While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: • Abdulrazak Gurnah was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature. • Gurnah was born in Zanzibar in East Africa and currently lives in the United Kingdom. • Many readers have singled out Gurnah’s 1994 book Paradise for praise. • Paradise is a historical novel about events that occurred in colonial East Africa. The student wants to introduce Paradise to an audience unfamiliar with the novel and its author. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A) Abdulrazak Gurnah, who wrote Paradise and later was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, was born in Zanzibar in East Africa and currently lives in the United Kingdom.
• B) Many readers have singled out Abdulrazak Gurnah
• C) A much-praised historical novel about colonial East Africa, Paradise (1994) was written by Abdulrazak Gurnah, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.
• D) Paradise is a historical novel about events that occurred in colonial East Africa, Abdulrazak Gurnah

Band[a]ge

• A. cacophony
• B. cage
• C. says
• D. kite

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

gang

• A. gene
• B. gist
• C. tag
• D. merge

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) whichbest fills(s) the gap(s): .... his uncle helped him or not, he would still not be able to do it

• A. although
• B. if
• C. whether
• D. since

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word. Our teacher described Agbo's story as aphantom?

• A. scary
• B. realistic
• C. fanciful
• D. interesting

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

The policeman's statement was explicit while that of the suspect was.........

• A. vague
• B. suspicious
• C. illogical
• D. wicked

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

He ran _____ that the defenders couldn't catch up with him.

• A. very fast
• B. much faster
• C. so faster
• D. so fast

Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; Thetraffic situation in Lagos can lead to disastrous consequences; a man lost a very lucrative job because he was held up by it

• A. confused
• B. delayed
• C. annoyed
• D. intrigued

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

The new bakery will ....one thousand loaves of bread daily

• A. turn over
• B. turn out
• C. turn up
• D. turn in

SECTION B: COMPREHENSION

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

Alani was the seventh child of his family. When he was growing up, there was scarcely enough to go round. His mother was a petty trader while his father worked as a clerk in one of the ministries. But Alani was an intelligent child and performed brilliantly at school. This endeared him to his teachers. He represented the school at all competitions and won many laurels, While he was in Basic Six, he won a scholarship to study at any school of his choice to university level. The future was indeed bright for him. However, having to constantly struggle with his siblings for the little sustenance provided by

their parents turned him into an aggressive child.

After graduation, Alani got a job with a reputable accounting firm. He travelled far and wide and was trained extensively. He rose through the ranks and became one of the top executives. After a while, he decided to establish his own firm. His firm flourished because of his hard work, dedication and the huge amount of money and time he invested in the venture. After just a few years, the firm became a household name. However, things took a bad turn. Alani's success went to his head. He became pompous. He would get angry at the slightest provocation. He refused to take the advice of his employees, considering them all beneath him. Even when his workers had good suggestions for improvement, he would not listen. Often times, he would treat even his clients shabbily. He began to lose clients one by one and his profits dwindled. His firm was on the rocks and he started to blame his employees for the downturn in his business. He became suspici6us of every move made and action taken by his workers. Soon, Alani became a bitter man. He lost the respect of his workers because he often quarrelled with them.

However, Alani's secretary, who was his pioneer staff, did not give up on him. She tried to talk to him and refused to resign when other members of staff were putting in their letters. When five of his workers resigned on the same day, that decided it! He realized that he just had to turn his life around.

He went for counselling and began to turn over a new leaf. It was during one of the counselling sessions that he met a business mogul. They got talking and the man was impressed with Alani's knowledge and expertise. They formed a partnership and Alani's business began to grow again. Alani had leant a useful lesson: those who are endowed with success should nurture it with humility.

(e) What incident made Alani have a rethink?