Examkin

Lexis and Vocabulary

997 questions

All types997Multiple choice475Matching152Fill in the blank370
Question 441Question →

Despite initial resistance from members of the Senate, the Vice-Chancellor eventually managed to ________ the committee to approve the proposed curriculum review. Which prepositional verb correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: prevail on

Answer

The correct option is 'prevail on', as it means to successfully persuade someone to do something.
The verb 'prevail' combined with the preposition 'on' (or 'upon') forms a standard prepositional verb meaning to persuade or urge someone successfully into doing something. In the given sentence, the Vice-Chancellor persuaded the committee to approve the curriculum review.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the semantic context of the sentence stem.
The sentence describes an authority figure successfully convincing or persuading a committee to approve a proposal despite prior reluctance.
Identifying the target meaning (persuasion) is necessary to select the matching prepositional verb.
2
Distinguish between the particle complements of the verb 'prevail'.
'Prevail on' (or 'upon') means to persuade; 'prevail over' means to defeat or triumph over; 'prevail against' means to overcome resistance or enemies.
Prepositional verbs derive precise contextual meanings based on their particle selection.
3
Select the verb-preposition pair that matches the required meaning of persuasion.
'prevail on' is the only option that accurately expresses persuading a group to approve an action.
It fulfills both the grammatical requirements and the precise lexical meaning intended in standard British English.

Key Concept

Prepositional Verb Particle Selection and Contextual Meaning
Question 442Question →

Read the sentence below. Which word correctly completes the idiomatic expression to indicate that someone has stated the exact truth or identified a problem precisely?

Fill in the blanks below

During the department review meeting, the manager praised the senior analyst because her concise explanation of the budget deficit hit the nail on the .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

head
The complete, standardized idiomatic expression is 'to hit the nail on the head', meaning to make a point that is precisely correct or accurate.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target idiomatic phrase in the context of describing accurate problem identification.
The phrase being formed is 'hit the nail on the...'.
This is a standard fixed idiomatic expression in English.
2
Supply the exact fixed noun required to complete the idiom.
The required word is 'head'.
The idiom 'to hit the nail on the head' fixedly means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or to be precisely correct.

Key Concept

Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Estimated Time:45s
Question 443Question →

The teacher praised the student for her METICULOUS preparation before the final examination. Which word is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the capitalized word?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: careless

Answer

careless
The word 'meticulous' describes someone who is extremely careful, precise, and painstaking in their work. The term 'careless' denotes a lack of care and attention, making it the correct word opposite in meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the contextual meaning of the capitalized word 'METICULOUS'.
'METICULOUS' means showing great attention to detail, being extremely careful and precise.
Understanding the target word's definition is required before determining its antonym.
2
Determine which option provides the exact opposite meaning to 'METICULOUS'.
'careless' means lacking attention, thought, or precision, making it the direct antonym.
An antonym must express the opposing quality of carefulness and precision.

Key Concept

Identifying Antonyms in Sentence Context
Question 444Question →

Due to the recent economic downturn, the management board decided to __________ all non-essential administrative expenses. Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: dispense with

Answer

dispense with
The phrase 'dispense with' is a standard prepositional verb meaning to forego, cease using, or discard something that is no longer essential.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze sentence context and meaning required
The sentence requires a verb structure meaning to eliminate, forego, or get rid of unnecessary administrative expenses.
The phrase 'cut costs' during an economic downturn implies stopping or doing without non-essential spending.
2
Select the prepositions paired with 'dispense'
The standard prepositional verb 'dispense with' precisely means to manage without or put aside unnecessary items.
Matching the verb with the correct particle 'with' produces the intended standard English meaning required by JAMB.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs (Fixed Prepositional Collocations)
Estimated Time:45s
Question 445Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the correct preposition to form an appropriate prepositional verb.

Fill in the blanks below

The committee members were instructed to focus on the overarching objectives of the proposal rather than cavil minor stylistic flaws in the draft.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct preposition to complete the sentence is 'at', forming the standard prepositional verb 'cavil at'.
The verb 'cavil' standardly pairs with the preposition 'at' to mean raising trivial objections to something.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the main verb 'cavil' in the context of the sentence.
The verb 'cavil' means to make trivial, petty, or unnecessary objections.
Identifying the target verb is essential for determining its fixed prepositional complement.
2
Identify the mandatory preposition that collocates with 'cavil'.
'Cavil' takes the fixed preposition 'at' when specifying the object of criticism (e.g., 'to cavil at minor details').
Standard British English syntax required by JAMB UTME dictates that 'cavil at' is the correct prepositional verb structure.

