Year 1

Use of English
Instruction: Answer all sixty (60) questions within thirty (30) minutes.
Questions –
Read the passages below carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Passage 1
‘DEY PLAY DEY GO!’
I felt very compunctious of myself alighting at Lawanson B/Stop and latching on
to this …
‘My world! Did you just do this or were you beguiled?’ Those were the questions
my flesh cross-examined my docked spirit (or whichever did).
I was returning from my girlfriend’s mother’s aunt’s grandchild’s elder sister’s
younger brother’s friend’s neighbour’s boyfriend’s crush’s place, somewhere
proximal to Lawanson, S/Lere, enroute Ijesha Express. It was around 6 o’clock
in the evening and the fares had become foods for the gods. I had almost depleted
the beggar’s treasure on me. You know how it is when you paid a visit to caliber
of people such as those after a long time. Your pocket is always left in a state of
comatose. Who send me message sef? Well, I can’t bellyache. We didn’t choose
to be whiz kids.
We waited for cheaper buses to ferry us down to our destination. We waited for
over three hours and thank our stars, one of the buses arrives. There I knew that
Lagosians had ‘selective maturity’. We scurried and almost stampeded some
weaker foots while struggling to get a seat. Poor (no! Simple) me, I opined
(initially) in me that I’d still secure a spot without having to brawl this hard. But
I had forgetfully forgotten that gentility was a missing word in the encyclopedia
of Lagos’s transport system. After pulling back ….
…. ‘This’s is the last bus oo!’ One of the coordinators exclaimed in a mordant
wit. Few decades down the line, I am still mind-boggled as to how I jumped on
the bus upon that declaration.
Alas! We embark on the fleeting journey that seemed forever …
Half the journey, I noticed a ravishing, tall, young, dark-complexioned, crème de
la crème, gap-toothed angel beaming to high heavens. On sighting her, my gaze
left reality and defied all logic – I transfixed to cloud nine.
In my euphoria, I was inveigled to believe that I had seen an angel, which like
Jacob, I wasn’t going to let go. Fast forward! She said ‘yes’ to me and we started
going out. One of the outings that will remain evergreen was the one at Food City.
One of the moments, I took her home and she made a ‘manna’ meal for me and I
instantly realized what made the Israelites of the Bible live long. The cause of the
prorogue with the babe was sequel to …
It was an experience that had indeed left frames on the wall of my minds – Oh!
Sorry readers, my apologies, her name was (or is) Chioma. What a complimenting
name. I took the first and gracious step of a plainly simple guy that left me ruing.
We were actually about petting when I heard ‘Everybody come down oo!’ We
had gotten to the last bus-stop.
On rushing down to meet this babe, I saw her pull into an expensive limousine
and when I peeped into, I saw a man in his fifties – a man with devil-may-care
muscles. A macho at that. Perhaps her dad. Ah! This angel will just go.
Then this Naija slogan became apparently applicable to me and my flesh asked
my spirit – Is dis playing? And the latter responded with yet another question –
What type of playing is dis? I realized that I was a few meters away from my
shop. ‘Sir’, my boss, would kill me!
Then the duo conventionally agreed – Dey play dey go!
I journeyed on with a caustic nuance …
Culled and paraphrased from ‘HOW COULD I HAVE…?’ Courtesy of
BrainBomb – AngelDATE …
1. It could be deduced from the passage that the writer is?
a. A Misogynist.
b. A Philogynist.
c. Gynephilic.
d. Gynosexual.
e. Bisexual.

2. According to this passage, the babe is __________?

a. An angel.
 b. Beauteous.
c. Unsightly.
d. Well-groomed.
e. Flirtatious.

3. The word ‘prorogue’ contextually means _________?

a. Time-out.
b. Relationship.
c. Heavy petting.
d. Sexual Intercourse.
e. Dialogue.

4. ‘This is the last bus oo!’ is an example of a (___) sentence.

a. Indicative.
b. Interrogative.
c. Declarative.
d. Exclamatory.
e. Imperative.

5. ‘…that left me ruing’ according to the passage connotes that the writer _?
a. Regretted.
b. Was happy.
c. Cried.
d. Was indifferent.
e. Sucks.

Passage 2
‘Melee’s Palaver’
Mother storms in, like the mistral. After taking her coat, Chioma goes to the
kitchen to make tea. Tea mother would take, for proprietory’s sake, then leave.
Her disdain palpable …
Mother’s icy glances chill the room Chioma and I have spent the last six
weekends decorating. ‘Shame you haven’t done much with the place.’
I breathe in. One. No longer will I take this. Two. No longer will I let her trample
all over me. Three. Or Chioma. Four. ‘Mother -’
She raises an eyebrow. Silence descends …
… Only to be broken by the rattling of teacups.
6. ‘Rattling’ in the passage shows the use of ____?
a. Hendiadys.
b. Anapest.
c. Onomatopoeia.
d. Metonymy.
e. Antithesis.

7. ‘…rattling of teacups’ in the passage denotes?

a. Unnecessary discussions.
b. Chattering.
c. Complaints.
d. Tea about to be brought in.
e. A diplomatic argy-bargy.

8. Which of the following does not broad-capture-ly ‘Mother’ in the

passage?
a. Violent.
b. Bossy.
c. Scornful.
d. Sneering.
e. Acerbic.

9. ‘Mother’ in the passage will take the tea (____).

a. Compulsorily.
b. Mandatorily.
c. Gleefully.
d. Perfunctorily.
e. Unanimously.

10. ‘…icy glances chill the room …’ this is a clearly evidently of?
a. Dactyl.
b. Burlesque.
c. Lampoon.
 d. Personification.
e. Antimetabole.

Register
Instruction: From the optioned lettered A-E, choose the correct (or most
appropriate) for the gaps in between the below.
As soon as I took the newspaper from the (11), I quickly (12) through the pages,
and stopped at the sports page. There the picture of Marvin Hagler, the boxer,
attracted me. He was preparing for the (13) of his title. The (14) harped on
Hagler’s previous fights and predicted an easy victory over his opponent.
I then read through the (15) which usually states the paper’s opinion on current
issues. The (16) were very many, with some …
There was only one (17) by an artist whose intentions was clearly to amuse
readers like Chioma. There was also a full page (18) announcing the death of a
very popular slay queen. The caption was even eye-catching – ‘Alas she slept
alone!’…
In the column for serious minded readers (though Chioma wasn’t) was a (19) on
political transition, one of the (20) issues of the time.
Adapted from USE OF ENGLISH ’20, The Solid Solutions, etal …
11. a. Trader.
b. Dealer.
c. Seller.
d. Printer.
e. Vendor.

12. a. Perused.
b. Studied.
c. Stared.
d. Flipped.
e. Blushed.

13. a. Victory.
b. Attack.
c. Protection.
 d. Envy.
e. Defense.

14. a. Correspondent.
b. Writer.
c. Editor.
d. Publisher.
e. Blogger.

15. a. Communique.
b. Propaganda.
c. Editorial.
d. Resolution.
e. Blog.

16. a. Commercials.
b. Announcements.
c. Advertisements.
d. Exhibits.
e. Gist.

17. a. Drawing.
b. Cartoon.
c. Sketching.
d. Painting.
e. Design.

18. a. Memoriam.
b. Requiem.
c. Obituary.
d. Funeral.
e. Passover.

19. a. Caption.
b. Commentary.
c. Edition.
 d. Feature.
e. Story.

20. a. Contemporary.
b. Arguable.
c. Controversial.
d. Competitive.
e. Debatable.

From the options lettered A-E, choose the correct (or most appropriate) one that
is antonymic to the word or phrase in italics.
21. The docile babe was supposedly rewarded accordingly – heartbroken.
a. Wilful.
b. Ductile.
c. Pliant.
d. Purposeful.
e. Mordant.

