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GCE O/L English Language study materials
GCE O/L English Language study resources

GCE O/L English Language practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read this sentence: 'Although the rain had stopped, the field remained too muddy for play.' What is the function of the word 'Although' in the sentence?

  1. It signals that the second idea is a consequence of the first.
  2. It lists two events that happened at exactly the same time.
  3. It adds a second reason for the same result.
  4. It introduces a contrast between two ideas. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Although' is a subordinating conjunction that concedes one point before presenting a contrasting main idea. The stopping of the rain would normally allow play, but the mud prevents it, so the link is contrast, not cause or addition.

Question 2Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage states: 'The old bridge groaned under every passing cart.' Which feeling does the writer most clearly create here?

  1. That the carts are unusually light.
  2. That the bridge is a proud, modern structure.
  3. That the bridge is completely silent.
  4. That the bridge is dangerous and unstable. Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb 'groaned' and the phrase 'under every passing cart' suggest strain and weakness, which builds a sense of danger. Personification is used to make the bridge seem to suffer under weight.

Question 3Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In a passage, a character says: 'I suppose I could lend you the money - if I had any.' What does the speaker actually mean?

  1. The speaker is promising to lend the money later.
  2. The speaker is refusing in a humorous, indirect way. Correct answer.
  3. The speaker is angry that the money was lost.
  4. The speaker is asking how much money is needed.

Explanation

The conditional 'if I had any' cancels the offer, so the statement is a refusal delivered with light irony. Readers must look beyond the polite opening words to the real meaning.

Question 4Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Which word in this sentence is a pronoun? 'Maya handed the parcel to her brother before they left.'

  1. before
  2. they Correct answer.
  3. parcel
  4. handed

Explanation

A pronoun replaces a noun or noun phrase, and 'they' stands in for the people involved. 'Parcel' and 'brother' are nouns, 'before' is a preposition or conjunction here, and 'handed' is a verb.

Question 5Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A text says: 'The festival, which began in 1892, now attracts visitors from four continents.' What does the sentence tell you about the festival's history?

  1. It has always attracted international visitors.
  2. It started in the current year.
  3. It was cancelled for many years.
  4. It has been running for well over a century. Correct answer.

Explanation

The relative clause gives the start date 1892, which is more than a hundred years before the present. The phrase 'now attracts' shows international interest is a later development, not an original feature.

Question 6Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The instructions were clear. Nobody followed them.' What is the effect of placing these two short sentences side by side?

  1. It explains the steps of the instructions.
  2. It highlights the contradiction between clarity and behaviour. Correct answer.
  3. It describes how many people took part.
  4. It shows that the instructions were badly written.

Explanation

The juxtaposition sets two facts in sharp opposition, so the reader notices the irony that clear instructions were ignored. Short parallel sentences often carry this emphatic, contrastive effect.

Question 7Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage describes a market: 'Vendors called out prices, children darted between stalls, and the smell of frying onions hung in the air.' Which sense is NOT appealed to in this description?

  1. Smell
  2. Sight
  3. Hearing
  4. Taste Correct answer.

Explanation

The reader hears the calls, sees the children darting, and smells the onions, but no flavour is described. Sensory detail works by engaging specific senses, and taste is absent here.

Question 8Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In the sentence 'The committee reached its decision quickly', what is the grammatical subject?

  1. its decision
  2. The committee Correct answer.
  3. reached
  4. quickly

Explanation

The subject is the noun phrase that performs the verb 'reached', namely 'The committee'. 'Its decision' is the object, 'quickly' is an adverb, and 'reached' is the verb.

Question 9Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage says: 'The scientist's results were surprising; her colleagues had expected the opposite outcome.' What can you infer about the colleagues?

  1. They had not read her results.
  2. They had formed a prediction that proved wrong. Correct answer.
  3. They had already repeated her experiment.
  4. They disagreed with her methods.

Explanation

The word 'expected' shows the colleagues held a prior prediction, and 'the opposite outcome' shows the results contradicted it. Inference here rests on linking the expectation to the surprising result.

