Use Of English 2014 Jamb Examination

This question tests the use of double possessives in English. The structure 'noun + of + possessive pronoun' is used to show ownership or association. 'Ours' is the correct possessive pronoun to use in this structure. Option B is incorrect because 'her' is a possessive adjective and would require a noun following it (e.g., 'flowers of her garden'), whereas the pronoun 'hers' would be needed for a double possessive. Option C is incorrect because possessive pronouns like 'hers' never take an apostrophe. Option D, while grammatically plausible in other contexts, makes the demonstrative 'Those' redundant and awkward in this specific sentence structure.

Forte (noun) - /ˈfɔː.teɪ/
The word 'forte' refers to a person's strong point or a thing at which someone excels. In this sentence, the speaker is indicating that cooking is not something Jumoke is particularly good at or skilled in. 'Recital' refers to a musical or dance performance, 'conduct' refers to a person's behaviour, and while 'style' could refer to a way of doing something, 'forte' is the idiomatic and most precise term for a lack of aptitude or strength in a specific skill.

Concurrent (adjective) - /kənˈkʌr.ənt/
The word 'concurrent' means happening or done at the same time. In economic contexts, when wages rise, the cost of production often increases, leading to a simultaneous or 'concurrent' rise in the price of goods. 'Chronic' means persisting for a long time, 'sporadic' means occurring at irregular intervals, and 'concordant' means in agreement or harmony. Given that the sentence describes two events happening as a result of the same situation ending, 'concurrent' best captures the timing of the price hike relative to the wage increase.

The adverb 'very' is a degree modifier used to emphasise the intensity of an adjective. In this case, it modifies 'annoyed' to show a high level of irritation. While 'hotly' can be used to describe how someone argues or contests something, it is not a standard modifier for the state of being 'annoyed'. 'Just' would imply she was 'only' annoyed (limiting the intensity), and 'neither' requires a 'nor' to function. Therefore, 'very' provides the most natural and grammatically correct emphasis for the mother's emotional state.

The phrase 'too much of a/an [noun]' is a standard idiomatic construction in English used to indicate that someone possesses the qualities of that noun to an excessive degree. In this context, it means the chairman has the characteristics of an idealist to such an extent that it might be a disadvantage for the job. The prepositions 'with', 'from', and 'about' do not fit this grammatical pattern when describing a person's nature or identity in relation to a noun like 'idealist'.

Struck (verb) - /strʌk/
The presence of the time marker 'two hours ago' indicates that the action took place at a specific point in the past. Therefore, the sentence requires the simple past tense form of the verb 'strike'. 'Struck' is the irregular past tense form of 'strike'. 'Striking' is a present participle, 'strikes' is the third-person singular present tense, and 'strike' is the base form, none of which are grammatically correct for a completed past action.

In legal and general English, the noun 'verdict' (which refers to a decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case) typically collocates with the preposition 'on'. We deliver a verdict 'on' a case, 'on' a matter, or 'on' an issue. The prepositions 'with', 'at', and 'from' do not follow the standard idiomatic usage when specifying the subject being decided upon by a jury.

Revive (verb) - /rɪˈvaɪv/
To 'revive' someone means to restore them to consciousness or life after they have fainted or appeared to be dead. In a medical or emergency context involving first aid, this is the most precise term used to describe an unconscious person becoming conscious again. 'Reawakened' is more metaphorical or used for normal sleep, 'reformed' refers to improving behaviour, and 'restored' usually applies to buildings, health, or positions rather than the immediate act of regaining consciousness.

Animate (verb) - /ˈæn.ɪ.meɪt/
To 'animate' something means to bring it to life or to make it appear vigorous and alive. When laughter animates a face, it means the expression becomes lively, bright, and full of emotion. It suggests a transformation from a dull or static expression to one of vitality. 'Remade' implies a permanent change, 'improved' is too vague, and 'controlled' would imply the laughter restricted his expression, which is the opposite of what laughter usually does to a face.

Matrilineal (adjective) - /ˌmæt.rɪˈlɪn.i.əl/
Tracing family history 'through' or 'by' a specific lineage refers to the method or route of ancestry. However, in the context of identifying the descent group, 'through' (often swapped with 'by' in certain exam contexts) is the most natural preposition. Since 'through' is not provided in the primary list but 'By' is, it indicates the method of descent—tracing the history by following the female line. The prepositions 'at', 'in', and 'with' do not correctly express the concept of following a specific genealogical path.