Key Concept

Prepositional Verbs and Fixed Collocations
Question 446Question →

The newly appointed supervisor was so amiable that everyone in the department felt comfortable approaching her with their concerns. Which word is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: friendly

Answer

friendly
The word 'amiable' describes someone who is warm, friendly, and pleasant in manner. The sentence explains that employees felt comfortable approaching the supervisor, which reinforces that she was 'friendly'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the underlined word in the sentence.
The clause 'everyone in the department felt comfortable approaching her' indicates that the supervisor has a warm, welcoming, and approachable personality.
Contextual clues in vocabulary questions reveal the intended shade of meaning.
2
Compare the option choices against the identified contextual meaning.
'Friendly' directly captures the meaning of being pleasant, warm, and approachable.
The word nearest in meaning must substitute smoothly into the sentence without altering its core meaning.

Key Concept

Contextual Synonyms
Question 447Question →

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

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

bank on
fall through
gloss over
iron out

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'Bank on' matches 'to rely on or depend with confidence'; 'Fall through' matches 'to fail to happen or be completed'; 'Gloss over' matches 'to treat or describe something as less important to avoid dealing with it'; 'Iron out' matches 'to resolve difficulties or settle minor details'.
Each verb is paired with its precise meaning: 'bank on' means to rely on with confidence; 'fall through' means to fail to materialize; 'gloss over' means to minimize or downplay flaws; and 'iron out' means to settle minor difficulties.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the contextual meaning of 'bank on'.
'Bank on' means to place complete trust or reliance in an expected outcome or person.
The particle 'on' combined with 'bank' functions idiomatically as a verb of dependency.
2
Determine the contextual meaning of 'fall through'.
'Fall through' indicates that a plan or arrangement has collapsed or failed to happen.
The combination of 'fall' and 'through' signifies non-realization of an intended plan.
3
Determine the contextual meaning of 'gloss over'.
'Gloss over' means to handle a problem superficially to conceal its severity.
The preposed particle 'over' with 'gloss' implies applying a thin surface layer to hide flaws.
4
Determine the contextual meaning of 'iron out'.
'Iron out' means to clear up residual issues or smooth over complications.
The metaphorical extension of flattening wrinkles signifies resolving minor obstacles.

Key Concept

Understanding idiomatic meanings of phrasal verbs and their particles
Question 448Question →

During the panel's review of the firm's sudden insolvency, the executive director was found to have been feathering his own nest while the company collapsed. Which of the following best conveys the meaning of the underlined idiomatic expression?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: enriching himself financially through dishonest or self-serving means

Answer

enriching himself financially through dishonest or self-serving means
The idiom 'to feather one's own nest' means to make oneself rich or comfortable, particularly by taking improper advantage of one's official position. Thus, the choice describing personal financial enrichment through dishonest or self-serving means is the correct interpretation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence containing the underlined expression.
The context describes an executive director acting selfishly during a firm's financial collapse.
Contextual clues highlight improper individual gain during organizational failure.
2
Identify the figurative meaning of the idiom 'feather one's own nest'.
The idiom figuratively means to make oneself wealthy, especially by abusing one's position or resources.
Idioms cannot be interpreted literally based on individual words like 'feather' or 'nest'.
3
Select the option that matches this figurative meaning.
The option defining personal financial enrichment through dishonest means is correct.
It directly aligns with the established definition of the idiom.

Key Concept

Idiomatic Interpretation in Context
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 449Question →

Which word opposite in meaning to the capitalized word best completes the sentence below?

