JAMB 2018 English Language · Question 25

The answers to the questions were discussed … the students

Question

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. The answers to the questions were discussed ____________ the students

A.between
B.by
C.for
D.to

Answer: B. by

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question The sentence is: "The answers to the questions were discussed ____ the students." We need the preposition that fits the passive verb "were discussed."

Explain the concept In a passive sentence, the doer of the action (the agent) is introduced by "by." The active version would be "The students discussed the answers to the questions." When we turn this into the passive, the subject (the students) moves to the end and takes "by": "The answers to the questions were discussed by the students."

Check each option

A. between: "Between" is used for two parties (e.g., "a discussion between the two students"). It does not work with a passive verb and a group, and it is awkward here.
B. by: It introduces the agent in a passive sentence. ✔
C. for: This would mean the discussion was done on behalf of the students, which is not the intended meaning.
D. to: "Discussed to the students" is incorrect. "Discuss" takes a direct object and no "to." (Compare: "explained to the students" is fine, but "discussed to" is not.)

Answer The correct option is B. by.

Tip When you see a verb in the passive form (was/were + past participle), look for "by" to show who performed the action. Also remember that "discuss" is never followed directly by "about" or "to." We say "discuss something," not "discuss about something."

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