SSS3 Mock English Essay Past Question: Continuous Writing Practice. Students are expected to answer all questions. 

SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE TIME: 1 HOUR. 

OBJECTIVES 

Answer all the questions 

SECTION 1 

In each of the following sentences there is one word or group of words underlined and one gap. From the list of words  or group of words lettered A to D choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word or  group of words and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence. 

1. It is surprising that in these hard times whilst the husband is prudent the wife is ________ A. miserly B.  economical C. careful D. extravagant 
2. After running the race, the athlete was completely sapped so she needed something to ________ her. A. refresh B. invigorate C. boost D. nourish 
3. I had thought that the lecturer would say something important but what he said was disappointingly________  A. inconsequential B. irrelevant C. minor D. funny 
4. The taxi driver claimed that the splashing of water, which caused the lady’s dress to be thoroughly soaked, was  accidental but the lady insisted that it was _______ A. deliberate B. unintentional C. careless D. foolish 5. His speech rather than being explicit so that his hearers could enjoy it was __________ A. long B. vague C.  flamboyant D. difficult 
5. The commanding officer went to the battle with inexperienced troops instead ________of ones and so he lost  it. A. baked B. processed C. seasoned D. cooked 
6. It is amazing that some people prefer the turmoil of the city to the _________ of the rural area.  A. tranquility B. solitariness C. loneliness D. stability 
7. Chioma used to be my supporter but on this occasion she chose to be my __________ A. opposition B. ally C. proponent D. opponent 
8. Taiwo is always complaining but Kehinde ______ does. A. rarely B. sometimes C. often D. usually 10. Some people prefer meat that is tough but I like the one that is_________ A. sweet B. tender C. big D. good 

SECTION 2 

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences. 11. The hurricane completely _______ the city. A. troubled B. flooded C. devastated D. damaged 12. In spite of all efforts made to discourage her the lady remained _______ A. resolute B. forceful C. charming D.  famous 

13. The committee set up to investigate the cause of the accident has called for ________ A. communique B. witness C. reports D. memoranda 
14. His decision to undertake the venture was a ________ one as he decided not to consult the other partners.  A. undemocratic B. unilateral C. dictatorial D. solitary 
15. The team won the match through biased ________ by the centre referee. A. control B. direction C. handling D. officiating 
16. There is a ________ relationship between the husband and the wife because of lack of communication.  A. relaxed B. tense C. strained D. bad 
17. The result of the election had to be cancelled because of proven cases of widespread ________ A. irregularities B. violences C. accusations D. fightings 
18. A wise leader will always beware of _______ that may surround him and who may prevent him from carrying  out his programmes. A. critics B. favourites C. parasites D. sycophants 
19. The journalist was charged to court on account of the ________ article he caused to be published in a newspaper. A. libelous B. damaging C. destructive D. slanderous 
20. The conference was organised under the ________ of the renowned company. A. agreement B. organization  C. auspices D. jurisdiction

SECTION 3 

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that  you consider most appropriate for each sentence. 

21. The Senior Prefect was given a standing ovation for his brilliant speech at the prize. giving ceremony. This  means that A. everyone congratulated him B. everyone stood up to clap for him C. he was asked to  stand up D. everyone stood up to catch a glimpse of him 
22. I have decided to keep her at arm’s length since I found out her clever tricks. This means that I A. ignore her B. don’t greet her C. stop visiting her D. avoid being familiar with her 
23. Since they got married the husband and the wife have been living a cat and dog life. This means they have been  living A. a secret life B. an interesting life C. a life full of quarrels D. a public life 24. Many civil servants always manage to keep their heads above water. This means that they manage to  A. stay out of financial difficulty B. keep their heads above water when they swim. C. swim in water  D. learn the techniques of swimming 
24. Chuma escaped the accident by a hair’s breadth. This means that Chuma A. held to another person’s hair  B. got slightly injured C. narrowly escaped the accident D. cried for help 26. It is good for a serious-minded student to take time by the forelock. This means that a serious-minded student  should A. use an opportunity promptly B. take things easy C. always hurry up D. be clever and smart 27. He is off his head. This means that he A. has been standing upside down B. is not wearing a hat C. is  unconscious D. is crazy 
25. Many politicians usually embark on white elephant projects. This means that such projects are A. unique  and noticeable B. absolutely wonderful C. useless and a waste of money D. quite big and fantastic 29. Tom failed woefully in his Biology exams as a result of lack of seriousness but he has promised to turn over a  

new leaf this academic session. This means that Tom has promised to A. remember to look at both sides  of the leaf B. turn over the pages of his Biology textbooks C. work harder at everything D. pay  particular attention to the structure of leaves 

30. She was warned not to allow her father’s highly exalted position to go to her head. This means her father’s  exalted position should not make her A. proud B. comfortable C. uneasy D.happy 

SECTION 4 

From the words or group of words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of  words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or group of words as it is used in the sentence. 31. The principal actor contributed greatly to the excitement and thrill of the play. A. famous B. main  C. head D. important 

