All practice questions

2583 questions

Question 1Question

Match each phrasal verb in Column A with its correct contextual meaning in Column B.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Call off
Give up
Carry on
Look up to

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'Call off' matches 'To cancel an event or agreement', 'Give up' matches 'To stop attempting or surrender', 'Carry on' matches 'To continue an activity', and 'Look up to' matches 'To admire or respect someone'.
Each phrasal verb correctly corresponds to its established standard English meaning: 'Call off' means to cancel, 'Give up' means to stop trying, 'Carry on' means to continue, and 'Look up to' means to admire.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the non-literal idiomatic meaning of each phrasal verb.
Determined the established meaning of each combination of verb and particle.
Phrasal verbs function as single semantic units whose meanings cannot usually be inferred from the individual words.
2
Pair each phrasal verb with its corresponding dictionary definition.
Call off -> cancel; Give up -> stop trying; Carry on -> continue; Look up to -> respect/admire.
Ensures accurate lexical matching according to standard usage.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs
Question 2Question

Read the passage below carefully:

Paragraph 1
Across rapidly expanding urban centers in West Africa, modern construction has predominantly relied on imported Portland cement and reinforced concrete. While these materials symbolize modern infrastructure, their widespread adoption has created significant thermal inefficiencies in tropical climates. Concrete structures retain solar heat, driving up internal building temperatures and creating an escalating reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning systems, which strains national power grids.

Paragraph 2
To address these environmental and energy challenges, contemporary architects are re-evaluating indigenous building techniques, particularly rammed earth and compressed earth blocks. When stabilized with minimal binders, earth-based materials exhibit high thermal mass, absorbing heat during daylight hours and releasing it coolly at night. Integrating passive thermal regulation reduces operational energy demands, offering a low-carbon alternative suited to regional microclimates.

Paragraph 3
Beyond ecological advantages, reviving local material supply chains delivers substantial socio-economic dividends. Unlike imported building components that siphon capital overseas, earth-construction frameworks utilize local labor and regional soil resources. This localized approach fosters skilled craftsmanship, expands rural-urban employment opportunities, and shields domestic housing sectors from international supply chain disruptions and currency fluctuations.

Paragraph 4
However, scaling sustainable bio-material architecture faces significant regulatory bottlenecks. Existing municipal building codes, established during the colonial era, often prohibit non-concrete load-bearing structures or fail to classify standardized earth masonry. Broad implementation requires updating national building policies, establishing quality verification benchmarks, and institutionalizing technical training within formal engineering curricula.

Based on the passage above, match each numbered paragraph to the statement that best synthesizes its central argument.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Paragraph 1 matches the statement highlighting thermal inefficiency of concrete; Paragraph 2 matches the statement demonstrating earth materials' thermal cooling benefits; Paragraph 3 matches the statement outlining socio-economic benefits of local sourcing; Paragraph 4 matches the statement identifying policy and regulatory obstacles.
Each paragraph is accurately matched to its central thesis: Paragraph 1 details concrete thermal drawbacks; Paragraph 2 presents the thermal benefits of earth materials; Paragraph 3 explains socio-economic gains of local supply chains; Paragraph 4 highlights outdated building codes as adoption barriers.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Paragraph 1
Identifies modern concrete reliance leading to thermal inefficiency and power grid strain.
Synthesizes the core focus of the first section of the text.
2
Analyze Paragraph 2
Identifies rammed earth and compressed earth blocks as sustainable, low-carbon cooling solutions.
Captures the technical and environmental summary of the second paragraph.
3
Analyze Paragraph 3
Identifies economic retention, job creation, and localized material supply chain benefits.
Summarizes the socio-economic dimensions presented in the third paragraph.
4
Analyze Paragraph 4
Identifies outdated building codes and institutional hurdles as adoption barriers.
Captures the regulatory challenges outlined in the final paragraph.

Key Concept

Summary: Identifying Central Arguments and Key Points
Question 3Question

Read the text excerpts regarding shea butter processing modernization in Kwara State carefully. Match each original excerpt on the left with its most accurate, complete, and concise paraphrased summary on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Although traditional shea butter processing methods in Kwara State rely heavily on firewood-intensive open boiling that exacerbates local deforestation, the recent introduction of solar-thermal roasters has reduced wood consumption by seventy percent while doubling daily oil extraction efficiency.
Smallholder shea processors frequently face steep market discounts because manual extraction leaves organic impurities that trigger rapid rancidity, whereas mechanized filtering preserves oil purity and extends shelf life to over two years.
The establishment of women-led cooperative centers equipped with hydraulic presses has shifted shea production from subsistence-level household chores to profitable commercial enterprises, significantly boosting rural household incomes.

