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 "Even after his explanations, I was none the ___." This tests your knowledge of an idiom: "none the + comparative adjective."

Explain the concept The idiom "none the wiser" means still not understanding something, even after being told or shown. It is always followed by the comparative form (wiser), not the positive (wise) or the superlative (wisest).

Similar patterns:

• "He took the drug but felt none the better."
• "She apologised, but I was none the happier."

Solution, step by step

1. "None the ___" requires a comparative adjective, which is usually formed with -er or more.
2. B. wise is the base form, so it does not fit the pattern.
3. C. wisest is the superlative, which is used for three or more things and does not fit here.
4. D. worse is a comparative, but "none the worse" means not harmed or damaged by something. It does not fit the idea of explanations failing to make things clear.
5. A. wiser is the comparative and gives the right idiom: "I was none the wiser", meaning I still did not understand despite his explanations.

Correct answer: A. wiser

Exam tip Whenever you see "none the ___", think of a comparative word. Memorize the two common idioms:

• none the wiser = still doesn't understand
• none the worse = not harmed

Idiom questions like this appear often in WASSCE, JAMB and NECO "Lexis and Structure" sections, so learn them as fixed phrases.