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Grammatical Structure

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Question 721Question →

Which verb form correctly completes the sentence to express an action that will be completed before a specified point in the future?

Fill in the blanks below

By the time the international trade summit concludes next Friday, the delegation the bilateral agreement on agricultural exports.
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Answer

The correct verb form to fill the blank is 'will have signed'.
The future perfect aspect 'will have signed' is required because the introductory clause 'By the time...' establishes a future point of reference before which the action of signing must be completed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the temporal marker and clause relationship.
The time phrase 'By the time...' establishes a future deadline relative to another future event ('concludes').
The preposition 'by' combined with a time expression denotes an action completed no later than that reference time.
2
Select the appropriate tense and aspect.
The future perfect tense ('will have' + past participle 'signed') correctly expresses the completion of an action prior to a specified future moment.
Simple future ('will sign') or present perfect ('has signed') fail to project completion prior to a future point in time.

Key Concept

Future Perfect Tense with Temporal Adverbial Clauses
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 722Question →

Consider the introductory clause: "While conducting field experiments in the tropical rainforest, ______."

Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence without creating a dangling or misplaced modifier?

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Answer: the research team discovered three previously unrecorded species of orchids.

Answer

The sentence is correctly completed by 'the research team discovered three previously unrecorded species of orchids.'
The correct option places 'the research team' immediately following the introductory participial phrase. Because the research team is the entity actively conducting the field experiments, the modifier correctly and logically describes the subject of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the introductory modifier phrase
The phrase 'While conducting field experiments in the tropical rainforest' is a participial modifier requiring an agent capable of conducting experiments.
In English grammar, an introductory participial phrase must immediately precede the noun or agent that performs the action described in the phrase.
2
Evaluate the subject of each main clause option
Only 'the research team' can logically perform the action of conducting experiments. 'Species of orchids' cannot conduct experiments.
Attaching an action verb modifier to an inanimate object produces a dangling participial modifier error.
3
Confirm modifier and adverbial accuracy
The option placing 'the research team' directly after the comma maintains proper modifier alignment and correct grammatical structure.
This establishes clear semantic agreement between the modifier and the subject.

Key Concept

Participial Modifiers and Subject-Modifier Agreement
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 723Question →

When an investigator enters a crime scene, one must ensure that _____ gloves remain uncontaminated throughout the process. Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence in standard formal English?

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Answer: one's

Answer

one's
The correct answer 'one's' maintains strict grammatical agreement and person consistency with the singular indefinite pronoun antecedent 'one'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the missing pronoun.
The antecedent is the singular indefinite pronoun 'one'.
Determining the antecedent is necessary to establish grammatical number, person, and case for proper agreement.
2
Apply formal English agreement rules for the pronoun 'one'.
The possessive pronoun matching 'one' is 'one's'.
Standard English requires maintaining the 'one / one's' sequence to prevent mid-sentence shifts in person.

Key Concept

Indefinite Pronoun Consistency
Question 724Question →

During the cross-examination, the witness remained steadfast, asserting that his statements were entirely consistent _____ the facts presented in the police report. Which preposition appropriately fills the blank in the sentence?

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Answer: with

Answer

The correct preposition is 'with'.
In English grammar, the adjective 'consistent' is idiomatically followed by the preposition 'with' to express agreement, harmony, or logical compatibility between statements and evidence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the head word requiring a preposition
The word needing a completing preposition is the adjective 'consistent'.
Standard English grammar dictates fixed prepositions following specific adjectives.
2
Determine the appropriate dependent preposition
The adjective 'consistent' takes the preposition 'with' when indicating agreement or logical alignment.
'Consistent with' means compatible or agreeing with a set of facts or standards.

Key Concept

Dependent prepositions following adjectives
Question 725Question →

Neither of the project proposals submitted by the foreign consultants _____ approved during yesterday's executive board meeting.