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Each original text excerpt matches its corresponding concise summary by retaining essential thesis statements while eliminating secondary statistics and minor details: Excerpt 1 pairs with Solar roasting benefits; Excerpt 2 pairs with Mechanical filtration advantages; Excerpt 3 pairs with Cooperative equipment impact.
Each pair correctly matches an original text segment with a paraphrase that distills the primary argument while pruning redundant descriptive modifiers and numerical data.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Excerpt 1 for main ideas and omit non-essential figures.
Identified core idea: Replacing firewood boiling with solar-thermal roasters reduces deforestation and increases oil output.
Eliminates supporting statistics (seventy percent, doubling) while retaining the core environmental and yield benefits.
2
Analyze Excerpt 2 to condense cause-and-effect relationships.
Identified core idea: Mechanized filtering removes impurities present in manual extraction, preserving quality and market value.
Synthesizes details regarding rancidity and two-year shelf life into concise general concepts of spoilage prevention and marketability.
3
Analyze Excerpt 3 to extract the primary economic transformation.
Identified core idea: Modern machinery in women-led cooperatives elevates domestic processing to profitable commerce.
Focuses on the overarching shift from subsistence to commercial production facilitated by shared technology.

Key Concept

Summary: Paraphrasing, Synthesis, and Conciseness
Question 4Question

Read the passage excerpt below carefully:

"In evaluating the university's revised curriculum, the accreditation panel observed that while the new interdisciplinary courses husband institutional resources efficiently, they nevertheless compromise the traditional depth of specialized departmental studies. Furthermore, the committee noted that recent administrative policy shifts subscribe to a market-driven philosophy of higher education, thereby threatening to pervert the institution's historical commitment to pure, unremunerated scholarly inquiry."

Match each bolded word from the passage on the left with its precise contextual meaning on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

husband
compromise
subscribe
pervert

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct contextual pairings are: 'husband' matches 'conserve or manage frugally'; 'compromise' matches 'weaken or undermine the integrity of'; 'subscribe' matches 'assent to or endorse a principles-based stance'; and 'pervert' matches 'distort or alter from an original proper course'.
Each term is correctly matched according to its precise contextual function in the text: 'husband' means to manage resources frugally; 'compromise' means to erode or weaken integrity; 'subscribe' means to endorse an ideology; and 'pervert' means to distort an established institutional commitment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the grammatical role and surrounding context for each bolded word in the text.
Recognize that 'husband', 'compromise', 'subscribe', and 'pervert' are used as verbs conveying specific academic and administrative nuances.
Contextual meaning requires evaluating how syntax and subject matter constrain word definitions beyond primary dictionary senses.
2
Substitute each proposed definition back into the passage.
Verify that 'conserve frugally', 'undermine integrity', 'endorse', and 'distort' maintain exact logical coherence.
A valid contextual replacement must preserve both the semantic intent and formal register of the passage.

Key Concept

Contextual Vocabulary and Polysemy in Academic Prose
Question 5Question

Match each phrasal verb on the left with its precise contextual definition on the right as used in standard English.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

fob off
cotton on
tide over
rail against

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'Fob off' matches 'To deceitfully persuade someone to accept an unwanted alternative or excuse'; 'Cotton on' matches 'To belatedly understand or become aware of a subtle truth or deception'; 'Tide over' matches 'To provide temporary assistance to sustain someone through a difficult period'; 'Rail against' matches 'To protest vociferously and angrily against a perceived grievance'.
Each phrasal verb is paired accurately with its formal lexical definition: 'fob off' involves deceitful evasion, 'cotton on' means coming to comprehend a truth, 'tide over' means sustaining someone temporarily, and 'rail against' means complaining vehemently.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of 'fob off'
Identified as persuading someone to accept an inferior item or false excuse to get rid of them.
The idiomatic phrasal verb 'fob off' specifically denotes deceitful evasion or palming off unwanted substitutes.
2
Analyze the meaning of 'cotton on'
Identified as coming to comprehend a situation after some delay.
In standard English usage, 'cotton on' signifies gaining mental understanding of an underlying truth.
3
Analyze the meaning of 'tide over'
Identified as offering temporary support through a lean or problematic period.
The verb 'tide over' carries the specific sense of bridging a temporary deficit until permanent resources arrive.
4
Analyze the meaning of 'rail against'
Identified as expressing furious or vehement complaints against an injustice or authority.
The prepositional verb 'rail against' denotes severe vocal condemnation.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs Idiomatic Meanings
Question 6Question