Question 10Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Which option best summarises the main idea of this short paragraph? 'Many towns plant trees along busy roads. The trees cool the air, absorb noise and trap dust. Residents report that these streets feel calmer and more pleasant.'

  1. Trees should only be planted on quiet roads.
  2. Residents dislike the dust from busy roads.
  3. Street trees bring environmental and social benefits to towns. Correct answer.
  4. Cooling the air is the only reason for planting trees.

Explanation

A main-idea summary must cover the whole paragraph, not one detail. The passage lists environmental effects (cooling, noise, dust) and social effects (calmer streets), so the combined benefits statement is the best fit.

Question 11Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'Had the train been on time, we would have caught the ferry.' What do we learn about what actually happened?

  1. The train was late and the ferry was missed. Correct answer.
  2. The train was late but the ferry was still caught.
  3. The train was on time and the ferry was caught.
  4. The ferry left early and the train waited.

Explanation

This is a past unreal conditional, which describes a situation that did not occur. The implied reality is the opposite of the condition: the train was not on time, so the ferry was not caught.

Question 12Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A writer says: 'The new library is impressive, though the opening hours are inconvenient.' What is the writer's attitude towards the library?

  1. Entirely enthusiastic.
  2. Broadly positive but with a specific reservation. Correct answer.
  3. Indifferent and uninterested.
  4. Completely negative.

Explanation

'Impressive' carries praise, while 'though' introduces a limiting point about hours. The overall stance is therefore favourable with a noted drawback, which is a balanced evaluative tone.

Question 13Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In the sentence 'The path, worn smooth by generations of walkers, curved towards the sea', what is the effect of the words between the commas?

  1. They give the main action of the sentence.
  2. They show the writer is quoting someone.
  3. They correct a mistake in the sentence.
  4. They add descriptive information about the path without breaking the sentence. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase is a non-defining participial insertion that adds detail about the path. Commas mark it as extra information, and the main clause still stands without it.

Question 14Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage says: 'Unlike her brother, who chattered constantly, Amara rarely spoke unless asked a direct question.' What contrast is being drawn?

  1. A difference in where the siblings live.
  2. A difference in how much each sibling talks. Correct answer.
  3. A difference in the siblings' school results.
  4. A difference in the siblings' ages.

Explanation

'Unlike' sets up a comparison, and the two clauses contrast constant chatter with speaking only when questioned. The contrast is therefore about talkativeness.

Question 15Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Which option correctly identifies the purpose of the sentence 'Bring a waterproof jacket, sturdy boots and a torch' in a walker's guide?

  1. To describe what the writer once wore.
  2. To persuade the reader to avoid walking.
  3. To explain why the weather changes.
  4. To instruct the reader to prepare specific equipment. Correct answer.

Explanation

Imperative verbs such as 'Bring' signal instruction, and the list names required items. Purpose questions ask what a sentence is doing in the text, which here is directing preparation.

Question 16Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'By the time the guests arrived, the cook had prepared everything.' Which statement about timing is correct?

  1. The preparation never happened.
  2. The preparation happened before the guests arrived. Correct answer.
  3. The preparation happened after the guests arrived.
  4. The preparation and the arrival happened at the same moment.

Explanation

The past perfect 'had prepared' marks an earlier action, while the past simple 'arrived' marks the later event. This tense pairing shows one action completed before another in the past.

Question 17Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage describes a character: 'Ravi smiled at every customer, but his eyes kept drifting to the clock.' What does this detail suggest?

  1. He is worried about the weather.
  2. He cannot read the time.
  3. He is polite by habit but eager for the day to end. Correct answer.
  4. He is genuinely fond of every customer.

Explanation

The smile shows outward politeness, while the drifting eyes reveal an inner wish for the shift to finish. Such details create a gap between appearance and true feeling.

Question 18Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Which option best explains why a writer might begin a passage with the sentence 'Nobody expected the letter to arrive'?

  1. To prove the postal service is unreliable.
  2. To create curiosity about the letter and its contents. Correct answer.
  3. To summarise the whole passage in advance.
  4. To introduce a list of addresses.

