JAMB 2012 English Language · Question 26

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

Question

Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase in. We must not foreclose reconciliation as the purpose of his trip

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

A.exclude
B.consider
C.underestimate
D.forgo

Answer: A. exclude

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined word is "foreclose" in the sentence: "We must not foreclose reconciliation as the purpose of his trip."

Explain the concept: "Foreclose" means to rule out, prevent, or shut out something in advance. For example, "to foreclose an option" means to make it impossible or to exclude it from consideration. (In finance, it also means to take possession of a mortgaged property, but that doesn't fit here.)

Step-by-step solution:

Put the meaning into the sentence: "We must not rule out reconciliation as the purpose of his trip."
This makes sense: we should not dismiss the possibility that he travelled in order to reconcile.
Check the options: • A. exclude: matches "rule out/shut out." It fits. • B. consider: this is the opposite. Reading it in, "We must not consider reconciliation" changes the meaning. • C. underestimate: means to undervalue, which is not the same as ruling out. • D. forgo: means to give up or do without. It sounds close, but we are not giving up reconciliation, we are dismissing it as a possible purpose. Forgo does not fit the sense of ruling out a possibility.

Answer: The closest meaning is **A.

Tip: The prefix fore- in "foreclose" suggests "in advance," and close suggests "shut." So foreclose = shut out beforehand. When you see "foreclose" in a sentence about possibilities, think "exclude or rule out."

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