The emphasis placed on good moral conduct by the society in the past seems to have been relaxed

Analyze the question: The sentence doesn't show which word is underlined, but in the original JAMB question the underlined word is "relaxed". We need the word closest in meaning to it in this context.

Explain the concept: "Relaxed" here doesn't mean "resting" or "calm". When we say a rule, emphasis, or standard has been relaxed, we mean it has become less strict or less firm.

Step-by-step solution:

The sentence says: The emphasis placed on good moral conduct by society in the past seems to have been relaxed. In other words, society no longer insists on good conduct as firmly as before.

Now test each option:

• A. avoided: Wrong. Emphasis isn't dodged. It becomes less strong.
• B. improved: Wrong. It would not make sense to say the emphasis on morals got better. The sentence suggests a decline.
• C. weakened: Correct. "Relaxed" means made less strict or less intense, which is the same as weakened.
• D. outdated: Wrong. This means old-fashioned. It describes something that has gone out of use, not something that has lost strength.

Answer: C. weakened.

Tip: In "Nearest in meaning" questions, always put each option back into the sentence and check the context. Words like relaxed, loosened, eased, and weakened are used for rules, discipline, and standards becoming less strict.