UTME CBT FREE Practice Test – Use of English (Set 10 – Questions with Answers and Explanations)

Read the passage carefully and answer the follow

PASSAGE 1

The grave danger that alcohol abuses pose to human health and well-being has again been highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO) which recently disclosed that abuse of the substance causes nearly four percent more deaths than the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and tuberculosis worldwide.

The global body put the number of deaths from alcohol abuse, every year, at 2.5 million. Rising incomes were identified to have triggered more drinking in Africa and Asia while binge drinking is a problem in many developed countries. The organization decried the failure of most governments to institute strong alcohol control policies in spite of its heavy toll on society from road accidents, violence, disease, child neglect and absenteeism at work. The WHO alert on alcohol abuse is timely.

The organization's call for prioritization of alcohol control policies has come at a time when governments all over the world need information and support to reduce alcohol consumption.

Adapted from DAILY SUN 14TH March. 2011.

1. The author seems to suggest that Asians and Africans resort to more drinking when ______

A. they are bereaved
B. there is improved living standard
C. national incomes are at their lowest ebb
D. the weather is conducive

2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. The outbreak of tuberculosis is caused by alcohol abuse
B. Most people in the world are oblivious of the harmful effect of alcohol abuse
C. The danger of alcohol abuse was highlighted in the developed countries.
D. The abuse of alcohol can only be controlled in Africa and Asia

3. Which of the following best describes the tone of the writer in the passage?

A. Conciliatory
B. Alarming
C. Persuasive
D. Disillusioned.

4. The expression bingedrinking, as used in the passage means _______

A. drinking for a short period
B. drinking intermittently
C. drinking profusely
D. drinking against medical advice

5. From the passage, it can be deduced that developed countries' attitude towards alcohol control is ____

A. compromising
B. encouraging
C. proactive
D. lethargic

PASSAGE II

Mr. Ikimi, the headmaster, decided to erect a new domestic science block. He awarded the ………6………. [A. contract B. project C. assignment D. business]

to a well-known ... 7 ... [A. architect B. designer C. engineer D. planner]

who drew up a ...8….. [A. plan B. picture C. chart D. programme] which was sent to the Town Planning Authority for approval.

The …….9……. [A. spot B. loyalty C. site D. environment]

which had been chosen was cleared and ……10 …... [A. a worker B. a mason C. an artist D. a plumber] engaged to start work on laying the foundation of which

the most important process was pouring the ……..11…….. [A. marble B. concrete C. laterite D. sand].

Very soon the building took ...... 12 …..... [A. position B. shape C. place D. direction] the roof was on in no time.

The ……13……. [A. woodwork B. wood fixing C. wood cutting D. timber work] done by a set of very competent carpenters, which intricately interwoven,

and louver windows added beauty to the new block, whose exterior walls looked most striking after the second ……..14…….. [A. spraying B. washing C. coating D. covering] had been put on.

The interior ……15……. [A. design B. dressing C. planning D. decoration] was left to the competent domestic science teacher.

In each of questions 16 to 25 choose the option that best completes the gap

16. The reason why he was not offered admission was ______ his results could not be found

A. that
B. when
C. owing to
D. because

17. The reason why she left the meeting abruptly was ______ she received an urgent phone call.

A. that      B. when      C. owing to       D. because

18. Course _____ writers are to reflect local colour.

A. material’s
B. materials’
C. materials
D. material

19. If you saw the photograph of the man _____ you be able to identify him?

A. could
B. would
C. can
D. will

20. As Obande does not know anyone in this city, he hopes that some kind ______ will put him up for the night.

A. man
B. men
C. inhabitant
D. individuals

21. The doctor asked the patient what …….

A. the problem is
B. is your problem
C. the problem was
D. is the problem

22. The woman is one of the _____ of the society.

A. elitist
B. elite
C. elites
D. elitists

23. Three-quarters of the people in the village _____ killed but only half of their huts ______ affected.

A. were/were
B. was/was
C. were/was
D. was/were

24. The armed robbers went into the house and robbed the three _______

A. woman occupants
B. women’s occupants
C. woman’s occupants
D. women occupants

25. It was a free-for-all and the students were blamed for taking the law ______

A. in their own hands
B. into their own hands
C. into their hands
D. in their hands

Sentence Interpretation
In each of questions 26 to 40, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

26. If he went to London, he would see the Queen.

A. He did not go to London and did not see the Queen.
B. He would like to see the Queen when he goes to London.
C. When he goes to London, he will see the Queen.
D. He did not see the Queen when he went to London.

27. Ngozi has always considered her father to be an impassioned man.

A. Her father is a very strict man.
B. Her father is a very lively man.
C. Her father is an emotional man.
D. Her father is a disciplined man.

28. The manager paid us in hard currency.

A. We were paid in a strong and stable currency.
B. We were paid in dollars and pound sterling.
C. We were paid in new notes.
D. We were paid in foreign currency.

29. The elders rebuked Olu for taking issue with his principal.

A. Olu was scolded for acting in collusion with his principal.
B. Olu was reprimanded for arguing with his principal.
C. Olu was blamed for issuing a statement denying his principal.
D. Olu was cautioned for shouting at his principal.

