Common Entrance English 2014

 

2014 ENGLISH STUDIES (NCEE) Time allowed: 60 minutes

SECTION A COMPREHENSION

 

Read the passages below carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A – E

PASSAGE I

There were three activities Musa enjoyed so much while growing up. These were recitation of nursery rhymes, which increased his retentive memory, playing of football, which enhanced his physical fitness and storytelling which boosted his thinking ability and taught him several moral lessons. Of all these, his favourite was story telling.

His friend, Ibe, on the other hand, liked watching cartoon network and playing violet video games and films. He concentrated more on violet video games. To him, children should play more of violent video games because they make a child smart and creative. More so, they bring about quick thinking and fast decision-making.

One day, Musa and Ibe met in school during break time and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of those activities they liked. Musa succeeded in discouraging his friend from playing and watching violent video games and films. This was done by telling Ibe a short story about Clinton, an American boy who picked a gun and shot his father as a result of what he learned through playing and watching violent video games. His father died and Clinton regretted his action. Apart from this obvious fact, other reasons why Musa disliked violent video games were that they teach kids the wrong values such as aggressive behavior and vengeance. They also corrupt the mind. Once listening to this short story, Ibe vowed never to play or watch violent video games and films again.

1.      Which of the activities is Musa’s favourite? A. playing football   b. playing of video games   C. Recitation of nursery rhymes    D. story telling   E. Watching films

2.      According to the passage _____ shot his father   A. A child   B. A friend   C. Clinton   D. Ibe  D. Musa

3.      Another word that can replace disliked as it is used in the passage is   A. Hated  B. Loved C. Shunned  D. Wanted  E. Watched

4.      Ibe was used to   A. Catching fun   B. Talking to Musa  C. Telling story  D. Watching football  E. Watching violent films

5.      Musa liked football because it   A. Boosted his thinking ability  B. enhanced his physical fitness   C. increased his retentive memory   D. Made him smart and creative   E. Taught him several moral lessons

Passage II

Hand washing is the single most important thing that you can do to help prevent the spread of infection and stay healthy. As much as 80 percent of infections are said to be passed on by unclean hands. So, wash them often throughout the day. Do so especially before eating, cooking food, and after dressing or touching a wound, touching an animal, using the toilet, or changing a baby’s diaper. Washing with soap and water is more effective than using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Children stay healthier when parents train them to wash their hands and to keep them away from their mouths and eyes. Bathing every day and keeping your clothes and bed linens fresh and clean also contribute to better health.

Culled from Awake

6.      If we wash our hands regularly, we will be able to  A. Change a baby’s diaper   B. Clean toilets well   C. Prepare delicious food  D. prevent spread of infection  E. Touch and dress wounds

7.      Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?  A.  Bathing once in two months contribute to good health    B. children who wash their hands often fall sick      C. Hands should be washed before using the toilet     D. Keeping clothes fresh and clean promotes better health    E. parents who teach their children to wash their hands encourage unhealthy habit

8.      “So, wash them often….” What does the underlined word refer to?  A. Diaper  B. Eyes  C. Hands  D. Mouths  E. Toilets

9.      Hand washing is more effective using ___ and ___  A. Alcohol, sanitizers    B. Alcohol, soap  C. Sanitizers, water  D. soap, water  E. water, alcohol

10.  A word that can replace linen as used in the passage is  A. Clothes   B. Napkin  C. Nets  D. Sheets  E. Towels

Section B: Lexis

Choose from the options lettered A – E, the one that is nearest in meaning to the word in italics (Nos. 11 – 15).

11.  John went to the bookshop to buy his textbooks   A. Borrow  B. collect  C. purchase  D. receive  E. sell

12.  We have packed out of the old house   A. Come  B. Gone  C. Jumped  D. moved  E. parked

13.  The hunter was afraid when he saw the lion  A. Angry  B. Bold  C. Brave  D. Happy  E. Scared

14.  The teacher taught the pupils how to make baskets with paper.  A. Create   B. Draw  C. Mend  D. Paint  E. Sew

15.  Jane’s mother bought her a Christmas dress that was Costly.    A. Beautiful  B. Cheap C. Expensive   D. Ugly  E. Wonderful

Complete each of the following statements with the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in italics  NOs 16 – 20 ).

