From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each…

Analyze the question: The sentence is "We arrived just ___ time for the formal opening." We need the word that completes the phrase correctly.

Explain the concept: English has two similar-looking expressions:

• in time (for) means early enough, not late. Example: "She arrived in time for the meeting," meaning she was not late.
• on time means punctual, exactly at the scheduled time.

The word "just" strengthens the meaning: "just in time" means barely early enough, with little time to spare.

Solution:

• A. in: "just in time for the formal opening" is a standard, correct idiom. ✔
• B. after: "just after time" makes no sense.
• C. before: "just before time" is not an idiom. You would say "just before the opening."
• D. at: "just at time" is ungrammatical. You would say "at the time" or "on time."

The sentence becomes: "We arrived just in time for the formal opening." This means we got there with only a little time left before the ceremony began.

Answer: A. in

Exam tip: Remember the pair "in time" = early enough and "on time" = punctual. When you see "just" before "time," think of the idiom "just in time." It appears often in WASSCE and JAMB lexis and structure questions.