Match each specialized occupational term on the left with its corresponding technical definition on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Subpoena
Silage
Triage
Jettison

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Subpoena matches the judicial writ requiring court appearance; Silage matches fermented green fodder for livestock; Triage matches the medical prioritization of patients; Jettison matches the maritime action of throwing cargo overboard during distress.
Each occupational term is matched accurately to its professional domain: 'Subpoena' to Law, 'Silage' to Agriculture, 'Triage' to Emergency Medicine, and 'Jettison' to Nautical operations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the legal register term 'Subpoena'
Identified as a legal order to attend court, matching the judicial writ definition.
In legal proceedings, a subpoena is specifically issued by a court authority to compel witness attendance or submission of documents.
2
Analyze the agricultural register term 'Silage'
Identified as stored fermented plant matter used to feed farm animals.
Silage specifically denotes high-moisture fodder preserved in anaerobic conditions (a silo or pit) for livestock feeding.
3
Analyze the medical register term 'Triage'
Identified as prioritizing treatment based on medical urgency.
In emergency medicine, triage protocols categorize patients to ensure immediate care for life-threatening cases.
4
Analyze the maritime/nautical register term 'Jettison'
Identified as discarding cargo overboard to lighten a ship.
In nautical terminology, jettisoning refers specifically to deliberate emergency unloading into the water to save a vessel.

Key Concept

Occupational and Specialized Registers
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 7Question

Match each phrasal verb on the left with its correct contextual meaning on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

fall back on
iron out
zero in on
chime in

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'fall back on' matches 'To resort to an alternative plan or resource when the primary option fails'; 'iron out' matches 'To resolve or settle minor problems, details, or differences'; 'zero in on' matches 'To direct all one's focus and attention toward a specific objective'; and 'chime in' matches 'To interject or express an opinion in an ongoing conversation'.
Each phrasal verb correctly pairs with its standardized idiomatic English definition: 'fall back on' denotes having recourse to a contingency plan; 'iron out' denotes eliminating difficulties or settling details; 'zero in on' denotes concentrating strictly on a goal; and 'chime in' denotes breaking into dialogue to offer input.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the particle combinations and idiomatic functions of each verb stem.
Identified 'fall back on' as a multi-word phrasal verb expressing reliance on reserves, and 'iron out' as a figurative verb meaning to smooth or resolve issues.
Understanding particle meanings in phrasal verbs distinguishes literal actions from idiomatic uses.
2
Match 'zero in on' and 'chime in' to their precise definitions.
'zero in on' indicates targeted focus, while 'chime in' indicates interjecting in speech.
Prepositional combinations modify the core verb stem to convey specific conversational or analytical actions.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs
Question 8Question

Read the passage below carefully and match each paragraph to its central argument.

[Paragraph 1]
Rapid urbanization in West African coastal cities has led to an exponential increase in municipal solid waste, particularly single-use plastics. Local government authorities struggle with limited budgetary allocations and inadequate collection infrastructure, leaving tons of uncollected garbage to clog urban drainage systems and contaminate coastal marine habitats.

[Paragraph 2]
In response to these infrastructural deficits, informal waste-picking communities have stepped in to perform essential sanitation functions. Operating without formal recognition or safety equipment, these independent workers retrieve substantial volumes of recyclable materials from landfills and street corners, serving as the primary operational backbone of urban material recovery.

[Paragraph 3]
To address the vulnerabilities of informal workers while improving recovery rates, social enterprises have launched digital platform solutions. Mobile applications now connect local waste pickers directly with recycling firms, streamlining logistics, standardizing material pricing, and providing informal workers with digital financial services and verifiable income histories.

[Paragraph 4]
While technological and informal initiatives offer immediate relief, environmental experts contend that long-term waste reduction demands fundamental policy transformation. True sustainability will only be achieved when regional governments enact extended producer responsibility laws, compelling manufacturers to redesign packaging and fund circular economy infrastructure.

Which central argument corresponds to each paragraph of the passage?