16.  The cook made us a pot of sweet tea   A. bitter  B. Creamy   C. delicious  D. smelly   E. tasty

17.  Sam’s mother praised him for failing the examination  A. blamed  B. Celebrated   C. Congratulated  D. honoured   E. thanked

18.  The tortoise has always been a foolish animal.  A. cunning   B. greedy   C. loyal   D. stupid   E. wise

19.  The patient felt terrible after the operation.  A. bad   B. good   C. guilty   D. lucky  E. Satisfied

20.  My sister would be leaving for Canada soon .  A. At once   B. early  C. Immediately    D. Later   E. Now

Section C: Structure

Complete each of the following statements with most appropriate of the options lettered A – E (Nos. 21 – 40)

21.  The superlative form of Sweet is    A. most sweet   B. Most sweeter   C. Much sweet  D. Sweeter  E. Sweetest

22.  Their parents are rich, so are   A. mine   B. My   C.  Them  they  E. Us

23.  She met us when we ____ to her house.   A. are going   B. Go   C. Had gone  D. was Going   E. were going

24.  Bisi and Bola ____ down the lawn every morning   A. Are running  B. has run   C. Ran   D. run  E. runs  

25.  Sarah is the ___ intelligent of the three girls.  A. Best   B. Better  C. Less  D. More  E. most

26.  The boy ____ blue shirt is my brother   A. In   B. inside   C. On   D. Under   E. With 

27.  ____ Jane or Juliet will have the toy  A. although  B. both  C. either  D. neither  E. until

28.  The word “present” will change to an adjective by adding the suffix   A. able   B. ed   C. ing   D. ly  E. s

29.  Ngozi bought her aunt a ____ present.  A. wedding  B. weddinng  C. weding  D. weeding  E. welding  

30.  My shoes are made ____ leather.  A. by  B. from C. in  D. of   E. on

31.  The students are happy ___ their result  A. about  B. for  C. on  D. over  E. up

32.  I love my sisters but ____ of them is alive.  A. all  B. both  C. each   D. either E. none

33.  Simon is not in the class, he may ___ to the toilet  A. be going  B. go  C. have been going    D. have gone  E. going

34.  The girl is dancing, ____ she? A. Didn’t   B. does   C. isn’t  D. is  E. won’t

35.  ___ leaving the hospital, Mary called her father  A. although  B. because  C. before  D. nevertheless   E. though

36.  The governor appointed the ____ last week  A. chaiman   B. chairman  C. cheerman   D. cheimans   E. cheirman

37.  Only ____ people attended the meeting last month  A. a few  B. a little  C. few  D. much  E. one

38.  The article “a” can be used with the following EXCEPT   A. house   B. sheet  C. shoe  D. umbrella  E. pen

39.  She ___ table tennis very well.  A. has play   B. had play  C. has being play  D. is playing  E. plays

40.  Grave asked, “ ___ is my bag?  A. it   B. this  C. what  D. when  E. where

 

Common Entrance English 2015

 

2015 ENGLISH STUDIES (NCEE) Time allowed: 60 minutes

SECTION A COMPREHENSION

 

Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A-E (Nos.10).

PASSAGE I

Sometime ago, a man punished his three-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriate when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to he father the next morning and said, "this is for you daddy". He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his temper flared again when he found that the box was empty. He yelled at her" don't you know that when you give someone present there is supposed to be something inside of it" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh daddy, it is not empty I blew kisses into the box, all for you daddy". The father was crushed. He put his arm around the little girl and begged her for her forgiveness. The man kept the box by his bed for years, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

1.      What did the man do when the girl offered him a gift the next morning? He A. Begged her B. Kept the gift C. Was angry D. Was embarrassed  E. Yelled at her

2.      What did the girl put in the box that the father did not see? The girl put A. Gold B. Kisses C. Love D. Tears E. Wrapping paper

3.      Why was the man angry when he was given the gift? He was angry because A. The box was empty B. The box was put under a tree C. The girl wasted wrapping papcr D. He hated gifts E. Money was tight

4.      Why was the girl's father embarrassed when she brought him a gift? He was embarrassed because A, He overreacted B. He punished her C. He was furious D. The little girl was crying E. There was nothing inside the box

5.      The man took the imaginary kiss whenever he was A.. Angry B. Discouraged C. Disturbed D. Happy E. Sick

 

