1. The workers expected management to be...........rather than indifferent to their welfare.

A. different from
B. interested in ✔
C. opposed to
D. careful of

Explanation:
The opposite of “indifferent” is “interested in,” which correctly fills the gap.

2. Words spoken in the heat of an argument could offend rather than...............

A. pacify ✔
B. amuse
C. inspire
D. irritate

Explanation:
The opposite of “offend” is “pacify,” meaning to calm someone down.

3. Although they have declared the student a suspect, he may turn out to be ...........

A. culpable
B. innocent ✔
C. safe
D. ignorant

Explanation:
The opposite of “suspect” is “innocent.”

4. Some outspoken social critics live a........... family life

A. reserved ✔
B. happy
C. boisterous
D. still

Explanation:
The opposite of “outspoken” is “reserved.”

5. While the manager was prudent in his expenditure, his deputy was..........

A. miserly
B. careful
C. thoughtful
D. extravagant ✔

Explanation:
The opposite of “prudent” is “extravagant.”

6. The cultured and the..........are known by their conduct

A. barbaric ✔
B. ignorant
C. clean
D. lazy

Explanation:
The opposite of “cultured” is “barbaric.”

7. Many Africans now live in abject poverty instead of enjoying the …… of the countries

A. comfort
B. greatness
C. possessions
D. affluence ✔

Explanation:
The opposite of “poverty” is “affluence.”

8. Tunde seldom asks questions in class and was..................very careful when he did

A. hardly
B. sometimes ✔
C. often
D. never

Explanation:
The opposite of “seldom” is “sometimes.”

9. Tests revealed that the winning athlete had taken performance-enhancing.................

A. drugs ✔
B. tablets
C. vitamins
D. capsules

Explanation:
Performance-enhancing substances are commonly referred to as drugs.

10. The lawyer's client was..........under oath in the law court

A. investigated
B. interrogated
C. cross-fired
D. cross-examined ✔

Explanation:
Under oath in court, a client is “cross-examined.”

11. That Fulani man has a large..........of cattle

A. herd ✔
B. flock
C. multitude
D. swine

Explanation:
A group of cattle is called a “herd.”

12. The relationship between the couple is ........for lack of communication

A. tense
B. strained ✔
C. relaxed
D. uneasy

Explanation:
“Strained” best describes tension in a relationship due to lack of communication.

13. Many players have complained about biased............by referees.

A. officiating ✔
B. control
C. direction
D. handling

Explanation:
Referees’ “officiating” refers to how they manage the game.

14. Government officials have to swear to .......of secrecy

A. an oath
B. a vow
C. a pledge ✔
D. an Act

Explanation:
A “pledge” is a promise of secrecy.

15. The students..........the planned meeting with the new principal.

A. refused
B. neglected
C. boycotted ✔
D. rejected

Explanation:
To “boycott” means to deliberately avoid attending.

16. She won by........because her opponent refused to play

A. defiance
B. defeat
C. default ✔
D. defence

Explanation:
Winning by “default” occurs when the opponent fails to compete.

17. Some candidates have developed the.................for cheating in examinations

A. instinct
B. addiction
C. knack ✔
D. habit

Explanation:
A “knack” is a special skill or ability.

18. The secretary was............from her job for absenteeism

A. evicted
B. dismissed ✔
C. rejected
D. eliminated

Explanation:
Being “dismissed” means removed from a position.

19. Peter was on tenterhooks until the examination results were announced. This means that Peter was

A. unhappy about the examination
B. suspended from school
C. anxiously waiting for the results ✔
D. detained by the police

Explanation:
“On tenterhooks” means in anxious suspense.

20. The military leader blazed the trail by handing over power to civilians. This means that the leader

A. resigned from the army
B. supported civilian ideals
C. was against the army
D. set an example ✔

Explanation:
To “blaze the trail” means to set an example.

21. Life is all about ''give and take''. This means that

A. people should be willing to compromise ✔
B. life gives and takes
C. life is about gifts
D. any gift should be accepted

Explanation:
“Give and take” refers to compromise and mutual concession.

