NDA USE OF ENGLISH 2012 PAST QUESTIONS
PART ONE
This paper is divided into 2 sections:
Section A — Comprehension, Section B - Lexis and Structure.
Answer all questions in your Answer Sheet.
SECTION A - COMPREHENSION
Instruction: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it.
A great many soldiers carry with them some small artistic, some touchstone or lucky piece or symbol which if they are lucky in battle takes on an ever-increasing importance. And being lucky in battle means simply not being hurt. St Christopher's medals are carried by Catholics and non-Catholics alike and in any case are not considered as religious symbols at all, but as simply lucky pieces.
The magic articles are of all kinds. There will be a smooth stone, an odd-shaped piece of metal, and small photographs encased in cellophane. Many soldiers consider pictures of their wives or parents to. be almost protectors from danger. One soldier had removed the handles from his colt 45 and had carved new ones out of Plexiglas from a wrecked airplane. Then, he installed photographs of his children under the Plexiglas so that his children looked out of the handle of his pistol.
Sometimes coins are considered lucky, and rings and pins. usually, articles which take their qualify from some intimacy with people at home, a gift or the symbol of old emotional experiences. One man carries a locket of his dead wife. wore as a child and another a siring of anther beads his mother once made him wear to ward off colds. The beads: now ward off danger.
The association between a man and his amulet becomes. not only very strong, but very private. This is partly a fear of being laughed at, but also a feeling grows that to tell about it is to rob it of some of its powers. Also, there is the feeling that the magic must not be called on too often; The virtue of the piece is not inexhaustible. It can run down, therefore it is better to use it sparingly and only to call on it when the need is great.
Whatever the cause of this reliance on magic amulets in war-time, it is so. And the practice is by no means limited to ignorant or superstitious men. It would seem that in times of great danger and great emotional tumult, a man has to reach outside himself for help and comfort, and has to have some supra-personal symbol to hold to. It can be anything at all, an old umbrella handle, or a religious symbol, but he has to have it. There are times in war when the sharpest emotion is not fear, but loneliness and littleness. And it is during these times that the smooth stone or the Indian-head penny or the wooden pigs are not only desirable but essential.
1. Do St. Christopher's medals serve as lucky pieces only for Catholics?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not indicated
D. one of the about
2. Do the charms ever lose their power in a soldier's estimation?
A. They rarely do
B. They never do
C. They can
D. They do not
3. Why do soldiers rarely talk of their attachment to magic articles?
A. It is too private
B. It would lose its powers
C. Fear of being laughed at
D. All of the above
4. Why is the practice of carrying charms so widespread in times of war?
A. Need or company in war
B. Need to feel close home
C. The need for outside help and comfort
D. Need for extra power
5. 'Supra-personal' means
A. Not normal
B. Not personal
C. A little private
D. Extra personal
6. I cannot understand why Ali should serve in that moribund administration.
A. oppressive
B. prodigal
C. crumbling
D. purposeless
7. The Conference Centre caters for transients only.
A. temporary guests
B. professionals
C. permanent guests
D. novices
8. The coalescence of the groups created additional problems.
A. proscription
B. righting
C. disbandment
D. union
9. As the triumphant rebels were returning, to their base. they met with a serious reverse.
A. a defeat
B. an enemy
C. an army
D. a victory
10. The village girl wore sumptuous clothes
A. faded-looking
B. ideas
C. expensive
D. loose-fitting
In each of questions 11 - 15, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
11. Oche's chief idiosyncrasy is a passion for pounded yarn.
A. Oche's chief hates pounded yam
B. Oche hates pounded yam
C. Oche has a penchant for pounded yam
D. Oche's chief likes pounded yam
12. You must not attend the end-of-year party.
A. It is not necessary that you attend the party
B. It is necessary that you do not attend the party
C. You do not have to decide whether to attend the party or not
D. You have to decide whether to attend the party or not
13. The man reasoned that there ought to be a limit to sycophancy.
A. There can be no favour beyond a reasonable point
B. Sycophants need not talk all the time
C. People should know when not to use flattery
D. Sycophants should know when to grant people's requests
14. Adawo is an imp.
A. Adawo behaves queerly
B. Adawo behaves decently
C. Adawo behaves differently
D. Adawo, behaves badly
15. The solution lies in choosing between various negative alternatives
A. The solution can be found in one of the negative options
B. The solution lies in choosing between the positive and the negative
C. The solutions are many
D. The solution is a negative one
In each of question 16 — 20, choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined.
