STUDY ASSIGNMENTS - ANSWERS

1. In each of the following sentences a word/expression is underlined. Give a word or phrase

which means the same and which can replace the underlined word or expression in the context.

(a) I was amazed at his insightful comments. {brilliant/ perceptive}

(b) Winifred and Ade have for years had a tempestuous relationship. {stormy;
turbulent}
(c) When the businessman’s nefarious practices were exposed his acquaintances were
amazed. {evil}
(d) The debate over the President’s eligibility for a third term in office has become
rather fractious. {divisive; ill-tempered; stormy}
(e) The argument that the lecturer was only trying to help the student who claimed he
had sexually harassed her is moot given the evidence in front of the panel.
{debatable; arguable; open to debate}
(f) The cacophonous rattling made Abdul cover his ears. {harsh; discordant}
(g) His aberrant behaviour has been censured by the University Administration.
{condemned; criticized}
(h) Five nurses at the Choitram Memorial Hospital have been dismissed for unethical
conduct over pictures circulated in the social media after the death of the former
NPRC strongman. {immoral; dishonourable}
(i) Triskaidekaphobia is a common phenomenon in West Africa. {fear of the number
thirteen}
(j) There must be a nexus between the increase in fees by the university
administration and the service delivery in the constituent colleges. {connection;
relationship}

2. Briefly explain in one short phrase or sentence the meaning of each of the expressions
underlined in the sentences below.

(a) The prosecuting counsel claimed in court that the accused had a history of
buying goods that have fallen off the back of a lorry. {buying stolen goods}
(b) He will not hesitate to lie through the teeth to save his lover from
prosecution. {tell a blatant lie}

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 (c) Good governance is a sine qua non for development in African countries.
{prerequisite; precondition}
(d) When Hasanatu’s boyfriend deserted her just before her final examination in
the university she came apart at the seams. {had an emotional breakdown}
(e) I’ve known him for several years; he is reputed for having ants in his pants.
{always restless or very excited about something or the other}
(f) It was not long before Habib realized that Olu was a fair-weather friend.
{only acts as a friend when times are good}
(g) The lecturer secretly believed that Abu was hare-brained. {stupid; rash;
foolish; irresponsible}
(h) The minister’s mistake in indulging in sexual misconduct has hung like an
albatross around his neck over the last six months. { a problem stifling his
progress/ elevation/ success}
(i) When he got into the cockpit of the plane he decided to fly by the seat of his
pants. {to use his instincts hoping he will succeed}
(j) You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. {try to please all
parties involved in a dispute/disagreement}
GRAMMAR

3. Candidates must copy out the passage below putting each of the verbs in brackets into its
correct form and underline the verbs. Their answers should not be graded if they fail to
follow instructions. They must pay attention to word order. Award half a mark for each correct
verb.

The meeting (started) at about 2 P.m. We (decided) first of all (to set) the ground rules
for the negotiations. We (did not actually start) full negotiations until about 4 P.M. as
there (were) several proposals and counter proposals (preceding) the acceptance of the
form the discussions (should take). The management (insisted) on the workers who
(were suspended) (obeying) the verdict of the committee which (was set) up by them (to
investigate) the issue. We (countered) by (proposing) that the discussions (start) on a
clean slate. After we (had argued) for a long while it (was agreed) that the workers (go)
on suspension but (receive) half pay until a decision (was reached). As I (speak) the
matter (is still ) under consideration. While we (wait) for a final decision we (have

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 advised) your colleagues under suspension (to stay) at home. This (was done) yesterday.
We also (promised) that by this time next week we (would have concluded) discussions
with the management. If there (are) any questions you (would like) (to ask) you (may
ask) them now.

4. Identify the part of speech of the underlined words in each of the following sentences. Award
one mark for each correct answer. Note:- Candidates who attempt this question will score one
extra mark because of an error in this question.

(a) Although the student worked very hard, she could not pass the examination.
{subordinating conjunction}
(b) Alas! What shall I do? {interjection}
(c)When you enter the room you will see a table with nothing on it; put the book there.
{adverb of place}
(d) Let me know if you need my help. {verb}
(e) Extreme cold weather is creating havoc in the United States of America. {adjective}
(f) Postponing a decision, that is, deciding not to decide is not the same as indecision.
{gerund/noun/ present participle}
(g) There will be a dress rehearsal this evening. {common noun}
(h) Are Sierra Leonean soldiers among the best trained in the world? {proper adjective}
(i)I am exceedingly gratified to have the opportunity to teach such a brilliant set of
students. (adverb}
(j) He really had a strange phobia about taking tests. {abstract noun}
(l) Everyone is invited to the launching of my new book. {indefinite pronoun}

5. Candidates should correct the spelling of each of the words given and state its meaning in a
single word or phrase. More than one sentence for each word should not score.

(a) paraphernalia {apparatus; equipment} (b) lascivious {lecherous; lewd}

(c) deliquescence {process by which a substance absorbs water until it becomes a solution}
(d) polygeny {descent of man from two or more independent pairs of ancestors}
(e) acquiescence {agreement; acceptance} (f) conscientious{diligent; industrious; hard-
working}
(g) miscellaneous {various; varied; assorted} (h) liaison {collaboration; contact}
(i) mnemonics {learning technique that aids information retention}( j) odyssey - { a long
journey full of adventures}

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6. Each given sentence has at least one error and/or is poorly expressed. Candidates should
correct each sentence, producing an edited version. They should not change the meaning of the
sentence. Award two marks for each correct sentence. You may use your discretion in awarding
half marks.

(a) The new office has been allocated to Mr. Dumbuya, Mr. Alie and me.
(b) An important criterion for this scholarship is that the applicants must have
worked at the Mano River Union secretariat for ten years.
(c) The security guard could not do anything when the thief confronted him; he was
soon felled by a heavy blow.
(d) It was difficult to decide which of the two groups of participants in the training
programme was the better group.
(e) The Freetown City council has earmarked slum areas for demolition because
there is always filth in these areas.

7. Candidates must copy out the sentences, choosing the correct options in the brackets.
Underline the option which they have chosen. Award one mark for each correct sentence.

1. Foundation Studies is among the most important courses which (are) currently studied at
Fourah Bay College.
2. It is high time we (stopped) paying lip service to the fight against corruption.
3. A number of requests for postponement (have) (been) made to the organizers of the event.
4. The number of requests for postponement (have) (overwhelmed) the organizers.
5. This book is the (better) of the two books; it warns one not to have anything to do with anyone
who (has) nothing to (lose).
6. A lot of (damage) (has) (been) done to freedom of the press by the new legislation.
7. Don’t stand (in) the sun; too much (sunlight) (is) not good for you.
8. No sooner (were) the results announced (than) a riot broke out.
9. Mr. Charles Taylor denied that he (did use) child soldiers in the Liberian civil war.
10. Please allow James and (me) to leave while Madinatu and (they) continue working.