Use Of English 2005 Jamb Examination

The word observant refers to someone who pays close attention to details and notices things quickly. The word ‘perceptive’ means having a keen understanding or awareness, which aligns closely with being observant. ‘Curious’ and ‘inquisitive’ both mean eager to know or learn but do not necessarily suggest careful noticing, while ‘inductive’ relates to logical reasoning rather than keen observation.

The word vital means essential, very important, or necessary for the success or continuation of something. The synonym that most accurately reflects this meaning is ‘crucial’, which denotes something extremely important or decisive. The other options imply respect or praise but not necessity or importance.

A realistic painting represents things as they truly appear in real life, with accurate details and lifelike features. The word ‘authentic’ fits best here, as it conveys truthfulness and a close resemblance to reality. ‘Picturesque’ means visually attractive, ‘lively’ means full of life, and ‘concrete’ refers to something definite but not necessarily lifelike.

The word courteously means showing good manners, respect, and polite behaviour. The synonym ‘politely’ matches this meaning perfectly. ‘Calmly’ refers to composure, ‘carefully’ means with caution, and ‘patiently’ refers to tolerance or waiting without complaint, none of which convey the element of good manners expressed by ‘courteously’.

The word poverty means the state of having little or no money or means of support. The closest synonym among the options is ‘want’, which also signifies lack or need of basic necessities. ‘Instability’ refers to lack of balance, ‘difficulty’ refers to hardship in general, and ‘the slums’ are specific places, not a condition.

The word accountability refers to being responsible for one’s actions and willing to explain or justify them. The synonym ‘responsibility’ captures this meaning well. ‘Respectability’ relates to being worthy of respect, ‘courage’ to bravery, and ‘diligence’ to hard work, none of which fully convey the idea of answerability or obligation to account for actions.

The word "common" in the sentence "The common practice among some media practitioners is to be sensational in their reporting" refers to something that is widespread, frequently occurring, or generally accepted within that group.

The word fateful describes something having serious or far-reaching consequences, often negative. The best synonym here is ‘disastrous’, which conveys a bad or tragic outcome. ‘Wonderful’ has a positive tone, ‘uncontrollable’ refers to lack of control, and ‘unsuccessful’ implies failure without necessarily being momentous or consequential.

The word superficial means existing or occurring at the surface and not deep or serious. The option ‘an external’ correctly conveys that the wound affected only the outer part of the body. ‘A serious’ implies severity, ‘a painless’ describes sensation, and ‘an internal’ means inside the body — all of which differ in meaning.

The expression fizzled out means to lose strength or energy gradually until ending weakly or disappointingly. The option ‘surrendered rather disappointingly’ fits perfectly, as it reflects decline and failure to sustain effort. The other options imply success or determination, which are contrary to the sense of fizzling out.