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Paragraph 1 matches 'Inadequate municipal waste infrastructure leads to severe urban plastic pollution.'; Paragraph 2 matches 'Informal waste collectors perform a vital role in bridging public sanitation gaps.'; Paragraph 3 matches 'Digital platforms enhance recycling efficiency and empower informal waste workers.'; Paragraph 4 matches 'Sustainable waste management requires government policy shifts toward producer responsibility.'
Each paragraph corresponds directly to its central argument: Paragraph 1 describes the infrastructural failure causing urban waste problems; Paragraph 2 focuses on informal waste pickers bridging this sanitation gap; Paragraph 3 details how digital platforms empower these collectors; Paragraph 4 argues that lasting sustainability requires statutory producer responsibility.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Paragraph 1 for its central theme.
Paragraph 1 highlights urban expansion outstripping municipal waste management capacity and causing environmental degradation.
This establishes the primary problem presented at the start of the text.
2
Analyze Paragraph 2 for its core focus.
Paragraph 2 explains how informal waste collectors step in to recover recyclables where municipal services fail.
Differentiating the main idea from supporting details regarding working conditions.
3
Analyze Paragraph 3 for its primary point.
Paragraph 3 focuses on how mobile technology connects informal waste pickers to formal recycling firms.
Synthesizing the main technological solution described in the paragraph.
4
Analyze Paragraph 4 for its ultimate thesis.
Paragraph 4 concludes that long-term waste resolution requires legal reforms making producers responsible for packaging waste.
Identifying the central argument regarding policy and systemic change.

Key Concept

Summary: Identifying Central Arguments and Key Points
Question 9Question

Match each word containing an underlined spelling pattern to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol that correctly represents its monophthong (pure vowel) sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Plait
Quay
Bury
Calm

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'Plait' pairs with /æ/, 'Quay' pairs with /i:/, 'Bury' pairs with /e/, and 'Calm' pairs with /ɑ:/.
Each word features an irregular spelling pattern for its monophthong sound: 'plait' contains the short front vowel /æ/, 'quay' contains the long front vowel /i:/, 'bury' contains the short front vowel /e/, and 'calm' contains the long back vowel /ɑ:/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Transcribe the phonetic vowel sound of the underlined portion in each target word.
'plait' is transcribed as /plæt/, 'quay' as /ki:/, 'bury' as /ˈberi/, and 'calm' as /kɑːm/.
Identifying the precise RP monophthong symbol requires overriding spelling traps and recognizing irregular orthographic patterns.
2
Match each target word to its corresponding IPA monophthong symbol.
Plait → /æ/, Quay → /i:/, Bury → /e/, Calm → /ɑ:/.
Each pair correctly aligns the irregular spelling pattern with its standard monophthong representation.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 10Question

Match each short excerpt below with the option that most accurately describes the writer's predominant tone or attitude.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

"The committee spent six months deliberating on community center renovations, only to decide that the pressing priority was selecting a new shade of lavender for the paper napkins."
"Every evening, my grandmother would gather us around the kerosene lamp, sharing ancient folklore while the aroma of roasting corn filled our cozy thatched kitchen."
"The dumping of untreated chemical waste into our village stream is a disgraceful violation of public safety that demands immediate legal prosecution of the perpetrators."

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings associate the excerpt mocking administrative delays with a satirical tone, the excerpt recalling childhood stories with a nostalgic tone, and the excerpt protesting stream pollution with an indignant tone.
The correct pairings accurately align the sarcastic comment on bureaucratic deliberation with a satirical tone, the heartwarming childhood story with a nostalgic tone, and the environmental protest with an indignant tone.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine key lexical choices and stylistic markers in each excerpt.
Excerpt 1 employs irony about napkin selection; Excerpt 2 uses comforting sensory imagery; Excerpt 3 uses forceful language denoting outrage.
Word choice and stylistic emphasis directly reveal the writer's emotional posture and communicative intent.
2
Match each analyzed text with the corresponding attitude descriptor.
Excerpt 1 pairs with satirical and mocking; Excerpt 2 pairs with nostalgic and warm; Excerpt 3 pairs with indignant and condemnatory.
Each tone descriptor precisely captures the attitude demonstrated in the respective passage.

Key Concept

Writer's Tone, Mood, and Attitude
Question 11Question

Match each prose excerpt below with the option on the right that most accurately describes the writer's predominant tone or attitude.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

While proponents champion the release of genetically modified mosquitoes as a definitive victory against malaria, the long-term ecological ripple effects remain alarmingly unmapped. Rushing implementation without multi-generational monitoring is not bold innovation; it is reckless gambling with fragile ecosystems.
Every morning, my grandfather would meticulously polish his brass compass, a relic from his seafaring decades. Though his sight had dimmed and the ocean was now a distant memory bounded by four concrete walls, that daily ritual tethered his fading spirit to an era of boundless horizons.
Pursuant to Directive 402, all departmental managers are instructed to file quarterly resource utilization logs prior to the final business day of each month. Submissions lacking standardized verification codes will be rejected automatically without further notification.
To suggest that avant-garde soundscapes are merely noise produced by uninspired novices is to miss the profound subversion inherent in breaking classical harmony. True artistic evolution has always rattled the complacent ears of traditionalists.

