JAMB 2016 English Language · Question 41
For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the question. The retired army officer did a yeoman's service to the nation
Options
- A.His activity brought disrepute to the nation
- B.His service to the nation was not exemplary
- C.He was showered with the responsibilty of the yeoman
- D.He was very loyal to the nation
Answer: D. He was very loyal to the nation
Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key
Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence uses the idiom "a yeoman's service". We need the option that best explains what it means.
Step 2: Explain the concept A "yeoman" was historically a loyal, hardworking attendant or small landowner who served faithfully. So "yeoman's service" (or "yeoman service") means excellent, valuable, loyal and diligent work or service, usually done in a difficult or demanding situation.
Examples:
- "The old generator did yeoman service during the blackout." (It worked very hard and reliably.)
- "The teacher did yeoman service to the school." (She worked faithfully and effectively.)
Step 3: Evaluate the options
- A. His activity brought disrepute to the nation. Wrong. "Yeoman's service" is praise, not criticism.
- B. His service to the nation was not exemplary. Wrong. This is the opposite of the idiom's meaning, because the service was excellent.
- C. He was showered with the responsibility of the yeoman. Wrong. This misreads the idiom literally, and it says nothing about the quality of his service.
- D. He was very loyal to the nation. Best fit. It captures the ideas of faithful, dedicated and valuable service.
Step 4: Answer My own working agrees with it.
Tip: For idiom questions, first decide whether the phrase is positive or negative. "Yeoman's service" is positive, so you can eliminate A and B immediately. Then pick the option that suggests faithfulness or dedication.
AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.
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