Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

The crowd was massive. Men, women, boys and girls from every nook and cranny of the village had
gathered under the big iroko tree. Also in the crowd was an American couple, tourists, who were
enjoying their holiday. At the centre of the large circle of people was the magician who had the
reputation of performing unbelievable feats. Everybody was impressed with the feats which went along
with the hilarious drumming.

Then came the next item. The magician's three aides each took out a local gun while the magician
danced even wilder. The gun-totting aides took up position in three different corners. The drumming
became more frenzied and the magician performed more acrobatics. The people were not to wonder for
long what the guns had to do with the whole show. One after the other, the aides aimed at the magician
while he steadied himself to receive the shots. Each gun boomed with a loud report and the magician
jumped up in celebration of his survival. The three shots seemingly got to him but he simply laughed to
scorn the shooters.

The American tourist was more than mystified. He could not explain it. How could a man receive
bullet shots in his chest and still remain unscathed? In disbelief he shouted " This is amazing can't be
explained But wait a minute. I II join the show myself." There and then, he went to his car took out his
riffle and returned to the crowd "I'm gonna get this guy!" he proclaimed.

He took aim. The magician saw him out of the corner of his eye. He surveyed the scenario and
decided that he was not prepared for this. Quickly, he showed a clean pair of heels. Tearing through the
crowd he ran for dear life. Some thought this was still part of the show. but when the man would not
return it was clear that he had bidden the audience a hasty farewell.

What the American and most others did not realise all the time was that the local guns had no
bullets whatsoever only the gunpowder.

(a) What suggests that the show was free?

(b) What evidence is there that the performance was not a one-man show?

(c) Why was the magician confident to receive the shots from his aides?

(d) What did the American tourist set out to prove?

(e) What might have happened if the American had completed his contemplated action?

(f) ....he showed a clean pair of heels. What does this expression mean?

(g) ... which went along with the hilarious drumming.

(i) What is the grammatical name given to this expression as it is used in the passage?

(ii) What is its function?

(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can
replace it as it is used in the passage. (i) feats (ii) aides 1 (iii) steadied (iv) mystified (v) unscathed (vi)
hasty.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

When I was in primary four. thirty-five years ago, schools closed for the day at 1:30pm. My two
friends and I would then proceed for 'full' recreation as we either played football in hidden
neighbourhoods or went downstream to swim till dusk. The reprimands and occasional spankings we
got from our mothers could not deter us. Our youthful adventurous spirit would not be suppressed.. We
were resolute in our desire to be free of what we thought were too many chores. As far as we were
concerned, that should be the preserve of the female gender.

One day we went fishing in a stream on the outskirts of the village after we had had our fill of
entertainment playing football. We each caught some fish but were not satisfied: we wanted crabs
which we could sell on our way back home to augment the meagre money for recess' that each of us got
when going off to school every day. We caught two big crabs from the first two holes we dug before
going for a third. Convinced that we had dug deep enough. the eldest of us dipped his right hand into
the hole that was about three-quarters filled with water, and soon reported excitedly that he had made
a big catch As he dragged it to the surface, we screamed in sudden terror. The 'big catch' was the fleshly
middle part of a shimmering black snake! No one waited for the other as we scrambled for safety,
leaving our other catch behind the boy splashed frantically through the water. falling over twice before
reaching us on the bank of the stream None of us ventured back, more for fear of the snake than the
dusk that had suddenly descended on the village.

When I got home, I met Mother. my two siblings and some anxious relations at the doorstep. They
were about setting out to comb the entire village since their previous search to my school, my mates'
homes and the few playgrounds n the village had been futile. The concerned look on Mother's face told
me I had stirred up a hornets' nest and should be prepared for the sting. My muddy legs and hands
betrayed the lie I had hurriedly cooked up. I got the beating of my life, first from Mother and then Father
who came into the house and upon being told what had happened, went straight for the thick rubber he
had wound around his bicycle carrier for tying loads.

(a) State two reasons why the writer and his friends always came home late.

(b) Why did the boys get home late on that fateful day?

(c) Why did the boys not realize that it was getting dark?

(d) In what two ways was the writer unlucky on that day?
(e) How does the writer's mother usually demonstrate her disapproval of his behaviour?

(f)…. I had stirred up a hornets’ nest and should be prepared for the sting"

(i) What figure of speech is used in this expression?

