We must not [foreclose] reconciliation as the purpose of his trip

Step 1: Analyze the question You need the word closest in meaning to "foreclose" in the sentence: "We must not foreclose reconciliation as the purpose of his trip."

Step 2: Explain the concept "Foreclose" means to rule out, shut out, or prevent something in advance. It comes from the idea of "closing off" an option before it can happen. In everyday use, to foreclose a possibility means to make it impossible or to exclude it from consideration.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. exclude: To shut out or rule out. The sentence reads "We must not exclude reconciliation as the purpose of his trip", which means we must not rule it out. This fits perfectly.
• B. consider: This is the opposite. The sentence says we must not rule something out, not that we must not think about it.
• C. underestimate: This means to judge something as less important than it is. It does not match the idea of closing off an option.
• D. forgo: This means to give up or do without. It is close in feel, but it describes giving up something you already have or could take. "Forgo reconciliation" would mean to give up on reconciliation, which changes the sense. "Foreclose" is about ruling out a possibility, and "exclude" matches that exactly.

Step 4: Answer "Foreclose" is nearest in meaning to exclude, so the answer is A.

Exam tip: Break the word into parts. "Fore-" means before or in advance, and "close" means shut. So "foreclose" means to shut out in advance. The word often appears in the phrase "foreclose a possibility/option", which means to rule it out. Also be careful with "forgo" (give up) and "forego" (go before), because JAMB likes to test similar-looking words.