Explanation

An opening that stresses surprise raises a question in the reader's mind: what was the letter and why was it unexpected? This is a hook designed to sustain interest.

Question 19Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In the sentence 'The results, however, were disappointing', what does the word 'however' do?

  1. It introduces an example of the results.
  2. It adds another similar point to the previous sentence.
  3. It signals that the results contrast with what came before. Correct answer.
  4. It gives the cause of the results.

Explanation

'However' is a conjunctive adverb marking contrast, so it tells the reader the new information opposes the previous expectation. It does not express cause, addition or example.

Question 20Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The village had changed little in fifty years, yet the returning traveller found it unrecognisable.' What is the most likely explanation for the traveller's reaction?

  1. The traveller had lost the ability to see clearly.
  2. The traveller had never visited the village before.
  3. The village had been completely rebuilt.
  4. The traveller's own perspective had changed over time. Correct answer.

Explanation

The text explicitly says the village changed little, so the sense of unfamiliarity must come from the traveller. A returning traveller who has changed may perceive the same place differently.

Question 21Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage contains: 'She was not unkind, exactly; she simply preferred her own company.' How does the writer qualify the description of the character?

  1. By describing her as extremely sociable.
  2. By avoiding any judgement at all.
  3. By stating that she was cruel to others.
  4. By softening a negative impression with a milder explanation. Correct answer.

Explanation

The double negative 'not unkind' avoids outright criticism, and the clause after the semicolon offers a gentler reason. This hedging gives a nuanced, qualified portrait rather than a flat judgement.

Question 22Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The report's findings were described as preliminary; nevertheless, several newspapers printed them as settled fact.' What criticism does the writer imply?

  1. That the newspapers ignored the provisional nature of the findings. Correct answer.
  2. That the report should never have been written.
  3. That the findings were already fully confirmed.
  4. That newspapers should stop reporting on research.

Explanation

'Preliminary' means not yet final, and 'nevertheless' marks the contrast with newspapers treating them as settled. The implied criticism is that the press misrepresented the status of the research.

Question 23Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A paragraph moves from describing a single flooded street to discussing national flood defences. What is the effect of this shift?

  1. It widens the focus from a local example to a broader issue. Correct answer.
  2. It narrows the focus to one household.
  3. It repeats the same point in different words.
  4. It abandons the topic of flooding entirely.

Explanation

Moving from one street to national policy is a broadening structure, often used to show that a specific case illustrates a larger problem. Recognising such shifts helps readers follow an argument's development.

Question 24Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In the sentence 'Only after the last guest had left did the manager lock the doors', why is 'did' placed before 'the manager'?

  1. Because the manager is being addressed directly.
  2. Because the sentence opens with a negative-style adverbial that triggers inversion. Correct answer.
  3. Because 'did' is the main verb describing the action.
  4. Because the sentence is a question.

Explanation

When a sentence begins with a limiting adverbial such as 'Only after...', standard English inverts the subject and auxiliary. Here 'did' is an auxiliary supporting 'lock', not the main verb.

Question 25Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A writer ends a passage with: 'The lights went out one by one, and the town settled into its long winter sleep.' Which two effects are combined in this closing sentence?

  1. Humour and a sense of sudden danger.
  2. Direct speech and a question to the reader.
  3. A list of instructions and a warning.
  4. Personification and a mood of quiet finality. Correct answer.

Explanation

Giving the town a 'winter sleep' personifies it, while the fading lights and settling movement create closure. Ending images often carry mood as well as literal description.

Question 26Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage states: 'The museum's newest gallery, which opened last spring, has already attracted twice as many visitors as the old one.' Which word in this sentence introduces information that could be removed without making the sentence ungrammatical?

  1. already
  2. which Correct answer.
  3. newest
  4. twice

Explanation

A relative clause beginning with 'which' adds extra, non-essential detail about the gallery. Removing 'which opened last spring' still leaves a complete sentence, so 'which' marks the removable section. The other words are part of the main statement and cannot be cut without damaging it.

