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Grammatical Structure

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Question 341Question →

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the grammatically correct adverb.

Fill in the blanks below

Although the examination was difficult, the candidates answered the questions .
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Answer

correctly
The sentence requires an adverb to modify the action verb 'answered'. The adverb 'correctly' (or acceptable synonyms like 'accurately') properly describes how the candidates answered the questions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word being modified in the sentence.
The word being modified is the verb 'answered'.
The blank describes the manner in which the candidates performed the action of answering.
2
Determine the correct part of speech needed to modify the verb.
An adverb of manner (such as 'correctly') is required.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, whereas adjectives modify nouns.

Key Concept

Adverbial modification of verbs
Question 342Question →

In the sentence, 'No sooner had the guest speaker arrived at the auditorium ______ the applause erupted,' which conjunction properly completes the correlative clause structure?

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Answer: than

Answer

The conjunction 'than' is the grammatically correct completion for the correlative structure introduced by 'No sooner'.
In standard English grammar, negative correlative expressions following comparative forms ('No sooner') must be completed by the subordinating conjunction 'than' to join the main clause and dependent clause correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory correlative structure in the main clause.
The sentence begins with the inverted negative adverbial phrase 'No sooner had'.
Recognizing the head of a correlative pair determines the required matching conjunction.
2
Apply the standard rule for correlative conjunction pairings in English grammar.
'No sooner' requires 'than' to introduce the secondary clause.
Expressions starting with comparative forms like 'sooner' logically take 'than', whereas expressions like 'hardly' or 'scarcely' pair with 'when'.

Key Concept

Correlative Conjunctions and Negative Inversion
Estimated Time:45s
Question 343Question →

Consider the following draft sentence intended for an administrative report:

'Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, several unexpected discrepancies were observed by the lead investigator during the audit.'

Which of the following options provides a grammatically correct revision that resolves the misplaced participial modifier while maintaining appropriate modifier placement and word choice?

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Answer: Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, the lead investigator observed several unexpected discrepancies during the audit.

Answer

Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data, the lead investigator observed several unexpected discrepancies during the audit.
The correct revision places the logical actor ('the lead investigator') immediately after the introductory participial phrase ('Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data'). This satisfies the rule of modifier proximity and ensures the sentence is clear and grammatically sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory participial phrase and its logical subject.
The phrase 'Having meticulously analyzed the preliminary survey data' functions as an adjectival modifier. The entity performing the action of analyzing is 'the lead investigator'.
Participial modifiers at the start of a sentence must directly modify the noun or pronoun that immediately follows the comma.
2
Evaluate the main clause subject in each choice.
In the original draft and certain revisions, the phrase precedes 'several unexpected discrepancies' or 'the audit', creating a dangling modifier error.
An inanimate object like an audit or a set of discrepancies cannot perform the action of meticulously analyzing data.
3
Check for lexical accuracy and natural collocation in the modifier construction.
The correct option positions 'the lead investigator' directly after the modifying clause and avoids confusable homophones or unnatural verb-modifier collocations.
Grammatical accuracy requires both proper syntax (modifier placement) and semantic precision (lexical choice).

Key Concept

Participial Modifiers and Modifier Placement
Question 344Question →

Supply the appropriate preposition to complete the sentence below.

Fill in the blanks below

Following decades of service in volatile financial markets, the senior risk analyst had become thoroughly inured the unpredictable shifts in global economic policy.
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Answer

The correct preposition to fill the blank is 'to'.
The adjective 'inured' means to become accustomed to something undesirable after prolonged exposure, and grammatically it requires the dependent preposition 'to'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence to identify the head adjective requiring a dependent preposition.
The target word is the adjective 'inured', which means accustomed to something unpleasant or arduous through long exposure.
Understanding the semantic meaning of the adjective dictates which preposition correctly complements it.
2
Identify the standard prepositional collocation for 'inured'.
The adjective 'inured' strictly takes the dependent preposition 'to'.
In standard English grammar, expressions of habituation to hardship or stress (e.g., 'inured to hardship', 'inured to pain') exclusively take 'to'.

Key Concept

Dependent prepositions following adjectives of habituation
Estimated Time:50s
Question 345Question →

Complete the sentence below by providing the correct form of the verb to express the appropriate tense and aspect.

