Read the following passage and answer the questions on it
It was a cold windy Monday morning just before dawn. A frail old woman who could barely see beyond a few metres ahead of her – an early septuagenarian – braved all odds and stepped out onto the dirty road in the village of Koomla. For her, today’s duty had to be done even if it meant further risking her delicate health. “What would I not do for Koku to amount to something in this life that has given me nothing but woes?” Mma Koku thought to herself.
And so, despite the ominous signs from the sky, and wearing just a threadbare sweater over an equally aged wrapper, she forged ahead, daring the draught of air that was threatening to topple her. Luckily, the sand ground was still largely undisturbed owing to the dew, so she didn’t have to contend with fending off particles from her often rheumy eyes.
“Come what may” Mma Koku assured herself as her left foot planked into a muddy pothole she hadn’t seen in time, “today I shall see the pathfinder before he leaves for the city.” Her destination was still about nine kilometres away. At home, The Pathfinder, a middle-aged university teacher – the very first person to earn the highest postgraduate degree from the village of Koomla – had just roused himself from dreamland. In the dream,a figure in white had told him he owed an obligation to the old woman. She was on her way to give him a parcel for her son studying in the university in the city, about a thousand miles away.
The Pathfinder had come home for a two-day visit and the news had got to Mma Koku, who gladly took all her savings for the last three months, put it in a small envelope and tied it up in the edge of her wrapper. The duo were to meet at the junction where the village road led off to the city. “You know, Lord, this is all I have. Please let my son turn out well,” the old woman prayed. “No sacrifice is too much for one’s child,” she heaved, skipping over another muddy pothole, for it had rained the previous day.
By the time Mma Koku got about a mile from The Pathfinder’s home, the day was now bright enough for her to see with less strain. However, the sky suddenly became overcast and only seconds later, there was a torrent from the heavens. There was very little that the surprised old woman could do to stave off the watery onslaught, so she trudged on stoically. At the appointed place, The Pathfinder activated his wipers at top speed as he stayed on the lookout for the person he was expecting.
As drenched as Mma Koku came into view, The Pathfinder switched off the ignition and rushed out to meet up with her, guiding her into a nearby shed. After a few minutes of pleasantries, she handed over her widow’s mite. Mma, please wait here till the sky stops weeping,” he begged her. “I must run along now.”
“Ah, what can beat a mother’s love!” Dr Felix Adoka soliloquised pensively, shaking his head as he winked a left turn to an oncoming driver, prepared to confront the elements. “I shall ensure her son gets a teaching job once he is done,” he promised himself.
Why did Mma Koku leave home on a cold, windy Monday morning?
Write a story to illustrate the saying: Half a loaf is better than none.
Write an article suitable for publication in your school magazine on the need to revive the activities clubs and societies in schools.
Your friend who resides in another country wants to study in your school and has written for information and advice. Write a letter to him, telling him all that he needs to know about the school.
There have been several articles in the national newspapers on the lack of maintenance of public facilities. Write a letter to the editor of one of the newspapers expressing your opinion on the matter.
Your school participated in an inter-school sports festival recently. As the Sports Prefect, write a report on the event for your school.
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
Immediately the truth was revealed, Ngozi flew into a rage. This means that Ngozi
- A. ran away
- B. became sad
- C. became desperate
- D. suddenly became very angry
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
The accountant has been under a cloud since the fraud scandal. This means that the accountant is
- A. unhappy
- B. under suspicion
- C. worried
- D. under supervision
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
Your daughter will do very well in school. She has a good head on her shoulders. This means that she
- A. thinks fast
- B. is sensible
- C. is very beautiful
- D. is well behaved and dilligent
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
The students cocked their ears at the principal’s speech. This means that they listened with
- A. no understanding
- B. rapt attention
- C. no interest
- D. little interest
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
Be careful of what you say; there are no flies on the boss. This means that the boss is
- A. strict
- B. smart
- C. gullible
- D. neat
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
One of the athletes was disqualified because she jumped the gun. This means that she started
- A. on time
- B. hurriedly
- C. without permission
- D. too soon
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
You can see clearly that we are surpassed in numerical strength. This means that we are
- A. more than they are
- B. by far stronger than they
- C. much weaker than they
- D. fewer than they are
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
This action effectively puts the mockers on the project. This means that the project.
- A. take off soon
- B. be delayed
- C. not begin well
- D. not be executed
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
Mother always tells me to keep my nose clean. This means that she tells me to
- A. stay healthy
- B. be focused
- C. do what pleases me
- D. stay out of trouble
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.
Revealing that information will cut the ground from under my feet. This means that it will
- A. ruin my plans
- B. support my plans
- C. promote my plans
- D. expose my plans
Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol
/j/
- A. jest
- B. flew
- C. haste
- D. value
Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol
/ei/
- A. said
- B. seize
- C. gale
- D. nine
Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol
/Îļ/
- A. feather
- B. wither
- C. breathe
- D. stealthy
Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol
/Å/
- A. reign
- B. sink
- C. hinge
- D. thin
Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol
/dĘ/
- A. gear
- B. siege
- C. seizure
- D. suggest