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

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Answer: was

Answer

The correct form is 'was' because the singular indefinite pronoun 'Neither' is the true head subject of the sentence.
The sentence requires the singular past-tense verb 'was' to agree with the head subject 'Neither'. In formal English grammar, indefinite pronouns such as 'neither', 'either', and 'each' remain singular head subjects regardless of any plural nouns contained within modifying prepositional phrases.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true head subject of the sentence
The subject is the indefinite pronoun 'Neither', which is grammatically singular when followed by 'of'.
Prepositional phrases like 'of the project proposals submitted by the foreign consultants' act as post-modifiers and do not change the singular nature of the subject.
2
Determine the required verb number and tense
A singular past-tense verb is required.
The singular subject demands a singular verb, and the temporal marker 'yesterday' specifies past tense.
3
Select the correct option matching these criteria
The verb form 'was' satisfies both singular subject agreement and simple past tense.
'was' is the past-tense singular form of the auxiliary verb 'to be'.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 726Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the correct subordinating conjunction that introduces the negative purpose clause.

Fill in the blanks below

The security officers monitored the perimeter around the clock any intruder should breach the fence unnoticed.
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Answer

lest
The subordinating conjunction 'lest' is used to introduce a clause expressing negative purpose or precaution (meaning 'in order to avoid the risk that' or 'for fear that'). In standard formal English, 'lest' is typically followed by the modal auxiliary 'should' or a subjunctive verb form.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause.
The main clause describes a precautionary action, while the subordinate clause expresses an undesirable outcome to be prevented, marked by the modal verb 'should'.
Determining that the subordinate clause conveys a negative purpose helps identify the required subordinator.
2
Select the conjunction specifically used to introduce negative purpose clauses followed by 'should'.
The subordinating conjunction 'lest' means 'for fear that' or 'to prevent the possibility that', making it grammatically and semantically correct.
'Lest' uniquely structures clauses expressing negative purpose alongside auxiliary verbs like 'should'.

Key Concept

Subordinating Conjunctions of Negative Purpose
Estimated Time:45s
Question 727Question →

Fill in the blank with the correct comparative form of the modifier to complete the sentence grammatically.

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Although the debate became intense, the guest speaker expressed her arguments than any of the other panelists.
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Answer

more persuasively
The gap modifies the action verb 'expressed' in a comparative construction established by 'than'. The comparative form of a multi-syllable adverb ending in '-ly' is correctly formed by placing 'more' before the adverb ('more persuasively').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the part of speech being modified and the syntactic structure of the sentence.
The target word modifies the action verb 'expressed' within a clause containing the comparative marker 'than'.
Modifying an action verb requires an adverbial form, while the presence of 'than' signals that the comparative degree must be used.
2
Form the comparative degree for a multi-syllable adverb ending in '-ly'.
Combine the degree modifier 'more' with the base adverb 'persuasively' to yield 'more persuasively'.
Adverbs formed with the suffix '-ly' form their comparative degree by pre-modifying with 'more' rather than appending the suffix '-er'.

Key Concept

Comparative Adverbial Modification
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 728Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the correct possessive pronoun that maintains proper pronoun-antecedent agreement in standard formal English.

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The parliamentary committee on ethics, after reviewing the allegations of misconduct for several months, finally released preliminary findings to the press.
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Answer

The correct pronoun to complete the sentence is 'its'.
The pronoun 'its' is correct because the antecedent 'parliamentary committee on ethics' is a collective noun operating as a single, unified body. In standard formal English, singular collective nouns acting as one unit require the singular possessive pronoun 'its'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the pronoun needed in the blank.
The antecedent is the noun phrase 'The parliamentary committee on ethics'.
The pronoun refers back to the entity that released the preliminary findings.
2
Determine the number, gender, and nature of the antecedent.
'Parliamentary committee' is a collective noun functioning as a single, unified entity acting in unison.
The sentence describes the committee acting as a single body publishing one set of findings.
3
Select the possessive pronoun that agrees in number and gender with the singular neuter collective noun.
The singular third-person neuter possessive pronoun 'its' is required.
In formal standard English, a collective noun acting as a single unit requires a singular neuter pronoun ('its').

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Collective Nouns
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 729Question →

Read the sentence below carefully:

'The chief maritime officer reported that by the time the rescue vessel arrived, the disabled tanker _______ adrift for over twelve hours.'

Which of the following verb forms correctly completes the sentence?

