English is the study of the English language. The goal is to improve communication skills by practicing listening, speaking, reading, writing, and understanding language rules like pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
The passage below has gas numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options re provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.
Ofala is a festival that is celebrated in virtually every Igbo community in Nigeria. It is the king’s own festival during which he shows himself to his people, many of whom have probably not ….16…. [A. lied B. lay C. lain D. laid] eyes on him for a long time. The morning of the Ofala sees large crowds ….17…. [A. were gathered B. gather C. to be gathering D. gathers] in the palace arena. Suddenly a cannon ….18…. [A. booms B. shoots C. knocks D. bangs] repeatedly. Rich …. 19 …. [A vibration B gyration C explosion D percussion] from the royal musicians fills the air. The Igwe emerges like the rising sun ….20…. [A royally B resplendent C dazzled D surrounded] in white –bordered gold and black robes. The Igwe then begins the….21…. [A traditional B social C royal D cultural] dance with his wife. Followed by his entourage, he dances round the arena ….22…. [A from the cheers B at the cheer C with the cheers D to the cheers] and praises of the crowd. Finally, the Igwe takes his seat and his person begins to ….23…. [A pay their respects B Spray him with gifts C observe his steps D pay their tolls]. ‘Igweee! You will live long ….24…. [A t the throne B on the throne C by the throne D in the throne],’ they declare, bowing respectfully before him. The Igwe….25…. [A answers B responds C acknowledges D replies] their homage by touching their backs with the royal fly whisk. Exhausted, the Igwe rises. ‘Igweeee,’ the crowd hails. He waves his fly whisk for the last time and heads straight back to the palace with his entourage.
In question number 18 above choose the best option from letters A - D that best complete the gap. Options:Choose the word that has the same rhyme scheme.Dice
Options:Gossip! Yes gossip is universal. In some language, it may have an outright negative connotation but in English, it basically means ‘idle talk’, chat about trivial things or matter. When moderated and kind, ‘casual talk’ may serve to exchange useful information as a means of updating one’s knowledge. The whole neighborhood may grow gossipy with who got married, pregnant, died, or it may just be a humorous chi-chat devoid of malicious intent.
However, idle talk more often than not, degenerates beyond the bounds of property and good taste. Facts get embellish, exaggerated or deliberately distorted. Humiliation is made the source of humor. Privacy is violated, confidence betrayed and reputations injured or ruined. Condemnation takes the place of commendation, murmuring and fault finding are extolled. The end result is like the mud thrown on a clean piece of white cloth. It does not stick but it leaves a dirty and sometimes permanent stain behind.
Gossip has been blamed for sleepless nights, headache and indigestion. Certainly, it must have caused you some personal anguish at one time or the other that is someone must at some times have tried getting a knife between your shoulder blades. Negative gossip is almost universally frowned upon. Among the Indians in the United States, gossiping about someone is classified with lying and stealing. Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, the tale bearer is detested and often avoided. Indeed, throughout history, measures have been taken to curb this ‘deadly’ disease. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the ducking stool was popularly used in England and Germany and later in the United States.
The gossip was tied to a chair and repeatedly ducked in water. In modern times, the war against gossiping has also been fought. Rumor control centers have been established to even respond to rumors that were potentially harmful to government activities. Law have been passed to curb gossip. Nicknames have been given to those who peddle the trade. Ever heard of ‘Amebo’!
Such efforts notwithstanding, gossip survives. It is alive and flourishing. Gossip is everywhere. There is neighborhood gossip, office gossip, party gossip, family gossip and funnily enough, religious gossip. Gossip transcends all cultures, race and civilizations, and it has flourished and it is still flourishing at every level of the society. Gossip is deeply a part of human nature. Yet gossip is not inherently evil. There is a positive side to casual talk. Knowing where to draw harmless and harmful gossip is the key to avoiding victimizing others and being victim yourself.
When gossip ‘degenerates beyond the bounds of propriety and good taste’ it becomes Options:choose the option with the correct emphatic stress indicated in capital letters from the options lettered A-D
Conventional
Options:In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:
Language teachers believe that grammar exercise stretch the mind
Options: