JAMB 2011 English Language · Question 10

The old woman is suffering from dementia?

Question

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s). The old woman is suffering from dementia?

In the original paper part of this question is underlined. The underline isn't shown here: see the explanation below.

A.lucidity
B.senility
C.insanity
D.sagacity

Answer: B. senility

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

1. Analyze the question You are asked to find the word closest in meaning to dementia. The sentence is about an old woman suffering from it.

2. Explain the concept Dementia is a medical condition, common in older people, in which a person gradually loses memory, reasoning and mental ability. It is a decline of the mind linked to ageing or brain disease.

3. Go through the options

A. lucidity: this means clear-mindedness, the opposite of dementia. ❌
B. senility: this means mental and physical decline caused by old age, including memory loss and confusion. It is the closest in meaning, especially since the sentence mentions an old woman. ✔
C. insanity: this means severe mental illness or madness. It is related, but it is not specifically about age-related decline. Dementia is not the same as being "mad". ❌
D. sagacity: this means wisdom or sound judgement, which is also the opposite. ❌

4. Answer The best answer is B. senility.

5. Exam tip Always check for antonyms among the options. Here, lucidity and sagacity are both opposites, and JAMB often includes them as traps. When two options seem close (senility and insanity), use the context clue in the sentence. "Old woman" points to senility.

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