22. After all what the ingenuous Chioma has been subjected to, I think this is
the acme of it all.
a. Nadir.
b. Zenith.
c. Apogee.
d. Apex.
e. Vanguard.

23. Palaver Melee was a class blended with wits of whimsy and heuristic
scholars.
a. Quaint/Didactic.
b. Insouciant/Exploratory.
c. Vagary/Pedagogical.
d. Focused/Exciting.
e. Serious/Incurious.

24. Sulaimon might be green in relationships, but he a past master in issues

dealing with philosophies.
 a. Inexperienced/Expert.
b. Inexperienced/Scholar.
c. Experienced/Novice.
d. Well acquainted/Young.
e. Young/Philosophical Emeritus.

25. Two pulchritudinous friends that differed so markedly in their characters.

Eno was reserved and courteous, Chioma (thank God, there aren’t just one
Chioma in Lawanson) – (___) and boastful.
a. Temperamental.
b. Phlegmatic.
c. Choleric.
d. Stoic.
e. Feveric.
From the options lettered A-E, choose the correct (or most appropriate) one that
is synonymic to the word or phrase in italics.
26. There is a conflict of interest between the petite bourgeoisie and the
proletariat.
a Common man/Hoi polloi.
b. Ordinary person/Dick and Harry.
c. Masses/Leaders.
d. Middle class/Hoi polloi.
e. Elites/Common man.

27. All these questions being set by A.S.B were probably on gratis.
a. Recommendation.
b. Free.
c. Payment.
d. Interest.
e. Order.

28. Miss Stammering Stammerer (I reserve my comments) raised her

eyebrows and even stammered when Professor Philosophy exorcised the
demonic questions.
a. Was afraid/Calmed.
b. Was angry/Revered.
 c. Stuttered/Subdued.
d. Was surprised/Solved.
e. Was not surprised/Solved.

29. Baba D Lord biblically penned down a poignant tribute to Mama D Lord
who had died evangelically via quietus.
a. Sad/In Silence.
b. Plaintive/Assisted suicide.
c. Nostalgic/Snoring.
d. Caustic/Mordant.
e. Heartless/Life issues.

30. The sophomore will not have to pay. They can even get free tuition from
Professor Philosophy.
a. Year-one students.
b. Year-two students.
c. Penultimate Graduating students.
d. Final year students.
e. Freshers.

Sentence Interpretation
31. Facetious teachers are hardly persona non grata. This means that ____.
a. Round-faced tutors are never disobeyed.
b. Friendly teachers are always scorned.
c. Flippant tutors are always welcomed.
d. Playful teachers are hardly welcomed.
e. Serious tutors are always brilliant.

32. The chauffeur emeritus has begun to see pink elephants. This means that
the ________.
a. Driver to the professor has serious eye defects.
b. Retired driver has an eye defect.
c. Professor’s driver daydreams.
d. World-class chef now lives in delirium.
e. Retired driver now lives in delirium.
33. Chioma had unfortunately lately learnt that girlfriends who do not hold
their horses always get their boyfriend’s goats. This means that girlfriends
(___).
a. Don’t exercise patience always annoy their beau.
b. Are not intelligent always sort their lovers.
c. Belong to the stingy women association always end up with their
sweetie’s infidelity.
d. Don’t control their mouth always end up being beaten by their
boyfriends.
e. Who are sex givers always get their boyfriend’s generosity.

34. That Chioma sef, her brain is as porous as a sieve - unlike Edith’s. That
one is like an elephant’s. This means that ___________.
a. Edith is very forgetfully.
b. Chioma does not forget things easily.
c. Edith’s memory is spacious.
d. Chioma’s memory is not capacious.
e. The later does not forget things easily.

35. My prorogue with that angel (don’t blush oo! It is no more u sef!) that
Valentine’s night was a cat’s meow experience.
a. My discussion with the girl was unimaginable.
b. My delay with the babe was appealing.
c. My dialogue with the babe was a dangerous plan.
d. My argument with the girl was baseless.
e. My outing with the girl was really wonderful.

Idioms and ‘Decipheratios’

36. I know ingenuous Mercy has gone through hell in her previous
relationships. What heartbreaking recurrence. Well, there is now a chance,
so she can start de novo.
a. She can start by learning through experience.
b. She can start afresh.
c. She can quit relationship cold turkey.
d. She can try with counsel from that her friend.
e. None of the above.
37. After all said and done, the results of the just concluded General Elections
could be contested. But I fear not – the opposition claims are ultra vires.
a. The claims are beyond legal authority.
b. The claims are biased.
c. The claims lack legal force.
d. The claims are very strong.
e. The claims lack enough evidence.

38. This heartbreak is no surprising. We all knew ab initio.

a. We knew from the onset.
b. We knew from the outset.
c. We knew along line.
d. We knew from the beginning.
e. We knew in the depth of our hearts.

39. Tunde was given a bird yester night for arriving late from work.
a. He was lashed in the back.
b. He was disciplined corporally.
c. He was applauded.
d. He was shouted at.
e. He was lauded.

40. The transgressor mugged the sot.

a. The religious leader was caught drinking alcohol.
b. The hypocrite was drunk.
c. The criminal drank again.
d. The criminal was drunk.
e. The short-tempered man had made a faux pas.

Concord, Cases and Grammar

41. Stop tergiversating! It is you who (_) being referred to.
a. Is.
b. Are.
c. Was.
 d. Be.
e. None of the above.

42. Each of the candidates (_) expected to bring alongside (_) condom.
a. Are/His.
b. Are/Their.
c. Is/Their.
d. Is/His.
e. Is/Its.

43. Either the boys or the woman (_) guilty.

a. Is.
b. Are.
c. Be.
d. Then.
e. Being.

44. The family who (_) travelling (_) arguing over where to go.
a. Is/Are.
b. Are/Is.
c. Is/Is.
d. Are/Are.
e. All of the above.

45. The number of guests inside (_) surplus but a number more (_) still outside.
a. Are/Is.
b. Is/Are.
c. Are/Are.
d. Is/Is.
e. All of the above.

46. I like girls such as (_).

a. Her.
b. She.
c. Them.
d. Herself.
e. None of the above.
47. They hate me as well as (_).
a. Her.
b. She.
c. Herself.
d. a and b.
e. a and c.

48. (_) and (_) have fallen out.

a. Gift, I.
b. I, Gift.
c. Me, Gift,
d. Gift, Me.
e. All of the aforementioned.

49. (_) that as it (_), I still love her.

a. May/Be.
b. With/Is.
c. Is/With.
d. Be/That.
e. None of the above.

50. One of the paradoxical phrases that (_) our attitudes, behaviors and rules
in life () a clichéd one. Understanding the in-depth phenomena …
a. Governs/Is.
b. Govern/Are.
c. Govern/Is.
d. Governs/Are.
e. None of the above.

51. I (_) not relent. I must see through this.

a. Shall.
b. Should.
c. Will.
d. Would.
e. Be.
52. He is (_) than (_).
a. Taller/Me.
b. Untrustworthier/I.
c. Untrustworthier/Me.
d. Untrustworthy/I.
e. Untrustworthy/Us.

53. The tense in the sentence – ‘I go to school every day’ is termed as?
a. Imperative tense.
b. Present continuous tense.
c. Habitual present tense.
d. Stative Present tense.
e. Future tense.

54. The mood denoted in the statement – ‘I propose to her tomorrow’ is?
a. Indicative.
b. Imperative.
c. Pluperfect.
d. Interrogatory.
e. Reparatory.

55. He slapped THEIR sister.

a. Who slapped their sister?
b. Whose sister did he slap?
c. What did he do?
d. Who did he slap?
e. All of the above.

