JAMB 2017 English Language · Question 14

Tayo opted to remain in Nigeria because he had a duty to serve his

Options

  1. A.students
  2. B.wife
  3. C.friends
  4. D.brothers

Answer: A. students

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

The sentence is: "Tayo opted to remain in Nigeria because he had a duty to serve his __." We need to find the word that best completes it. The question gives no passage or context, so we rely on meaning and idiom.

Explain the concept

In English, the verb serve followed by a noun of duty usually works best with a collective or public idea (for example, serve his country, serve his people). The sentence also refers to remaining in Nigeria, which points to a duty owed to a group of people, not to an individual relative.

Work through the options

  • A. students: Serving students is a professional duty, as with a teacher or lecturer. It fits the idea of staying in the country to carry out one's work, so it is plausible.
  • B. wife: A duty to a wife is more naturally "care for" or "support," and "serve his wife" sounds odd.
  • C. friends: Friendship is not a formal duty to "serve."
  • D. brothers: "Serve his brothers" is possible, but it is less natural and less tied to a formal obligation.

Honest note

This question has no passage and no grammatical clue that rules out the other options. Several choices are grammatically correct, so the answer depends on which one is the most natural fit. Among the choices, students best matches the idea of a duty or professional responsibility that would justify staying in Nigeria.

Answer: A. students

Exam tip

When a JAMB "fill in the blank" question has no clear grammar clue, look for the option that matches the tone of the key words, here duty and serve. Choose the one that suggests a formal responsibility, and eliminate options that sound personal or casual.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.

Past questions © the examination body (JAMB/WAEC/NECO). DeeepSolve is not affiliated with them. Rights holders: see /copyright.