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct matches pair the mosquito intervention excerpt with 'Cautious and apprehensive', the grandfather memoir excerpt with 'Nostalgic and reverent', the corporate directive excerpt with 'Clinical and authoritative', and the avant-garde music excerpt with 'Defiant and polemical'.
Each passage exhibits distinct lexical indicators of the writer's mindset: the bio-engineering passage emphasizes danger and uncalculated risk ('Cautious and apprehensive'), the grandfather narrative uses tender, reflective imagery ('Nostalgic and reverent'), the administrative notice maintains strict distance and institutional authority ('Clinical and authoritative'), and the art commentary actively battles against conventional critics ('Defiant and polemical').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze word choices (diction) and emotional markers in each passage excerpt.
Excerpt 1 contains warning imagery; Excerpt 2 contains sentimental memory markers; Excerpt 3 uses rigid administrative terminology; Excerpt 4 uses challenging, argumentative language.
Tone and attitude are primarily determined by analyzing the writer's choice of words and sentence structure.
2
Map each excerpt's underlying attitude to the corresponding descriptive label.
Warnings map to 'Cautious and apprehensive'; sentimental memories map to 'Nostalgic and reverent'; administrative rules map to 'Clinical and authoritative'; aggressive artistic defense maps to 'Defiant and polemical'.
Evaluating affective tone requires distinguishing between emotional distance, critical urgency, affectionate memory, and argumentative friction.

Key Concept

Writer's Purpose, Tone, Mood, and Attitude
Question 12Question

Read the passage below carefully:

Mangrove ecosystems across coastal West Africa serve as crucial blue carbon sinks, sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide at rates significantly higher than terrestrial tropical forests. While local communities have historically relied on mangrove estuaries for artisanal fisheries and timber harvesting, recent anthropogenic pressure—exacerbated by urbanization and unsustainable mangrove wood harvesting for fish smoking—has severely fragmented these fragile coastal habitats. Environmental scientists argue that the primary mechanism for preserving these ecosystems lies in establishing community-managed carbon offset initiatives that monetize blue carbon to fund sustainable coastal governance. Although critics point out that carbon market price volatility can occasionally disrupt revenue streams for participating coastal villages, structured community stewardship contracts paired with hybrid solar fish-dryers have nonetheless demonstrated marked success in mitigating deforestation while maintaining local economic security.

Based on the passage, match each statement on the left with its correct structural role in the passage on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Community-managed blue carbon initiatives offer the principal mechanism for preserving coastal mangrove ecosystems.
Mangrove forests absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide at rates exceeding those of land-based tropical forests.
Unsustainable wood harvesting for fish-smoking practices leads to severe coastal habitat fragmentation.
Fluctuations in global carbon market prices can periodically destabilize income for coastal communities.

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The main thesis statement matching the Central Argument focuses on community-managed blue carbon initiatives as the principal preservation mechanism. The ecological benefit regarding carbon absorption matches Supporting Evidence. The note on wood harvesting for fish-smoking matches the Cause of Degradation supporting detail. The statement on market price volatility matches the Qualifying Detail counter-argument.
The central argument of the passage centers on community-led blue carbon initiatives being the primary preservation mechanism. The statement regarding carbon absorption rates serves as supporting ecological evidence. The statement detailing wood harvesting for fish-smoking provides supporting evidence of environmental degradation. Finally, the statement regarding market volatility functions as a qualifying detail addressing potential drawbacks.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary position of the author in the text.
The text asserts that community-led blue carbon schemes are the core solution to saving mangroves.
The main idea unifies all discussion of threats, benefits, and qualifying risks.
2
Distinguish empirical context and problem statements from the central claim.
Higher carbon sequestration rate is background ecological data; fish-smoking wood reliance explains the specific threat.
These details build the case for why action is necessary but do not constitute the core thesis.
3
Categorize counter-claims and qualifying statements.
Carbon market price fluctuations are introduced with 'Although critics point out', signaling a counter-argument/qualifying risk.
Qualifying statements acknowledge potential flaws while reinforcing the overall argument.

Key Concept

Distinguishing the main argument from background facts, supporting details, and counter-arguments in comprehension passages.
Question 13Question

Read the short passage below and match each bold word to its precise contextual meaning as used in the text:

'In an effort to revitalize the neglected urban park, the city council decided to repurpose the old railway depot into a community hall. However, local merchants remained skeptical about the project's economic viability. The chief architect presented a cogent plan that addressed all safety concerns, thereby persuading the skeptics and securing unanimous approval from the panel.'