Question 27Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read this sentence from a travel article: 'The ferry, delayed by fog, limped into harbour three hours late.' Which words form the phrase that describes the ferry's condition rather than stating the main action?

  1. limped into harbour
  2. delayed by fog Correct answer.
  3. three hours late
  4. The ferry

Explanation

'Delayed by fog' is a participial phrase set off by commas; it describes the ferry but is not the main verb phrase. The main action is carried by 'limped into harbour'. Recognising such phrases helps a reader separate background detail from the central event.

Question 28Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage reads: 'The old bridge groaned under the weight of the lorry. Below, the river ran fast and brown.' What is the main purpose of the second sentence?

  1. To set the scene beneath the main subject and add atmosphere Correct answer.
  2. To explain why the lorry was crossing the bridge
  3. To give the reader a factual measurement of the river
  4. To introduce a new character into the scene

Explanation

The second sentence shifts the reader's view downwards and adds sensory detail ('fast and brown'), building atmosphere rather than advancing plot. No character, cause or measurement is given. Descriptive sentences of this kind usually create setting and mood.

Question 29Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In the sentence 'Having finished the report, Maya switched off her computer', what does the opening phrase tell the reader?

  1. That Maya had not yet started the report
  2. What Maya did after switching off the computer
  3. That someone else finished the report for her
  4. An action completed before the main action Correct answer.

Explanation

A perfect participle phrase ('Having finished...') shows an action completed before the action of the main clause. The report was finished first, then Maya switched off the computer. The subject of the phrase is understood to be the same as the subject of the main clause, Maya.

Question 30Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage says: 'The shopkeeper counted the coins twice, then counted them a third time.' What does the repetition most strongly suggest about the shopkeeper?

  1. That he was anxious about the amount being correct Correct answer.
  2. That he was in a hurry to close the shop
  3. That he had never seen coins before
  4. That he was generous with his money

Explanation

Counting the same coins repeatedly implies doubt or worry about accuracy, so the repetition signals anxiety. A reader infers character from repeated actions rather than from direct statement. The other options contradict the sense of careful checking.

Question 31Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The notice read: "Dogs must be kept on leads."' What is the purpose of this sentence within a passage about a public park?

  1. To entertain the reader with a humorous anecdote
  2. To describe the appearance of the park's animals
  3. To persuade readers to buy a dog
  4. To quote an official rule that applies in the park Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence reports the exact wording of a public notice, so it functions to state an official rule. Quoting a sign gives the reader direct evidence of park regulations. It does not amuse, describe animals' looks or sell anything.

Question 32Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In the sentence 'The children were thrilled, but their teacher looked doubtful', what does the conjunction 'but' show?

  1. An additional similar reaction
  2. A sequence of events in time
  3. A cause and its result
  4. A contrast between two reactions Correct answer.

Explanation

'But' is a coordinating conjunction that signals contrast, setting the children's excitement against the teacher's doubt. It does not express cause, addition or time order. Spotting contrast markers helps a reader track shifts in a passage.

Question 33Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage says: 'The letter lay unopened on the table for a week.' What does the word 'unopened' most strongly imply?

  1. That someone was reluctant to read it Correct answer.
  2. That the table was untidy
  3. That the letter contained good news
  4. That the letter had been lost in the post

Explanation

Leaving a letter unopened for a whole week suggests deliberate avoidance, so reluctance is the natural inference. The word itself states only that the envelope was not opened. Readers combine that detail with the length of time to infer feeling.

Question 34Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'Although the path was steep, the walkers reached the summit before noon.' Which part of the sentence concedes a difficulty?

  1. the walkers reached the summit
  2. before noon
  3. the summit
  4. Although the path was steep Correct answer.

Explanation

'Although' introduces a concessive clause, admitting a difficulty (the steep path) before the main achievement is stated. The main clause then shows the walkers succeeded despite it. Recognising concession helps readers follow an argument's structure.

Question 35Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage describes a town: 'Its streets are quiet now, but the faded signs above the doorways hint at busier days.' What does the writer suggest about the town?