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Answer: had been drifting

Answer

had been drifting
The verb form 'had been drifting' correctly combines the past perfect tense with the continuous aspect. It accurately expresses an ongoing action that began before and continued up to a specific past moment ('by the time the rescue vessel arrived') within a reported statement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main clause and reporting context
The reporting verb 'reported' is in the simple past tense, requiring past-tense sequence alignment in the subordinate clause.
Indirect speech following a past-tense matrix verb requires backshifting of tenses.
2
Examine the temporal adverbial and time frame
The phrase 'by the time the rescue vessel arrived' establishes a specific past time boundary, while 'for over twelve hours' indicates continuous duration starting prior to that boundary.
An action that begins before a past reference point and continues up to it requires a perfect aspect (past perfect or past perfect continuous).
3
Select the correct tense and aspectual verb form
The past perfect continuous form 'had been drifting' satisfies both past sequence backshifting and duration prior to a past point.
'Had been drifting' properly combines past perfect tense with continuous aspect.

Key Concept

Past Perfect Continuous Aspect in Reported Past Time Frames
Question 730Question →

Complete the sentence by filling in the blank with the grammatically correct word to complete the conditional structure.

Fill in the blanks below

the oversight committee inspected the construction site before the heavy rains, the structural defect would have been discovered in time.
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Answer

Had
The correct auxiliary to fill the blank is 'Had'. In formal English, omitting the conditional conjunction 'if' in a third conditional sentence requires subject-auxiliary inversion, placing the auxiliary verb 'Had' at the beginning of the clause before the subject ('the oversight committee').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main clause structure and conditional tense requirements.
The main clause 'the structural defect would have been discovered in time' uses a perfect conditional form ('would have + past participle'), indicating an unfulfilled past condition (third conditional).
A third conditional sentence requires a past perfect verb form in the conditional clause to express a hypothetical situation in the past.
2
Identify the rules for inverted conditional clauses in formal English.
When the conjunction 'if' is omitted from a third conditional clause, subject-auxiliary inversion must occur, placing the past perfect auxiliary verb 'Had' at the sentence onset before the subject ('the oversight committee').
The formal structure 'Had + subject + past participle' is grammatically equivalent to 'If + subject + had + past participle'.

Key Concept

Inverted Third Conditional (Unreal Past Condition)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 731Question →

Consider the sentence below from a formal panel report:

'The panel of judges could not reach a consensus immediately because each member insisted on presenting _____ individual assessment of the performances.'

Which of the following pronouns correctly completes the sentence above in accordance with standard formal English rules?

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Answer: his or her

Answer

The pronoun phrase 'his or her' correctly completes the sentence because the singular antecedent 'each member' requires a singular possessive pronoun in formal English.
The correct answer utilizes 'his or her' because the antecedent 'member' is quantified by 'each', making the noun phrase grammatically singular. Formal English requires singular antecedents to take singular possessive pronouns.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent in the sentence
The antecedent modified by the quantifier 'each' is 'member' (each member).
Determining the grammatical number (singular or plural) of the antecedent dictates the pronoun required.
2
Apply the rule of indefinite pronoun concord
The distributive quantifier 'each' renders the noun phrase singular.
In standard formal English, singular antecedents must be paired with singular pronouns.
3
Select the appropriate singular possessive pronoun
'his or her' is chosen.
'his or her' provides gender-inclusive singular possessive reference appropriate for a person.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Distributive Modifiers
Estimated Time:50s
Question 732Question →

Despite the board's enthusiasm for the aggressive expansion strategy, the chief financial officer remained strictly averse _____ taking on additional unhedged financial liabilities. Which preposition correctly completes the sentence?

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Answer: to

Answer

The preposition 'to' correctly completes the sentence, forming the standard construction 'averse to'.
The adjective 'averse' (meaning strongly disinclined or opposed) is conventionally followed by the preposition 'to'. In this context, 'averse to taking on' correctly completes the prepositional phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target head word requiring a preposition complement.
The target word is the adjective 'averse'.
Prepositions following specific adjectives are fixed by English idiomatic usage.
2
Determine the correct dependent preposition for 'averse'.
'Averse' requires the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'averse to risk', 'averse to taking').
'Averse to' is the standard fixed adjective-preposition collocation.

Key Concept

Dependent Prepositions with Adjectives
Question 733Question →

Consider the sentence fragment below:

'After analyzing the statistical trends of urban migration, __________.'

Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence above without creating a dangling modifier?

