1990 - JAMB English Past Questions and Answers - page 8

71
This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.
This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’ Books are different from other goods because
A
customers for the book trade are much restricted
B
books are not manufactured but printed
C
one cannot tell so easily which books will prove saleable
D
books can be kept in stock much longer than other goods
correct option: c
Users' Answers & Comments
72
In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
The man who had been seriously ill was convalescing at a sea-side resort
A
regaining health
B
deteriorating in health
C
recuperating
D
relaxing
correct option: b
Users' Answers & Comments
73
This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.
This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’ The problem of selection in the book trade involves
A
holding a stock large enough for the public to choose from
B
determing which books will sell fast
C
being a sales representative of large publishing houses
D
being able to review the lastest publications
correct option: b
Users' Answers & Comments
74
In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:For millions years, the worlds's resources have remained boundless
A
unlimited
B
scarce
C
indomitable
D
limited
correct option: d
Users' Answers & Comments
75
This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.
This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’ How many solutions to the bookseller's problems are offered in this passage?
A
two
B
three
C
four
D
five
correct option: b
Users' Answers & Comments
76
In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
It seems fashionable, in some quaters today to decry examinations and the ability to pass them
A
extol
B
abuse
C
entreat
D
discourage
correct option: a
Users' Answers & Comments
77
This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.
This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’ Of the solutions proposed for the bookseller's problems, how many are actually positive?
A
two
B
three
C
four
D
none
correct option: d
Users' Answers & Comments
78
In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
Ogedebge was an Intrepid fighter for human freedom and dignity
A
timid
B
half-hearted
C
fearless
D
undaunted
correct option: a
Users' Answers & Comments
79
This passage sums up the problems peculiar to the book trade make it different from any other trade-the problem of selection and the problem of sticking. How is the bookseller to tell what, in an enormous output, will prove sale-able before the full weight of unsold items affects the balance of his business and how is he at the same time to hold a stock large enough to enable the public to choose freely? He may seek to escape from this dilemma by becoming the passive sales representative of large publishing houses or distribution networks but he is then no longer a book seller. He may take refuge in the sale of items to a restricted circle of customers but he thereby cuts himself of from all that is vital in his trade and dooms himself to mediocrity and stagnation. On the other hand, he may protect his business from the danger of idle stock by speculating on the latest publication but this is a dangerous game in that it implies a constantly changing clientele: readers remain faithful to their own discoveries and failure to follow up a book an author or a type of literature means dismissing the public responsible for their success.
This brings us back to the fact that books are indefinable. The story is told of a certain country with a great many generals where it was decided to present a rare and valuable edition of an old book to a general about to retire. The old soldier looked at the volume and remarked, ‘A book? What’s the point? I’ve already got one!’ The story of the old soldier and a book in the passage is an illustration of the point that
A
the general had already got a book
B
a book is of interest only to those to whom that book means something
C
soldiers do not like the book trade because a book is enough for a general
D
booksellers face a real dilemma because of a constantly changing clientele
correct option: d
Users' Answers & Comments
80
In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:The difference between the experimental procedure was imperceptible to me
A
negligible
B
significant
C
obvious
D
obscure
correct option: c
Users' Answers & Comments
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