Fill in the blanks below

By the time the newly appointed registrar assumes office next month, the acting secretary the administrative affairs of the university for over two years.
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Answer

will have managed (or will have been managing / will have overseen)
The introductory clause 'By the time...' introduces a future time limit ('next month'). To express an activity that began in the past and will continue up to or be completed before that specified point in the future, the future perfect aspect ('will have managed' / 'will have overseen') or future perfect continuous aspect ('will have been managing') is grammatically required.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the temporal marker and time clause in the sentence.
The clause 'By the time the newly appointed registrar assumes office next month' establishes a specific future reference point.
The prepositional time frame 'By the time' combined with a future context indicates an action completed or ongoing prior to that specified future point.
2
Determine the appropriate tense and aspect for an action taking place before a specified future time.
The future perfect ('will have managed') or future perfect continuous ('will have been managing') aspect is required.
English grammar specifies that when an action extends up to or finishes before a designated future moment (especially when accompanied by a duration phrase like 'for over two years'), the future perfect aspect must be used.

Key Concept

Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous Tenses
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 346Question →

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the grammatically correct adverbial correlative conjunction required by the introductory negative modifier structure.

Fill in the blanks below

No sooner had the lead researcher published the empirical findings rival laboratories attempted to replicate the complex experiment.
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Answer

The sentence is completed using the word 'than'.
The correct modifier to complete the sentence is 'than'. In formal English grammar, when a sentence begins with the negative comparative adverbial modifier 'No sooner', it triggers subject-auxiliary inversion ('had the lead researcher published') and strictly requires 'than' to connect the main clause to the subordinate time clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the introductory adverbial structure of the sentence.
The sentence begins with the negative comparative adverbial modifier phrase 'No sooner had', which triggers subject-auxiliary inversion.
Negative and limiting adverbials placed at the front of a sentence require inverted word order for emphatic effect.
2
Determine the mandatory correlative conjunction that completes the 'No sooner' modifier pairing.
The comparative form 'sooner' grammatically requires the comparative correlative conjunction 'than'.
'No sooner' must strictly pair with 'than' to introduce the subsequent temporal event, contrasting with 'hardly/scarcely/barely' which pair with 'when' or 'before'.

Key Concept

Correlative Adverbial Inversion and Modifier Pairing
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 347Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the correct verb form that maintains proper subject-verb agreement.

Fill in the blanks below

Bread and butter his favourite breakfast every morning.
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Answer

The correct verb to complete the sentence is 'is'.
In standard English concord, when two nouns joined by 'and' refer to a single entity, combination, or concept (such as 'bread and butter' served as a single meal), they take a singular verb ('is').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the compound subject and its grammatical meaning
The phrase 'Bread and butter' functions as a single unified concept (a food item/meal).
When two singular nouns joined by 'and' express a single idea, item, or combination, the subject is treated as singular.
2
Apply the rule of subject-verb concord
Select the singular third-person verb 'is'.
Singular subjects take singular verbs.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord) - Compound Nouns Representing a Single Idea
Estimated Time:45s
Question 348Question →

Accompanying the senior delegate from the ministry _______ three technical advisors who were invited to evaluate the infrastructure project.

Which verb form correctly completes the sentence while adhering to the rules of subject-verb agreement?

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Answer: were

Answer

The correct option is 'were' because the sentence uses an inverted structure where the plural subject 'three technical advisors' follows the verb.
In inverted sentence structures where a participial modifier precedes the main verb, the subject appears after the verb. The subject of this sentence is the plural phrase 'three technical advisors', which requires the plural past verb 'were'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the syntactic structure of the sentence.
The sentence exhibits grammatical inversion, beginning with a participial phrase ('Accompanying the senior delegate from the ministry') rather than the subject.
Recognizing inversion prevents mistaking an object noun inside a prepositional phrase for the sentence subject.
2
Locate the true head subject.
The grammatical subject is 'three technical advisors', which is plural.
Subject-verb concord requires the verb to agree in number with the actual head noun phrase, not an adjacent noun ('ministry').
3
Select the corresponding verb form.
The plural past verb 'were' agrees with 'three technical advisors' and matches the past tense context of 'were invited'.
Plural subjects strictly require plural verbs.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Concord in Inverted Sentences
Question 349Question →

Which of the following verb forms correctly completes the sentence below?

'During the parliamentary inquiry, the minister addressed the contract allocation as though he _______ the internal audit findings beforehand.'

Show answer & explanation

Answer: had examined

Answer

The correct verb form is 'had examined'.
The sentence requires a verb form that expresses a hypothetical action occurring prior to another action in the past ('addressed'). In English grammar, when 'as though' or 'as if' follows a past-tense main verb to denote an unfulfilled or contrary-to-fact situation, the past perfect subjunctive ('had examined') must be used.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main verb and time frame of the sentence.
The primary verb 'addressed' is in the simple past tense, establishing a past narrative context.
Verb choice in subordinate clauses must conform to the sequence of tenses set by the main clause.
2
Identify the syntactic requirement of the conjunction 'as though'.
'As though' introduces a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact clause.
When referring to a time prior to a past main verb in a hypothetical construction, the past perfect subjunctive is required.
3
Select the verb form that satisfies both past temporal priority and subjunctive aspect.
'Had examined' correctly expresses past perfect aspect in the subjunctive mood.
Other options either break sequence of tenses or fail to express the necessary aspectual completion before the main past event.

