Use Of English 2012 Jamb Examination

Use Of English 2012 Jamb Examination
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It is said that experience is the best teacher, but to learn consciously through wisdom may even be a better and more convenient way. To learn by experience is to learn from mistakes. It means you have burnt your fingers and now your eyes are open. This is a tough, costly, and inconvenient way to learn. Rather than leaving our learning to experience, why do we not learn consciously, going out of our way to acquire knowledge and wisdom rather than leaving our learning to chance? Surely, we can learn from mistakes, but why wait until we make them before we learn? We should give more premium to learning by wisdom than by experience.

This will involve one making up one’s mind to be decisive in learning. We must decide to learn consciously and not necessarily from negative experiences. The first step is to realize that life is simply the outcome and outplay of decisions. Our life now is the sum total of our decisions, and our future will be determined by the decisions we make today. If we decide to learn today, we are not likely to make mistakes, and when we do not make mistakes, experience need not be our best teacher.

To avoid making experience our best teacher will take more than a decision. We must couple our decision with complete and wholehearted devotion. We must be resolved, resolute, and resilient in our bid to learn by wisdom and not necessarily by experience. This is crucial because situations and circumstances will tempt us to make a detour and leave our learning and life to chance. We must therefore be disciplined to remain steadfast in our resolve to make a clean break with experience as our best teacher. Discipline, in this regard, means learning something new every day by wisdom rather than by experience. It means consciously getting better each day in our chosen field. Discipline will demand taking advantage of every learning opportunity that comes our way. It will also mean paying the price for learning by wisdom—investing in books, magazines, seminars, and other means by which we may become wiser.

It is much easier and cheaper to learn consciously by wisdom than to learn by experience. When we learn by experience, the deed is done, and we are just picking up the pieces—learning in regret how to avoid such predicaments next time. Consider the child who grasps a burning coal—he has learned the hard way through painful experience, but his fingers will remain burnt. Thus, the saying that experience is the best teacher may not be justifiable after all.

Adapted from Sunday Tribune, July 2007


Question 11

It can be deduced from the passage that
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The passage emphasises that although experience can teach, it is a painful, costly, and inconvenient method of learning. It advocates for learning through wisdom, which is presented as a more deliberate, efficient, and less painful approach. The writer insists that one should make conscious decisions to acquire knowledge instead of relying on mistakes. Therefore, it can be deduced that wise thoughts and conscious learning are more desirable than learning through experience.
Not clear enough?

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
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The passage argues that life is shaped by our decisions and that learning by wisdom helps us avoid costly mistakes. It further explains that our current and future situations result from the decisions we make today. This means that our actions and outcomes are determined by sound judgement and decision-making rather than by mistakes or chance. Hence, the statement that aligns with the passage is that the totality of our actions should be decided by our judgement.
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Question 13

According to the passage, we must be disciplined to
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The passage stresses that discipline involves a commitment to learn consciously through wisdom rather than through painful experiences. It mentions that we must remain steadfast and resist the temptation to leave our learning to chance. Being disciplined means taking advantage of every learning opportunity and staying devoted to learning through wisdom. Therefore, discipline helps us to decide against making experience our teacher and to remain consistent in our resolve to learn wisely.
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Question 14

The phrase a complete and wholehearted devotion, as used in the passage, means
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The phrase refers to giving total commitment and dedication to learning through wisdom. It implies a determined and resolute attitude without hesitation or indecision. In context, the writer suggests that to succeed in learning by wisdom, one must be fully devoted, focused, and unwavering. This meaning aligns with the idea of acting without doubts or hesitation while pursuing knowledge.
Not clear enough?

Question 15

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Hardworking students must not have a finger in every pie at school.
Show explanation Expand Question
The idiom 'to have a finger in every pie' means to be involved in too many activities or affairs at the same time. The sentence advises that hardworking students should not overextend themselves by trying to participate in every activity, as this could reduce their focus and effectiveness. It implies that such students should concentrate on fewer responsibilities to achieve better results. Hence, hardworking students must not have a role to play in most activities in the school.
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Question 16

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The vice chancellor is riding the crest of the last quarter of his administration.
Show explanation Expand Question
The phrase 'riding the crest' means being at the peak or enjoying a period of great success. The sentence suggests that as the vice chancellor’s tenure draws to an end, he is enjoying the height of success and appreciation for his achievements. It conveys a sense of accomplishment and public approval during the concluding phase of his administration. Therefore, the vice chancellor enjoys the acknowledgment of the success of his administration.
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Question 17

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

She was absolved by the court from the charge.
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The word 'absolved' means to be declared free from blame, guilt, or responsibility. In this context, the court has cleared her of all charges, indicating that she was found innocent. It does not mean the case was merely resolved, but that she was officially freed from any accusation. Hence, she was declared free from the charge.
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Question 18

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The landlord is fond of throwing his weight about.
Show explanation Expand Question
The idiom 'to throw one’s weight about' means to use one’s authority or influence in an overbearing or bossy manner. It does not refer to physical weight or exercise. The expression implies that the landlord behaves arrogantly by giving orders or dominating others because of his position or power. Therefore, the sentence means that the landlord gives orders to people.
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Question 19

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The company ought to have issued warrants for one billion shares.
Show explanation Expand Question
The expression 'ought to have' indicates that something was expected or supposed to happen but did not. In this sentence, it means the company was expected to issue warrants for one billion shares but failed to do so. Therefore, the company did not issue one billion shares, even though it was supposed to.
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Question 20

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

He needed not to have played in the position of quarterback in volleyball.
Show explanation Expand Question
The phrase 'needed not to have' means that the action was unnecessary. The sentence suggests that playing in the quarterback position was not required of him, implying that someone did not want or expect him to play there. It conveys that his participation in that position was not desired. Hence, someone did not want him to play in the position that he played.
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Use-of-english 2012 Jamb Examination
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