(ii) What does it mean?

(g) "As he dragged it to the surface. "

(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage? What is its function?
(ii) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can
replace it as it s used in the passage:

(I) deter; (ii) preserve; (iii) augment: (iv) ventured; (v) concerned.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

We believed that the teacher would not be home that weekend. My father had strictly warned us
not to go out at night since recent happenings had shown that it was unsafe. However, the thought of
those mouth-watering fruits in the teacher's compound made us spend many sleepless nights. We
decided that fateful night to sneak out and get some delicious mangoes to feast on.

Towards midnight, my two cousins and I crept stealthily out of the house. The fresh air invigorated
us. The moon shone with unusual brightness and that enabled us to see our way clearly and the ripe
mangoes as well. We soon reached the teacher's house, a stone's throw from ours. We climbed over the
wall, as nimbly as monkeys. Since I was skilled in climbing, my cousins asked me to go up the tree which
was laden with ripe mangoes. In no time. I reached the branch which appeared to be most heavy with
fruits. I shook it and many juicy mangoes fell to the ground. My cousins gathered them into their bags
and we blessed our stars for this windfall.

Suddenly, the powerful headlights of an approaching car warned us of impending danger. To our
amazement. it was the teacher and he had already spotted us. In my haste to get down, I lost my
balance and fell heavily, injuring my arm. My cousins ran like the wind and escaped, leaving me to my
fate. I attempted to run away but could not. I lay on the ground groaning in pain.

The teacher raised an instant alarm and the neighbours came rushing to the scene. I pleaded with
them not to harm me. The teacher and another man lifted me up and brought me to my father's house.
The teacher called my father to open the door but he did not answer.

“We have your son here and he is wounded,” the teacher explained.

“My son is sleeping peacefully in his room,” my father retorted.

 My mother, who had been awake all this while and listening to these exchanges, went into our
room to verify the truth. My cousins pretended to be fast asleep. When she discovered my absence, she
gave a heart-rending cry which at last brought my father out. He took the whole scene in at a glance and
stood speechless, gazing at me in shock and disbelief. He thanked the teacher profusely. After my
mother had bandaged my arm, my father sat me down and rained abuses on me. I broke down in tears
and made a clean confession. This softened him but did not prevent him from giving my cousins the
spanking of their lives.

(a) Why did the writer's father warn the boys against going out at night?

(b) Quote a phrase in the second paragraph which shows that the teacher's house was not far from the
writer's own.

(c) What enabled the teacher to discover the boys?

(d) Describe what led to the writer's injury.

(e) Why did the writer's father refuse to open the door?

(f) ...an instant alarm... (i) What is the grammatical name given to this expression as it is used in the
passage? (ii) What is its function?

(g) ...like the wind.. (i) What figure of speech is contained in this expression'? (ii) What does it mean?

(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can
replace it as it is used in the passage: (i) recent; (ii) delicious; (iii) stealthily; (iv) approaching; (v) spotted;
(vi) verify.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word.

1. In many ways my parents are very conservative but there are times when they surprise me with
their......ideas on family planning.

A. orthodox

B. critical

C. modern

D. new

E. liberal

2. My brother adores dogs but he has a very strong ...........for cats.

A. love

B. annoyance

C. attitude

D. dislike

E. criticism

3. On our way to Tarkwa Bay the sea was turbulent but fortunately it was quite…......on our way back.

A. calm

B. pleasant

C. motionless

D. placid

E. rough

4. Though payment of the levy is voluntary it is…for all students to pay tuition fees.

A. essential

B. important

C. necessary

D. mandatory

E. optional

5. The director left strict instructions regarding the running of the office but his deputy was most….....in
his absence.

A. vague

B. lazy

C. lax

D. accurate

E. prompt

6. Emeka complained that while his colleagues were elevated he was …......

A. interdicted
B. prompted

C. suspended

D. dismissed

E. downgraded

7. The taxi driver pleaded that the splashing of water was accidental but the lady insisted that it
was……...

A. thoughtful

B. deliberate

C. directed

D. mischievous

E. incidental

8. The government was accused of implementing policies that favoured the elite instead of the ….......

A. masses

B. oppressed

C. executive

D. worker

E. jobless

From the words lettered A to E, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.

