For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the question. The students were nosing around.

Analyze the question The sentence uses the idiom "nosing around." You are asked to choose the option that best explains its meaning.

Explain the concept "Nose around" (or "nose about") is a phrasal verb meaning to look around a place, or search, in an inquisitive or prying way. The person is trying to find out information or discover something, often something that is not their business. The word comes from the image of an animal sniffing about with its nose.

Solution: checking each option

• A. They were roaming about. "Roaming" means moving about aimlessly. It describes movement but not the curious or investigative purpose that "nosing" suggests. Not the best fit.
• B. They were searching for information. This matches the idiom. Nosing around means snooping or looking about to find out something. This is the best fit.
• C. They were playing around. "Playing around" suggests fun or idleness, which is unrelated to being inquisitive.
• D. They were disseminating information. "Disseminating" means spreading information, which is the opposite of looking for it.

Answer

Tip For idiom questions, picture the literal image. A nose sniffs to find something out, so "nosing around" means inquisitive searching. Also watch for opposites like "disseminating" (spreading) versus "searching" (seeking), which JAMB likes to use as distractors.