These policies have been [espoused] by the ruling party

Analyze the question: You need the word closest in meaning to "espoused" in the sentence: "These policies have been espoused by the ruling party."

Explain the concept: To espouse a cause, belief, or policy means to adopt it or support it publicly. It comes from an old word meaning "to marry", so you can think of it as "committing yourself to" an idea.

Solution:

• A. condemned: means to criticize strongly. This is the opposite of espoused, so it is wrong.
• B. rejected: means to refuse or turn down. This is also the opposite, so it is wrong.
• C. supported: means to back or champion. This matches "espoused" and fits the sentence: "These policies have been supported by the ruling party."
• D. outlined: means to describe in brief. A party can outline policies without backing them, so this does not capture the idea of adopting or embracing them.

Answer: C. supported

Tip: Link espouse with spouse. You "marry" the idea, so you embrace it and support it. In JAMB "nearest in meaning" questions, first decide whether the word is positive or negative. That alone often eliminates two options, as it did here with A and B.