9. The earthquake that struck Mexico........the city.

A. confused

B. devastated

C. demarcated

D. troubled

E. demolished

10. After his defeat in the war, the General..............his army and went into retirement.

A. fired
B. retried

C. disbanded

D. executed

E. disgraced

11. The notorious robber was finally....by the police after a three-month search.

A. surrounded

B. overwhelmed

C. arrested

D. entangled

E. located

12. Many students had good results in the examination but Kola's performance was .....

A. tolerable

B. best

C. fair

D. unacceptable

E. woeful

13. Besides being a qualified nurse, my mother is also good in accounting, hair-dressing and sewing; she
is very....indeed.

A. versatile

B. skilled

C. clever

D. pushful

E. hard-working

14. It is most...that despite the huge amount spent on health care, most hospitals lack basic medical
equipment.

A. wonderful
B. ungrateful

C. wicked

D. astonishing

E. remarkable

15. The........ceremony of the new Oba had to be postponed because of the sudden death of his mother.

A. initiation

B. coronation

C. cultural

D. remembrance

16. The local government election result was cancelled because of widespread.....during voting.

A. offences

B. accusations

C. violence

D. fighting

E. irregularities

17. He was....to have escaped unhurt from the collapsed building.

A. fortunate

B. brilliant

C. agile

D. unfortunate

E. energetic

18. The out-going leader warned his successor to beware of....who praise every activity of government,
whether good or bad.

A. critics

B. favourities

C. enthusiasts
D. parasites

E. sycophants

19. The officers pledged their.....loyalty to the new government

A. indefatigable

B. complete

C. questionable

D. unalloyed

E. indiscriminate

After the sentence, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the
interpretation that you consider most appropriate for the sentence.

20. Though we lost the match, we will get even with our opponents in the next round. This means that

A. our opponents were just lucky to win

B. we will win the next match

C. we will not play again

D. the two teams are not evenly matched

21. He was retrenched last year and now he is only the shadow of his former self. This means that he

A. looks very well

B. is just like his shadow

C. is very thin and weak

D. is very fearful

22. Due to poor visibility all aircraft were grounded at the Kano Airport for two days. This means that

A. all aircraft had mechanical problems

B. the runway at Kano Airport was damaged

C. no aircraft could take off

D. there was a visible disturbance at Kano Airport

23. Getting six distinctions in your mock examinations is praiseworthy but do not allow it to get into year
head. This means that the good result

A. has made you mad

B. has not bothered you

C. could be better

D. should not make you conceited

24. When Mr. Ojo, the first principal, suddenly left the school it became a regular bedlam. This means
that

A. there was noise and confusion everywhere

B. everybody started coming to school regularly

C. everybody was happy with his departure

D. discipline was restored to the school

25. Segun held the audience spellbound with his superb performance. This means that

A. the play was a good one

B. all the actors put up a good performance

C. all the actors, except Segun, performed very well

D. members of the audience were captivated by Segun's performance

26. Matters came to a head when the man accused his wife of infidelity. This means that the

A. accusation worsened the relationship between the couple

B. couple were living peacefull before the accusation

C. wife had been proved to be unfaithful by the husband

D. husband hit the wife on the head because of her misbehaviour

27. The way the young pupils were chasing the poor mad woman made my blood boil. This means that

A. the pupils were made to chase the poor woman

B. I was agitated about the action of the pupils

C. the woman was angry with the pupils

D. my blood was actually boiling becasue the pupils maltreated the mad woman

28. The former chairman has no moral right to criticize the present chairman because he too has a
skeleton in the cupboard. This means that the

A. former chairman has an unpleasant secret that is hidden

B. present chairman has not done anything wrog so far

C. former chairman maintained a very low moral standard during his tenure

D. former chairman kept a very terrifying skeleton in a large cupoard

From the words or groups of words lettered A to E below the sentence, choose the word or group of
words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase as it is used in the sentence.