Key Concept

Unreal Past and Past Perfect Subjunctive with 'As Though' / 'As If'
Question 350Question →

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blanks with the grammatically correct modifiers.

Fill in the blanks below

Although the lead economist presented her findings before the parliamentary committee, the panel concluded that her growth projections were optimistic given the persistent inflationary pressures.
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Answer

The first blank requires an adverb of manner such as 'persuasively' or 'eloquently' to modify the action verb 'presented', while the second blank requires an adverb of degree such as 'unduly' or 'overly' to modify the predicate adjective 'optimistic'.
The sentence requires an adverb of manner ('persuasively', 'eloquently', 'articulately', or 'convincingly') to describe how the lead economist presented her findings, and an adverb of degree ('unduly', 'overly', 'excessively', or 'unreasonably') to intensify the adjective 'optimistic'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the syntactic role of the first blank.
The word modifies the action verb 'presented'. Therefore, an adverb of manner is grammatically required rather than an adjective.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, whereas adjectives can only modify nouns or pronouns.
2
Analyze the syntactic role of the second blank.
The word modifies the adjective 'optimistic'. Therefore, an degree-modifying adverb (such as 'unduly' or 'overly') is required.
Modifying an adjective requires an adverb of degree to show the extent or intensity of the quality.

Key Concept

Adverbial Modification of Verbs and Adjectives
Question 351Question →

Fill in the blank with the grammatically correct verb form to complete the sentence.

Fill in the blanks below

The students in the library since eight o'clock this morning.
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Answer

have been studying (or have studied)
The present perfect continuous form 'have been studying' (or present perfect 'have studied') correctly denotes an activity that began at a specified point in the past ('since eight o'clock') and persists into the present.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the temporal marker 'since eight o'clock this morning'.
The preposition 'since' specifies a starting point in the past for an action that continues into the present.
Actions originating in the past and continuing to the present require the present perfect or present perfect continuous aspect.
2
Ensure subject-verb agreement and correct aspectual auxiliary selection.
The plural subject 'The students' requires 'have been studying' (or 'have studied').
Singular auxiliaries or simple past tenses fail to convey the ongoing timeframe specified by 'since'.

Key Concept

Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Aspect with Temporal Markers
Question 352Question →

Fill in the blank with the correct modal auxiliary phrase to complete the sentence.

Fill in the blanks below

The storm caused extensive damage to the power grid, but the emergency technical team restore electricity before midnight.
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Answer

was able to
The sentence describes a specific past event in which a team successfully completed a challenging task. In standard English grammar tested by JAMB, 'was able to' (or 'managed to') must be used to express a specific past accomplishment, whereas 'could' is reserved for general past ability.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the statement to determine the nature of the action.
The statement refers to a specific, single occasion in the past where a difficult task was successfully accomplished.
Modal choice in the past tense depends on whether general ability or a specific past achievement is being expressed.
2
Select the correct modal auxiliary phrase for a specific past accomplishment.
'Was able to' (or 'managed to') is the appropriate choice.
While 'could' expresses general ability in the past, 'was/were able to' is required when denoting success in a specific past event or emergency situation.

Key Concept

Expressing specific past achievement versus general past ability
Question 353Question →

Which of the following verb forms correctly completes the sentence below?

'The presiding magistrate conducted the proceedings as though she _______ the evidence prior to the trial, even though the prosecutor had only delivered the files that morning.'

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Answer: had scrutinized

Answer

The correct option is 'had scrutinized' because expressing a counterfactual condition relative to a past action requires the past perfect tense after 'as though'.
The clause introduced by 'as though' describes a hypothetical past scenario that contrasts with reality. Because the main verb 'conducted' is in the simple past and the hypothetical action preceded it, English subjunctive grammar mandates the past perfect auxiliary 'had' combined with the past participle 'scrutinized'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main clause tense and time reference
The main verb 'conducted' establishes a simple past narrative frame.
The sequence of tenses must align with the past event being described.
2
Identify the grammatical function of the subordinate clause connector
'As though' introduces a clause expressing a hypothetical or counterfactual scenario.
The clause describes a state of affairs that was not true in reality (the magistrate had not actually examined the files earlier).
3
Apply the rule for past unreal/counterfactual aspect
When 'as though' or 'as if' refers to an unreal situation prior to a past main verb, the past perfect form ('had' + past participle) is required.
Simple past would incorrectly shift the counterfactual timeframe to the simultaneous present of the past action, whereas the action ('scrutinized') is set prior to 'conducted'.

