Use Of English 2006 Jamb Examination

The expression ‘reeled off’ means to say or recite something quickly and easily from memory. The phrase ‘students who broke the library’ is contextually understood as those who violated the library’s rules rather than physically damaging it. Thus, the prefect’s action of reeling off names indicates that he accurately listed those students who disobeyed the library’s regulations.

The phrase ‘I owe you far less than you owe me’ indicates a comparison between two debts, implying that although both parties owe each other something, the other person owes more. The speaker acknowledges a smaller debt but emphasises that the listener’s debt is considerably larger.

The idiom ‘come to a head’ means to reach a critical or climax stage where something must be resolved. In this sentence, it signifies that the land dispute has escalated to its most intense or decisive point. It does not indicate that the problem has been solved or stopped but that it now demands urgent attention or resolution due to its seriousness.

The expression ‘had hardly ... when’ is used to describe two events that occur in quick succession, with the first happening almost immediately before the second. Therefore, the sentence means that he had just finished speaking when the bell rang — indicating a very short interval between both actions.

The phrase ‘to take something for granted’ means to fail to appreciate something or someone properly, often because their help or presence is constant. Hence, this sentence means that she does not value or show gratitude for the continuous support her guardian provides. She assumes it will always be available without acknowledging its importance.

The phrasal verb ‘fall in with’ means to agree with or accept an idea, plan, or proposal. It suggests cooperation or conformity with someone else’s arrangement. Therefore, the sentence means that the class has accepted or agreed to follow the teacher’s plans.

The word ‘sanctioned’ can mean either to approve or to penalise depending on context. In this sentence, it conveys the sense of approval or official endorsement. Therefore, the move to expel the chairman was supported or authorised by the party members.

The word ‘offended’ means easily hurt or upset by what others say or do. Someone who is ‘easily offended’ is sensitive or quick to take offence. The synonym closest in meaning to this is ‘irritable’, which describes a person who becomes annoyed or angered very easily.

The adjective ‘monstrous’ is used to describe something extremely shocking, horrifying, or appalling in nature. In this context, the witness’s account of the event was so terrible or horrifying that it provoked outrage or disgust. It does not mean ‘tragic’, which implies sadness, nor ‘verbatim’, which refers to word-for-word reporting. Therefore, the meaning closest to ‘monstrous’ here is ‘shocking’.

The word ‘meddlesome’ describes someone who habitually interferes in other people’s affairs without being asked. Such a person tends to be intrusive or nosy. ‘Impertinent’ carries a similar meaning of being intrusive or disrespectfully interfering in matters that do not concern one. The other options — ‘intimidating’, ‘quarrelsome’, and ‘uncaring’ — do not reflect the same sense of interference.