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Answer: the demographers published a comprehensive report on population density.

Answer

The sentence is correctly completed by introducing the logical subject after the modifying clause: 'the demographers published a comprehensive report on population density.'
The introductory modifier 'After analyzing the statistical trends of urban migration' requires a subject capable of performing the action of analyzing. The option beginning with 'the demographers' provides the logical agent directly following the modifier, ensuring correct grammatical structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the introductory modifier phrase
The phrase 'After analyzing the statistical trends of urban migration' describes an action that requires a human actor or analytical agent.
An introductory participial phrase must modify the explicit subject of the principal clause that immediately follows it.
2
Evaluate the subject of each option for logical alignment
'The demographers' is the only noun phrase capable of analyzing data. The alternative options use passive or abstract concepts ('report', 'publication', 'population density').
Placing an inanimate noun after an active modifier results in a dangling modifier error.
3
Select the option that maintains grammatical correctness
The option beginning with 'the demographers' creates a coherent, syntactically correct sentence.
It places the true modifier agent directly after the comma.

Key Concept

Dangling and Misplaced Participial Modifiers
Question 734Question →

During the commission of inquiry, the tribunal chairman stated that he would rather the lead prosecutor _______ the confidential documents with the panel in camera before releasing them to the press. Which option correctly completes the sentence?

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Answer: reviewed

Answer

The correct verb form is 'reviewed'.
When 'would rather' is followed by a subordinate clause introduced by a separate subject ('the lead prosecutor'), English grammar requires the verb in that clause to be in the past simple tense ('reviewed') to express a preference regarding present or future actions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the syntactic structure following the modal expression 'would rather'.
The clause contains a separate subject ('the lead prosecutor') distinct from the main subject ('he').
The presence of a secondary subject after 'would rather' requires an unreal past (subjunctive) verb form.
2
Select the appropriate verb inflection for present or future hypothetical preference.
The simple past tense 'reviewed' correctly expresses the preference.
In standard English grammar, 'would rather + subject + past tense verb' expresses how a speaker wants another person to act.

Key Concept

Unreal Past and Subjunctive Mood after 'Would Rather'
Question 735Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the most grammatically appropriate adverb in the blank space.

Fill in the blanks below

The dedicated research team worked into the night to complete the laboratory analysis before the grant deadline.
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Answer

The correct word to fill the blank is 'hard'.
The adverb 'hard' means 'with great effort or energy', which correctly describes how the dedicated research team worked. Unlike many adverbs, 'hard' does not take an '-ly' suffix when expressing manner.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the part of speech required and the intended meaning of the sentence.
The sentence requires an adverb of manner to modify the verb 'worked', expressing intense effort or diligence.
The context describes a team exerting high energy and effort to meet a tight deadline.
2
Distinguish between the adverbs 'hard' and 'hardly'.
'Hard' functions as both an adjective and an adverb meaning 'with great energy, intensity, or effort'. 'Hardly' is an adverb of degree meaning 'scarcely' or 'almost not at all'.
Using 'hardly' would incorrectly change the meaning to state that the team barely worked.
3
Select the correct form.
'hard' correctly completes the sentence to mean working with great effort.
It fits both the grammatical function and the intended contextual meaning.

Key Concept

Adverbial Modifier Forms (Hard vs. Hardly)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 736Question →

Fill in the blank with the correct pronoun to complete the sentence according to standard formal English rules.

Fill in the blanks below

Neither the managing director nor the auditors submitted final reports before the financial review deadline.
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Answer

their
When compound antecedents are joined by 'neither... nor', the pronoun must agree in number with the antecedent closer to it. Since 'the auditors' is plural and closest to the blank, the plural possessive pronoun 'their' is required.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the compound antecedent and the connecting conjunctions.
The subjects are 'the managing director' (singular) and 'the auditors' (plural), joined by 'neither... nor'.
Correlative conjunctions require applying the proximity rule for pronoun agreement.
2
Determine which antecedent is closer to the pronoun position.
'the auditors' is closest to the blank position.
When subjects of different numbers are connected by 'neither... nor', the pronoun must agree with the nearer antecedent.
3
Select the possessive pronoun matching the plural noun 'auditors'.
The plural possessive pronoun 'their' correctly completes the sentence.
'auditors' is plural, so it requires the plural possessive form.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions (Proximity Rule)
Question 737Question →

Fill in the blank in the sentence below with the appropriate subordinating conjunction that correctly introduces the concessive clause.

