2018 English Language
In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her little son is in a ‘destructive stage’ or even has a ‘destructive personality’ because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labour has puzzled many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder, must destroy it himself. This game, I should think, arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower ‘stand up’ enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previously passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker —-and towers, unlike little sister, can’t cry and call, ‘Mummy!’
1. According to this passage, it gives the child great pleasure
- A. for Daddy to see the tower he has built
- B. to destroy the tower himself
- C. to see his tower accidentally destroyed
- D. to be helped to destroy the tower
- What other feeling does the child derive from the fall of his tower apart from pleasure?
- A. Strength
- B. Anxiety
- C. Pity
- D. Depression
- How does the author try to explain this ‘destructive stage’?
- A. It is the last stage in child development
- B. The child wants to displease his parents
- C. It grows out of the child’s recent experiences of sudden falls
- D. The child is just going through a destructive stage
- The expression ‘must kick it and make it collapse’ in this context means
- A. is forced to kick it and demolish it
- B. is obliged to kick it and make it collapse
- C. cannot resist the urge to demolish it
- D. ought to kick it and make it collapse
- In the passage ‘manic pleasure’ means
- A. pleasure
- B. childish pleasure
- C. unlimited pleasure
- D. human pleasure
- From the way the story ended, it can be concluded that the
- A. lamb did not survive the encounter
- B. wolf and the lamb parted amicably
- C. wolf had encountered the lamb’s parents
- D. lamb offended the wolf quite seriously
- The expression ‘when this excuse failed him’ suggests that the
- A. wolf only made up the charges levelled against the lamb
- B. lamb was more intelligent than the wolf
- C. lamb was prepared for the charges levelled against him
- D. wolf was uncertain of the charges levelled against the lamb
- The charges levelled against the lamb are
- A. wandering, insolence and disrespect
- B. exuberance, pollution, wickedness and stubbornness
- C. garrulity, loquacity, pride and arrogance
- D. pollution, insolence, obstruction and aggression
- The expression angry tone and terrible aspectrefers to the wolf’s
- A. sonorous voice and overbearing attitude
- B. towering size and thunderous voice
- C. loud voice and fretting movement
- D. harsh voice and menacing posture
- Which of the following aptly describes the moral of the story?
- A. the sins of the forefathers are visited upon the children no matter how long it takes
- B. if you have made up your mind to hang your dog, any rope will do for the purpose
- C. the law is weak in defence of the poor against the rich and mighty
- D. no matter how highly placed he is in society, the unmindful lawbreaker will always meet his nemesis.
- Choose the option that best completes the gap, I’ll find time for my _________ when I get _________with this difficult assignment.
- A. past-time/over
- B. pass-time/over
- C. passtime/through
- D. pastime/through
- After so many trials, the experiment __________
- A. paid up
- B. paid for
- C. paid out
- D. paid off
- Choose the option that best completes the gap. The chairman refused to shake __________ with the secretary
- A. hand
- B. his hand
- C. hands
- D. his hands
- Choose the option that best completes the gap. Wherever the leader went people struggled to catch a __________ of him
- A. glimpse
- B. look
- C. view
- D. picture
- Choose the option that best completes the gap. Mrs. Okoro __________ in this school since 1975
- A. taught
- B. has been teaching
- C. was teaching
- D. is teaching
- Choose the option that best completes the gap. I was seriously disappointed when the __________ between the two teams ended in a goalless draw
- A. march
- B. marsh
- C. match
- D. martch
- Choose the option that best completes the gap. The young man looked carefully at the long document, but he couldn’t make __________ what it meant
- A. up
- B. out
- C. off
- D. through
- Choose the option that best completes the gap. While the worshippers closed their eyes in prayer, a thief made __________ with the collection
- A. away
- B. up
- C. by
- D. through
- Choose the option that best completes the gap.
