All 38 questions from the Post-UTME Screening (Post-UTME) English Language 2011 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
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I have no respect for individuals who are too ___.
'Compliant' (adjective, meaning submissive/easily agreeing) correctly completes the sentence grammatically.
The policemen who were to keep watch connived ___ the robber's escape.
'Connive at' is the correct idiom meaning to secretly allow or overlook wrongdoing.
Ekaette is ___ anxious to acquire knowledge, but also eager to display it.
The correlative structure 'not only...but also' requires 'not only' to directly precede the first element (anxious).
Ifenyinwa will not come ___ she is asked.
'Unless' correctly introduces the condition under which she will not come.
You must forbid ___ coming.
'Forbid his coming' uses the possessive form before the gerund, which is the grammatically correct construction.
Obi should leave for New York on Friday, ___ being equal.
'Other things being equal' is the standard idiomatic phrase.
The woman warned her daughter not to ___ with bad boys.
'Keep company with' is the correct infinitive form following 'not to'.
Tamuno is crying because his mother was killed in a ___ accident.
'Motor vehicle accident' is the standard, precise term.
Michael is not very bold. He's not ___ a rough life.
'Cut out for' is the correct idiom meaning naturally suited for something.
Some of the food ___ spoilt.
'Food' is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb: 'is'.
It's obvious that Paul set little stone by our friendship. This means that Paul
'To set little store/stone by something' means to place little value on it.
Although wrestling is popular, it is not my cup of tea. This means that wrestling
'Not my cup of tea' is an idiom for something one does not enjoy/is not interested in.
Voke's mother keeps her nose to the grindstone. This means that Voke's mother
'Keep one's nose to the grindstone' means to work hard/continuously.
She delivered her speech without turning a hair. This means that she delivered her speech without
'Without turning a hair' means without showing any emotion/reaction.
Ayo goes bananas every night she comes here. This means that every night Ayo comes here, she
'To go bananas' is an idiom meaning to become extremely angry or crazy/agitated.
Select the wrongly spelt word
The correct spelling is 'occurrence' (with a double 'r'); 'occurence' is misspelt.
Select the wrongly spelt word
This item's precise intended misspelling was not fully clear from the scan; presented with reduced confidence.
False Modesty is really a form of ------ (opposite in meaning to 'Modesty')
'Modesty' is opposed by 'arrogance'.
Cameras were once as Unwieldy as are now ----- (opposite in meaning to 'Unwieldy')
'Unwieldy' means bulky/awkward to handle; the opposite is 'compact'.
Although Paul had been accused of the crime he was later ----- (opposite in meaning to 'accused')
'Exonerated' means formally cleared of blame, the clear opposite of being accused/found guilty.
The testimony of the witness was so vague ___ that it was difficult to learn....... details of the case. (opposite in meaning to 'vague')
'Vague' means unclear/imprecise; the opposite is 'specific'.
Although I have forgotten the title of the book, I --------- the story very well. (opposite in meaning to 'have forgotten')
The opposite of having forgotten is being able to recollect/remember.
Obiora was a notorious hunter who defied the ----- king's orders not to hunt near the city. (opposite in meaning to 'notorious')
'Notorious' means famous for something bad; the opposite is 'illustrious' (famous for something good).
The man's speech is rather verbose, it needs to be more ---- (opposite in meaning to 'verbose')
'Verbose' means using more words than needed; the opposite is 'concise'.
A diligent scholar, she ___ devoted herself to the completion of the book.
'Assiduously' (diligently, with great care) fits the description of a diligent scholar.
He was ------ success, painting not for the sake of fame or monetary reward, but for the sheer love of art
Painting for love of art rather than reward suggests indifference to success/fame.
When the news of his ---------- the enemy became known, he was hanged in an effigy
Being hanged in effigy (as a traitor figure) suggests news of collusion with the enemy.
At the height of the storm, the savages tried to ----- the angry gods by offering sacrifices
'Propitiate' means to appease/win the favour of (a god), fitting the context of offering sacrifices.
You should ---- this paragraph in order to make your essay more ---------
Removing a discursive (rambling) paragraph would make an essay more focused/concise.
Only the fear of immediate ---- prevents the country from launching an attack
Fear of retaliation (reprisal) is a classic deterrent against launching an attack.
Choose the option with the same vowel sound as the one underlined: done
'Done' shares its short vowel sound with 'dove' (as in the verb, past tense of dive).
Choose the option with the same vowel sound as the one underlined: steak
'Steak' and 'tape' share the same long vowel sound /eɪ/.
Choose the option with the same vowel sound as the one underlined: jewel
'Jewel' and 'few' share a similar /juː/-type vowel sound.
Choose the option with the same vowel sound as the one underlined: after
In non-rhotic (British) pronunciation, 'after' and 'last' share the same broad /ɑː/ vowel sound.
Choose the option with the same vowel sound as the one underlined: clerk
In British pronunciation, 'clerk' is pronounced /klɑːk/, sharing its vowel sound with 'palm'.
I am disappointed ---- the way you conducted yourself at the party.
'Disappointed at' the way someone behaved is the standard collocation.
When we were coming back from the picnic last Friday, there ______ on Eka Bridge.
'Traffic' is uncountable, taking the singular verb 'was' and the quantifier 'much'.
I have refused to give him my pen because I don't want him to ---- it again.
'Lose' is the correct verb form (to misplace/not have something anymore).
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