1. The man refused to accept the offer of a job in the rural area; he preferred the one in the .......... area.

A. local
B. urban ✔
C. township
D. municipal

Explanation:
“Rural” refers to the countryside, while “urban” refers to the city.

2. He is quite an outspoken young man but his father is ..........

A. humorous
B. sober
C. taciturn ✔
D. silent

Explanation:
“Outspoken” means talkative and frank, while “taciturn” means reserved or quiet.

3. One of the twins was as daring as the other was ..........

A. morose
B. timid ✔
C. secretive
D. rational

Explanation:
“Daring” is the opposite of “timid.”

4. A gully, which is a natural phenomenon, should not be mistaken for a tunnel, which is ..........

A. supernatural
B. false
C. artificial ✔
D. modern

Explanation:
A tunnel is man-made, that is, artificial.

5. The crops the farmer planted will be .......... in three months’ time.

A. sold
B. weeded
C. uprooted
D. harvested ✔

Explanation:
Crops that are planted are later harvested.

6. He intentionally hid the document but his secretary .......... burnt them.

A. carelessly
B. willingly
C. accidentally ✔
D. foolishly

Explanation:
“Accidentally” is the opposite of “intentionally.”

7. It is curious how Bayo can be so carefree in his ways while his younger brother is so ..........

A. meticulous ✔
B. eccentric
C. indifferent
D. active

Explanation:
“Meticulous” means careful and detailed, the opposite of carefree.

8. Personally, I give in rather easily when it comes to arguments but Emeka will always .......... to his opinion.

A. hold in
B. hold on ✔
C. hold up
D. hold back

Explanation:
To “hold on” to an opinion means to refuse to give in.

9. He didn’t lose the fight because of his bravery but his ..........

A. ignorance
B. strength
C. cowardice ✔
D. rashness

Explanation:
“Cowardice” is the opposite of bravery.

10. If you do not drive with care you may be charged for ..........

A. recklessness ✔
B. drunkenness
C. over speeding
D. ignorance

Explanation:
Lack of care while driving is recklessness.

11. When you .......... an opponent’s point in a debate you must do so politely.

A. refute ✔
B. rebuke
C. reject
D. refuse

Explanation:
“To refute” means to argue against a point.

12. Mr Collins does not allow his name to be published in connection with his philanthropy because he .......... publicity.

A. wields
B. lack
C. detests ✔
D. denies

Explanation:
“To detest” means to hate.

13. I should be as .......... as Kofi if I were so rejected by a close friend.

A. conscious
B. timid
C. aggrieved ✔
D. courteous

Explanation:
“Aggrieved” means feeling hurt or wronged.

14. The press will no longer be free when the new government starts to .......... the newspaper.

A. censure
B. edit
C. publish
D. censor ✔

Explanation:
To “censor” is to control information.

15. Everyone was disappointed to see the pastor doing those things that were .......... with the morals he preached.

A. complacent
B. inconsistent ✔
C. conducive
D. incompetent

Explanation:
His actions did not agree with his teachings.

16. The boy is mentally unbalanced, so you should be .......... of his behaviour.

A. tolerant ✔
B. tolerable
C. apologetic
D. careful

Explanation:
Such behaviour requires tolerance.

17. The president complained that too many doctors have .......... for better remuneration.

A. repatriated
B. exile
C. emigrated ✔
D. immigrated

Explanation:
“Emigrated” means leaving one’s country.

18. The doctor listened to my heart-beat with a ..........

A. microscope
B. scalpel
C. chronometer
D. stethoscope ✔

Explanation:
A stethoscope is used to listen to heartbeats.

19. She was .......... and it was not clear to me what she meant.

A. unknown
B. unintelligible ✔
C. indefinite
D. illegible

Explanation:
“Unintelligible” means difficult to understand.

20. Clara, your writing is difficult to read; you must try to make it ..........

A. easier
B. legible ✔
C. large
D. eligible

Explanation:
“Legible” means easy to read.

21. Despite their newness on the job, the workers were remunerated rather handsomely. This means that ..........

A. the salaries were poor
B. those paid were handsome in appearance
C. the salaries were attractive ✔
D. the workers were paid by a handsome accountant

Explanation:
“Handsomely remunerated” means well paid.