56. I can’t do without you. I have () bars left on my heart battery.

a. Few.
b. A few.
c. Little.
d. A little.
e. Someful

57. Clapped.
a. Laughed.
 b. Stuffed.
c. Knocked.
d. Flogged.
e. Fucked.

58. Incisor.
a. Dilettante.
b. Revisit.
c. Pint.
d. Pinch.
e. Leave.

59. Women.
a. Men.
b. Left.
c. Wicked.
d. Fuel.
e. None of the above.

60. Argy-bargy.
a. Nigga
b. Goal.
c. Group.
d. Gear.
e. Prestige.
Answers.
1. B 21. A 41. B
2. B 22. A 42. D
3. A 23. E 43. A
4. E 24. C 44. A
5. A 25. C 45. B
6. C 26. D 46. B
7. D 27. B 47. D
8. A 28. D 48. A
9. D 29. B 49. D
10. D 30. B 50. C
11. E 31. C 51. C
12. D 32. E 52. B
13. E 33. A 53. C
14. A 34. E 54. A
15. C 35. B 55. B
16. C 36. B 56. A
17. B 37. A 57. D
18. C 38. D 58. C
19. D 39. D 59. D
20. E 40. D 60. E
Akintoyean Special
Instruction: Answer all sixty (60) questions within thirty (30) minutes.
Questions –
Read the passages below carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Passage 1
‘THE GRAMMARIAN’S PALAVER!’
As a veteran pedagogue, getting a separate notebook for vocabulary development
is considered sacrosanct in my classes and so, made mandatory for grammarians
under my tutelage. To many of these academics, I have given them a needless tall
order – an Emefielistic one at that. Lol.
I argue that they are apparently oblivious of the fact that vocabulary encompasses
the words that a scholar knows and can use conveniently in a lexicon. Words
remain the strength of any language and an individual with an almost empty
arsenal of them will most sound monotonous and grammatically profligate. A
rotund vocabulary proficiency enhances speaking and writing concisely.
It is worthy to take cognizance of that an essential feature of language use is to
KISS – Keep It Short and Simple. A speaker can thus be brief only if he has the
apt word to vividly paint a situation. One pertinent vocabulary saves the
verbosity! For instance, instead of saying a task is too difficult and requires effort
and determination, just say Herculean. Herculean is obviously from the Greek
hero, Hercules, who proved such by completing twelve very difficult tasks. He
died without writing a will is simply ‘intestate’. An impossible to complete task
is Sisyphean (Sisyphus). Grandiloquent for one who uses long and boring words
to express little meaning. The fear of responsibility is hypegiaphobia,
Philophobic, the fear of love or being in love, and the list is endless…
I was unsurprisingly countered by the critics arguing that my list is not so all-
inclusive. ‘Be that as it may’ they say, ‘in the supposedly course of being simple,
we actually - in some cases though – resort to being “extra verbose.”’ ‘The fear
of failure is really shortened to kakorrhaphiophobia, the fear of school is
succinctly didaskaleinophobia, and penis’s – pardon my needless apostrophe –
icthyphallophobia’ they opined. ‘Our list is also endless …’ they ironically
commented.
This matter tie wrapper. I tire well well. However the stronger opinion is …
Abeg, we can expect the pros and cons of the argument(s) to indefinitely continue,
a posteriori, I draw the curtain consequent to a spacious paucity of time, ink and
words.
Culled and paraphrased from ‘PASSAGE II’ Courtesy of BrainBomb –
AngelDATE …
1. The passage above is?
a. Argumentative.
b. Affirmative.
c. Narrative.
d. Descriptive.
e. Analytical.`

2. ‘The fear of responsibility is hypegiaphobia.’ The word hypegiaphobia

grammatically represent the (_) of the sentence.
a. The phobia of responsibility.
b. Object.
c. Copula.
d. Complement.
e. Goal.

3. KISS contextually is a/an (_)?

a. Antonym.
b. Homonym.
c. Pseudonym.
d. Abbreviation.
e. Acronym.

4. In the passage above, (if u like look for the one below) the writer’s main
concern is?
a. Phobia.
b. Expansion.
c. Summation.
d. Compulsion.
e. Precision.
5. Contextually, all but one of the following is false?
a. The writer is Professor Philosophy and Tunde by name.
b. Vocabulary facilitate summary.
c. The writer deploys more of antonyms than synonyms.
d. The writer gives approbation to verbosity.
e. The stronger opinion to the argument is inconclusive.

Passage 2
‘The Alphabetical Argy-bargy’
Miss Chioma (I don’t know why you are blushing) hits the cane on the table. The
sound makes me shield my eardrums …
‘Read the passage’, she repeats, her gaze fiery.
* * *
Before she flogs me senseless, I’d like to scream, tell her I want to read, but the
letters keep dancing across the page, outsmarting me.
My lungs are also adamant. It won’t let out the articulation try as I may …
Whence, the cane claimed my palm, I cried out – not in pain, - but in frustration.
It is happily saddening, that like everyone, the alphabet hates me as well.
6. The impression of Miss Chioma’s personality is indicated as (_).
a. Stammering.
b. Blushing.
c. Authoritarian.
d. Wicked.
e. Bitchy.

7. ‘My lungs are also adamant’ suggests?

a. Inconsistency.
b. Bodily malfunction.
c. Pretense.
d. Inarticulacy.
e. Stammering.

8. What impression does Miss Chioma have about ‘I’ in the passage?
a. Dumb.
 b. Idiosyncrasy.
c. Defiant.
d. Miraculous.
e. Laudable.

9. The last sentence indicates?

a. The alphabet is blamable.
b. The page is not clear.
c. ‘I’ is scorned by everybody.
d. ‘I’ is blamable.
e. ‘I’ is unserious.

10. Whose perspective is illustrated in the last sentence of the passage?

a. ‘I’
b. Miss Chioma.
c. The Writer.
d. Professor Philosophy.
e. The Alphabet.

Register
Instruction: From the optioned lettered A-E, choose the correct (or most
appropriate) for the gaps in between the below.
Cocaine (11) that (12) cocaine have (13) …
Solid food with Oha soup is used to swallow the (14) of cocaine ….
After twelve hours, the cocaine will burst inside the desperado that needs quick
money. Most artistes both local and those (15) go into this heinous crime.
11. a. Carriers.
b. Dealers.
c. Importers.
d. Exporters.
e. Pushers.

12. a. Deals on.

b. Deals with.
c. Deals by.
 d. Deals through.
e. Deals in.

13. a. Ring-leaders.
b. Cocaine godfathers.
c. Lords.
d. Professors.
e. Barons.

14. a. Bundles.
b. Lumps.
c. Bolus.
d. Mouthful.
e. Pellets.

15. a. In the diaspora.

b. In their diaspora.
c. Across the diaspora.
d. Into diaspora.
e. In diaspora.

Fill in the gaps.

16. Tunde (_) behind the curtain to see his babe but was (_) by Eno’ curtness.
a. Piqued/Piqued.
b. Peaked/Peaked.
c. Peeked/Piqued.
d. Piqued/Peaked.
e. Piked/Piked.

17. Mercy is not bothered about what we (_). Though, they are (_) their minds,
but we aren’t (_) to her.
a. Talk/Talking/Talking.
b. Say/Talking/Speaking.
c. Speak/Saying/Talking.
d. Say/Speaking/Talking.
e Say/Saying/Talking.
18. The couple who (_) fond of (_), (_) moving out of the house.
a. Are/One another/Is.
b. Is/Each other/Are.
c. Is/One another/Is.
d. Are/One another/are.
e. Are/Each other/Is.

19. Abuchi asked (_) my ailing girlfriend, while his wide-mouthed girlfriend
asked (_) of my concubine who is in the pink.
a. Of/After.
b. Of/Of.
c. After/Of.
d. After/After.
e. About/About.

20. The motor park (), whose father was a ticket () has () muscles.
a. Tout/Lout/Tout.
b. Lout/Lout/Taut.
c. Tout/Lout/Taut.
d. Lout/Lout/Flexing.
e. Lout/Tout/Taut.

Synonyms
21. Her Debut was a flop.
a. First.
b. Inaugural.
c. Essentials.
d. Swan song.
e. Second-to-the-last.