Fill in the blanks below

Although the principal commended the head prefect for being DILIGENT in her academic pursuits, her brother remained notoriously .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

lazy (or indolent / slothful / negligent / idle)
The sentence contrasts the head prefect's commendation for being 'DILIGENT' (hardworking, industrious) with her brother's character using the subordinate conjunction 'Although'. Therefore, the blank requires a word that means lacking effort or disinclined to work, such as 'lazy', 'indolent', or 'slothful'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target word and its meaning in context
The target word is 'DILIGENT', which means hardworking, industrious, and showing care in work.
The sentence sets up a contrast between the head prefect and her brother using the conjunction 'Although'.
2
Determine the word opposite in meaning to fill the blank
An appropriate antonym for 'diligent' in an academic context is 'lazy' or 'indolent'.
The sentence contrasts the head prefect's hardworking nature with her brother's notorious lack of effort.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms
Question 450Question →

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate specialized medical term to complete the sentence.

Fill in the blanks below

The surgical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from a living patient for diagnostic examination is called a .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

biopsy
In the medical profession, a 'biopsy' is the removal of tissue from a living body to examine it for disease. It precisely satisfies the definition provided in the stem.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context and identify the medical domain.
The context relates to pathology and diagnostic surgery involving living patients.
Understanding the occupational context helps isolate the correct specialized term.
2
Identify the precise term that fits the definition of extracting living tissue for examination.
The correct term is 'biopsy'.
In medical vocabulary, 'biopsy' specifically refers to removing tissue from a living organism for analysis.

Key Concept

Medical Register Terminology
Estimated Time:45s
Question 451Question →

In real estate and property law, a legal claim, lien, or financial liability attached to a title that burdens the property or restricts its transfer is known as which specialized register term?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: encumbrance

Answer

encumbrance
The term encumbrance is the precise specialized register word in property law used for any right to, interest in, or legal liability upon land (such as mortgages, liens, or easements) that diminishes its value or restricts transfer of ownership.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The sentence describes real estate and property law contexts involving legal claims or burdens on land titles.
Specialized register questions require identifying vocabulary restricted to specific occupational domains.
2
Evaluate the specialized meanings of each option
'Encumbrance' specifically denotes any claim or legal liability held by a non-owner against property title. 'Indictment' is criminal law, 'embargo' is trade law, and 'extradition' is international criminal jurisdiction.
Only 'encumbrance' matches the occupational register of real estate and property conveyancing law.

Key Concept

Property Law and Real Estate Specialized Register
Question 452Question →

After completing routine maintenance, the engineers towed the commercial airliner into a specialized closed structure where aircraft are kept and repaired. Which term correctly identifies this aviation structure?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: hangar

Answer

The word 'hangar' is the correct specialized aviation register term for an enclosed building used to house and maintain aircraft.
The term 'hangar' specifically denotes an enclosed facility for housing, maintaining, and repairing aircraft in aviation register.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The context describes an aviation setting involving a structure for storing and servicing aircraft.
Identifying the specific professional domain (aviation) narrows down the required vocabulary.
2
Distinguish between homophones and domain terms
The correct spelling for an aircraft shelter is 'hangar' (spelled with an 'a'), whereas 'hanger' refers to clothing apparatus.
Specialized register assessments frequently test precise spelling distinctions among homophones.

Key Concept

Occupational and Specialized Registers (Aviation Register)
Question 453Question →

The investigative committee concluded that the director's dilatory response to the financial audit served only to heighten suspicions of wrongdoing. Which word is nearest in meaning to the underlined word?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: tardy

Answer

The word nearest in meaning to 'dilatory' is 'tardy'.
In formal administrative and literary contexts, 'dilatory' describes actions, responses, or measures that cause or reflect delay or slowness. 'Tardy' similarly means late or slow in acting, making it the word nearest in meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined word in its sentence context
The target word 'dilatory' modifies 'response' in a situation where a director took an excessively long time to respond to a financial audit.
Contextual analysis helps determine whether the word denotes speed, intent, tone, or manner.
2
Define the precise lexical meaning of 'dilatory'
'Dilatory' is an adjective derived from Latin meaning slow to act, tending or intended to cause delay, or procrastinating.
Establishing the core definition narrows down the accurate synonym.
3
Evaluate the options against the target definition
'Tardy' means delaying or late, which precisely matches 'dilatory'. 'Prompt' is its antonym, 'deceitful' is an unwarranted extrapolation from the context, and 'deliberate' is a confusable word with a different meaning.
Differentiating between exact synonyms, antonyms, and contextual distractors ensures the selection of the correct option.