30. In spite of his humble beginning, Audu now throws his weight around.

A. His noble birth notwithstanding, Audu is a corrupt man.
B. From his poor background, Audu is now a rich man.
C. Despite his obvious poverty, Audu is a proud man.
D. Audu is arrogant despite his simple upbringing.

Antonyms
In each of questions 31 to 45, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in Italics

31. He is well known for his inordinate ambition.

A. passionate
B. sound
C. excessive
D. Moderate

32. A conservative estimate put the number of missing persons at forty.

A. an accurate
B. an incorrect
C. a rough
D. a primitive

33. Agbenu was ecstatic about her result.

A. sad
B. dispassionate
C. mad
D. pessimistic

34. Students could be timid.

A. pugnacious
B. friendly
C. bold
D. covetous

35. The labour leader’s recalcitrant stance was applauded.

A. flexible
B. uncompromising
C. well-informed
D. stubborn

Synonyms
In each of questions 36 to 40, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

36. The boys knew that a storm was imminent.

A. impending
B. encroaching
C. possible
D. threatening

37. The leader has the unstinting support of his party.

A. cautious
B. uninspiring
C. unsparing
D. laudable

38. The essence of governance is to seek the good and well-being of the majority of the people.

A. characteristic
B. importance
C. secret
D. goal

39. The carpenter built a commodious wardrobe.

A. wide
B. gigantic
C. small
D. spacious

40. The company is to shed three thousand staff this year.

A. throw up
B. placate
C. lay off
D. spacious

Oral Forms
In each of questions 41 to 43, choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

41. chalet

A. chairman   
B. college  
C. champagne    
D. chemical

42. teeth

A. taught
B. tank
C. though
D. thought

43. concrete

A. anxious
B. concern
C. consider
D. attend

In each of questions 44 to 45, choose the option that has a different consonant sound from the others.

44.

A. wife
B. of
C. off
D. laugh

45.

A. chef
B. chief
C. shoe
D. ocean

In each of questions 46 to 48, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

46. market

A. mortgage
B. bachelor
C. get
D. enter

47. colonel

A. golden
B. girl
C. colony
D. goal

48. tend

A. cancel
B. jeopardy
C. turned
D. earned

In each of questions 49 and 50, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the sentence relates.

49. The President SPOKE to the press.

A. Did the President write to the press?
B. Did the President speak to the press?
C. Who spoke to the press?
D. Are these the pressmen that the President spoke?

50. My MOTHER served rice and fresh fish stew for dinner.

A. Did your mother serve rice and fresh fish stew for lunch?
B. Who served rice and fresh fish stew for dinner?
C. What kind of meal did your mother serve for dinner?
D. What kind of stew did your mother serve for dinner?

Questions 51 – 60 are on the Reading Text – "The Lekki Headmaster," authored by Kabir Alabi Carba

51. What does the phrase "neither London nor Toronto is a bed of roses" mean in the passage?

A. London and Toronto are very beautiful places.
B. Life in London and Toronto is not always easy.
C. People grow a lot of roses in these cities.
D. London and Toronto have good weather.

52. What does the phrase “Finding the opportunity for continued stay is not a child’s play” mean in the passage?

A. It is easy to extend one’s stay in the UK.
B. Staying legally in the UK requires effort and planning.
C. Children have no issues getting residency abroad.
D. Only students are allowed to stay in the UK permanently.

53. The expression "disappeared into the Japa wind" in the passage implies that Mr. Nku:

A. Was caught while trying to escape.
B. Left the country secretly and suddenly.
C. Was deported back to Nigeria.
D. Lost his money while relocating

54. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a mode of payment in developed countries?

A. Hourly
B. Weekly
C. Monthly
D. Annually

55. What does the Yoruba proverb "oga ta, oga o ta, owo alaaru a pe" suggest in the passage?

A. Employees will be paid regardless of the employer's profit or loss.
B. Employers always make a profit no matter what.
C. Workers should work harder to get paid.
D. Employers determine employees’ salaries arbitrarily.

56. The phrase "the remaining hours before daybreak were unusually longer than he ever imagined" is an example of:

A. Hyperbole
B. Personification
C. Irony
D. Alliteration

57. The description of “a cup of cold water” as a possible solution for sleep is an example of:

A. Irony
B. Symbolism
C. Hyperbole
D. Literal imagery

58. What caused Bepo to stop addressing the issue of the school’s name?

A. The director agreed to change it
B. The matter was raised during a Parent-Teacher Association meeting, and Bepo felt cornered
C. The mistake was already fixed in the school’s files
D. The students started to criticize him for his constant corrections

59. How did Mr. Meko respond to Bepo’s grammatical suggestion?

A. He agreed with Bepo and decided to change the name
B. He thanked Bepo but dismissed the correction, saying the name had a "spiritual undertone"
C. He did not acknowledge Bepo’s comment
D. He immediately apologized for the mistake

60. The phrase “Ironically, there is, sir” suggests that:

A. Bepo is agreeing with Meko’s point
B. Bepo is admitting that there is no such word as “Englisher”
C. Bepo is humorously correcting Meko, implying that "Englisher" can be used in some contexts
D. Bepo is confused about Meko’s statement