16. The witness averred that she had seen Dosun at the scene of the crime.
A. argued
B. confirmed
C. denied
D. affirmed
l 7. The high cost of living these days calls for a lot of frugality.
A. extravagance
B. recklessness
C. economy
D. prudence
l8. Tunde's reaction underscores the point I was making.
A. justifies
B. emphasizes
C. summarizes
D. contradicts
19 Everyone admired the manager's adroit handling of the crises in the company.
A. clever
B. tacklers
C. skilful
D. clumsy
20. The principal took exception to the ignoble role the teacher played in the matter
A. embarrassing
B. honourable
C. extraordinary
D. dishonourable
Instruction: Choose the correct word that completes each of the following sentences.
21. He has a deep ___ voice.
A. base
B, bass
C. tinning
D. threatening
22. are basic.
A. Principles
B. Principals
C. Factors
D. Faculties
23. means stop.
A. Cease
B. Seize
C. Sign
D. Raising hand
24. An __ measures time,
A. hour
B. our
C. oal
D. all
25. the milk next.
A. Pore
B. Pour
C. Poor
D. Pool
Instructions: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
26. I travelled a plane to Lagos.
A. with
B. on
C. in
D. by
27. If you want to see a from all parts of Kaduna, go to the famous Panteka Market.
A. junky collection
B. collection in junk
C. collection made of junk
D collection of junk
28. He has been employed ₦20. 000 a month.
The magic articles are of all kinds. There will be a smooth stone, an odd-shaped piece of metal, and small photographs encased in cellophane. Many soldiers consider pictures of their wives or parents to. be almost protectors from danger. One soldier had removed the handles from his colt 45 and had carved new ones out of Plexiglas from a wrecked airplane. Then, he installed photographs of his children under the Plexiglas so that his children looked out of the handle of his pistol.
Sometimes coins are considered lucky, and rings and pins. usually, articles which take their qualify from some intimacy with people at home, a gift or the symbol of old emotional experiences. One man carries a locket of his dead wife. wore as a child and another a siring of anther beads his mother once made him wear to ward off colds. The beads: now ward off danger.
The association between a man and his amulet becomes. not only very strong, but very private. This is partly a fear of being laughed at, but also a feeling grows that to tell about it is to rob it of some of its powers. Also, there is the feeling that the magic must not be called on too often; The virtue of the piece is not inexhaustible. It can run down, therefore it is better to use it sparingly and only to call on it when the need is great.
Whatever the cause of this reliance on magic amulets in war-time, it is so. And the practice is by no means limited to ignorant or superstitious men. It would seem that in times of great danger and great emotional tumult, a man has to reach outside himself for help and comfort, and has to have some supra-personal symbol to hold to. It can be anything at all, an old umbrella handle, or a religious symbol, but he has to have it. There are times in war when the sharpest emotion is not fear, but loneliness and littleness. And it is during these times that the smooth stone or the Indian-head penny or the wooden pigs are not only desirable but essential.