PASSAGE II

Ralia was alone, lost in the bush. She was afraid. She called out but she had a small voice. It was not good for shouting; it was only good for singing. Again and again she shouted, hoping that someone would hear. No one heard. No help came. She threw herself down and wept. She pulled at her hair and kicked one foot against the other. She sat up, stood up and again threw herself down. The bush scratched her body and blood came from the scratches. Ralia thought of her father and mother. She thought of her dog, Wara. What would they do when she did not go home? Her mother was blind. Her father had hurt his back. Her dog had a bad foot and could not walk. Therefore no one would look for her. Her mother would only cry and clap her hands. Her dog would only bark and her father would only bite his fingers. No one would eat that night. There was nobody to make their food. Ralia again started to weep. She thought, where would she sleep that night? All sorts of insects might bite her: She might be bitten by a snake. The wild animals might kill her. She might die and no one would know where she was.

Culled from Sugar Girl by lola Onadipe.

6.       ____" called out" as used in paragraph one of the passage can be replaced with   A. Cried  B. Hoped   C. Sang    D. shouted.  E. Slept

7.      Ralia's mother would only cry and clap her hands because she could not A. Hear B. See C. Shout D. Run E. Walk

8.      Wara was a/an A. Dog B. Insect C. Person D. Snake E. Wild animal

9.      According to the passage prepared for the family A. No one B. Ralia C. Ralia's father D. Ralia's mother E. Wara

10.  A suitable title for this passage could be A. A lost Girl   B. A sad family   C. A sad girl  D. An Abandoned Child   E. Ralia, the Blind Girl

 

SECTION B: LEXIS

Choose from the options lettered 4-E, the one that is nearest in meaning to the word in italic. (Nos. 11-15).

11.  The water was polluted. A. Clean B. Dirty C. Packaged D. Pure E. Tasty B. Fled

12.  The magician disappeared into thin air A. Dived C. Floated D. Rushcd E. Vanished food

13.  Jane is very unfriendly. A. Nasty B. Selfish C. Stingy  D. Unpleasant E. Wicked and clap her

14.  The examination will soon resume. A. Begin B. Commence C. Continue D. Start E. Terminate

15.  This year's harvest was poor. A. Bad B. Late C. Limited D. Partial E. Rich

 

Complete each of the following statement with the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in italic (Nos. 16-20).

16.  The milk was sour. A. Bitter B. Delicious C. Good D. Lovely E. Sweet

17.  Mr. John bought a huge sheep from the marker. A. Big B. Fat C. Short D. Skinny E. Small

18.  The girl was carrying an empty bucket. A. A deep B. A dry C. A full D. A wet E. Broken

19.  The beggar held a crooked stick. A. Bent B. Long C. Magical D. Straight E. Thin

20.  The school is at its temporary site. A. Basic B. Initial C. Old D. Original E. Permanent

 

SECTION C: STRUCTURE Complete each of the following statements with the most appropriate of the options lettered A-E (NO 21-40)

21.  The bride and the groom ___ absent at the wedding. 22. A. Are  B. Is  C. Being  D. Were E. Were being

22.  ____of the footballers was given a cash prize for winning the championship. A. All   B. Any   C. Each   D. Most   E. Some

23.  The supervisor was angry when he discovered that _____of the students was in the examination hall.   A. All   B. Any   C. Both   D. Either   E. None

24.  The governor, with his four wives, ____ detained by the EFCC about two weeks ago.  A. Are   B. Are being    C. Is   D. Was    E. Were

25.  The superlative form of the word little is  A. Least   B. Less   C. Lest   D. Lesser  E. Little

26.  Ann was the ___  of the two girls.  A. More taller   B. Most taller   C. Tall   D. Taller   E. Tallest

27.  The police have seen the criminal they ____ for   A. Have been looking    B. Have looked C. Has looked   D. Looked   E. Being looking

28.  The charming lady presently ______in one of the new generation banks as a cashier. A. Are working   B. is working   C. Work   D. Worked   E. Works

29.  The past tense of the word broadcast is  A. Broadcast   B. Broadcasted   C. Broadcaster D. Broadcasting  E. Broadcast

