JAMB 2014 English Language · Question 69
The woman refused to testify … her husband.
Question
Choose the option that best complete the gap. The woman refused to testify ______ her husband.
- A.From.
- B.In.
- C.At.
- D.Against.
Answer: D. Against.
Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key
Analyze the question: We need the preposition that correctly completes "refused to testify __ her husband." This tests prepositions that collocate with the verb testify.
Explain the concept: The verb testify takes different prepositions depending on meaning:
- testify against someone means to give evidence that harms them or supports a case against them.
- testify for someone means to give evidence in their favour.
- testify to something means to confirm or bear witness to a fact.
Solution:
- A. testify from is not a standard collocation.
- B. testify in is used with a place or case, as in "testify in court", but it doesn't fit before "her husband".
- C. testify at is used with an event or place, as in "testify at the trial", not before a person.
- D. testify against her husband is correct, because it is the natural phrase for giving evidence to the disadvantage of a person in court.
The sentence reads: "The woman refused to testify against her husband." This makes sense because many people are reluctant to give evidence that could harm a spouse.
Answer: D. Against
Tip: For prepositions after verbs, memorise common pairs. For courtroom language, remember testify against (to harm), testify for (to help) and testify in court (location). If the object is a person, think against or for.
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