If you keep playing with this door handle, it will get __________
- A. loose
- B. lose
- C. loosed
- D. loosing
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. For all he cared: the game was as good as lost
- A. He did not care if the game as lost
- B. He could not care less if the game was lost
- C. He was almost certain that the game would be lost
- D. He was afraid the game would be lost
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The meeting was cancelledbecause of the convocation
- A. brought up
- B. called off
- C. broke off
- D. phased out
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. Ayodeji is an ardentsupporter of education for the child
- A. cogent
- B. a passionate
- C. an ignorant
- D. an optimistic
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The exhibitionwas an eye opener to all
- A. style
- B. examination
- C. dispatch
- D. display
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. As a Journalist, Bola has always had a nosefor stories
- A. an instinct
- B. a command
- C. soft comment
- D. cynical statement
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. Nwankwo was on the vergeof signing a two-year contract with the club
- A. brink
- B. summit
- C. height
- D. shore
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The Governor told the chief that he was only on a routinetour
- A. normal and regular visit
- B. unplanned encounter
- C. surprise and impromptu check
- D. working, visit and homage
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The new ruler is big-heartedin his dealing with the people
- A. proud
- B. cruel
- C. soft
- D. generous
- Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The essay topic is nebulous
- A. distinct
- B. incorrect
- C. vague
- D. clear
- Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. The events of last Friday show that there is no love lost between the Principal and the Vice-principal
- A. They like each other
- B. They work independently
- C. They couldn’t part company
- D. They dislike each other
- Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. If he were here, it could be more fun
- A. He did not show up and so the occasion lacked much fun
- B. He was being expected to supply more fun
- C. There was no fun because he was not present
- D. He was expected but did not show up to liven up the occasion
- Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. Adawo is an Imp
- A. Adawo behaves queenly
- B. Adawo behaves differently
- C. Adawo behaves decently
- D. Adawo behaves badly
- Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The man reasoned that there ought to be a limit to sycophancy
- A. there can be no favour beyond a reasonable point
- B. sycophants need not talk all the time
- C. people should know when not to use flattery
- D. sycophants should know when to grant people requests
- Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. The organization is constantly in a state of flux
- A. There are periodic changes in the organization
- B. The organization is facing a difficult period
- C. The organization is experiencing; good times
- D. The organization is moribund
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.
The witness averred that she had seen Dosun at the scene of the crime
- A. argued
- B. confirmed
- C. denied
- D. affirmed
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.
The governor’s visit is an unprecedented event in the history of the social club
- A. a perfect
- B. momentous
- C. an insignificant
- D. an unnecessary
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. Our principal took exception to the ignoblerole the teacher played in the matter
- A. embarrassing
- B. honourable
- C. extraordinary
- D. dishonourable
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. He is notoriousfor his drunkenness
- A. popular
- B. known
- C. well known
- D. renowned
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.
The severity of the harmattan helped me to complete my writing assignment in record time because i had no choice but to lock myself indoors
- A. warmth
- B. mildness
- C. moderation
- D. leniency
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. This card entitlesyou to attend the film show
- A. disqualifies
- B. discourages
- C. disenchants
- D. satisfies
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. He is loved for his altruism
- A. benevolence
- B. sincerity
- C. selfishness
- D. selflessness
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. The Journalist said he was working freelance
- A. tireless
- B. without pay
- C. satisfactory
- D. dependently
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. The Flying Eagles put up a pluckydefence against their opponents
- A. strong
- B. weak
- C. careless
- D. tactful
- Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. We found a shadyplace for the display
- A. an open
- B. an unsafe
- C. a stuffy
- D. an enclosure
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. The sea wave continue to ____________ the cliff on the west coast constantly
- A. impair
- B. rub
- C. knock
- D. erode
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. I would have been surprised if you ____________ the orange
- A. plucked
- B. have plucked
- C. had plucked
- D. did pluck46
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. By the time the plane reaches Harare, it __________in the air for twelve hours
- A. has been
- B. would be
- C. would have been
- D. should be
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. The patient is suffering from ____________
- A. reumatism
- B. rheumantism
- C. rhuematism
- D. rheumatism
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. We saw Ifueko ____________ an egg on the wall
- A. smashed
- B. smash
- C. smashing
- D. smashes
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.
Knowledge of figures of speech as well as of idiom and lexical items ____________ in this section
- A. is tested
- B. have been tested
- C. are tested
- D. were tested
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. The answers to the questions were discussed ____________ the students
- A. between
- B. by
- C. for
- D. to
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.
The shipping company advertised for ____________ accountants
- A. two young but highly competent Nigerian
- B. young but highly competent two Nigerian
- C. two Nigerian, young, but highly competent
- D. highly competent, but young, two Nigerian
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. If it had rained, we would have had to postpone the concert. It didn’t rain, so ____________
- A. we won’t have to
- B. we would have had to
- C. we wouldn’t have to
- D. we didn’t have to
- Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. Now, I am used ____________ bread without butter
- A. to eat
- B. in eating
- C. of eating
- D. to eating
- Choose the option that has a different stress pattern from the others.
- A. ability
- B. registration
- C. quadruplicate
- D. revivalist
- Choose the option that has a different stress pattern from the others.
- A. competent
- B. represent
- C. syllabus
- D. quality
- Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.
thatch
- A. clothing
- B. mother
- C. then
- D. method
- Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.
chateau
- A. chart
- B. church
- C. champagne
- D. chemical
- Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) emboldened.
Joint
- A. dagger
- B. advantage
- C. guardian
- D. mightier
- choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics. The manager commended the players for the narrowvictory.
- A. Difficult
- B. Unexpected
- C. Easy
- D. Expected
- choose the option that best completes the gap(s).
I am not sure that all _____ well with John.
- A. Were
- B. Is
- C. Are
- D. Will