30.  I ___ travelling abroad next year.  A. Have   B. Have been   C. Will be    D. Will have been   E. Would

31.  He____ present from the head teacher.  A. Received   B. Receved   C. Ricieved   D. Recived   E. Resieved

32.  The boy ____ bag was stolen also lost his sandals.  A. That   B. Which   C. Who   D. Whom   E. Whose

33.  When Biodun was picking mangoes, a bee ____ him.   A. Have stung   B. Is stinging   C. Sting  D. Stings    E. Stung

34.  He told you he wasn't at home, ____? A. Did he   B. Didn't he   C. Didn't you   D. Isn't it  E. Wasn't it

35.  To ___ shall I give this parcel?  A. What   B. Who    C. Who's    D. Whom   E. Whose

36.  Has he finished the work? A. No, he has   B. No, he isn't   C. No, he hasn't   D. Yes, he hasn’t   E. Yes, he is.

37.  If you can appeal to her, I ____ mind.  A. Couldn't   B. Needn't   C. Shan't   D. Shouldn't   E. Wouldn't

38.  The most appropriate prefix for the word modest is. A. En-   B. In-   C. Im-   D. Re-   E. Pre-

39.  The statement "I have done the work” in the passive form becomes, the work ____done by me. A. Are being B. Has been C. Have been  D. Is being E. Will be

40.  ____ you want to be dismissed, you will not cheat in the examination   A. Because   B. If C. Perhaps   D. Unless   E. Until

Common Entrance English 2016

 

2016 ENGLISH STUDIES (NCEE) Time allowed: 60 minutes

SECTION A COMPREHENSION

 

Read the passages below carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A – E

 

PASSAGE I

There were once two good friends who were neighbours. One of them was very tall and thin

and the other was very short and fat. One fine day they went for a walk in the forest. Suddenly they saw a wild pig in the path. The two friends were terrified and ran back along the path out of the forest. The wild pig started to chase them. He had nearly caught up with them when the thing man jumped up and climbed a tall tree. The fat man was loo fat to climb after his friend. Now he was even more frightened. His friend had left him all alone and he could not run any more.

 

Then he remembered and old talc that wild pigs do not eat dead men. So he lay on his back and pretended to be dead. Up came the pig and sniffed all around the fat man. He sniffed loudly into his ear. The fat man did not move. At last the wild pig decided the man was really dead and sadly went away into the forest. The fat man sat up sweating all over from fear. His friend climbed down from the tree from which he had seen everything "That was a lucky escape!" he said.

 

Culled from The Hunter and the Hen by Oladele Taiwo

 

1.      The two friends were A. Brothers B. Farmers C. Hunters D. Neighbours E. Tourist

2.      The two friends saw a wild pig while A. Climbing a tall tree B. Playing C. Sleeping D. Taking a walk E. Working in the bush

3.      Another word that can replace terrified as used in the passage could be A. Cheered B. Comforted C. Consoled D. Frightened E. Reassured

4.      According to the passage, the thin man escaped from the pig by A. Crying for help B. Jumping and climbing a tree C. Pretending to be dead D. Remembering an old tale E. Running out of the forest

5.      Which of these statements is not true according to the passage? A. The pig sniffed loudly into the fat man's ear B. There was a wild pig C. There were three friends D. They went for a walk in the forest E. Wild pigs do not eat dead men

 

PASSAGE II

Once upon a time. There lived a boy called Toro. Toro was born with one eye which made him look strange. Wherever he went, people laughed at him and called him a monster.

 

One day, when there was hunger in the land, Toro decided to leave home in search of food for himself because his parents did not care for him. So while he was gone, nobody missed him. Toro journeyed through several lands, villages and towns until he stopped in a town called Blind Town". In this town, he discoursed that the land was fertile with fruit trees bearing ripe fruits wasting away; and the people were all blind. They could not do anything for themselves but sit down calling and crying out for help and alms from travellers passing by day and night. He felt pity for them and gathered them for a meeting where he suggested that, because they were blind, they needed people that could see to lead them. They all agreed it was a great idea and begged him to become their king not knowing that he was even a boy. Toro accepted and told them he would return to his village quickly to bring his people. When Toro got to his village, he narrated all that happened, and the people including his parents, were ashamed and begged him for forgiveness. Toro forgave them and took them back to "Blind Town” where he become the one-eyed king who rule the people with great kindness.