22. The quintessence of beauty is evident in Chioma.

a. Epitome.
b. Art.
c. Rudiment.
 d. Palaver.
e. Importance.

23. He won me with a caustic wit.

a Mordant.
b. Kind.
c. Negro.
d. Jaundiced.
e. Archaic.

24. I was flabbergasted at her reactions when I asked her out.

a. Unmoved.
b. Unperturbed.
c. Relieved.
d. Stunned.
e. Proud.

25. Don’t be discouraged! That’s one of the vicissitudes of life.

a. Vagaries.
b. Iota.
c. Happenings.
d. Reality.
e. Travails.

Antonyms
26. I am agoraphobic; I’m afraid she is (_).
a. Photophobic.
b. Mageirocophobic.
c. Claustrophobic.
d. Paraskavedekatriaphobic.
e. Scopophobia.

27. He is more of an idealistic than?

a. Revolutionary.
b. Evolutionary.
c. Perfectionistic.
 d. Practical.
e. Authoritarian.

28. I like Rabelaisian jokes.

a. Lewd.
b. Bawdy.
c. Vulgar.
d. Refined.
e. Randy.

29. Two lovers differ so markedly in their sexuality. One was sadistic while
the other was (_).
a. Listic.
b. Masochistic.
c. Dominatric.
d. Heterosexualistic.
e. Sadomasochistic.

30. The tents are joined severally.

a. Continually.
b. Separately.
c. Continuously.
d. Jointly.
e. Lilted

Idioms, Euphemisms and Decipheratios

31. What a gargantuan remark!
a. Huge.
b. Remarkable.
c. Colossal.
d. Big.
e. Inapt.

32. Kindness is his Achilles’ heel! He is often cheated with that

a. Weak point.
b. Strength.
 c. Stygian mode.
d. Rubenesque.
e. None of the above.

33. She pointed the fingers at me.

a. Chose.
b. Accused.
c. Alleged.
d. Suspected.
e. Loved.

34. Being in love was excruciating, I’d try to get up and lick my wound.
a. Recover.
b. Regain consciousness.
c. Suffer the pain.
d. Remain stoic.
e. Heal myself.

35. He is a man of the world

a. Sophisticated.
b. Erring,
c. Unholy.
d. Simple.
e. Plainly simple.

36. I don’t why he is sought after, perhaps he is a big noise.

a. An important person.
b. An influential figure.
c. A hardened criminal.
d. A politician.
e. A Gargantuan.

37. I can’t explain why Vanessa slept like a log.

a. Vanessa slept very tiredly.
b. Vanessa slept very soundly.
c. She slept and was snoring.
 d. She slept very woozily.
e. Vanessa slept groggily.

38. I have seen the light.

a. Arrived at the destination.
b. Understood the point.
c. Taken the chance.
d. See the evidence.
e. Revealed the secret.

39. What’s your damn problem! Can’t you use your loaf?
a. Use your money.
b. Sacrifice your time.
c. Cudgel your brain.
d. See the point.
e. Take the alternative.

40. Well, I do not regret I scored with him.

a. Levelled.
b. Retaliated.
c. Offended.
d. Had sex.
e. Injured.

Grammar, Cases and Figures of Speech

41. No sooner had he proposed to her (_) she blushed, turned and sashayed her
hips.
a. Then.
b. When.
c. Than.
d. Since.
e. Before.

42. Hardly had I gotten into poly, (_) they got rusticated.
a. Then.
b. When.
 c. Than.
d. Since.
e. Before.

43. Scarcely had Vanessa gotten online (_) Whatsapp blocked her.
a. Then.
b. When.
c. Than.
d. Since.
e. Before.

44. Barely had Chioma attempted any questions (_) the bell went.
a. Then.
b. When.
c. Than.
d. Since.
e. Before.

45. She had no other option (_) to reject theirs.

a. Than.
b. So.
c. But.
d. Since.
e. For.

46. My junior colleague and girlfriend () coming to visit me.

a. Is.
b. Are.
c. Should.
d. Be.
e. Coming.

47. You who () to be sorry, () now feeling superior to I who () your senior.
a. Is/Is/Is
b. Are/Am/Am
c. Are/Are/Am.
 d. Is/Are/Are.
e. Is/Is/Am.

48. Tunde, in conjunction with Vanessa () hungry.

a. Is.
b. Are.
c. Should.
d. Be.
e. None of the above.

49. The lovers () themselves.

a. Love.
b. Hates.
c. Is.
d. None of the above.
e. All of the above.

50. I, the persona of the plainly simple guy, who () to be revered, () now being
scorned.
a. Is/Is.
b. Am/Am.
c. Am/Is.
d. Is/Am.
e. Are.

51. I love her, ()

a. Do I?
b. Must I?
c. Don’t I?
d. Did I?
e. Didn’t I?

52. She told you to tell me not to worry about her. ()

a. Did you?
b. Didn’t he?
c. Did I?
 d. Does he?
e. Didn’t she?

Reported Speech
53. ‘Come tomorrow!’ Said the young lady to me. The reported speech
becomes
a. The young lady said that I should come tomorrow.
b. The young lady said I might come the following tomorrow.
c. The young lady said I should come the next day.
d. I told the young lady to come tomorrow.
e. I told the young lady to come the following day.

54. ‘I am older than you with five years’ That young guy told me. The reported
speech becomes
a. The young guy said he was older than me with five years.
b. The young guy said he was older than I with five years.
c. The young guy said he is older than me with five years.
d. I told the young guy he was older than I with five years.
e The young guy said he is older than I with five years.

55. ‘Jesus is Lord’ proclaimed the saccharine pastor in a sentimental tone.

a. The saccharine pastor said that Jesus was Lord.
b. The saccharine pastor said that Jesus is Lord.
c. The Pastor proclaimed Jesus Lord.
d. It was proclaimed that Jesus was Lord.
e. It was proclaimed that Jesus is Lord.

56. Democracy.
a. de-MO-cra-cy.
b. DE-mo-cra-cy.
c. de-mo-CRA-cy.
d. de-mo-cra-CY.
e. DE-MO-cra-cy.

57. Democracy.
a. Reputation.
 b. Advertisement.
c. Acrimony.
d. Seventy-Two.
e. None of the above.

58. I TOLD him not to see to enroll for JAMB lessons.

a. What did you tell him?
b. Why did you tell him?
c. Who did you tell?
d. What did you do?
e. What did he score?

59. Fuel.
a. Reality.
b. Above.
c. Real.
d. Allow.
e. Women

60. Orange.
a. Rain.
b. Cat.
c. Rich.
d. Rogue.
e. Seek.

All questions are taken from the thoughts, imaginations and person of the plainly
simple guy.
I do not want the credits I earn …
Answers
1. E 21. A 41. C
2. D 22. A 42. B
3. E 23. A 43. B
4. E 24. D 44. B
5. B 25. A 45. C
6. C 26. C 46. A
7. D 27. D 47. C
8. C 28. D 48. A
9. D 29. B 49. A
10. A 30. D 50. C
11. E 31. A 51. D
12. E 32. A 52. E
13. E 33. B 53. C
14. E 34. A 54. E
15. E 35. A 55. B
16. C 36. A 56. A
17. D 37. B 57. B
18. E 38. B 58. D
19. C 39. C 59. E
20. E 40. D 60. C
Notes, Explanations and Remarks
1. B: Philogynist. A philogynist is one who adores and admires women. This
is clearly evident in paragraphs 7 and 8, […on sighting her, my gaze left
reality and defied …] & [… which like Jacob, I wasn’t going to let go.]
This allusion (indirect reference to a person, place, or thing with political,
cultural, religious or political significance) supports this notion.
Note: A misogynist is one who hates (or abhors) women. One who is
gynephilic has philia (strong and uncontrollable sexual attraction) towards
women. One who is gynosexual is gynephilic in sexuality, and lastly one
who is bisexual is sexually attracted towards members of both sexes (male
and female).

