In each of the following sentences, there is a word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence.
1.
Honest labour can lift one from circumstances of poverty to ......
happiness.
generosity.
development.
affluence.
2.
Trained physicians are more careful than ...... doctors when treating patients.
careless
quack
reckless
indifferent
3.
The leader encouraged all present not to be ...... by recent happenings.
controlled
disheartened
cautioned
surprised
4.
His knowledge in the sciences is only superficial and not ......
profound.
instructive.
complex.
strong.
5.
Electricity supply is only erratic in the city but ...... in the villages.
frequent
stable
normal
available
6.
People who talk about others can only do temporary, not ...... damage to them.
heavy
serious
lasting
considerable
7.
It is difficult to afford sumptuous meals nowadays; one has to make do with ......
frugal
unbalanced
unpalatable
available
8.
The advantages of reconciliation far outweigh living in ......
disharmony.
opposition.
indifference.
violence.
9.
Academic performance, which was at its lowest ebb, is now at its ......
climax.
tip.
peak.
maximum.
10.
It is advisable to avoid apathy and embrace ......
bravery.
leniency.
satisfaction.
enthusiasm.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that best completes each of the following sentences.
11.
Some articles of noted value are always in ...... demand.
great
pressing
urgent
rising
12.
The publication ...... considerable light on the subject.
conveys
provides
reveals
sheds
13.
Positive results are achieved when matters are put in the ...... perspective.
concise
right
sound
direct
14.
The board was entrusted with the responsibility to ...... the affairs of the company.
drive
navigate
steer
guard
15.
Both countries believe that economic co-operation will be to their ...... advantage.
unilateral
crucial
mutual
substantial
16.
Impressive achievements were made during the chairman's ...... of office.
regime
tenure
occupancy
reign
17.
For some time now the company has been ...... the verge of collapse.
in
on
around
near
18.
As Maya gained experience in life, she learnt not to act ...... reason.
beside
across
against
outside
19.
Understanding one another makes it far ...... for tolerance to flourish.
easier
easy
easiest
much easy
20.
In times of unrest, the distribution system ...... to a halt.
is ground
is grinding
grinds
grounded
Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or expression in each sentence.
21.
The velocity of light could not be determined until quite recently.
colour
speed
power
movement
22.
All the prospective investors attended the meeting.
rich
enterprising
selected
potential
23.
Only humans have the innate ability to cook their food before eating.
intimate
real
substantial
inborn
24.
Whenever avarice rears its ugly head, it should be avoided.
antagonism
greed
selfishness
obsession
25.
After days of heavy rains, the islanders feared a possible inundation.
submerging
recovery
flooding
loss
26.
Mary succeeded through perseverance.
persistence
knowledge
accomplishment
inspiration
27.
Confidence tricksters can dupe only gullible people.
careless
naive
greedy
humble
28.
The weather is serene today.
friendly
intense
great
calm
29.
A swarm of locusts caused widespread damage to the crops.
deterioration
destruction
wreckage
spoilage
30.
Many people are unable to cope with escalating medical expenses.
ascending
rising
heightening
expanding
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
31.
The job seekers were told to keep their fingers crossed. This means the job seekers were to
revise their notes thoroughly.
crosscheck their documents.
receive further instructions.
hope for the best.
32.
In spite of severe criticism, he stood his ground. This means that he
remained on the grounds.
reasoned sensibly.
made remarkable progress.
remained firm.
33.
When I appeared before the interview panel, I had my heart in my mouth. This means that I
was more than ready.
was very anxious.
lost my voice completely.
felt quite indifferent.
34.
Policies are formulated by those at the helm of affairs. This means that policies are made by those
with the know-how.
in authority.
in favour of affairs only.
who are present at the time.
35.
They were asked to obey the instruction to the letter. This means that they were to obey the instruction
according to the letters.
as and when requested.
in every detail.
only in part.
36.
The contestants spent precious time splitting hairs over matters. This means that the contestants
were arguing over unimportant issues.
tried to dye their hair in disguise.
caused serious alarm about events.
preferred only superior products.
37.
The monetary reward came to him as a windfall. This means that the reward was
an added advantage.
adequate compensation.
well earned.
an unexpected fortune.
38.
The smugglers hid themselves until the coast was clear. This means that the smugglers hid
for the time being.
until the danger was over.
until investigation was over.
to seek protection at the coast.
39.
The law-breakers will be made to face the music. This means that they will be
brought before the law.
deprived of all music.
reconsidered on appeal.
arrested and relocated.
40.
Although prudent measures were put in place to salvage the economy, it still remained in the doldrums. This means that the economy
lacked clear direction.
performed beyond expectation.
depended on the importation of drums.
lacked any improvement.
In the following passage the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, four choices are offered in columns lettered A to D. For each numbered gap, choose from the options provided for that number, the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
The courtroom was hushed but alive with suppressed excitement. The widely publicised trial of the notorious criminal was scheduled for that day. At a signal from the court ---41---, the audience stood up respectfully as the ---42--- judge entered. Soon afterwards the ---43--- also filed in. The ---44--- and his team, as well as the defence ---45--- also took their positions; the legal battle commenced.
People from all walks of life had assembled there just to listen to the ---46---. The prosecution read the charges ---47--- against the accused. The defence vehemently objected to all of them. The judge ---48--- the objections as the evidence before the court was clear and incontrovertible. Eventually, a ---49--- was given; a ---50--- sentence was slapped on the accused. The audience did not express any pity for him; everyone praised the court for allowing the law to take its course.