Key Concept

Contextual Synonyms and Vocabulary Range
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 454Question →

Match each specialized occupational term on the left with its precise technical definition or professional application on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Prophylaxis
Amicus curiae
Arbitrage
Dead reckoning

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Prophylaxis matches the medical prevention of disease; Amicus curiae matches an impartial legal adviser to the court; Arbitrage matches exploiting market price discrepancies for profit; Dead reckoning matches position estimation using speed, direction, and time.
Each pair correctly matches a technical term to its specific operational definition within its native domain: Prophylaxis to preventative medicine, Amicus curiae to non-party legal advisement, Arbitrage to cross-market financial trading, and Dead reckoning to navigation estimation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the specialized domain of each term on the left.
Prophylaxis originates from medical/clinical register; Amicus curiae from legal register; Arbitrage from financial/trading register; Dead reckoning from aviation/nautical navigation register.
Identifying the target professional field isolates the context needed for accurate mapping.
2
Pair each term with its exact technical meaning.
Prophylaxis corresponds to disease prevention; Amicus curiae corresponds to an impartial friend of the court; Arbitrage corresponds to cross-market price exploitation; Dead reckoning corresponds to relative position calculation.
Distinguishing precise specialized vocabulary prevents confusion with general dictionary meanings or related occupational terms.

Key Concept

Occupational and Specialized Registers across Medical, Legal, Financial, and Navigational fields.
Question 455Question →

During the parliamentary committee hearing, the minister attempted to __________ the panel with evasive responses regarding the unaccounted project funds. Which of the following phrasal verbs correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: fob off

Answer

fob off
The phrasal verb 'fob off' accurately fits the idiomatic pattern 'to fob someone off with something', meaning to attempt to deceive or appease a person using evasive or unsatisfactory excuses. In the given sentence, the minister tries to put off 'the panel' with 'evasive responses'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and grammatical structure of the sentence.
The sentence requires a transitive phrasal verb that takes a person/group ('the panel') as its direct object and collocates with 'with evasive responses' to express deceiving or putting someone off with inadequate answers.
Understanding both the syntactic frame (verb + object + with + noun) and semantic meaning is necessary to choose the exact phrasal verb.
2
Evaluate the idiom 'fob off'.
'Fob off' correctly fits the construction 'fob [someone] off with [something]', meaning to give someone an unsatisfactory explanation to avoid answering properly.
It matches standard British English idiomatic usage required by JAMB UTME assessments.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs with Specific Complement Structures
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 456Question →

During the investigative hearing, the panel auditor warned that the board could not simply __________ the systematic financial irregularities uncovered in the administrative records. Which of the following phrasal verbs best completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: gloss over

Answer

The phrasal verb 'gloss over' correctly completes the sentence.
The phrasal verb 'gloss over' means to treat something unpleasant, wrong, or embarrassing as if it were insignificant, or to deliberately refrain from dealing with it in detail. In the given sentence, it precisely fits the scenario of a board trying to minimize systematic financial irregularities.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to identify the intended meaning of the missing expression.
The context describes an auditor warning a board against treating serious financial irregularities as unimportant or trying to ignore them.
Determining contextual requirements helps eliminate options with mismatched definitions.
2
Evaluate the idiomatic meaning and particle pairing of each option against standard usage.
'Gloss over' is a standard phrasal verb meaning to treat something serious in a superficial way to make it seem acceptable. 'Gloss off' and 'explain off' are non-standard structures, and 'smooth out' means settling minor differences.
JAMB UTME tests precise particle selection and subtle contextual distinctions.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs - Contextual Meaning and Particle Selection
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 457Question →

During the high-stakes corporate restructuring, the chief operating officer urged the departmental heads to keep their powder dry until the regulatory body released its official guidelines.

Which of the following best interprets the underlined idiomatic expression?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: remain calm and hold off on taking action until the opportune moment

Answer

The expression 'keep one's powder dry' means to remain prepared while exercising patience and holding off on action until the right moment.
The idiomatic expression 'keep one's powder dry' means to stay prepared for action while waiting patiently for the right time to act. In the given sentence, the executive advises waiting for official guidelines before acting, making the choice stating to remain calm and hold off on taking action until the opportune moment the correct interpretation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The chief operating officer is giving strategic advice during a period of uncertainty before official regulatory guidelines are released.
Contextual clues indicate a need for strategic patience rather than immediate or literal physical action.
2
Determine the figurative meaning of the idiom 'keep one's powder dry'
Originating from military history (keeping gunpowder dry for future use), the idiom figuratively means to stay prepared while holding back action until it is advantageous.
Idioms cannot be interpreted literally by their component words.
3
Match the figurative meaning with the options
The option stating 'remain calm and hold off on taking action until the opportune moment' precisely matches the figurative sense.
It captures both elements of preparedness and patient timing.

