Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase…

Analyze the question

The sentence is: "Every human being is vulnerable to communicable diseases." You need the option closest in meaning to vulnerable.

Explain the concept

Vulnerable means open to harm, attack, or danger; easily affected or susceptible. If someone is vulnerable to a disease, they can easily catch it or be harmed by it.

Solution: check each option

• A. liable: In this context, liable means likely to be affected by something or prone to it (e.g., "liable to catch cold"). This is close to susceptible, so it fits.
• B. lifted: This means raised up. It has no connection to the meaning.
• C. immuned: This means protected against disease. It is the opposite of vulnerable, so it is a trap option.
• D. close: This is unrelated in meaning. It does not express exposure to harm.

Answer

The word nearest in meaning to vulnerable is liable, which is option A.

Tip

Watch for opposites among the options. JAMB often includes an antonym (here, "immuned") to catch students who rush. Link vulnerable with susceptible, prone, exposed, and liable. If you can remember these as one family, you will be able to answer similar questions quickly.