1. Do St. Christopher's medals serve as lucky pieces only for Catholics?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not indicated
D. one of the about
2. Do the charms ever lose their power in a soldier's estimation?
A. They rarely do
B. They never do
C. They can
D. They do not
3. Why do soldiers rarely talk of their attachment to magic articles?
A. It is too private
B. It would lose its powers
C. Fear of being laughed at
D. All of the above
4. Why is the practice of carrying charms so widespread in times of war?
A. Need or company in war
B. Need to feel close home
C. The need for outside help and comfort
D. Need for extra power
5. 'Supra-personal' means
A. Not normal
B. Not personal
C. A little private
D. Extra personal
SECTION B: LEXIS AND STRUCTURE
In each of question 6 - 10, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.6. I cannot understand why Ali should serve in that moribund administration.
A. oppressive
B. prodigal
C. crumbling
D. purposeless
7. The Conference Centre caters for transients only.
A. temporary guests
B. professionals
C. permanent guests
D. novices
8. The coalescence of the groups created additional problems.
A. proscription
B. righting
C. disbandment
D. union
9. As the triumphant rebels were returning, to their base. they met with a serious reverse.
A. a defeat
B. an enemy
C. an army
D. a victory
10. The village girl wore sumptuous clothes
A. faded-looking
B. ideas
C. expensive
D. loose-fitting
In each of questions 11 - 15, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
11. Oche's chief idiosyncrasy is a passion for pounded yarn.
A. Oche's chief hates pounded yam
B. Oche hates pounded yam
C. Oche has a penchant for pounded yam
D. Oche's chief likes pounded yam
12. You must not attend the end-of-year party.
A. It is not necessary that you attend the party
B. It is necessary that you do not attend the party
C. You do not have to decide whether to attend the party or not
D. You have to decide whether to attend the party or not
13. The man reasoned that there ought to be a limit to sycophancy.
A. There can be no favour beyond a reasonable point
B. Sycophants need not talk all the time
C. People should know when not to use flattery
D. Sycophants should know when to grant people's requests
14. Adawo is an imp.
A. Adawo behaves queerly
B. Adawo behaves decently
C. Adawo behaves differently
D. Adawo, behaves badly
15. The solution lies in choosing between various negative alternatives
A. The solution can be found in one of the negative options
B. The solution lies in choosing between the positive and the negative
C. The solutions are many
D. The solution is a negative one
In each of question 16 — 20, choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined.
16. The witness averred that she had seen Dosun at the scene of the crime.
A. argued
B. confirmed
C. denied
D. affirmed
l 7. The high cost of living these days calls for a lot of frugality.
A. extravagance
B. recklessness
C. economy
D. prudence
l8. Tunde's reaction underscores the point I was making.
A. justifies
B. emphasizes
C. summarizes
D. contradicts
19 Everyone admired the manager's adroit handling of the crises in the company.
A. clever
B. tacklers
C. skilful
D. clumsy
20. The principal took exception to the ignoble role the teacher played in the matter
A. embarrassing
B. honourable
C. extraordinary
D. dishonourable
Instruction: Choose the correct word that completes each of the following sentences.
21. He has a deep ___ voice.
A. base
B, bass
C. tinning
D. threatening
22. are basic.
A. Principles
B. Principals
C. Factors
D. Faculties
23. means stop.
A. Cease
B. Seize
C. Sign
D. Raising hand
24. An __ measures time,
A. hour
B. our
C. oal
D. all
25. the milk next.
A. Pore
B. Pour
C. Poor
D. Pool
Instructions: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
26. I travelled a plane to Lagos.
A. with
B. on
C. in
D. by
27. If you want to see a from all parts of Kaduna, go to the famous Panteka Market.
A. junky collection
B. collection in junk
C. collection made of junk
D collection of junk
28. He has been employed ₦20. 000 a month.
A. for
B. with
C. at
D. on
29. The candy .
A. tastes sweet.
B. tastes sweeter
C. tastes sweetly
D. has tastes
30. She dropped the plates with a .
A. creak
B. crash
C. clatter
D. rustle
Instruction: Select from the options A - D the most appropriate choice of the meaning of the underlined idioms.