Key Concept

Interpretation of Idiomatic Expressions in Context
Question 458Question →

Despite facing a barrage of hostile questions during the press conference, the governor maintained perfect EQUANIMITY throughout the proceedings.

Which of the following options is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: agitation

Answer

agitation
In the given context, 'equanimity' refers to mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. The word 'agitation' refers to a state of anxiety, turbulence, or nervous excitement, which is the direct contextual opposite of equanimity.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word in its context.
The word 'EQUANIMITY' describes the governor remaining calm, self-possessed, and unruffled despite hostile questioning.
Contextual clues ('despite facing a barrage of hostile questions') signal steady self-control and emotional poise.
2
Determine the required antonym relationship.
The question asks for the word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'EQUANIMITY'.
The opposite state of being calm and composed under pressure is being disturbed, anxious, or agitated.
3
Evaluate the choices against the target definition.
'Agitation' signifies emotional turbulence and loss of composure, making it the precise contextual opposite.
'Composure' is a synonym, 'equity' is a root-confusable word meaning fairness, and 'indifference' means apathy rather than lost self-control.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 459Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the word opposite in meaning to the capitalized word.

Fill in the blanks below

While the lead negotiator was praised for her TEMERITY during the tense standoff, her assistant was criticized for his surprising .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The word opposite in meaning to 'TEMERITY' (excessive boldness or audacity) is 'timidity' (or 'caution', 'circumspection', 'prudence', 'diffidence').
The capitalized word 'TEMERITY' denotes rash boldness or audacity. In the given context, the sentence contrasts the negotiator's boldness with the assistant's contrasting behavior, requiring a word denoting fearfulness, hesitation, or extreme care, such as 'timidity', 'caution', or 'circumspection'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the meaning of the capitalized word in context.
'TEMERITY' means reckless boldness, audacity, or rashness.
Establishing the exact definition of the target word is necessary to determine its antonym.
2
Identify the contrast established by the sentence structure.
The subordinating conjunction 'While' contrasts the negotiator's praise for boldness with the assistant's criticism for the opposite trait.
The sentence structure signals a contrast between the negotiator and her assistant.
3
Select a word that represents the opposite of boldness/audacity.
'Timidity' (or 'caution'/'circumspection') directly opposes 'temerity'.
These terms fit both grammatically and semantically into the sentence blank.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 460Question →

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

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Charterparty
Subrogation
Laches
Prophylaxis

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Charterparty matches the Nautical/Shipping Register definition of a vessel leasing contract. Subrogation matches the Insurance Register definition of an insurer assuming an insured party's legal claims against a third party. Laches matches the Legal Register definition of equitable defense based on unreasonable delay. Prophylaxis matches the Medical Register definition of preventative treatment against disease.
Each occupational term is matched directly to its exact technical field: Charterparty is specific to maritime freight contracts; Subrogation is specific to insurance claims; Laches is an equitable legal defense regarding delay; Prophylaxis is a medical term for preventative treatment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the maritime term 'Charterparty'
Identified as a specialized shipping/nautical contract governing the hiring of a cargo vessel.
Differentiates maritime commercial terminology from standard corporate or property leasing terms.
2
Analyze the insurance term 'Subrogation'
Identified as an insurance register term denoting legal step-in rights following claim indemnity.
Prevents double recovery by the insured while holding the third party liable.
3
Analyze the legal term 'Laches'
Identified as an equitable legal principle regarding undue, prejudicial delay.
Distinguishes equitable delay defenses from statutory limitation periods.
4
Analyze the medical term 'Prophylaxis'
Identified as a clinical term for preventive health interventions.
Distinguishes preventive care from therapeutic or curative treatments.

Key Concept

Occupational and Specialized Registers
PreviousPage 23 / 50Next
Lexis and Vocabulary Practice Questions — JAMB UTME — Page 23 | Examkin