29. Femi's comments were germane to the issue under discussion.

A. confidential

B. redundant

C. crucial

D. critical

E. relevant

30. The testimony of the witness absolved the accused of the charges.

A. condemned

B. implicated

C. criticized

D. blamed

E. cleared

31. The supreme court set aside the ruling of the High Court.

A. upheld

B. nullified

C. agreed with

D. justified
E. rebuked

32. The ornament should be handled with care because it is fragile.

A. expensive

B. uncommon

C. golden

D. imported

E. delicate

33. The minister announced that the government would soon make a law to prohibit the showing of
obscene films.

A. violent

B. dangerous

C. immoral

D. frightful

E. juvenile

34. His approach to work is rather perfunctory.

A. careful

B. serious

C. careless

D. encouraging

E. bad

35. The retiring officer's contribution towards the growth of the company was invaluable.

A. inestimable

B. unnoticeable

C. negligible

D. inconsequential

E. measurable
36. The General's response to the question on whether or not he would retire from the army was
evasive.

A. definite

B. annoyed

C. elusive

D. clear

E. undecided

37. He poured out a lot of invectives in a speech that was supposed to be a vote of thanks.

A. praises

B. requests

C. denials

D. curses

E. apologies

38. Her eloping with the man is a stigma to the family.

A. disgrace

B. pride

C. calamity

D. disappointment

E. disaster

39. The politician was given a tumultuous welcome when he came to address the rally.

A. pleasant

B. noisy

C. discouraging

D. strange

E. well-organized

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.
40. Everyone must be ...bed by 9.00p.m.

A. over

B. inside

C. on

D. in

41. Femi was told not to allow pleasure to interfere....his duty.

A. on

B. over

C. with

D. beside

42. He sent a card to his parents to congratulate them......their diamond wedding anniversary.

A. over

B. on

C. in

D. about

43. The pupils were advised not to laugh....mad people.

A. at

B. on

C. with

D. over

44. If you want to succeed in life, you will have to shake........your lazy habits.

A. against

B. if

C. over

D. off
45. You should take good care of your car.......buy another one.

A. for you may not be able to

B. suppose you cannot

C. due to the fact that you cannot

D. otherwise you cannot

46. Hardly had we arrived..........he left.

A. so

B. when

C. then

D. that

47. It is high time you .........smoking.

A. stopped

B. should stop

C. must stop

D. stop

48. The office.........he works is fully air-conditioned.

A. to which

B. by which

C. where

D. that

49. I do not like to flatter people but I must say that Bisi is..........beautiful girl in the school.

A. a

B. a more

C. very

D. the most
1991

Instruction. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word in the sentence.

1. The measures that were introduced to accelerate the process of national development have in actual
fact .........it

A. accentuated

B. retarded

C. promoted

D. neutralized

E. revoked

2. I thought that the comments made by the secretary were quite innocuous but the chairman
considered them.........

A. polite

B. inappropriate

C. antagonistic

D. unnecessary

E. harmful

3. Bola was vocal in protesting against the high-handedness of the police unlike Sola who was ...............

A. mute

B. shouting

C. arguing

D. sober

E. adamant

4. The rather insignificant effort he made yielded .............results

A. exorbitant

B. absolute
C. unimaginable

D. prohibitive

E. tremendous

5. Ibrahim's flamboyant lifestyle contrasts sharply with Aminu's ...............attitude.

A. austered

B. ostentatious

C. serious

D. lavish

E. severe

6. The young man was advised to be ...........and not rigid on critical Issues if he wanted to make a good
career in politics.

A. wavering

B. evasive

C. cautious

D. flexible

E. constant

7. At the end of the crisis, the leaders declared that there was neither victor nor..........

A. winner

B. oppressor

C. vanquished

D. originator

E. vanguard

8. Rather than show remorse for his offense, he remained.........

A. calculated

B. unpleasant

C. apathetic
D. abrasive

E. unrepentant

From the words lettered A to E, choose the word that best completes the sentence.

9. Many people died in the .............accident.

A. serious

B. wicked

C. evil

D. reckless

E. fatal

10. The ............of the few rich in our society contrasts with the poverty of the masses.

A. arrogance

B. authority

C. influence

D. affluence

E. monopoly

11. Despite all our pleas, the manager remained................ in his refusal of our request.

A. flexible

B. pliable

C. adamant

D. unconvinced

E. curious

12. Poor feeding causes ............in children.

A. maladjustment

B. malfunction
C. malediction

D. malaria

E. malnutrition

13. The shrill voice of the actor...........across the hall.

A. renascenced

B. reverberated

C. rejuvenated

D. realigned

E. rejoiced

14. It is a .............. that the more you look, the less you see.

A. wonder

B. feat

C. myth

D. paradox

E. magic

15. The meeting was............indefinitely to reconvene at a later date.

A. adjourned

B. commenced

C. concluded

D. stopped

E. postponed

16. Femi has a .......... appetite.

A. vivacious

B. loquacious

C. garrulous
D. suspicious

E. voracious

17. His appointment was..............because of the irregularities discovered in his credentials.

A. cancelled

B. terminated

C. suspended

D. postponed

E. dismissed

After the sentence, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentence is given. Choose the
interpretation that you consider most appropriate for the sentence.

