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Question

Difficulty: MediumFigurative Use of Language and Connotations

Read the sentence below carefully:

'After months of deadlock, the disputed chieftaincy succession was finally resolved when both royal families agreed to submit the matter to the bench.'

What is the figurative meaning of the word 'bench' as used in the sentence?

  1. The court of law or judicial authorityAnswer
  2. B
    The physical wooden seat occupied by palace chiefs
  3. C
    The executive council of village elders
  4. D
    The legislative assembly of the state

Answer

The court of law or judicial authority
In English lexis and figurative usage, 'the bench' is a classic example of metonymy, where an object closely associated with a profession (the seat where a magistrate or judge sits) represents the institution itself—namely, the court of law or judicial authority.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The sentence describes resolving a legal dispute between two competing royal families.
Understanding the situational context helps determine whether a word is used literally or figuratively.
2
Identify the figure of speech used in 'the bench'
'The bench' is a metonymy—a figure of speech where an attribute or associated object is used to represent a larger institution or profession.
Judges traditionally sit on a bench, making 'the bench' a standard metonym for the judiciary or court system.
3
Match the figurative meaning to the correct option
The option referring to the court of law or judicial authority accurately captures this metonymic meaning.
This direct association reflects standard English figurative usage expected in JAMB UTME exams.

Key Concept

Metonymy and Figurative Connotation
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Topics

Figurative Use of Language and Connotations

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