2. B: Beauteous. One who is beauteous is beautiful, pulchritudinous,

ravishing … This is clearly evident by the lengthy epithets used to describe
her in paragraph 7.

3. A: Time-out. The word ‘prorogue’ formally means a halt, or stop of a

session for a particular period. Contextually it means a delay – a time-out.

4. D: Imperative. Imperative sentences are sentences that contain verb in the

imperative mood. Imperative mood is the verb mood that expresses
commands. The verbs in the following sentences are in the imperative
mood: ‘Go away!’, ‘Don’t blush!’, ‘Please get out of here!’ and ‘Run
faster!’ All of these expressions with verbs in the imperative mood sound
rather imperious (haughty) or dictatorial and usually end with an
exclamation mark.
Caveat: This is not true of all expressions with verbs in the imperative
mood. For example, the following sentences all have verbs in the
imperative mood: ‘Have another helping of chocolate.’, ‘Turn left and go
to Yaba Left.’, and ‘Help yourself to more wine.’
Note: Indicative (or declarative) sentences contain verbs in the indicative
mood. This is the mood of a verb that denotes making a statement. Exempli
gratia: ‘She has agreed to his proposal.’, and ‘We go on honeymoon
tomorrow.’ Interrogative sentences are sentences that ask a question as in
‘Who is that?’ and ‘Why have she appeared?’ Sentences that take the form
of an interrogative question do not always seek information. Sometimes
they are just exclamations, as in ‘Isn’t she sweet?’ and also ‘Aren’t they
 lovely’. Sometimes they may really be commands or directives – ‘Would
you make less noise?’ They may also function as statements like – ‘Haven’t
we all being served breakfast?’ (I reserve my comment). Some
interrogative sentences are what are known as rhetorical questions, which
are asked purely for effect and require no answer(s) as in – ‘What do you
take me for?’ and ‘What’s the point of love?’
Grammatically, there is no such term as exclamatory sentences. They are
divisions under imperative sentences. E shock u! E shock me too!

5. A: Regretted. ‘Ruing’ means regretting, lamenting, deploring, etc.

6. C: Onomatopoeia. This is a figure of speech that involves employing

word that imitates the natural sounds of a thing. It creates a sound effect
that mimics the thing described, making the description more expressive
and interesting. |‘He saw nothing and heard nothing but he could feel his
heart pounding and then he heard the clack on stone and the leaping,
dropping clicks of a small rock falling.’ Ernest Hemingway, “For Whom
the Bell Tolls”.
Hendiadys is the literary device in which two nouns joined by ‘and’ are
used to express an idea that would normally be expressed by the use of an
adjective and a noun, as in ‘through storm and weather’ instead of ‘through
stormy weather’.
Anapest is a metrical foot consisting of two short or unstressed syllables
followed by one long or stressed syllable. | The Assyrian came down like
the wolf on the fold. Lord Byron, “The Destruction of Sennacherib”.
Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one thing is replaced with a word
closely associated with it. | The pen is mightier than the sword. Edward
Bulwer-Lytton in Cardinal Richelieu.
Antithesis is two opposite ideas put together in a sentence to achieve
contrasting effect. | It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Chas.
Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities.”

7. D: Tea about to be brought in.

8. A: Violent. Mother in the passage is not violent. She is bossy, scornful,

sneering and domineering. This is clearly evident in paragraph 1, 2 & 3. [..
Mother storms in], [Shame, you haven’t done much …] & [Trample all
 over me …]. The passage is all about the contempt and scorn towards, and
the jaundiced view with which ‘Mother’ views, ‘I’, who is cowed and
‘Marian’. The cowing of ‘I’ is apparent in the penultimate paragraph where
silence descends.

9. D: Perfunctorily. This is evident in the third sentence of paragraph 1. [Tea

mother would take, for proprietory’s sake]. The word ‘proprietary’
contextually means formally, perfunctorily, etc.

10. D: Personification. A kind of metaphor in which an inanimate object,

abstract thing, or non-human animal is described in human terms. | Because
I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held
but just Ourselves – And Immortality. Emily Dickinson, “Because I could
not stop for Death.”
Note: Dactyl A long syllable followed by two short syllables. | Half a
league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode
the six hundred. ‘Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!’ he
said. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Alfred Lord Tennyson,
“The Charge of the Light Brigade”.
Lampoon. A satire.
Burlesque. A work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner
or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.
Burlesque employs lampoons. Jonathan Swift, “A Modest Proposal”.
Antimetabole. Derived from a Greek word which means “turning about.”
It is a literary term or device that involves repeating a phrase in reverse
order. | Fair is foul and foul is fair. Shakespeare, “Macbeth”.

11. E: Vendor. The appropriate word for someone who sells anything,
especially on the streets is vendor, e.g., fruit vendor, newspaper vendor,
clothes vendor, etc.

12. D: Flipped. The appropriate word for turning over the pages of a book
quickly is flip. Perused on the other hand means to slowly turn over and
spend more time reading, id est. to examine.

13. E: Defense. Defense is the apt word for the fight in which a boxer intends
to win to retain the title he had won by defeating another boxer.
14. A: Correspondent. A person working for a television station to report on
a particular subject or send reports from where an incident is happening.
Examples include: Sports correspondents, war correspondent, and
correspondent on elections.

15. C: Editorial. This is an article in a newspaper which expresses the editor’s

opinion(s) on a particular interest at the present time.

16. C: Advertisements. These are expressions and picture which try to

persuade people to buy certain products.
Note: Commercials are advertisements on the radio.

17. B: Cartoon. One essence of cartoon is to create a joke that amuses reader.
Another essence is to deride a subject or persons.

18. C: Obituary. This is a pictorial report, especially in a newspaper, which

gives the news of someone’s death and detail about their life.
Note: Memoriam is for the remembrance of someone who had died long
ago.

19. D: Feature. A feature is a special article in a newspaper or magazine or

radio broadcast that deals with a particular subject.

20. E: Debatable. When issues are debatable, they have no clear or certain
resolutions; people have varied opinions/views about such issues; people
do not agree on them. A common debatable issues is the right and wrong
of homosexuality.
Note: Controversial issues are provocative and tends to be debated.

21. A: Wilful. Docile means being quiet and submissive. Other synonymic
words are passive, weak, obedient, pliant and ductile. Antonymic words
are wilful, obstinate, etc.

22. A: Nadir. Acme means the height or apex of something. Synonyms are
zenith, apogee, etc. Antonymic words are nadir, base, etc.
23. E: Serious/Incurious. Whimsy denotes an action that is intended to
satirize something or doing something in an unusual way either amusing
or annoying. The antonyms are serious and focused. A heuristic teaching
is one that gingers or gears the recipient to learn and inquire more. A
synonymic word is curious. The antonyms are incurious and complacent.

24. C: Experienced/Novice. Green connotes inexperience in an issue.

Synonyms are novice, inexperienced and neophytes. Antonyms are
experienced and past master. A past master is one who is an expert in a
particular subject. Synonyms include: well-versed, experienced, etc.
Note: ‘Past master’ and ‘green’ are antonymic words.

25. C: Choleric. Reserved connotes calm, unperturbed. Synonymic words are

unobtrusive and phlegmatic. The antonym is choleric.
Note: ‘Stoic’ is not a synonymic words to ‘reserved’. It connotes not
complaining, indifferent and apathetic. Temperamental also is not an
antonym of reserved. It connotes unpredictability.

26. D: Middle man/Hoi polloi. The petite bourgeoisie are the middle class
while proletariat are the common man, the masses, the public and the hoi
polloi.

27. B: Free. Gratis is a Latin word meaning free.

28. D: Was surprised/Solved. To raise an eyebrow means to be surprised and

to exorcise means to make calm and subdued. But […demonic questions]
connotes solving, and this is an example of ‘most appropriate’. Thus to
exorcise a questions contextually means to solve.