  1. That the town is growing quickly
  2. That it was once more prosperous than it is today Correct answer.
  3. That it has always been quiet
  4. That the signs have recently been repainted

Explanation

'Faded signs' and 'hint at busier days' together imply a livelier, more prosperous past compared with the quiet present. The contrast word 'but' signals this shift. The writer never states the town was always quiet or is now growing.

Question 36Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The teacher's praise was sparing; a single nod could make a pupil's week.' What does this sentence suggest about the teacher?

  1. That her rare approval carried great value Correct answer.
  2. That she praised pupils constantly and loudly
  3. That she disliked all of her pupils
  4. That she never noticed her pupils' work

Explanation

'Sparing' means given rarely, and the second clause shows that even a small sign of approval mattered enormously. Together they imply that rare praise was highly valued. Constant praise or active dislike would contradict the wording.

Question 37Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage says: 'The team's plan was ambitious; the budget, however, was modest.' Which statement best captures the relationship between the two halves?

  1. The budget was ambitious and the plan was modest.
  2. The plan was large in scope while the money available was small. Correct answer.
  3. The plan and the budget were equally large.
  4. The team had no plan and no budget.

Explanation

'Ambitious' describes the plan's scope and 'modest' describes the small budget, with 'however' marking the contrast. The sentence sets a grand plan against limited funds. The other options misread which noun each adjective describes.

Question 38Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'Nobody in the village could remember a winter like it. Snow fell for nine days, and the river froze from bank to bank.' What is the effect of the first sentence?

  1. It gives precise statistics about the weather.
  2. It introduces the main character of the passage.
  3. It explains the cause of the snow.
  4. It prepares the reader for an account of an extraordinary event. Correct answer.

Explanation

The opening claim that no one could remember such a winter frames what follows as remarkable, preparing the reader for unusual events. The detail in the second sentence then supports that claim. The sentence offers no statistics, character or cause.

Question 39Reading comprehension of unseen prose

In the sentence 'The council approved the plan, which many residents had opposed', what does the relative clause 'which many residents had opposed' tell us?

  1. That the residents wrote the plan
  2. That the plan faced local objection before approval Correct answer.
  3. That the council rejected the plan
  4. That the residents approved the plan

Explanation

The relative clause adds the information that many residents had opposed the plan before the council approved it. The commas show it is extra detail about 'the plan'. It does not change the fact that approval was given.

Question 40Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage contains the sentence: 'The market was a riot of colour: pyramids of oranges, bolts of bright cloth and baskets of scarlet chillies.' What technique does the writer mainly use here?

  1. Repeating a single word for emphasis
  2. Quoting direct speech from a trader
  3. Listing vivid visual details to create a lively impression Correct answer.
  4. Asking rhetorical questions to involve the reader

Explanation

The colon introduces a list of colourful images, each with a concrete noun and a colour word. This accumulation of visual detail creates a vivid, bustling impression. There are no questions, repeated keywords or quotations in the sentence.

Question 41Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'He spoke softly, as though the walls themselves might be listening.' What does the simile suggest about the situation?

  1. That the walls were literally fitted with microphones
  2. That the room was unusually cold
  3. That he was speaking to a large audience
  4. That he feared being overheard Correct answer.

Explanation

The comparison 'as though the walls might be listening' creates an atmosphere of secrecy and suggests fear of being overheard. A simile is not literally true, so the walls are not actually listening. The quiet voice reinforces the impression of caution.

Question 42Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage says: 'The results were, to put it mildly, disappointing.' What is the effect of the phrase 'to put it mildly'?

  1. It suggests the results were actually very bad. Correct answer.
  2. It proves the results were scientifically accurate.
  3. It states that the writer refuses to comment.
  4. It shows the results were better than expected.

Explanation

'To put it mildly' is an understatement: the writer deliberately uses gentle words for something stronger. It therefore implies the results were considerably worse than 'disappointing' alone suggests. The phrase softens the wording while intensifying the meaning.

Question 43Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The library was silent, save for the whisper of turning pages.' What is the function of the phrase 'save for'?