Fill in the blanks below

the manager attempted to justify the sudden expenditure, the auditors remained skeptical of the financial report.
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Answer

Much as
The conjunction 'Much as' introduces a subordinate clause of concession and is synonymous with 'although' or 'even though'. It correctly precedes the finite subject-verb structure 'the manager attempted'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the subordinate clause ('the manager attempted to justify the sudden expenditure') and the main clause ('the auditors remained skeptical...').
The two clauses express a contrast or concession, indicating an outcome contrary to expectations.
Identifying clause relations establishes the category of conjunction required.
2
Determine the conjunction that introduces a finite concessive clause in formal English.
'Much as' functions as a subordinating conjunction meaning 'although' or 'even though'.
'Much as' properly connects a finite subordinate clause (containing subject 'the manager' and verb 'attempted') to the main clause.

Key Concept

Subordinating Conjunctions of Concession
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 738Question →

The minister addressed the press conference regarding the new fiscal policies. Which of the following conjunctions correctly completes the sentence below?

'______ hard the parliamentary committee scrutinized the proposed budget, they could not locate any structural irregularities in the allocation.'

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Answer: However

Answer

The word 'However' correctly completes the sentence by modifying the adverb 'hard' to introduce a concessive subordinate clause.
The correct option is 'However' because in formal English grammar, when a concessive clause highlights the degree of an action or quality using an adverb or adjective placed before the subject, 'however' serves as the proper subordinating conjunction (conforming to the pattern: 'however + adjective/adverb + subject + verb').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the subordinate clause following the blank space.
The clause begins with an adverb ('hard'), followed by a noun phrase subject ('the parliamentary committee') and a finite verb ('scrutinized').
Identifying the grammatical element immediately following the blank is essential for selecting the correct connective.
2
Evaluate which conjunction forms a syntactically correct concessive clause with this word order.
'However' is the only conjunction that accepts the fronted adverb structure 'However + adverb + subject + verb'.
Other conjunctions like 'Although' require normal subject-verb order, while 'No matter' requires the addition of 'how'.

Key Concept

Concessive Clause Structure with Fronted Adverbs
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 739Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the correct tense and aspect of the verb provided in parentheses.

Fill in the blanks below

By the time the regulatory agency published its official findings, the executive board (implement) all the recommended compliance measures.
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Answer

had implemented
The correct verb form 'had implemented' uses the past perfect aspect to indicate that the action of implementing the compliance measures was completed prior to the past event of publishing the report.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the temporal sequence established by the time clause in the sentence.
The expression 'By the time...' followed by the simple past verb 'published' establishes a past reference point.
An action that is completed prior to a designated past point in time requires the past perfect tense.
2
Form the past perfect tense of the verb 'implement'.
The auxiliary verb 'had' combines with the past participle 'implemented' to form 'had implemented'.
The past perfect aspect ('had' + past participle) accurately conveys the prior completion of the action before the second past action occurred.

Key Concept

Past Perfect Tense and Aspect in Time Clauses
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 740Question →

Every delegate attending the international summit was instructed to submit _____ official credentials to the secretariat before the opening session. Which pronoun correctly completes the sentence in standard formal English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: his or her

Answer

his or her
The correct answer provides the singular possessive form necessary to agree with the singular antecedent 'delegate' modified by 'Every'. In standard formal English, singular subjects require singular pronouns.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent in the main clause
The subject noun phrase is 'Every delegate', where the head noun is the singular 'delegate'.
Determining the head noun and its number (singular or plural) is essential for selecting the corresponding pronoun.
2
Apply standard rules for singular indefinite modifiers
Quantifiers like 'every', 'each', and 'everybody' render the noun phrase grammatically singular.
In formal written English, singular antecedents must be paired with singular pronouns.
3
Select the grammatically aligned possessive pronoun
'his or her' correctly provides gender-inclusive singular possessive agreement for a human antecedent.
Plural pronouns like 'their' are considered informal or grammatically mismatched in traditional JAMB UTME assessment contexts.

Key Concept

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with Singular Indefinite Modifiers
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