18. The peace meeting nipped the crisis in the bud. This means that

A. the crisis was averted

B. the peace meeting was deadlocked

C. members disagreed on who should receive the flower pot

D. the crisis escalated despite the peace meeting

19. Ugonna passed his examinations with flying colours. This means Ugonna

A. did very well

B. wore cloths of different colours

C. was helped to pass the examination

D. cheated to pass the examination

20. Emeka had a field day at the dancing competition. This means that Emeka

A. performed woefully

B. fell down on the field while others were dancing

C. triumphed in all aspects of the competition

D. withdrew from the competition at the last minute.

21. Femi's plans amount to building castles in the air. This means that Feml's plans are
A. beautiful

B. practicable

C. interesting

D. unrealizable

22. The appearance which the famous actor made last month was his swan song. This means that

A. the actor sang beautifully during the play

B. the play was postponed because of the actor's non-appearance

C. the play was the actor's last appearance before the died

D. the last play was the actor's best performance

23. Akpan does not let grass grow under his feet. This means that Akpan

A. does not waste time in doing things

B. is a very wicked man

C. cuts the grass in his field reguarly

D. cares only about himself

From the words or group of words lettered A to E below the sentence, choose the word or group of
words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined words as used in the sentence.

24. Edet will have to face the consequences of his rash action.

A. results

B. answer

C. antecedents

D. prognosis

E. accusation

25. You will incur your father's wrath if you do that.

A. debt

B. expenditure

C. anger
D. favour

E. pleasure

26. I have implicit confidence in Abass' ability to win the race.

A. partial

B. absolute

C. correct

D. impervious

E. doubtful

27. The points he made are germane to the argument.

A. irregular

B. convicing

C. helpful

D. unnecessary

E. relevant

From the words or groups of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best
completes the sentence.

28. He preferred travelling by road..............travelling by air.

A. to

B. against

C. over

D. than

29. The police are...........the trail of the suspect.

A. in

B. on

C. after
D. over

30. ................candidates passed in English Language than in Mathematics.

A. Many

B. Plenty

C. More

D. Much

31. Alhaji Musa owns fifty..................

A. herd of cattles

B. head of cattle

C. herds of cattles

D. herds of cattle

32. Ameh..............to school nowadays.

A. walk

B. walked

C. walks

D. walking

33. He..............say it to my face that I did that.

A. dares not

B. dare not

C. not dare

D. dared not

34. One of his greatest achievements.................the restoration of order and stability to the company.

A. was

B. were

C. have been
D. are

35. If I had heard this earlier, I .............given him the job.

A. would not have

B. would have not

C. will not have

D. will have not

36. Mr. Smith had worked here before leaving for the U.K............

A. wasn't he?

B. isn't he?

C. didn't he?

D. hadn't he?

37. Who saw the accused...............the purse from the complainant's handbag?

A. take

B. took

C. taken

D. takes

38. .............bring a letter of authority before he can collect the money?

A. Needs he

B. Need he

C. He needs

D. Does he needed

39. Surely, he .............come in person if he doesn't want to !

A. need not

B. does not need

C. did not need

D. need to

40. Fortunately, my father......................the scene before the explosion occurred.

A. has just left

B. just left

C. had just left

D. is just leaving

41. The rainstorm did a lot of...................to the houses and trees in the area.

A. damages

B. damaging

C. damage

D. havocs

42. You are not allowed to carry......................on this flight.

A. much luggage

B. many luggage

C. few luggages

D. more luggages

43. It is no longer easy for graduates to secure..............................

A. employments

B. many employments

C. employment

D. an employment

44. If you would listen, I could give you................................................

A. a valuable advice

B. some valuable advices

C. valuable advise
D. valuable advice

45. That load is..................heavy for a child of his age to carry.

A. very

B. most

C. much

D. too

46. Tunji was..................hungry that he ate the food meant for his three sisters.

A. so

B. extremely

C. very

D. quiet

47. On my way to the post office,I ........................my classmate.

A. stopped to greet

B. stop to greet

C. had stopped greeting

D. stopped greeting

48. The celebrations were rounded ....................... with a novelty match.

A. off

B. up

C. down

D. out

49. As fresh fruits are scarce in the dry season, we had to..................tinned fruits.

A. make do with

B. make up for

C. take out with

D. take up with

50. They are......................new employees at the headquarters of the factory.

A. taking up

B. taking after

C. taking on

D. taking over

1990

Instruction: Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word.