29. B: Plaintive/Assisted suicide. Poignant means something that makes you

feel saddened, and remember something unpleasant. Its synonyms are
plaintive, nostalgic and lamenting. Quietus literally means death. Assisted
suicide is apt here.

30. B: Year-two Students. The sophomore are the second year students.
Note: The year-one students are the Freshers; Penultimate means last but
 one.
Caveat: Second-to-the-last is grammatically incriminatory.

31. C: Facetious means playful, flippant, inane and glib. Persona non grata
connotes not being welcomed. A posteriori, the litotes in […hardly persona
non grata] means welcomed, persona grata …

32. E: Chauffeur emeritus means retired driver and someone who sees pink
elephants lives in delirium (hallucination, disorientation).
Note: Elephants are usually grey or white.

33. A: To hold one’s horse is to exercise patience and to get someone’s goat
means to annoy or gall the person. Beau literally means one’s lover.

34. E: To have a head (or brain) like a sieve means to be very forgetful and
have a porous brain. Disparately, to have a brain like an elephant means
not to forget things easily.

35. B: A cat’s meow experience is something that is appealing and wonderful.

Recall from 3, prorogue means delay.

36. B: To start de novo means to start afresh.

37. A: Ultra vires means above one’s legal authority

38. D: Ab initio means from the beginning.

Note: Onset means the beginning of something unpleasant while outset
means the beginning of something good or neutral. As in – ‘Lack of trust
mark the onset of Nigeria’s problems’; ‘That remark was the outset of his
calling/promotion.’
Caveat: Heartbreak is not always a bad event, albeit, it is being termed as
the descent from a problem into yet another bigger one, but it could also,
like despair, be the nadir of one’s miserable life and an ascension into a
more pleasurable one.

39. D: To be given a bird means to be shouted at.

40. D: The transgressor is a criminal, lawbreaker and malefactor … to mug the
sot means to get drunk, to be legless, bladdered …

41. B: Are. This type of concord is solved by rearrangement. It is a reflexive

pronoun type. The reflexive pronoun ‘who’ is referring to you in the
sentence. Thus, the sentences could be paraphrased as – [Who is being
referred to? You are being referred to]
Note: For clarification, just erase the reflexive pronoun and use the rule of
grammatical concord rule, id est., [It is you who are being referred to]

42. D: Is/His. When ‘each of’ is used in a sentence, the rule of concord suggest
it attracts a plural noun, and thus a singular verb and subsequent singular
verb because it is only one of the persons referred to differently, as in [Each
of the pupils was asked to bring his parents]. But the recent issue of the so-
called feminism had given this rule bottleneck. The third personal pronoun
‘his’ is debated. So the convention was to bring both sexes as in [Each of
the doctors was told to bring his/her stethoscope].
Note: This is argued for on the premise that the plural nouns being referred
to are dual genders. But this is tiringly clumsy both in written and spoken
English. So many people prefer to be ungrammatical and sought for the
plural pronoun ‘their’ as in [Each of the lawyers was appointed based on
their qualifications.] This is becoming increasingly common in modern
usage and even in textbooks. So to avoid being sexist or being
ungrammatical, the grammarians resort to taking the sentence to the plural
form as in [All the students were asked to bring their notebooks]. Vide
additional references …
Caveat: Option D is the grammatically correct option.

43. A: Is. This is of the ‘proximity concord’ order. This rule states that when a
string of subjects is connected/joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘but also’, ‘but even’,
or even coordinating conjunctions like ‘either…or’ and ‘neither…nor’, the
closer or closest subject to the verb should determine the form of the verb.
In other words, if the closer (or closest) subject to the verb is singular, the
verb should also be singular, and vice versa …
Thus in the sentence, only ‘the woman’ determines the form of the verb
and from the rule of grammatical concord, the singular count noun
 ‘woman‘ attracts a singular verb ‘is’ … for more vide recommended texts
…

44. A: Is/Are. There is a problematic palaver associated with the rule of

grammatical concord when the noun in question can be either singular or
plural, for example audience, government family, etc. Such noun(s) take(s)
a singular verb if the user is regarding the noun as a group or whole as in
[The family is moving house] and [The government is superior] but a plural
verb if the user is regarding them as individuals as in [The family are
arguing over where to go] and [The government are debating the bill] since
one person cannot argue or debate by himself.

45. B: Is/Are. When the word ‘number’ is used as the subject of the sentence
preceded by ‘A’ and followed by ‘of’, a plural verb follows, but where it
is preceded by ‘The’, a singular verb follows.
Note: However, if an uncountable noun comes after either of them (‘a
number’ or ‘the number’) the next verb is singular as in [The number of
cars in that house is alarming.], [A number of naughty and stubborn babes
have been served breakfast.] and [A number of equipment has been
purchased.]

46. B: She. When comparison is made, the rule of Cases demand the person
being referred to be in the subject case, if the comparison employed is ‘such
as’ but in the object case, if the comparison employed is ‘like’.
I like girls such as she …
I hate boys like him …

47. D: a and b. ‘She’ and ‘her’ are both correct options. The subject case ‘she’
connotes conformity with the subject ‘they’ [They as well as she hate me]
i.e. they hate me and she also hates me. The object case ‘her’ connotes
conformity with the object [They hate me as well as her] i.e. they hate me
and they also hate her. See additional references …

48. A: Gift and I. In Grammar, there is a convention for declarative sentences

that involves two subjects when one of them is the speaker involved. If the
sentence is good, pleasurable or neutral, the other subject comes first, then
the speaker to exude chivalry. ‘Anti-similarly’, if the sentence is negative,
 the speaker is mentioned first, then the second subject to exude shame and
guilt. Thus it is only grammatical to say [I and Vanessa carried out the
robbery], [Chioma and I have been promoted] and [Victor and I are being
called by the Principal].
Caveat: Heartbreaks, despair and ‘fallen out’ are neutral statements.

49. D: Be/May. Abeg, I no fit explain. Help me ask una fellow Grammarians
too. I tire for typing.

50. C: Govern/Is. This is of the relative-pronoun concord type. The rules

states when a relative pronoun is used in a sentence to refer to previously
mentioned subject(s), the verb is controlled by the subject that the relative
pronoun refers to, while the number, if any, at the beginning of the sentence
controls the second verb. Future grammarians like you would now say
[One of the girlfriends who are stingy to their boyfriends is being
heartbroken], [Two of the mothers who are wicked are now in prison] and
[It is I who am wrong] … vide more in recommended texts.

51. C: Will. The future tense refers to an action or state that will take place at
some in the future. It is formed with ‘will’ and ‘shall’. Traditionally, will
was used with the second and third person singular pronouns (you, he, she,
they, it) and shall was used with the first person pronoun (I/We). Examples
include: [We shall go by train.] and [He will be beaten].
Note: For emphasis and determination, they are interchanged id est. shall
goes with the second and third person pronouns and will with the first
person pronoun. Examples include: [I will get even with him] and [He shall
be punished].
Caveat: In Modern usage, will is now used with all categories of pronouns
for general usage and shall similarly with all categories of pronouns for
emphasis and determination. Will and shall together form the real future
tense, while would – the unreal future tense. Vide additional references …

52. B: Untrustworthier/I. Comparison of adjectives.

Note: This is achieved in two ways. Some adjectives form their
comparatives by adding the inflection ‘– er’ to their positive (or absolute
forms) as in heavier, taller, fatter and slower. Others employ ‘more’ as in
more beautiful, more tactful. Adjectives which follows these patterns are
 known as regular. Others are irregular, as they do not conform to this
pattern as in: more (many), less (little), better (good), etc.
Nota Bene: The regular adjectives also the length rule. Adjectives with one
syllable usually take the ‘–er’ inflection, while those with three syllable
usually take the ‘more’ melee. Now, Chioma, some adjectives with two
syllables usually conform to both rules, id est. inflection and ‘more’.
Examples include: handsomer/more handsome, gentler/more gentle and
cleverer/more clever. Which is correct is only a matter of taste.
Caveat: Adjectives with three syllables are only likely to take the inflection
when they begin with ‘–un’ as in untrustworthier … When comparisons
are made, all cases are in subject cases. Thus, it is correct to say [Edith is
taller than he. Taller indeed!].

