For this question, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics. Gambling is a pernicious act.

Analyze the question: You need the word closest in meaning to pernicious in the sentence "Gambling is a pernicious act."

Explain the concept: Pernicious (adjective) means causing harm in a gradual or subtle way; harmful, destructive, or ruinous. A good way to remember it is that it comes from the Latin pernicies, meaning "destruction."

Step-by-step solution:

1. A. beneficial means helpful or good. This is the opposite of pernicious, so it is wrong.
2. B. harmless means not causing any harm. This is also the opposite, so it is wrong.
3. C. noxious means harmful, poisonous, or unpleasant. This matches pernicious closely, so it fits.
4. D. benign means gentle, kind, or not harmful. It is an antonym too, so it is wrong.

Checking the sentence: "Gambling is a harmful act" makes sense, and it is exactly the sort of warning we hear about gambling and betting addiction.

Answer: C. noxious.

Exam tip: In JAMB synonym questions, check whether options come in opposite pairs. Here, beneficial, harmless, and benign all carry a "good/safe" meaning, so they cluster together, and the odd one out (noxious) is the answer. Also remember the "ben-" prefix means "good" (as in benefit, benevolent, benign), while "mal-" means "bad."