1. The young engineer is good at terminating other people's project but has not been capable
of ............... any of his own.

A. integrating

B. finishing

C. complating

D. initiating

E. organizing

2. The manager who expected to be given respect was treated with .................

A. dignity

B. shame

C. scorn

D. cruelty

E. disloyalty

3. Those who had invitation cards were admitted to the party while those who had none were.................

A. barred

B. repelled

C. expelled
D. compelled

E. restricted

4. Too many theories will not help us; we need to be .........................

A. bookish

B. hypothetical

C. antithetical

D. shrews

E. practical

5. Nobody expects him to show......................for his children but he certainly bestows too much
affection on them

A. love

B. concern

C. intimacy

D. devotion

E. hatred

6. The challenger was crude and inexperienced in constrast to the champion who was ....................

A. great

B. exposed

C. celebrated

D. refined

E. strong

7. What should have been a source of motivation for him proved a terrible source of

A. failure

B. harm

C. discouragement

D. uncertainty
E. disturbance

8. Ade is very conservative in his political ideas whereas Bala expresses ................... views always.

A. radical

B. heretical

C. conventional

D. fanatical

E. impractical

9. The government has been spending more money on preventive rather than on ... ..........medicine.

A. modern

B. protective

C. diagnostic

D. traditional

E. curative

From the word lettered A to E , choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

10. The fishermen threw a stone into the river and this caused a ..................

A. sprinke

B. sparkle

C. splash

D. spring

E. storm

11. The play was so interesting that the .................clapped for quite a long time at the end.

A. spectators

B. watchers

C. congregation

D. people
E. audience

12. The building ..................... because of weak structural foundation.

A. tumbled

B. succumbed

C. caved

D. collapsed

E. somersaulted

13. The magazine was ...........................by the government for an offensive publication.

A. prescribed

B. proscribed

C. suspended

D. condemned

E. persecuted

14. Many people reacted to the brutal murder of the popular journalist with strong ..........................

A. indignation

B. demonstration

C. mobilization

D. condemnation

E. accusation

15. The governor frowned at the ..........................which slowed down the implementation of policy
decisions.

A. autocracy

B. opposition

C. convention

D. isecurity

E. bureaucracy
16. His doctor ..........................the illness as yellow fever, not malaria.

A. prescribed

B. examined

C. discovered

D. announced

E. diagnosed

17. Since the writer did not indicate his name, the editor decided not to publish
such .......................article.

A. a discourteous

B. an anonymous

C. a scandalous

D. a libellous

E. a cowardly

After the sentence, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentence is given. Choose the
interpretation that you consider most appropriate for the sentence.

18. Mrs. Alabi was not around when her case was called and none of her colleague was willing to hold
brief for her. This means that

A. her colleagues were afraid

B. she was not trusted

C. her colleagues did not want to represent her

D. she had quarelled with her colleagues

19. Telling lies has become second nature of Kunle. This means that Kunle

A. rarely tells lies

B. always tells lies

C. tells lies has become second thoughts

D. learnt to tell lies from childhood

20. For us to accomplish the task successfully, all hands must be on deck. This means that every body
A. should push with his hands

B. will have to travel by sea

C. must cooperate

D. should take a test before continuing the task

21. The wedding was attended by the cream of the society. This means that the wedding was attended
by

A. everybody in the society

B. only those who were invited

C. very important people

D. only the educated people

22. I want you to keep an eye on that child. This means that I want you to

A. discipline the child

B. keep the child busy all the time

C. punish the child if he misbehaves

D. watch the child all the time

23. It appears Sade's success at the last examination has gone to her head. This means that Sade is

A. conceited

B. too happy

C. crazy

D. impudent

24. Little Sheila is always as lively as a kitten. This means that Sheila is always

A. wearing bright dresses

B. very realistic in what she does

C. moving quickly like a kitten

D. gay and cheerful.

25. This masquerade appears once in a blue moon. This means that the masquerade appears
A. on very rare occasions

B. when the moon is blue

C. whenever a special request is made

D. once a month

26. Okon is quite hardworking but his problem is that he has too many irons in the fire . This means that
Okon

A. is a blacksmith

B. takes on more problems than he can cope with

C. is very good at solving problem

D. is a very successful businessman

From the words or groups of words lettered A to E below the sentence. Choose the word or group of
words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or group of words as used in the sentence.