53. C: Habitual. One of the tenses in English Grammar is the present tense.
It is used to indicate an action now going on or a state now existing. A
distinction can be made between habitual present, which marks habitual
or repeated actions or recurring events, and the Stative present, which
indicates something that is true at all times. Examples of the former
include: [I swim every Tuesdays] and [He beats her every time], while
sentences that show the latter include: [The world is round], [Jesus is Lord]
and [Everyone go chop breakfast] … vide additional texts.

54. A: Indicative. See 4.

55. B. The stress is on THEIR, a personal pronoun (or pronominal adjective),

Thus the question asked should be in relation to the relative pronoun
WHOSE.

56. A: Few. Determiners are words employed to modify the nouns and
prepositional phrases to convey meanings that are either partitive or whole.
Basically they are used with singular count nouns like ‘boy’, ‘girl’, ‘man’,
plural count nouns like ‘girls’, ‘babes’, ‘friends’, and mass count nouns
such as ‘information’, ‘audience’, ‘luggage’, ‘furniture’, etc. Now, there
are some of them that comes in two version; the base and some with the
article ‘a’. Like ‘a few’ and ‘few’, ‘little’ and ‘a little’. Few is used with
plural countable nouns (and verbs) to mean ‘not many’, while a few is used
in the same vein to mean something is not too small. Little is used with
 uncountable noun to mean ‘not much’ or ‘insufficient’; while a little is used
in the same context, but to mean ‘some’ or ‘much’ … vide recommended
texts.

57. D: Flogged. Regular verbs, by their definitions, take the past tense
inflection ‘-ed’ to formed their past tense. But this inflection is of two-
sound type. The voiced d, and the voiceless t. The matter of which is correct
depends on the last letter of the verb itself in the present tense. If the last
letter is voiced, then the inflection takes the voiced d, but if it is voiceless,
the inflection takes the voiceless t. From the question – according to the
context – clapped (p) is voiceless, laughed (f) is also voiceless, stuffed (f)
is voiceless, knocked (k) is voiceless, fucked (k) is voiceless, but flogged
(g) is voiced. Thus it is the correct option, as it does not correlate with the
question … vide recommended past questions.

58. C: Pint. The i in Incisor is pronounced /ai/ and not /i/ which many thought
it was. Similarly, the i in dilettante is /i/, the i in pinch is also /i/, the ea in
leave is the long /i:/ and the i in revisit is also the short /i/, but the i in pint
is the long /ai/. Thus, in this context pint correspond to incisor as they both
contain the long /ai/.

59. C: Wicked. The e in women is actually /i/ and /e/ as many speakers of
English proclaim. The e in men is /e/, the ue in fuel is /ju:ǝ/, the e in left is
/e/. However, the i in wicked is pronounced /i/ and not /e/ as supposed by
you. Thus, in this vein, wicked is the correct option is contains the same
short vowel /i/ as women.

60. E: Prestige. The g in argy-bargy is surprisingly /dƷ/ and not /g/. The g in
gents and goal is /g/. Now, the g in gear is also /g/ and not /dƷ/; thus, the g
in prestige, which is /dƷ/, is the correct option. E shock u! E shock me too!
Akintoyean Special
1. E: Analytical. An analytical essay is an essay that meticulously and
methodically examines a single topic to draw conclusions or prove
theories. A narrative one is that that requires you to relate an event or
incident as an eye-witness would. A descriptive essay requires you to
describe the details of a topic (scene, person, thing or animal). An
expository one is closely related to the latter (descriptive). It actually
requires you to go a bit further by providing explanation on the subject. An
argumentative one requires the writer to speak in favour of against a
particular topics. It is the essay that debates the pros and cons of a subject.
Note: Do not confuse analytical with narrative. The aim of the latter is just
to draw conclusions while that of the former is to enable another person
recognize your description.
Sentences in paragraphs 2 and 3 […worthy to take cognizance of that an
essential feature of language use is to KISS – Keep It Short and Simple. A
speaker can thus be brief only…] & […countered by the critics arguing
that my list is not so all-inclusive. ‘Be that as it may’ they say, ‘in the
supposedly course …] supports this thesis …

2. D: Complement. Grammatically, a complement is the equivalent of the

object in a clause with a linking verb. In the sentence [Jack is a policeman],
‘a policeman’ is the complement of the sentence. Linking verb is a verb
that ‘links’ a subject with its complement. Unlike other verbs, linking verbs
do not denote an action but indicate a state. Linking verbs are evident in
sentences such as [He is a fool], [You seemed to become anxious], [She
seemed thoughtful].
Caveat: Linking verbs are also called copular verbs or copula,

3. E: Acronym. This is a word that like some abbreviations, is formed from

the initial letters of several words. Unlike abbreviations, however,
acronyms are pronounced as words rather than as just a series of letters.
For example, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) is
pronounced o-pek and is thus an acronym, unlike USA (United States of
America) which is pronounced as a series of letters and not as a word (yoo-
ess-ay, not yoo-say or oo-say) and is thus an abbreviations.
Acronyms are written without full stops, as in UNESCO (United Nations
Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization). Mostly acronyms are
 written in capital letters, as in NASA (National Aeuronautics and Space
Administration). However, very common acronyms, such as Aids
(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), are written with just an initial
capital, the rest of the letters being lower case. Acronyms that refer to a
piece of scientific and technical equipment are written like ordinary words
in lower-case letters, as laser (light amplification by simulated emission of
radiation) …
See also abbreviations.
Abbreviation is a shortened form of words, usually used as a space-saving
technique, and becoming increasingly common in modern usage.
Abbreviations cause problems with punctuation. The sixty-four thousand
dollar question is whether the letters of an abbreviations should be
separated by full stop. In modern usage, the tendency is to omit the full
stops. This is true of most abbreviations involving initial capital letters as
in TUC, EC and BBC. In such cases, full stops should definitely not be
used if one or some of the letters do not belong to a full word. Thus,
‘television’ is abbreviated to TV and ‘educational subnormal’ to ESN.
There are usually no full stops in abbreviations involving the first and last
letters of a word (contractions) – Dr, Mr, Rd, and St – but this is a matter
of taste. An abbreviations involving the first few letters of a word, as in
‘Prof’ (Professor) is the most likely to have a full stop, as in ‘Feb.’
(February), but again, this is now a matter of taste.
Plurals of abbreviations are mostly formed by adding lower-case s, as in
Drs, Jps, Tvs. Note the absence of apostrophes … vide more in additional
texts.
Now for the given question, KISS is pronounced /kis/ and is thus an
acronym.

4. E: Precision. This is clearly evident in the second paragraph […feature of

language use is to KISS – Keep It Short and Simple. A speaker can thus be
brief only if he has the apt word to vividly paint a situation. One pertinent
vocabulary…]

5. B: Contextually, this is true.

6. C: Authoritarian. This is clearly evident in the paragraph 3 [Before she
flogs me senseless…]. An authoritarian persona is one that is dictatorial
and strict. […her gaze fiery…]

7. D: Inarticulacy. Wetin I wan explain for here again jare! Abeg!

8. C: Defiant. This is clearly evident in paragraph 2 [‘Read the passage’, she

repeats…].

9. D: The clause in the last sentence of the passage […the alphabet hates
me…] emphasizing his complacence. The alphabet cannot literally hate
someone and make itself hard to learn …

10. A: I.
Note: The writer doesn’t include his/her views or statements in passages.
If compulsory, where necessary, it is usually enclosed and is usually a terse
remark or a lampoon.

