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

mood

• A. took
• B. look
• C. moon
• D. mode

In the question below, fill the gap with the most appropriate option: The army ran short of ....

• A. arm and ammunitions
• B. arms and ammunitions
• C. arms and ammunition
• D. arm and ammunition

After the sentence, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for the sentence.

The peace meeting nipped the crisis in the bud. This means that

• A. the crisis was averted
• B. the peace meeting was deadlocked
• C. members disagreed on who should receive the flower pot
• D. the crisis escalated despite the peace meeting

In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) whichbest fills the gap(s): My boss is usually a charming man but ... he can be very irritable.

• A. atimes
• B. at times
• C. those times
• D. with times

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s). They boy is tooindolent to do well at school?

• A. intelligent
• B. industrious
• C. inactive
• D. slothful

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

The manager wanted to study the document..............the background of the latest development

• A. against
• B. with
• C. in
• D. over

Choose the option that best fills the gap. My --------------------- is for you to refuse the -------------- of the wicked

• A. advise/advice
• B. advice/advice
• C. advice/advise
• D. advise/advise

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s).

The Executive Secretary has justassumed office?

• A. resumed work
• B. started work
• C. returned
• D. been sworn in

There was a terrible storm in your town during which houses were destroyed. Your family house was among those affected. Write a letter to your uncle working overseas describing the disaster and requesting for his help in reconstructing the house.

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.

(d) What was ironical in Alani's blaming his employees for the downturn in his business?