT the reality of campus challenges in relation to books; I was forced to dictate notes slowly to students who hung on my every word in the absence of textbooks in a library that had, to all intent and purpose, stopped buying new books when the local currency was devalued. But what other alternative does one have?

Adapted from DAILY INDEPENDENT, Monday, 20 August, 2007

The university science lecturer gives his reason for issuing handout as

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Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

He was too petrified to give the closing remarks at the conference.

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The word "petrified" in this sentence means "frightened" or "terrified" to the extent that the person was unable to give the closing remarks at the conference. Therefore, the correct option is "frightened."

Answer the following question below and select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

He could not speak out because he had a feet of clay.

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The phrase "feet of clay" is an idiom that means to have a hidden weakness or flaw that could be exposed at any time, despite appearing strong or powerful. So in this context, the sentence means that the person could not speak out because he had a hidden weakness or flaw that made him feel weak and cowardly. Therefore, the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence is "He was weak and cowardly."

Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter (s) underlined.

book

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The option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter (s) underlined in "book" is "Cook." The vowel sound in "Cook" is the same as the "oo" sound in "book." This is known as a long "u" sound, which is pronounced with the lips pursed and the tongue relaxed in the back of the mouth. The other options - cool, fool, and tool - have different vowel sounds. "Cool" has a long "o" sound, "fool" has a double "o" sound, and "tool" has a short "u" sound.

Answer the following question below , the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

The cat DEVOURED the rat

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The sentence "The cat DEVOURED the rat?" emphasizes the word "devoured," indicating that the action of eating was done in an intense and thorough manner. Therefore, the correct option is "Did the cat eat the rat?"

Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter (s) underlined.

patch

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Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Dupe was promoted for her efficiency

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The opposite option in meaning to the underlined word "efficiency" is "incompetence". If Dupe was promoted for her efficiency, it means she was recognized for being skilled, productive, and capable of completing tasks quickly and accurately. In contrast, incompetence refers to a lack of ability or skill, which is the opposite of efficiency. Therefore, option C, "incompetence" is the correct opposite in meaning to "efficiency" in this context.

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

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The correct answer for the gap numbered 21 is "fertilization". This is because fertilization is the process of the sperm cell joining with the egg cell, which leads to the formation of an embryo. If there is a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during fertilization, it can result in an early miscarriage. It is important to note that while there can be many potential causes of miscarriage, the exact cause can sometimes be difficult to determine. However, understanding the process of fertilization and how it can be impacted by various factors can help individuals and couples take steps to reduce their risk of experiencing a miscarriage.

The medical definition of miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty-four weeks. Miscarriage is very common, occurring in ten to twenty per cent, of confirmed pregnancies. Most of those feature ...16... twelve weeks of pregnancy. The most common ...17... is vaginal bleeding, which can range from light spotting to heavier than a period. You may see blood clots, brown discharge or other tissues that are not ...18... identifiable. Sometimes a sac-like structure is seen. Often, there is cramping with pelvic or back pain. You may find that the usual symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, feeling sick and having to pass urine more ...19... than usual stop unexpectedly. Sometimes there are no signs or symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy symptoms continue, and the miscarriage only ...20... in a routine scan . About half all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way the genetic material from the egg and sperm have combined during ...21... it can be difficult to find out why this has ...22... , but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune...23... ,and some serious infections are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage ...24... with age because the quality of eggs deteriorates . If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with ...25... pregnancies such as twins.

Adapted from Saturday punch, 13 October 2007

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The most appropriate answer for the gap numbered 16 is "the first". The sentence is discussing when miscarriage typically occurs and is saying that "most of those feature" something. Since "most" refers to a quantity or number, it makes sense to use a specific timeframe to describe when these occurrences happen. Therefore, the complete sentence is: "Most of those feature the first twelve weeks of pregnancy." This means that the majority of miscarriages occur within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. The other options don't fit in this context because: - "In the penultimate" doesn't make sense in this context because it means second to last, which is not relevant to the sentence. - "Around" is not specific enough to indicate the timeframe when most miscarriages occur. - "For" doesn't make sense in this context because it is a preposition that indicates duration, which doesn't fit with the sentence's meaning.