27. It takes a great deal of stamina to run the marathon race

A. courage

B. determination

C. energy

D. intelligence

E. cleverness

28. But for the principal actor the play would have been dull.

A. important

B. head

C. master

D. famous

E. main

29. An open car has no protection against the elements.

A. weather
B. emergency

C. molecule

D. atoms

E. atmosphere

30. The detective was perplexed when the clues in the murder case pointed to at least a dozen different
suspects.

A. surprised

B. confused

C. excited

D. discouraged

E. disaappointed

31. The military Governor called for a concerted effort in solving the problems of the state.

A. a dramatic

B. an agitated

C. a joint

D. a directed

E. an unfalling

32. My financial situation is so precarious that very soon I may be insolvent.

A. borrowing

B. stealing

C. soluble

D. dependent

E. bankrupt

33. The chairman is of the opinion that accepting the proposal would be inimical to the objectives of the
association.

A. harmful
B. relevant

C. irrelevant

D. indispensable

E. helpful

34. The famous politician was noted for his pragmatic approach to issues of national interest.

A. idealistic

B. romantic

C. compromising

D. practical

E. inconsistent

35. Kunle is very pessimistic about our chance of success.

A. sad

B. despondent

C. unconvinced

D. worried

E. concerned

After the sentence, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the
interpretation that you consider most appropriate for the sentence.

36. If Kunle hadn't been transferred to Kano his wife would not have resigned her teaching job. This
means that

A. Kunle was not transferred yet his wife resigned her job

B. Kunle was transferred and his wife thought of resigning her job

C. Kunle was transferred and so his wife had to resign her job

D. Kunle's wife resigned though her husband wasn't transferred

37. Though Ibrahim was provoked, he ought to have controlled himself . That means that Ibrahim

A. should have exercised some restraint

B. was the aggressor

C. took the provocation with calmness

D. was found guilty of committing the offence

38. The members of staff told the principal that they took exception to his comments. This means that
the members of staff

A. approved of the principle's comments

B. objected to the principal's comments

C. wanted to be exempted from the principal's comments

D. warned the principal about his comments

39. Okon is too quiet for my liking. This means that Okon

A. is liked because he is very quiet

B. likes people who are quiet

C. is not liked because of his extreme quietness

D. behaves in a very queer and suspicious manner

40. The teacher said that all but one of the sixty candidates scored below a credit grade. This means that

A. all the candidates scored below a credit grade

B. only one of the candidates scored a credit grade

C. only one of the candidates scored below a credit grade

D. all the candidates scored a credit grade

From the words or groups of words lettered A to D, chose the word or group of words that best
completes the sentence.

41. He was charged with complicity ...................the abortive coup.

A. in

B. for

C. about

D. on
42. He was convicted........................stealing some bags of cocoa.

A. with

B. in

C. of

D. for

43. Mary said she was acting .................... the instructions of the principal.

A. by

B. on

C. for

D. through

44. ..................normal circumstances, it is rare to get all registered voters to vote.

A. on

B. by

C. in

D. under

45. Lekan has been trying hard to live......................to his parents expectations.

A. over

B. on

C. through

D. up

46. The minister's daughter boasted she would have her way, and she really..................

A. had

B. has

C. have

D. did
47. As at yesterday, only nomination papers in respect of three candidates.....................

A. have been filed

B. are being filed

C. had been filed

D. has been filed

48. They embraced passionately as if they .......................seen each other for years.

A. had

B. had not

C. have

D. have not

49. You are not sure where you placed the book.......

A. isn't it?

B. weren't you?

C. are you?

D. didn't you?

50. We arrived when the hall ...................arranged so we stood outside.

A. has been

B. is being

C. was being

D. had been