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

repurpose
skeptical
cogent
unanimous

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

1. 'repurpose' matches with 'adapt for a new function or purpose'; 2. 'skeptical' matches with 'having doubts or reservations'; 3. 'cogent' matches with 'clear, logical, and convincing'; 4. 'unanimous' matches with 'showing complete agreement by all involved'.
Each term aligns directly with its contextually valid definition: 'repurpose' means adapting the depot into a hall; 'skeptical' refers to the merchants' doubts; 'cogent' highlights the convincing nature of the architect's plan; and 'unanimous' reflects total agreement from the panel.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the sentence surrounding each highlighted word in the passage.
Determine the functional role and contextual meaning of each word.
Words have multiple definitions, so contextual cues govern the exact meaning intended by the author.
2
Correlate each target word with its matching definition.
'repurpose' means adapting for a new role; 'skeptical' means harboring doubts; 'cogent' means logical and convincing; 'unanimous' means complete agreement.
Direct substitution into the passage confirms semantic alignment for each pair.

Key Concept

Determining precise contextual word meaning using surrounding sentence clues.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 14Question

In a prescribed prose narrative centered on an artisanal textile guild's struggle to preserve traditional weaving techniques against commercial exploitation, key narrative incidents shape the plot progression. Match each narrative incident on the left with its corresponding plot consequence on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

The discovery of synthetic thread samples in the master weaver's workshop
The sudden cancellation of the guild's annual trade exposition
The master weaver's refusal to sign the commercial concession agreement
The public unveiling of the restored heirloom tapestry at the town hall

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Each narrative incident correctly matches its structural consequence in the plot: the discovery of synthetic threads triggers the elders' investigation into sabotage; the exposition cancellation prompts municipal asset freezing; the refusal to sign the concession demonstrates commitment to heritage despite financial ruin; and the tapestry unveiling exposes the rival's fraudulent authorship claim.
Each narrative event is paired with its direct plot outcome based on structural cause-and-effect in narrative analysis. The finding of synthetic threads leads directly to the sabotage investigation; stopping the exposition triggers municipal asset freezing; declining the contract manifests character integrity amidst bankruptcy; and revealing the tapestry exposes the fraudulent claim of authorship.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the cause-and-effect relationship for the discovery of synthetic thread samples.
Recognize that introducing contraband materials into a traditional workshop acts as the catalyst for an internal sabotage investigation.
Narrative plot progression relies on inciting incidents that destabilize trust among guild members.
2
Evaluate the administrative consequence of cancelling the annual trade exposition.
Link the major public disruption to municipal intervention and funding suspension.
Exposition cancellation represents a breach of civic protocol, forcing external council action.
3
Examine the moral turning point presented by the master weaver's refusal to sign the concession.
Connect this decision to the protagonist's internal conflict and commitment to heritage over profit.
Character choices in pivotal plot moments underscore central narrative themes.
4
Determine the climax resolution brought about by the tapestry unveiling.
Match the event to the public exposure of the antagonist's deception.
The final revelation resolves the primary mystery and establishes rightful authorship.

Key Concept

Plot Progression and Narrative Cause-and-Effect
Question 15Question

Match each of the following multisyllabic English words with the statement that correctly describes the position of its primary stress.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

category
monopoly
hypothetical
examination

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'category' matches primary stress on the first syllable (CAT-e-go-ry); 'monopoly' matches primary stress on the second syllable (mo-NOP-o-ly); 'hypothetical' matches primary stress on the third syllable (hy-po-THET-i-cal); and 'examination' matches primary stress on the fourth syllable (ex-am-i-NA-tion).
Each multisyllabic word is paired with its precise stress assignment: 'category' places primary stress on the first syllable (CAT-e-go-ry); 'monopoly' carries primary stress on the second syllable (mo-NOP-o-ly); 'hypothetical' receives stress on the third syllable (hy-po-THET-i-cal) due to the '-ical' suffix rule; and 'examination' places stress on the fourth syllable (ex-am-i-NA-tion) due to the '-ation' suffix rule.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the syllabification and primary stress location for each word.
CAT-e-go-ry (1st syllable), mo-NOP-o-ly (2nd syllable), hy-po-THET-i-cal (3rd syllable), ex-am-i-NA-tion (4th syllable).
English stress rules depend on word class and specific derivational suffixes such as '-ical' and '-ation'.
2
Pair each word with its corresponding description.
Connect each word from the left list to its matching stress position description in the right list.
Matching each word to its unique stressed syllable position yields the accurate answer pairs.