Answer the following question below , 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

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Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

His gift to the poor was always infinitesimal

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It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. T learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt our fingers and now your eyes are open'. This is a tough, costly and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously going out way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leave our learning to chance.

Surely, we can learn from mistakes but why wait till when we make mistakes before we lean? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience.

This will involve one making up ones mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions and our future will be determined by our decisions of today. If we decide to learn today we are not likely to make mistakes and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher.

To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with a complete and -wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will want us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain with our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Disciplined in this regard means learning something new everyday by wisdom rather than rather than experience. It

means consciously getting better by the day in your chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will mean we must pay the price for learning by wisdom -invest in books, magazines, seminars and other means by which we may become wiser.

It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience , the deed is done and we are just picking up the pieces-learning in regret how to avoid such predicament next time. Consider the child who grapes a burning coal, he has learned the hard way through the painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus the saying, that experience is the best teacher, may not be justifiable after all.

Adapted from Sunday Tribune , July 2007

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Answer the following question below and choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options. The syllables are underlined in capital letters.

impossible

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Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in.

Akin is an inveterate gambler.

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The underlined word "inveterate" in the sentence means that Akin is a "long time incorrigible" gambler, meaning he has been gambling for a long time and it has become a habit that he is unlikely to change.

Answer the following question below and choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter (s) underlined.

tangerine

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The consonant sound represented by the underlined letter "g" in the word "tangerine" is the "j" sound, which is pronounced as /dʒ/. Among the options provided, the word "danger" has the same consonant sound as "tangerine" because it also contains the "j" sound pronounced as /dʒ/. The other options contain different consonant sounds, such as the "g" sound in "gear" (/ɡ/), the "r" sound in "girl" (/r/), and the "g" sound in "ignore" (/ɡ/).

Recent literary researches reveal that Nigerians hardly have time to read . In essence, the reading culture in Nigeria is now at a low ebb. It is disturbing, however, that few Nigerians that read concentrate more on foreign books than indigenous productions. Most Nigerian authors of novels,storybooks, fictions and non-fiction series have decried, on different, occasions, their woes. The were bitter at the way most owners of bookshops and publishers treat them. It was gathered to stock foreign books. when contacted by DAILY INDEPENDENT, the general manager of a popular bookstore on Lagos lsland declared that most of the bookshops preferred to stock foreign books because of higher demands for them. The question that bothers most Nigerian authors is , while their overseas counterparts are being rewarded with great international honours, why are Nigerians not according them such recognition in their own country?

Recently, "Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, won the 2007 Orange Prize Award, the literary world's top award for fiction in English written by women. The award carries a prize tag of $30,000 it was reported in Publishers Weekly, Half of a Yellow Sun, the book that earned her the award, was profoundly gripping. According to the reviewer, the book is a transcendent novel of many descriptive triumphs, most notably its diction of the impact of war brutalities on peasants and intellectuals alike. It is searing history in fictional form, intensely evocative and immensely absorbing. Chinua Achebe, 'Father of Modern African Literature, also won the second ever Man Booker International Prize of £60,000 with his first novel Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. When Professor Wole Syinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, the fame confirmed the relevance of Nigerians in the world of classical excellence. Ben Okri won the 1991 Booker Prize with his work, The Famished Road, and the world celebrated Nigeria as the giant of Africa.

It was also , gathered that most of the publishers hurriedly produce books and in the process marred their good contents. Most of the books are not properly edited and eventually become substandard when compared with foreign products. The extent to which book publishing standard has fallen in Nigeria alarming. Often Nigerian publishers have been blamed for this. It is instructive that none of the books mentioned had been published in Nigeria. It was discovered that most students in tertiary institution depend on dictations from their lectures and /or handouts. A science lecturer in one of the Nigeria universities, who had been a victim of handout sales scandal, told DAILY INDEPENDENT the reality of campus challenges in relation to books; I was forced to dictate notes slowly to students who hung on my every word in the absence of textbooks in a library that had, to all intent and purpose, stopped buying new books when the local currency was devalued. But what other alternative does one have?

Adapted from DAILY INDEPENDENT, Monday, 20 August, 2007

A suitable title for this passage is

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