Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination · Use of English

Lexis, Structure, Concord and Idioms

35 practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.

Practise Lexis, Structure, Concord and Idioms now

Random questions from this topic, one at a time. You see the answer and the explanation straight after each one.

All 35 questions

  1. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    Neither the principal nor the teachers _____ present at the inter-house sports briefing yesterday.
  2. Choose the option that best completes the sentence:

    The investigative panel has submitted _____ final audit report to the ministry.
  3. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    Either the class prefect or the course representatives _____ responsible for distributing the syllabus booklets.
  4. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    The state governor, together with five cabinet commissioners, _____ the newly constructed bypass yesterday.
  5. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    Many a student _____ the significance of continuous assessment tests until the final semester.
  6. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    He is one of the distinguished petroleum engineers who _____ contributed to the national pipeline integrity standard.
  7. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    One of the newly commissioned agricultural tractors _____ already broken down in the central field.
  8. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence in the subjunctive mood:

    The disciplinary committee recommended that the suspended student _____ a formal letter of apology.
  9. Choose the option that correctly completes the conditional sentence:

    If the commercial driver had obeyed the speed limit, the fatal road collision _____ averted.
  10. Choose the option that correctly completes the inverted sentence:

    Hardly _____ when a sudden torrential downpour flooded the marketplace.
  11. Choose the option that correctly completes the correlative sentence:

    No sooner had the invigilator distributed the examination scripts _____ the power generator shut down.
  12. Select the correct question tag to complete the sentence:

    The university bursar rarely grants unauthorized financial waivers, _____?
  13. Select the correct question tag to complete the sentence:

    Let us review the experimental chemistry data before submitting the lab report, _____?
  14. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The faculty dean congratulated the young researcher _____ her groundbreaking publication in an international journal.
  15. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    Public servants are required by the code of conduct to abide _____ the official decisions of the civil service commission.
  16. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The medical council confirmed that vaccinated individuals are largely immune _____ that strain of viral infection.
  17. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    The striking labor union resolved to _____ the nationwide industrial action after reaching an accord with the federal negotiating team.
  18. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    I cannot understand how the department head manages to _____ such disruptive behavior from senior research associates.
  19. Choose the word NEAREST in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The auditor gave a CANDID appraisal of the financial discrepancies uncovered in the departmental accounts.
  20. Choose the word NEAREST in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The forensic analyst conducted a METICULOUS examination of the digital transaction logs.
  21. Choose the word NEAREST in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The glory of seasonal political popularity is often EPHEMERAL in nature.
  22. Choose the word NEAREST in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The spokesperson was criticized for delivering a GARRULOUS briefing that obscured the key policy changes.
  23. Choose the word NEAREST in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The foreign minister condemned the neighbor state's BELLICOSE rhetoric during the boundary negotiations.
  24. Choose the word OPPOSITE in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The governor was criticized for his APATHETIC attitude toward the plight of displaced riverine flood victims.
  25. Choose the word OPPOSITE in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The founder was known to be PARSIMONIOUS in funding student welfare initiatives.
  26. Choose the word OPPOSITE in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The physics professor's explanation of quantum entanglement was remarkably LUCID.
  27. Choose the word OPPOSITE in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The retired military officer remained TACITURN throughout the televised panel interview.
  28. Choose the word OPPOSITE in meaning to the capitalized word:

    The young commander's AUDACIOUS strategy in the mountain gorge caught the enemy unawares.
  29. Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the capitalized idiom:

    To pass the competitive matriculation examination, Ibrahim had to BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL for several months.
  30. Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the capitalized idiom:

    The junior clerk accidentally LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG regarding the confidential promotion list.
  31. Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the capitalized idiom:

    Experienced political observers advised the public to TAKE THE CAMPAIGN PROMISES WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.
  32. Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the capitalized idiom:

    The building contractor was penalized for CUTTING CORNERS during the stadium renovation project.
  33. Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the capitalized idiom:

    The defense counsel's closing statement HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD regarding the prosecution's lack of evidence.
  34. Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the capitalized idiom:

    Faced with escalating company debts, the executive board had to BITE THE BULLET and reduce staff salaries.
  35. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence:

    Neither of the two candidates who contested the student union presidential election _____ up to the expected leadership standard.

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