Key Concept

Polysyllabic Word Stress and Suffix Stress Rules
Question 16Question

Match each sentence excerpt on the left containing a figurative expression with its corresponding figure of speech on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

The prosecutor pointed out that the oil firm's 'environmentally friendly' policy had resulted in the total devastation of three coastal estuaries.
The naval commander reported to headquarters that fifty sails were spotted approaching the harbor at dawn.
During the intense interrogation, the detective noted the suspect's cold heat when confronted with the forensic evidence.
The general declared to his weary troops that they would march to the ends of the earth to secure final victory.

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct matches pair the sentence describing an 'environmentally friendly' policy causing destruction with Irony; the sentence using 'sails' to represent ships with Synecdoche; the expression 'cold heat' with Oxymoron; and the statement about marching 'to the ends of the earth' with Hyperbole.
Each sentence excerpt correctly corresponds to its defining literary device: the ironic contrast between description and outcome pairs with Irony; using 'sails' for ships pairs with Synecdoche; combining adjacent opposite words in 'cold heat' pairs with Oxymoron; and exaggerating distance to 'ends of the earth' pairs with Hyperbole.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the first excerpt: an 'environmentally friendly' policy causing devastation.
The sentence presents a direct contradiction between the literal phrase used and the destructive reality.
This intentional contrast between literal assertion and actual fact constitutes irony.
2
Analyze the second excerpt: 'fifty sails were spotted'.
The constituent noun 'sails' is used to refer to entire naval ships.
Representing a whole object by one of its structural parts is the defining feature of synecdoche.
3
Analyze the third excerpt: the suspect's 'cold heat'.
Two mutually exclusive, opposite adjectives are placed immediately adjacent to each other.
Joining contradictory terms side-by-side to create a compact paradoxical phrase forms an oxymoron.
4
Analyze the fourth excerpt: marching 'to the ends of the earth'.
The statement uses a physical impossibility to emphasize extreme commitment.
Deliberate and extravagant exaggeration for dramatic effect constitutes hyperbole.

Key Concept

Identification and Differentiation of Figures of Speech in Context
Question 17Question

In the analysis of prescribed prose and drama texts, setting encompasses physical, temporal, socio-political, and atmospheric dimensions. Match each narrative environment on the left with its primary thematic significance on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

A neglected colonial-era railway station overgrown with weeds
An isolated sacred grove during an annual seasonal harvest festival
An overcrowded urban shantytown during a prolonged municipal strike
An elite coastal club restricted to high-ranking administrative officers

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The neglected railway station matches the decay of state infrastructure; the sacred grove matches cultural identity and spiritual heritage; the overcrowded shantytown matches social tension and working-class hardship; and the elite coastal club matches socio-political stratification.
In prose and drama, setting reflects broader thematic motives. The overgrown colonial railway station physically symbolizes state decline and abandonment; the sacred grove during a festival embodies cultural preservation and communal harmony; the congested shantytown during a labor dispute underscores working-class grievance and tension; and the restricted administrative club illustrates institutional inequality and political stratification.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the physical, socio-political, and atmospheric features of each environment listed in the left column.
Identified four distinct narrative settings: a decaying transit building, a traditional sacred natural site, a tense impoverished urban neighborhood, and an exclusive administrative zone.
Understanding the physical parameters of setting is essential for decoding their symbolic purpose in literature.
2
Correlate each environment with its corresponding thematic resonance on the right.
Paired physical decay with infrastructure failure, traditional festival grounds with cultural unity, labor strike in slums with working-class struggle, and exclusive clubs with political stratification.
Authors use specific environments to mirror macro-level societal themes and character dynamics.

Key Concept

Setting, Context, and Environment in Prescribed Texts
Question 18Question

Match each phrasal verb listed on the left with its corresponding contextual meaning on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

whittle down
mull over
knuckle down
weed out

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'Whittle down' matches 'To gradually reduce the number or size of something'; 'Mull over' matches 'To think deeply and carefully about a proposal or idea'; 'Knuckle down' matches 'To apply oneself earnestly and set to work with determination'; and 'Weed out' matches 'To remove or eliminate undesirable elements from a group'.
Each phrasal verb is accurately paired with its standard English definition: 'whittle down' means to diminish gradually; 'mull over' means to contemplate; 'knuckle down' means to work earnestly; and 'weed out' means to remove unwanted components.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of each phrasal verb provided in the list.
Determine the precise idiomatic meaning of 'whittle down', 'mull over', 'knuckle down', and 'weed out'.
Phrasal verbs combine verbs with particles to form figurative meanings distinct from their literal component words.
2
Pair each phrasal verb with its matching definition.
'Whittle down' aligns with gradual reduction; 'mull over' aligns with deep reflection; 'knuckle down' aligns with hard work; 'weed out' aligns with eliminating unwanted elements.
Matching each expression with its formal Standard English definition confirms accurate vocabulary comprehension for standard examinations.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs
Question 19Question

