JAMB 2019 English Language · Question 167
Choose the correct interpretations of the statement given, for questions below America is the Mecca of the world
Options
- A.America is the commercial garden of the world
- B.America is a beautiful place in the world
- C.America is a place where people like to visit
- D.America accepts assorted races throughout the world
Answer: C. America is a place where people like to visit
Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key
Analyze the question: You are asked to interpret the statement "America is the Mecca of the world." This is a figure of speech (a metaphor/allusion), so you need to identify what "Mecca" stands for here.
Explain the concept: Mecca is the holy city in Saudi Arabia that millions of Muslims travel to every year on pilgrimage. When "Mecca" is used figuratively (with a small "m"), it means a place that many people are strongly drawn to, a centre of attraction that people long to visit or go to because of what it offers. For example: "Lagos is the Mecca of job seekers," or "Hollywood is the Mecca of film makers."
Solution, step by step:
- Identify the figure of speech: "America is the Mecca" is a metaphor/allusion that compares America to Mecca.
- Recall what Mecca is known for: a place people are drawn to and travel to in large numbers.
- Apply it to America: America is seen as a destination that attracts people from all over the world.
- Check the options: • A. Commercial garden of the world: "Garden" has nothing to do with the meaning of Mecca. Wrong. • B. A beautiful place: Mecca as a figure of speech is about attraction, not beauty. Wrong. • C. A place where people like to visit: This captures the idea of a place that draws people to it. Best fit. • D. Accepts assorted races: This is about diversity or a "melting pot," not the meaning of Mecca. Wrong.
Answer: C. America is a place where people like to visit.
Tip: For questions on "the Mecca of...", think "a centre of attraction that people flock to." Also watch for similar expressions like "a Utopia" (an ideal place) or "an Eldorado" (a place of great wealth). Learn the allusion, then match it to the option closest in meaning.
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