22. The plan to upgrade the dispensary to a general hospital did not materialize. This means that ..........

A. the arrangement did not work out as wished ✔
B. the plan was badly executed
C. it was difficult to obtain the material
D. the plan did not meet the required specification

Explanation:
“Did not materialize” means it did not happen.

23. The robbery suspect said that he made his earlier confessional statements under duress. This means that he made it ..........

A. because he was forced to ✔
B. in the presence of a judge
C. because he took an oath
D. with the help of his lawyer

Explanation:
“Under duress” means under force.

24. Despite their unrefined behaviour, the visitors were given preferential treatment. This means that the visitors were ..........

A. ill-treated because of their coarseness
B. treated with caution
C. well-treated despite their crudity ✔
D. attended to first by the doctor

Explanation:
They were treated well in spite of their behaviour.

25. Onome’s father blew his top at the news of his performance in the examination. This means that he ..........

A. was overjoyed
B. whistled loudly
C. was very angry ✔
D. was impressed

Explanation:
“To blow one’s top” means to lose one’s temper.

26. “There is no question of either of you getting the job,” the manager said. This means that ..........

A. the manager would not ask any questions about the job
B. both of them will get the job
C. only one of them will get the job
D. neither of them will get the job ✔

Explanation:
Neither person will be employed.

27. Jumoke knew that her husband had a drop too many when he asked her to pack out. This means that her husband was ..........

A. sleepy
B. confused
C. drunk ✔
D. joking

Explanation:
“A drop too many” refers to drunkenness.

28. It was quite impossible for him not to have noticed that Lola had arrived. This means that he ..........

A. should have known that Lola had arrived ✔
B. found it impossible to say that Lola had arrived
C. said that Lola had not arrived
D. pretended not to know that Lola had arrived

Explanation:
The arrival could not have gone unnoticed.

29. My father advised us not to go with the crowd. This means he advised us not to ..........

A. stay in the crowd
B. have many friends
C. travel with many people
D. be unduly influenced by others ✔

Explanation:
“Go with the crowd” means to follow others blindly.

30. We would grant your request if we had money. This means that ..........

A. we have the money but will not grant your request
B. we have the money and will grant your request
C. we will have the money and grant your request
D. we do not have the money and cannot grant your request ✔

Explanation:
The condition was not fulfilled.

31. The government has approved a new salary structure as an incentive for workers.

A. a reward
B. an encouragement ✔
C. a package
D. an advance

Explanation:
An incentive motivates or encourages workers.

32. The accident victim was bleeding profusely.

A. slowly
B. excessively ✔
C. extremely
D. abundantly

Explanation:
“Profusely” means excessively.

33. They have tried to circumvent the restriction on importation of scarce commodities.

A. bypass ✔
B. confront
C. oppose
D. challenge

Explanation:
“To circumvent” means to bypass.

34. The company had satisfied itself that the project was feasible before embarking on it.

A. easy
B. attractive
C. capable
D. practicable ✔

Explanation:
“Feasible” means practicable.

35. Though there is no riot on the campus, the students are restive.

A. quiet
B. chaotic
C. restless ✔
D. busy

Explanation:
“Restive” means uneasy or restless.

36. The prosecutor was accused of obstructing justice.

A. hindering justice ✔
B. retarding
C. stopping
D. interrupting

Explanation:
“To obstruct” means to hinder.

37. The man preaches humility without matching it with action.

A. salvation
B. honesty
C. kindness
D. modesty ✔

Explanation:
“Humility” is closely related to modesty.

38. Mr Haruna plays the piano with great dexterity.

A. wisdom
B. pride
C. force
D. skill ✔

Explanation:
“Dexterity” means skillfulness.

39. The college officer insisted that I show him my credentials before I could be registered.

A. books
B. qualifications ✔
C. statements
D. identity

Explanation:
“Credentials” refer to qualifications.

40. Amina said that she married a doting man.

A. loving ✔
B. uncaring
C. funny
D. nagging

Explanation:
“Doting” means showing excessive love or affection.