In a prescribed prose narrative centered on a coastal salt-mining cooperative's financial audit, match each key narrative event on the left to its direct outcome on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

The discovery of altered weigh-station receipts
The unexpected resignation of the head tally clerk
The public release of the independent auditor's report

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Discovery of altered receipts matches impounding of ledger archives; Resignation of head tally clerk matches emergency executive board meeting; Public release of auditor's report matches village-wide strike by salt extractors.
Each narrative event correctly links to its direct outcome based on plot cause and effect: altered weigh-station receipts lead directly to the legal impounding of records, the head tally clerk's departure forces an urgent executive board meeting, and the audit report's public disclosure mobilizes the salt extractors to strike.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the cause-and-effect relationships among the key narrative events.
Identify how initial evidentiary discoveries trigger legal actions, personnel changes provoke administrative meetings, and public disclosures lead to collective labor action.
Tracking plot progression requires distinguishing the immediate catalyst for each specific narrative development.
2
Pair each narrative incident with its direct structural outcome.
Altered receipts lead to legal seizure of records, clerk resignation forces an emergency board gathering, and official audit publication incites worker protest.
Differentiating primary plot causes from secondary reactions ensures accurate alignment of narrative sequence.

Key Concept

Plot Summary and Narrative Events: Cause and Effect Relationships
Question 20Question

Read the passage below carefully:

For centuries, the ancient city of Kano in northern Nigeria has maintained a renowned leather tanning industry, utilizing traditional vegetable-tanning techniques derived from native plants such as the pods of the Acacia nilotica tree. Unlike modern industrial tanning methods that rely heavily on synthetic chromium salts—which generate toxic chemical effluents that contaminate surrounding soils and river systems—the indigenous Kano process is largely biodegradable and environmentally sustainable. However, despite these ecological advantages, the traditional leather sector faces mounting threats from rapid urbanization, shrinking supplies of raw hides, and unregulated cheap synthetic leather imports. Furthermore, while local tanners possess deep craft knowledge, the lack of modern wastewater treatment facilities in informal tanning clusters still leads to localized organic pollution. Consequently, environmental scientists argue that rather than replacing traditional tanning with industrial chemical processes, developmental policies should focus on modernizing waste management infrastructure while preserving the eco-friendly organic tanning formulations that have sustained the region's craft heritage for generations.

Match each excerpt or statement from the passage on the left to its correct functional role in the author's argument on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Developmental policies should focus on upgrading waste infrastructure while safeguarding traditional organic tanning techniques.
The traditional Kano tanning method employs natural Acacia nilotica pods instead of toxic synthetic chromium compounds.
Urban encroachment, diminished raw hide availability, and synthetic imports undermine the traditional leather industry.
The absence of centralized wastewater treatment in informal tanning areas results in localized environmental pollution.

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The statement advocating developmental policy reform to modernize waste treatment while protecting traditional organic tanning methods functions as the Central Thesis. The contrast between natural Acacia nilotica pods and toxic synthetic chromium compounds functions as Supporting Detail: Comparative Evidence of Ecological Sustainability. The mention of urban encroachment, hide shortages, and synthetic imports functions as Supporting Detail: Contextual Background on Economic Threats. Finally, the note on untreated wastewater resulting in localized pollution functions as Supporting Detail: Qualifying Counter-Evidence / Operational Limitation.
The correct pairings accurately classify the core policy recommendation as the main thesis, while correctly categorizing the comparative environmental facts, economic background, and operational caveats as supporting details.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage structure and identify discourse markers.
The text begins with factual descriptions of traditional tanning, moves to threats and caveats, and concludes with 'Consequently...', which introduces the main argument.
Discourse signals like 'Consequently' mark the logical culmination of an argument.
2
Distinguish the main claim from subordinate evidence.
The final sentence represents the author's primary recommendation, while earlier sentences provide evidence, context, and qualifying nuances.
The main idea is the central thesis supported by evidence, whereas supporting details elaborate on specific facts or qualifications.
3
Match each statement with its structural role in the argument.
Paired each passage statement correctly with its corresponding category.
Accurately categorizing passage statements validates understanding of thesis development.

Key Concept

Identification of Main Idea and Supporting Details
Page 1 / 130Next
All practice questions — JAMB UTME | Examkin