22. Jumai's life was in danger but now she has turned the corner. This means that Jumai

A. has given up hope of recovery
B. has worsened her situation
C. is recovering ✔
D. has died

Explanation:
“Turned the corner” means to improve after a critical period.

23. It is unwise for politicians to make off-hand statements to journalists. This means that politicians

A. should insist on their interviews being recorded
B. would be wise not to speak to journalists
C. should not make any statement to journalists
D. should be sure of whatever they say ✔

Explanation:
“Off-hand statements” are made without careful consideration; politicians should be careful.

24. The dentist told his patient that the toothache would pass off when he took some aspirins. This means that

A. the tooth would automatically drop off
B. the pains would subside ✔
C. the pains would spread to other teeth
D. the pains would worsen

Explanation:
“Pass off” means to gradually disappear.

25. The students made such a noise in the class that the teacher read them the Riot Act. This means that the teacher

A. punished all the students
B. instigated the students to riot
C. warned the students to stop the noise or get punished ✔
D. read the school's rules and regulation to the students

Explanation:
“Read the Riot Act” means to warn someone to behave.

26. When I went on leave I asked Mr. Bamson to hold the forte. This means that I asked him to

A. defend me
B. act in my absence ✔
C. protect my position
D. be strong in my absence

Explanation:
“Hold the forte” means to take responsibility in someone’s absence.

27. The senator's house is the last word in comfort. This means that the senator

A. has the most comfortable house ✔
B. speaks about the comfort of his house
C. owns the last house on Comfort Street
D. has a house that is not comfortable

Explanation:
“Last word in comfort” means the epitome of comfort.

28. I was given a standing ovation for my outstanding performance. This means that

A. everyone stood up to clap for me ✔
B. everyone stood to catch a glimpse of me
C. everyone congratulated me
D. I was asked to stand up

Explanation:
A “standing ovation” is applause while standing.

29. His father's death derailed his plans to enter the university

A. discouraged
B. failed
C. moved
D. ruined ✔

Explanation:
“Derailed” means to ruin or prevent progress.

30. Adamu inadvertently shot his friend dead

A. deliberately
B. spontaneously
C. accidentally ✔
D. inappropriately

Explanation:
“Inadvertently” means by accident.

31. The students made scathing remarks about the vice chancellor

A. critical ✔
B. positive
C. mild
D. damaging

Explanation:
“Scathing” remarks are sharply critical.

32. Several cabinet ministers joined the president's retinue for the summit conference

A. entourage ✔
B. vehicle
C. followers
D. exchange

Explanation:
A “retinue” is a group of attendants or entourage.

33. The manager refused his deputy's request in reprisal for his disloyalty

A. compensation
B. annoyance
C. retaliation ✔
D. exchange

Explanation:
“Reprisal” means retaliation or revenge.

34. She spurned the advances of her boss

A. accommodated
B. accepted
C. rejected ✔
D. discouraged

Explanation:
“Spurned” means to reject with disdain.

35. Whatever he says is irrevocable

A. final ✔
B. false
C. debatable
D. unclear

Explanation:
“Irrevocable” means cannot be changed or undone.

36. Lunatics have some lucid moments

A. troubled
B. quiet
C. noisy
D. sane ✔

Explanation:
“Lucid” means clear-minded or sane.

37. Don't expect anything but hypocrisy from politicians

A. promises
B. manifestoes
C. insincerity ✔
D. dishonesty

Explanation:
“Hypocrisy” means insincerity or pretense.

38. The secretary needs to run........two hundred copies of the previous minutes for the next meeting

A. off ✔
B. on
C. out
D. over

Explanation:
To “run off” copies means to print them.

39. Let us keep..............the plans we made earlier

A. away
B. to ✔
C. off
D. on

Explanation:
To “keep to” a plan means to follow it.

40. To be alive after such a serious accident.............a celebration

A. is called for
B. calls for ✔
C. has been called for
D. call for

Explanation:
“Calls for” means requires or deserves.