31. He is a man of his word.
A. trustworthy man
B. dependable man
C. reliable man
D. All of the above
32. They are at diggers drawn.
A. strained relation
B. friendship
C. friendly with each other
D. helpful to each other
33. He is on the wrong side of seven
A. less than seventy years old
B. more than Seventy years old
C. Seventy years old
D. Eighty years old
34. Many do not get one square meal a day.
A. meal in plates
B. meal in square plates
C. full meal
D. tasty meal
35. He has a hand in the strike
A. totally responsible
B. also concerned with
C. unconcerned
D. irresponsible
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence from the alternatives:
36.
A. When I come in, I saw that she laid on the floor.
B. When I came in, 1 saw that she layed on the floor.
C. When I came in, I saw that she lay on the floor.
D. When I came in, I saw that she was lying on the floor.
37.
A. I will branch your house on my way home.
B. I will call at your house on my way home.
C. I will branch to your house on my way home.
D. I will call to branch your house on my way home.
38.
A. Bola together with all her classmates are in the office.
B. Bola together with all her classmates were in the office.
C. Bola. together with all her classmates, is in the office.
D. Bola, together with all her classmates, have come to the office.
39.
A. We discussed it yesterday.
B. We discussed about it yesterday.
C. We discuss about it yesterday.
D. We discuss it yesterday.
40.
A. My candid advice is that you should face your studies.
B. My candid advice is that you concentrate on your studies.
C. My candid advice is that you face your studies.
D. My candid advice is that you could face your studies.
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. C
11. C
12. B
13. C
14. D
15. D
16. D
17. A
18. B
19. A
20. D
21. B
22. A
23. A
24. A
25. B
26. C
27. D
28. A
29. A
30. C
31. D
32. A
33. B
34. C
35. B
36. D
37. C
38. C
39. A
40. C
B. with
C. at
D. on
29. The candy .
A. tastes sweet.
B. tastes sweeter
C. tastes sweetly
D. has tastes
30. She dropped the plates with a .
A. creak
B. crash
C. clatter
D. rustle
Instruction: Select from the options A - D the most appropriate choice of the meaning of the underlined idioms.
31. He is a man of his word.
A. trustworthy man
B. dependable man
C. reliable man
D. All of the above
32. They are at diggers drawn.
A. strained relation
B. friendship
C. friendly with each other
D. helpful to each other
33. He is on the wrong side of seven
A. less than seventy years old
B. more than Seventy years old
C. Seventy years old
D. Eighty years old
34. Many do not get one square meal a day.
A. meal in plates
B. meal in square plates
C. full meal
D. tasty meal
35. He has a hand in the strike
A. totally responsible
B. also concerned with
C. unconcerned
D. irresponsible
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence from the alternatives:
36.
A. When I come in, I saw that she laid on the floor.
B. When I came in, 1 saw that she layed on the floor.
C. When I came in, I saw that she lay on the floor.
D. When I came in, I saw that she was lying on the floor.
37.
A. I will branch your house on my way home.
B. I will call at your house on my way home.
C. I will branch to your house on my way home.
D. I will call to branch your house on my way home.
38.
A. Bola together with all her classmates are in the office.
B. Bola together with all her classmates were in the office.
C. Bola. together with all her classmates, is in the office.
D. Bola, together with all her classmates, have come to the office.
39.
A. We discussed it yesterday.
B. We discussed about it yesterday.
C. We discuss about it yesterday.
D. We discuss it yesterday.
40.
A. My candid advice is that you should face your studies.
B. My candid advice is that you concentrate on your studies.
C. My candid advice is that you face your studies.
D. My candid advice is that you could face your studies.
ANSWERS
1. B2. C
3. C
4. A
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. C
11. C
12. B
13. C
14. D
15. D
16. D
17. A
18. B
19. A
20. D
21. B
22. A
23. A
24. A
25. B
26. C
27. D
28. A
29. A
30. C
31. D
32. A
33. B
34. C
35. B
36. D
37. C
38. C
39. A
40. C
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