  1. It compares the library to another building.
  2. It shows that the library was noisy.
  3. It introduces the only exception to the silence. Correct answer.
  4. It marks a change of time in the passage.

Explanation

'Save for' means 'except for', so the phrase names the one small sound in an otherwise silent room. This exception makes the silence feel more complete. It does not compare buildings, indicate noise or mark time.

Question 44Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage ends: 'She closed the gate behind her and did not look back.' What does the final detail most strongly suggest?

  1. That she was determined to leave her past behind Correct answer.
  2. That she had forgotten something at the house
  3. That she intended to return the next day
  4. That she was afraid of the dark

Explanation

Not looking back at a place one is leaving often symbolises a firm decision to move on. The detail is significant because it is chosen as the passage's ending, which usually carries weight. It does not imply forgetfulness, fear or a planned return.

Question 45Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The proposal was not without merit, but the committee found its costs hard to justify.' What is the writer's overall view of the proposal?

  1. It is perfect and needs no further discussion.
  2. It is entirely worthless and should be rejected outright.
  3. It is too cheap to be taken seriously.
  4. It has some value, yet its expense is a serious problem. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Not without merit' is a double negative meaning it has some merit, while the 'but' clause raises the problem of cost. The balanced structure presents a qualified judgement rather than outright praise or rejection. The writer acknowledges value and difficulty together.

Question 46Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'Had the council acted sooner, the flood defences would have held.' What does the sentence imply about what actually happened?

  1. The council acted early and the defences held.
  2. The defences held despite the council's delay.
  3. The council never discussed flood defences.
  4. The council acted late and the defences failed. Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the council acted...'), describing an unreal past. It means the council did not act soon enough, so the defences did not hold. The main clause with 'would have held' states the imagined result that did not occur.

Question 47Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage says: 'The scientist's caution was legendary; she would repeat an experiment before she would trust its result.' What does the semicolon do in this sentence?

  1. It replaces a question mark at the end of the sentence.
  2. It joins two closely related clauses, the second illustrating the first. Correct answer.
  3. It introduces a list of experiments.
  4. It separates a speaker's exact words from the rest.

Explanation

A semicolon links two independent clauses that are closely connected in meaning. Here the second clause gives an example that supports the claim about her caution. It does not list items, mark a question or introduce quotation.

Question 48Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The village, its lanes empty and its windows dark, seemed to be holding its breath.' Which description best explains the effect of the phrase 'holding its breath'?

  1. It shows that the village is physically unable to breathe.
  2. It personifies the village to convey tense stillness. Correct answer.
  3. It suggests a strong wind is blowing through the lanes.
  4. It proves that the village is completely deserted forever.

Explanation

Giving the village the human action of holding its breath is personification, which conveys a tense, expectant stillness. The empty lanes and dark windows support this mood. The phrase is figurative, so it does not describe literal breathing or prove permanent desertion.

Question 49Reading comprehension of unseen prose

A passage states: 'The report's authors concede that their sample was small, a limitation they insist does not undermine their conclusion.' What is the authors' position?

  1. They abandon their conclusion because of the sample size.
  2. They claim the sample was larger than any previous study's.
  3. They deny that the sample was small.
  4. They admit a weakness but argue their main finding still stands. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Concede' means admit, so the authors acknowledge the small sample, while 'insist does not undermine' shows they defend their conclusion. The sentence therefore presents a concession followed by a defence. They neither deny the weakness nor abandon their finding.

Question 50Reading comprehension of unseen prose

Read: 'The new policy was welcomed by some staff and resented by others, a division the manager had done little to heal.' What does the final clause imply about the manager?

  1. That the manager supported only one group of staff
  2. That the manager had actively encouraged disagreement
  3. That the manager was unaware of the policy
  4. That the manager had failed to resolve the split among staff Correct answer.

Explanation

'Had done little to heal' implies the manager did not take effective action to end the division, so the split remained. The phrase criticises inaction rather than active encouragement or open support for one side. It also implies awareness, since the division existed.