32. The leader reposed his implicit confidence in his deputy. A. absolute B. doubtful C. correct D. partial 33. Young people should be banned from watching obscene films. A. dangerous B. bad C. frightful  D. immoral 
33. The contribution of the outgoing Principal to the development of the school is invaluable. A.great  B. inestimable C. inconsequential D. negligible 
34. The accused got arrested whilst trying to circumvent the law banning the importation of used tyres.  A. oppose B. bypass C. challenge D. confront 
35. He apologised for being unable to recall my name. A. remember (b) repeat C. echo D. spell 37. His claim for such a colossal amount as damages is preposterous. A. exaggerated B.premeditated C.extreme D. outrageous 
36. Corruption is inimical to the growth of any nation. A. unavoidable B. inevitable С.harmful D. bad 39. The record which the retiring officer left in the civil service was impeccable. A.beautiful B. spotless  C. appropriate D. unenviable 
37. It is not sufficient to accuse somebody of wrongdoing, you have to substantiate your allegation. A. prove  B. clear C. enforce D. stand by 

SECTION 5 

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best complete each of the  following sentences. 

41. The meeting ________ in confusion because each of the opposing parties held on to his position. A. broke in B. broke C. broke out D. broke up
42. He was ________ by the odour coming from her mouth. A. put off B. put by C. put away D. put out 43. The controversy has been finally ________ to rest. A. lied B. laid C. lain D. lying 44. The ceremony was rounded ________ with a sumptuous dinner. A. up B. over C. off D. through 45. A lot of students ________ invited to the Literary Day. A. was B. were C. is D. has been 46. A basket of oranges ________ presented to the visitor. A. were B. are C. have been D. was 47. The pepper has been ________ by my sister. A. grinded B. grounded C. ground D. grinding 48. No _______ person will behave like that. A. mature B. matured C. maturing D. matures 49. A ________ board of inquiry ________ been set up to investigate the cause of the examination leakage.  A. ten-men … have B. ten-men … has C. ten-man … has D. ten-man … have 
43. They packed their _______ and went home after their institution had been closed down.  A. bags and baggages B. bags and baggage C. bag and baggages D. bag and baggage 51. If l ________ what actually happened, I would have punished him. A. had heard B. have heard C. had had D. heard 
44. The minutes of the meeting ________ been read. A. has B. were C. is D. have  53. That assignment was _________ for a ten-year old. A. too much difficult B. difficult too much C. much too  difficult D. much difficult too 
45. It is no longer easy for graduates to secure ____________ A. an employment B. employment  C. employments D. some employment 
46. Each of the players _________ to receive $1000. A. were B. are C. have D. is 56. The government has been urged to provide more facilities for training ________. A. physically disableds and  mentally retards B. the physically disableds and mentally retarded C. the physically disabled and  mentally retarded D. physically disabled and retarded mentally retarded. 
47. He willed his property to the poor _______? A. didn’t he B. isn’t it C. wasn’t it D. doesn’t he 58. He wasn’t unanimously elected Secretary ________? A. wasn’t he B. weren’t he C. were he D.was he 59. Bola won’t like that action ________? A. will he B. won’t he C. wouldn’t he D. would he 60. It is better you mind your own business and not ________ A. somebody else’s B. somebody’s else C.  somebody else D. somebody’s else’s 
48. I told him to desist ________ his bad habit. A.to B. in C. from D. with 
49. The two boys are always fighting ________. A. themselves B. one another C. each other D. another 63. To have survived such a ghastly accident _______ for celebration. A. calling B. call C. called D.calls 64. This machine is _______ the one being used in that factory. A. superior than B. more superior than C.  superior to D. more superior to 
50. That shirt is ________ big for my liking. A. so B. too C. quite D. very 
51. She is the _______ in that company. A. hardworking employee least B. less hardworking employee  C. little hardworking employee D. least hardworking employee 
52. Neither Dolapo nor Emeka ________ present at the meeting. A. were B. are C. have been D. was 68. The government has a special programme for _______ A. the poors B. the poor C. poors D. poor 69. I look forward to _______ you. A. see B. seen C. seeing D. have seen 

SECTION 6 

In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number is the list below the passage,  four options are offered in columns lettered A to D. Choose the word that is the most suitable to fill the numbered gap  in the passage.  

Modern, large -70- farming can be an expensive business, and capital rather than -71 – intensive, which means,  fewer jobs are available on the land. Ploughing, harrowing and sowing are done by tractors not by horse or bullock drawn plough and harrowing by hand. Weeds are kept down by artificial -72- and harmful insects are killed by artificial  -73- usually applied by motorized -74-. The abandonment of traditional methods of farming in some areas has led to a  need for artificial -75- if the land is to remain fertile. -76- husbandry has also been mechanized, for example the  introduction of electric milking -77-. Increasingly -78- are no longer reared by nomadic -79- but kept on large – 80-. often they are not kept in the open air but live all their lives crowded together in buildings.

Read Also: SSS3 Mock English Objective Past Questions

ABCD 70.scale style ranch field 71.farmland worker labour labourer 72.chemicals pesticides fertilisers herbicides 73.pesticides gas chemicals fertilisers 74.sprayers machines drivers loses 75.chemicals manure fertilisers pesticides 76.agricultural sheep cattle animal 77.machines tractors stools udders 78.hens goats cattle cows 79. cow hands herdsmen tribes farmers 80.ranches fields farms estates

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