JAMB 2022 English Language · Question 44

It is wise not to depend on mundane things.

Question

From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word. It is wise not to depend on mundane things.

In the original paper part of this question is underlined. The underline isn't shown here: see the explanation below.

A.imported
B.material
C.attractive
D.expensive

Answer: B. material

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

You are asked to find the word closest in meaning to "mundane" in the sentence: "It is wise not to depend on mundane things."

Explain the concept

"Mundane" has two common meanings:

Dull, ordinary, routine (e.g., a mundane task)
Of this world, earthly, worldly as opposed to spiritual or heavenly (from Latin mundus, meaning "world")

The context matters. Advice about not depending on mundane things points to the second meaning: worldly or earthly possessions and concerns, as opposed to spiritual ones.

Solution

Let's test each option:

A. imported - means brought in from another country. It has nothing to do with "mundane."
B. material - relates to physical, worldly things (as opposed to spiritual). This fits the "worldly, earthly" sense of mundane.
C. attractive - means pleasing to look at. It does not match.
D. expensive - means costly. "Mundane" does not mean this.

Replacing the word: "It is wise not to depend on material things." This makes good sense, and it is a common moral statement.

Answer

The correct option is B. material.

Note that "dull" or "ordinary" is the other meaning of mundane, but it is not among the options, so the "worldly/material" sense is the intended one.

Exam tip

Link mundane to "mundus" = world. Whenever you see mundane, think worldly. Similar words: terrestrial, earthly, secular, temporal. Also remember the dull/routine meaning, because the question context decides which one is being tested.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.