41.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
attendant
clerk
official
interpreter
42.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
presiding
leading
additional
ruling
43.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
staff
panel
jury
bench
44.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
presenter
complainant
recorded
prosecutor
45.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
counsel
counsellor
registrar
administrator
46.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
procedures
presentations
processes
proceedings
47.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
levelled
stated
invoked
pronounced
48.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
overrode
overran
overturned
overruled
49.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
decision
verdict
summary
conviction
50.
Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the gap.
weighty
prolonged
painful
heavy
Your friend has not been attending classes regularly. Write a letter to his/her parents informing them of his/her behaviour and the likely consequences.
Many articles have appeared in various newspapers about the increase in crime rate. Write your contribution condemning the situation and suggesting ways of tackling the problem.
Write a letter to the District Chief Executive thanking him for the construction of new roads and telling him of at least three ways in which the community will benefit from it.
A new Principal has just been posted to your school. As the Senior Prefect, write a welcome address on behalf of the students, pointing out three areas of need in the school.
Write a story to illustrate the saying: Once bitten, twice shy.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
Five decades ago, my classmates lured me into a trap that taught me the lesson of a lifetime. As the class monitor, I was informed that the class had decided not to do the homework given to us by the Geography teacher. The decision was based on three grounds. First, she had not taught us anything substantial since her arrival in the school. Second, we must let her know that in this all-male institution, a female should not push us around. Also, she seemed forever inaudible when teaching us.
So, my mates mandated me to convey the decision to her. Thus sent, I confronted her with our decision. All she said was, 'Noted'. I assumed we had won the day. Alas! How wrong I was. When she came to the class the following Monday, she demanded the homework. As I stood up to restate our stand, behold, all my mates took out their notebooks and submitted them. I was the odd one in the class of thirty-five boys! This act of betrayal left me speechless. Any protest now was out of the question.
The teacher led me to the overgrown part of the football field, measured out a large portion, and ordered me to clear it before returning to either the class or the dormitory. I realised I had been stabbed in the back, as I heard my mates laugh sarcastically in the classroom. I bent down with my sharpened cutlass, determined to finish the work within the day and regain my freedom in good time. How wrong I was!
My father had chosen that day of all days to pay a visit. He rarely did so, as the school in Tamale was far from Accra, his base. Not finding me in class, he asked after my whereabouts. My mates described to him my heinous crime and directed him to my punishment post. When he arrived, he took the cutlass from me, cut a big cane and gave me the flogging of my life. He then went to the bursar's office, paid the balance of my fees, and returned to Accra with all the provisions he had brought for me.
I finished the task just before the last school hour, went to the lady teacher, prostrated myself, and tearfully, apologised to her. But for the rest of the week, and indeed many more days, I stayed aloof from my mates.
a)
How did the class betray their monitor?
b)
State two forms of punishment the monitor received.
c)
What coincidence is there in the narration?
d)
In what two ways did the monitor show remorse?
e)
What was the reaction of the monitor to his mates after the incident?
f)
When she came to class the following Monday ...
i)
What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage?
ii)
What is its function?
g)
...I had been stabbed in the back ...
i)
What figure of speech is used in this expression?
ii)
What does it mean?
h)
For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage.
i)
mandated;
ii)
assumed;
iii)
betrayal;
iv)
sarcastically;
v)
heinous;
vi)
tearfully.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
Scientific inventions are known and used in all places across the globe: in ultra-modern buildings in cities, as well as in huts in the remotest areas. The impact of scientific discoveries on humans is felt most particularly in the home where people derive immense pleasure and happiness from various means of entertainment. Sound systems and gadgets produce melodious music loud and clear to entertain music lovers. Modern television sets and home theatres show films to lighten mood, dispel boredom and help overcome depression.
The capacity of science to do good to humans seems infinite. People were thrilled when science carried man to the moon and outer space. Over time, chemists, physicists, and physicians have developed clinical aids and drugs that have been used to cure hitherto incurable diseases. Thanks to science, there have been vast strides in medicine and medical practice.
What decades ago was in the realm of science fiction has now become reality. The vast distances which separated the continents have been bridged. Now it is possible to send and receive messages to and from all parts of the world via satellite within seconds. What is even more enchanting is that familiar voices can be heard and faces seen from thousands of miles away. Indeed, science has built the communication network, improving on it by leaps and bounds. However, science has its attendant ills. Scientists can and have created abominable things which have served as means to destroy humanity. A United Nations boss hinted that the world was sitting on a keg of gunpowder which could explode with dire consequences. That was many years ago. Surprisingly, the warning went unheeded. Now scientists in many countries of the world are working overtime to produce more and more devastating bombs.
The explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki did much more than shake and decimate these two towns; they shook the entire scientific world. Horrible accidents on roads, at sea and in the air continue to claim lives. In the world of cosmetics alone thousands of animals and plants are destroyed in experiments to produce creams and substances to beautify the skin. Some of these substances may be toxic. These reckless scientific pursuits have led to loss of human lives, thus reducing the population. Not less significant is the enormous waste of natural resources. For example, atomic bombs have been deposited in large quantities into water bodies which renders the water undrinkable. Wars, as has been pointed out, reduce whole cities to rubbles and a lot of the resources that would otherwise improving living standards are channeled into the production of weapons of mass destruction.
In the modern world, machines have replaced manual labour, thus relieving man of long hours of strenuous work. Machines are engaged to do almost everything, for example, farming, rod construction, industrial work and cooking. Work which could have taken humans years to complete is now done in a few months by high-powered machines. These machines are effective but have put humans out of jobs causing unemployment on an unprecedented scale.
However, scientists are worried because no one is sure of what the future holds for humans, not even the scientists themselves. Science has gone too far; too fast!
a)
In three sentences, one for each, state the benefits of science to man.
b)
In three sentences, one for each, state the harmful effects of science.