 

6.      According to the passage, Toro was called a monster because he   A. Had no parents B. Had one eye C. Resembled a monster D. Was a blind boy E. Was a king

7.      Why did Toro leave home? Toro left home because he was   A. Blind B. Called a monster C. Hungry D. Loved E. Sad

8.      The town was called "Blind Town" because the   A. Fruits were ripe B. Fruits were wasting away C. Land was fertile D. People could not see E. People were beggars

9.      Toro was made king because he   A. Could see B. Had one eye C. Needed to be a leader D. Was blind too E. Was just a boy

10.  Why were Toro's people and parents ashamed of themselves? They were ashamed because they  A. Did not care for him B. Wanted a king C. Wanted to go to "Blind" Town D. Were blind E. Were monsters

 

SECTION B: LEXIS

 

Choose from the options lettered A-E, the o that is nearest in meaning to the word in i (Nos. 11-15).

11.  He took us to the summit of the hill.  A. Base B. Bottom C. Cliff D. Middle E. Peak

12.  He instructed them to clean the bathroom.  A. Directed B. Forced C. Guided D. Persuaded E. Supervised

13.  The new policy is beneficial to our school.  A. Charitable B. Destructive C. Harmful D. Pleasant E. Useful

14.  Who among them is the most beautiful?  A. Most dangerous B. Most handsome C. Most notorious D. Prettiest E. Ugliest

15.  The man always keeps the shop neat.  A. Clean B. Dirty C. Dry D. Rough E. Smooth

Choose the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in italics (Nos. 16–20):

16.  He had many supporters in the last election.  A. Agents B. Enemies C. Followers D. Friends E. Opponents

17.  The arts master destroyed all recent paintings in the art gallery.  A. Ancient B. Current C. Fresh D. Irrelevant E. Modern

18.  He was released yesterday by the police.   A. Bailed B. Detained C. Freed D. Interrogated E. Restricted

19.  He was given a standing ovation during the concert.  A. Applause B. Condemnation C. Rebuff D. Rejection E. Support

20.  The bank has so many debtors.  A. Borrowers B. Creditors C. Investors D. Lenders E. Workers

SECTION C: STRUCTURE

Complete each of with the following statements the most appropriate of the options lettered A-E (Nos. 21-40).

21.  The story is _____ strange for us to believe.  A. Much B. So C. That D. Too E. Very

22.  My father is the ____ of our school.   A. Prencipal B. Princepal C. Principal D. Principcl E. Principle

23.  The head teacher ___ the class teacher are absent.  A. And B. Nor C. Or D. Together with E. With

24.  The hunter ____ a big antelope yesterday.  A. Has killed B. Is killing C. Kill D. Killed E. Kills

25.  This banana should be shared ___ five of you.  A. Against B. Among C. Between D. To E. With

26.  The woman added a ___ quantity of salt to the soup.  A. Few B. Little C. Many D. Much E. Small

27.  The teacher taught the pupils to always stand ___ the road side.  A. At B. By C. In D. Of E. On

28.  This is the boy ___ scored the first goal.  A. Which B. Who C. Whom D. Who's E. Whose

29.  My mother treated our guest ___ a sumptuous meal yesterday.  A. By B. For C. Over D. To E. With

30.  Neither the head-teacher ____ the teacher was found guilty.  A. And B. Including C. Nor D. Or E. With

31.  Uzochi ____ to church every Sunday.  A. Go B. Goes C. Is going D. Was going E. Went

32.  You are a member of this team _____ you?  A. Are B. Aren't C. Did D. Were E. Weren't

33.  The two boys were advised to help  A. Each other B. One another C. Theirself D. Theirselves E. Themselves

34.  Tochukwu and Shehu ___ in primary three two years ago.  A. Are B. Have been C. Is D. Was E. Were

35.  She is the ____ of the two sisters.  A. More smarter B. Most smarter C. Smart D. Smarter E. Smartest

36.  My father complained that Audu ____ his hands into his pockets.   A. Has thrusted B. Have thrusted C. Thrust D. Thrusted E. Thrusting

37.  He complained that the car was _____ expensive.  A. More B. Most C. Much D. Quite E. So

38.  The fence is _____ high that no one can climb it.  A. Much B. Quite C. So D. Too E. Very

39.  The _____ will be held tomorrow.  A. Celeberation B. Celebration C. Celleberetion D. Cellebration E. Cellebretion

40.   ____ I see her for a few minutes?   A. Can B. Could C. Shall D. Should E. Would