Key Concept

Unreal Past and Subjunctive Aspect with 'As though' / 'As if'
Question 354Question →

Read the sentence scenario below:

'Walking through the botanical garden, colorful flowers were admired by the tourists.'

Which restatement of this sentence correctly places the modifier so that the action naturally attaches to the logical subject?

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Answer: Walking through the botanical garden, the tourists admired colorful flowers.

Answer

Walking through the botanical garden, the tourists admired colorful flowers.
The correct response ensures that the noun phrase 'the tourists' immediately follows the introductory participial phrase 'Walking through the botanical garden'. Because tourists are capable of walking, the modifier correctly describes the subject of the main clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifier phrase
The participial phrase is 'Walking through the botanical garden'.
Participial phrases function as adjectives modifying the main noun or pronoun that follows immediately after the comma.
2
Determine who or what performs the action of the modifier
The agents who walk are 'the tourists', not 'flowers', 'admiration', or 'a camera'.
A sentence must place the logical subject immediately after the introductory modifying clause to avoid a dangling modifier.
3
Select the option where the correct noun follows the modifier
The option placing 'the tourists' right after the comma creates a grammatically sound sentence.
This establishes clear modifier alignment and eliminates ambiguity.

Key Concept

Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Question 355Question →

Which verb form grammatically completes the sentence below?

Fill in the blanks below

Scarcely had the newly appointed dean his inaugural address when the sudden power failure disrupted the auditorium.
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Answer

The past participle form 'concluded' (or 'finished', 'completed', 'delivered') correctly completes the inverted past perfect construction.
The sentence features an inverted past perfect structure initialized by the restrictive adverb 'Scarcely'. In this structure ('Scarcely had' + subject + past participle), the auxiliary verb 'had' dictates that the main verb must take the past participle form ('concluded').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical construction at the beginning of the sentence.
The sentence begins with the restrictive adverb 'Scarcely', which triggers subject-auxiliary verb inversion.
When restrictive adverbs such as 'scarcely', 'hardly', or 'barely' introduce a clause, the auxiliary verb precedes the subject.
2
Determine the required principal part of the main verb following the past perfect auxiliary.
The past perfect auxiliary 'had' requires the main verb to be in its past participle form.
The past perfect aspect is formed using 'had' + past participle to indicate an action completed prior to another past event.

Key Concept

Inverted Past Perfect Tense with Restrictive Adverbs
Question 356Question →

Read the sentence below:

"After reviewing the applicant's credentials, the hiring officer decided to insist _____ inspecting the original certificates before issuing an offer letter."

Which preposition appropriately fills the blank space in the sentence above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: on

Answer

The correct preposition is 'on'.
The verb 'insist' takes the dependent preposition 'on' (or 'upon') when followed by a gerund clause such as 'inspecting'. Therefore, 'on' is the only grammatically accurate choice to complete the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head verb requiring a dependent preposition.
The verb in question is 'insist'.
In Standard English, specific verbs require specific dependent prepositions to complement their meaning.
2
Determine the standard collocate/dependent preposition for 'insist'.
'Insist' takes the preposition 'on' (or 'upon') when introducing a gerund or noun clause.
The established grammatical rule dictates the prepositional complementation pattern: 'insist on doing something'.

Key Concept

Dependent Prepositions with Verbs
Question 357Question →

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the correct correlative conjunction.

Fill in the blanks below

Neither the school principal any of the senior teachers attended the afternoon seminar.
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Answer

nor
In standard English grammar, correlative conjunctions operate in predetermined pairs. The word 'neither' specifically requires 'nor' to link two negative subject components ('the school principal' and 'any of the senior teachers').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial conjunction used in the sentence structure.
The sentence begins with the negative correlative word 'Neither'.
Correlative conjunctions work in fixed pairs to join grammatically equal elements.
2
Determine the correct paired correlative conjunction.
The correct paired word for 'neither' is 'nor'.
'Neither' must always be paired with 'nor' when presenting two negative alternatives.

Key Concept

Correlative Conjunction Pairing (Neither... nor)
Estimated Time:45s
Question 358Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the grammatically correct verb forms in the blanks to maintain proper subject-verb agreement.