11. E: Pushers. Cocaine pushers are those that deals in cocaine.

12. E: Deals in. The phrasal verb ‘deals in’ means to trade in something.

13. E: Drug Barons. This is the most appropriate word is baron. It

contextually means a mogul …

14. E: Pellets. It means bits.

15. E: In diaspora. The phrase ‘in diaspora’ means including all person(s) in
migration.

16. C: Peeked/Piqued. Peeked (past tense of peek) means to take a glance at,
while, piqued means to feel upset, indignant, riled or nettled. Edith sef!

17. D: Say/Speak/Talk. We say things out, we speak our minds and we talk
to people.
18. E: Are/Each other/Is. See 45. The family is plural since they are
‘reflexing’ an action. They are thus partitive. Each other is thus suitable.
But they are singular because they are whole. Thus is is suitable.

19. C: After/Of. You ask after someone who is ailing and you ask of someone
who is healthy.

20. E: Lout/Tout/Taut. A lout is a hoodlum, vandal and thug. A tout is a ticket

vendor while taut means firm and rigid.

21. A: First. Debut means first, inaugural …

22. A: Epitome. Quintessence means essence, epitome, and embodiment …

what a pulchritudinous Chioma. Lol.

23. A: Mordant. Caustic means mordant, astringent, scathing …

24. D: Stunned. Flabbergasted means stunned, awe-stricken, surprised …

25. A: Vagaries. Vicissitudes means fluctuations, deviations, variations …

26. C: Claustrophobia. Phobias simply means fear. Agoraphobia is the

phobia of open spaces. Claustrophobia is the phobia of confined space.
Scopophobia is the phobia of being stared at. Paraskavedekatriaphobia is
the phobia of Friday 13th. Photophobia is the eye discomfort in bright light.
Mageirocophobia is the phobia of cooking.
Note: Erythrophobia is the phobia of blushing (and that Chioma is suffering
from it). Xocolatophobia is the phobia of chocolate, while phobophobia is
itself the phobia of phobias … vide more additional texts …

27. D: Practical. Idealistic is more of principled, committed … than practical,

which is applied.

28. D: Refined. Rabelaisian connotes bawdy, lewd, lustful … Refined means

cultured …
29. B: Masochistic. Sadistic means gaining sexual pleasure by inflicting pain
or suffering, while masochistic means gaining it by inflicted pain upon.
The combination of the two sexualities is sadomasochistic.
Heterosexualistic is being attracted to persons of the opposite sex.
Note: A dominatrix is a woman who enjoys taking dominance over men
during sexual activity. There is no adjective such as Listic.

30. D: Jointly. Severally contextually means separately, while jointly means

together.

31. A: Huge. Gargantuan means huge, big, colossal, vast, etc. but contextually
it means huge since it (huge) can collocate with remarks.
Note: Gargantuan comes from a Greek legend, Gargantua, who after being
born, could not be fed on the normal ration of his mother’s miserable
breast. All the women in the village at that time, had to donate their breast
milk – still it wasn’t still enough. History had it that during the period of
his infancy, when he still had to be fed on milk, a jaw-dropping number of
cows were completely milked to sustain him. The number was 17,913.

32. A: Weak point. Someone’s Achilles’ heel is the person weak point. This
is from the Greek legend Achilles whose mother, Thetis, dipped into the
river of Styx, for immortality. However, she held him upside down by his
heel and thus, his heel did not touch the river. Paris found this out Achilles
was killed in a battle shortly after sustaining an arrow injury in the foot.

33. B: Accused. The correct form of the expression is (point fingers at

someone) and not (point accusing fingers at someone). It means to accuse
someone, thus it is a tautology to say ‘…accusing fingers’. Alleged means
to suspect.

34. A: Recover. To lick one’s wound means to try to recover after a situation.

35. A: Sophisticated. A man of the world is a sophisticated one. It means one

who is classy, refined, etc.

36. B: A big noise is an important person.

37. To sleep like a log means to sleep very soundly and not tiredly.

38. B: To see the point means to understand a point.

39. C: Cudgel your brain.

40. D: Had sex. Surprisingly, to score with someone means to have sex with
and not to retaliate.

41. C: Than. When ‘no sooner’ is used in a grammatical construction, it

collocates with ‘than’. When ‘scarcely had’, ‘barely had’, ‘hardly had’ is
used in a grammatical construction, they all collocate with ‘when’.

42. B: When. Vide 41.

43. B: When. Vide 41.

44. B: When. Vide 41.

45. C: But. But is a conjunction used to connect two opposing ideas.

Whenever, a disapproval is intended, the conjunction ‘but’ is employed,
other than ‘than’.

46. A: Is. This is of the double-title concord form. This rule states that when
two subjects are linked by ‘and’ where the two subjects refer to only one
person or thing, a singular verb should be used .
NB: In this case, the article (a, an, the) are not used with the second subject.
Thus, in the question, ‘Junior colleague’ and ‘girlfriend´ is the same person
and that person is no other than – Cut! End of scene!

47. C: Are/Are/Am. Vide 41 Part I. By rephrasing, [You are to be sorry],

[You are now feeling superior] and [I am your senior].

48. A: Is. This is of the accompaniment concord type. This rule states that
when two subjects are joined by subordinating conjunctions, the first
subject determines the number of the verb. The second subject is thus
 redundant. These subordinating conjunctions include: as well as, in
collaboration with, in conjunction with, alongside, including, etc.

49. A: Love. Vide 41 Part I. When subjects that are dual in person id est. can
be either singular or plural, they are labeled singular if the action denoted
classifies them as a whole e.g. moving, travelling, etc. but, their action
connotes reciprocity like love, admire, fight, admire, etc. they are labeled
as plural. Thus the lovers are plural since they admire each other.

50. B: Am/Am. I am to be revered. I am now being scorned.

51. C: Don’t I? When the statement is positive, the question tag is negative.
A statement is positive when it does not have the negative participle ‘not’
or its contracted form “n’t”.

52. E: Didn’t she? Now, this is a little tricky. The action the verb connotes is
positive (told) and by the subject (she).

53. C: When ‘tomorrow’ is reported, it changes to ‘the following/next day’

54. E: Some statements do not change in person, number or tense during

conversion from direct to reported speech. This is because, any attempt to
do so, would result in a change in the meaning of such statements. These
statements are known as statements of universal (or constant) truths or
Generic statements. They are always true. In the question, if the young guy
is older than the speaker ten years ago, in the next five years, he will still
be older than the writer. Thus the verb ‘is’ is not changed to the past form
‘was’ and during comparison, the subject case ’I’ is employed. That is why
option C is grammatically wrong.

55. B: Vide 54. ‘Jesus is lord’ is a universal truth. Other statements of this
form are: [I am younger than my father], [The world is round] and [Allah
is the greatest]. The linking verb are not changed from the present form to
the preterite.

56. A: Nouns ending in –cy, have their stress on the third syllable counting
from the –cy.
57. B: Advertisement. Out of all the four-syllable words, advertisement is the
only one that has its stress on the third syllable starting from the right hand
side (the second syllable from the left side). See: ad-VER-tise-ment | de-
MO-cra-cy.

58. D: The emphasized word is TOLD, a doing verb, that indicates action.
Thus, the question to be asked is what was done by the speaker and not
what the goal (object) was told by the subject.

59. E: Women. Out of all the sounds underlined in the options below, only
women /wimin/, does not have the schwa sound /ǝ/. See transcription:
/fju:ǝl/

60. C: Rich. The a in orange is surprisingly not the /e/ but the short /i/ and this
is also found in rich.

We are the beautiful ones – irrespective of what the mirror shows.

Life is not only about what we want to hear. A considerable part is about what we ought to hear.
There is one who remembers the way to your door.
Life you may evade but truth you shall not.
Let’s sit back and wait, wait without hope for hope might be hope for the wrong thing.
Lord A.S.B
The plainly simple guy