Fill in the blanks below

The patron and co-founder of the research institute, together with his senior fellows, scheduled to address the press today, as a number of critical findings recently been published.
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Answer

The first blank requires 'is' and the second blank requires 'have'.
The correct response uses 'is' for the first blank and 'have' for the second blank. In the first clause, 'The patron and co-founder' refers to a single individual, as indicated by the single definite article 'The'. The intervening phrase 'together with his senior fellows' is parenthetical and does not alter the singular nature of the subject. In the second clause, the structure 'a number of critical findings' requires the plural auxiliary verb 'have' because 'a number of' is an indefinite plural quantifier.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the subject structure for the first blank.
The subject phrase 'The patron and co-founder' refers to one person holding both titles because a single article ('The') introduces the compound noun phrase. Additionally, the parenthetical phrase 'together with his senior fellows' introduced by a quasi-conjunction does not pluralize the main subject.
When two titles joined by 'and' share a single determiner, they denote a single entity requiring a singular verb. Prepositional parenthetical phrases introduced by 'together with' do not affect subject-verb agreement.
2
Determine the correct verb form for the first blank.
'is' is the required singular verb form.
A singular subject requires a singular present tense verb ('is') to achieve grammatical concord.
3
Analyze the subject noun phrase for the second blank.
The phrase 'a number of critical findings' features the indefinite expression 'a number of' followed by a plural head noun.
'A number of' functions as a plural quantifier meaning 'several', requiring a plural verb, whereas 'the number of' denotes a singular total and takes a singular verb.
4
Determine the correct verb form for the second blank.
'have' is the required plural auxiliary verb form.
The plural subject expression 'a number of critical findings' must agree with the plural auxiliary verb 'have'.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord) with Single-Entity Noun Phrases, Quasi-Conjunctions, and Indefinite Quantifiers
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 359Question →

Which verb form correctly completes the sentence below while maintaining proper grammatical subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

The chief librarian, alongside several senior archivists, responsible for preserving the rare manuscripts housed in the main vault.
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Answer

The correct verb form to complete the sentence is 'is'.
The main subject of the sentence is the singular noun 'chief librarian'. The expression 'alongside several senior archivists' functions as an intervening prepositional modifier rather than a coordinating conjunction like 'and'. As a result, the subject remains singular and requires the singular auxiliary verb 'is'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary grammatical subject of the sentence.
The core grammatical subject is the singular noun phrase 'The chief librarian'.
Phrases introduced by quasi-conjunctions or prepositions such as 'alongside', 'together with', 'as well as', and 'in addition to' are parenthetical modifiers and do not form a compound subject.
2
Apply the rule of concord to select the appropriate verb form.
The singular subject ('chief librarian') demands a singular verb ('is').
The presence of an intervening plural noun ('senior archivists') inside a prepositional phrase must be ignored when determining subject-verb agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Quasi-Conjunctions and Intervening Prepositional Phrases
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 360Question →

Pair each bracketed noun phrase in the provided sentences with its corresponding grammatical function.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Dr. Bakare, [a renowned professor of linguistics], delivered the keynote address at the international conference.
The unexpected cancellation of the annual summit remained [a major disappointment to the delegates].
The lead investigator handed [the newly appointed magistrate] the missing case files.
The governing council unanimously declared Mrs. Lawson [the chief executive officer of the institution].

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

1. 'a renowned professor of linguistics' matches Appositive; 2. 'a major disappointment to the delegates' matches Subject Complement; 3. 'the newly appointed magistrate' matches Indirect Object; 4. 'the chief executive officer of the institution' matches Object Complement.
Each noun phrase performs a distinct syntactic role defined by its relationship to the main verb and surrounding clause elements: renaming a subject (Appositive), complementing a linking verb (Subject Complement), receiving a direct object (Indirect Object), or completing the identity of a direct object (Object Complement).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze sentence 1 for noun phrase relation to the subject
'a renowned professor of linguistics' is placed beside 'Dr. Bakare' to rename it.
Noun phrases that immediately follow another noun to rename or clarify it perform an appositive function.
2
Analyze sentence 2 for verb type and subject relationship
'remained' acts as a linking verb linking the subject to 'a major disappointment to the delegates'.
Noun phrases following linking verbs that describe or re-identify the subject function as subject complements.
3
Analyze sentence 3 for verbal arguments
'handed' takes two objects: recipient ('the newly appointed magistrate') and thing handed ('the missing case files').
The noun phrase indicating the recipient of the action verb is the indirect object.
4
Analyze sentence 4 for post-object relationship
'the chief executive officer of the institution' defines the role given to the direct object ('Mrs. Lawson').
A noun phrase that defines or renames the direct object after verbs of appointing/declaring is an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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