Nigeria Police Exam key terms

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, such as 'begin' and 'start'. Verbal reasoning tests often ask you to choose the closest synonym.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as 'hot' and 'cold'. Questions may ask you to identify the word most opposite in meaning.

A comparison showing how two pairs of words relate in the same way, for example 'doctor is to hospital as teacher is to school'. You must find the pair with a matching relationship.

The grammatical agreement between parts of a sentence, especially subject and verb in number and person, such as 'The boy runs' versus 'The boys run'.

The rules for arranging words into phrases and sentences so that meaning is clear, including word order and sentence structure.

The ability to read a passage and understand its main idea, details, and inferences, then answer questions based on the text.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a passage even though it is not stated directly. You use clues in the text to work out what is implied.

A phrase whose meaning is not obvious from the individual words, such as 'to bury the hatchet' meaning to make peace.

A number that represents part of a whole, written as one number over another, such as 3/4 meaning three parts out of four.

A fraction or ratio expressed as a number out of 100, shown with the % sign, such as 25% meaning 25 out of every 100.

A comparison of two or more quantities showing how many times one contains the other, such as a 2:3 ratio of boys to girls.

The sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers there are, also called the mean. It gives a central value for the group.

A list of numbers arranged according to a rule, such as adding 3 each time. You must find the rule to predict the next number.

Money paid for the use of borrowed money, or earned on savings. Simple interest is calculated only on the original amount.

The total distance around the outside of a flat shape, found by adding the lengths of all its sides.

The amount of surface a flat shape covers, measured in square units such as square metres.

A system of government in which power belongs to the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.

The fundamental set of laws and principles that establishes how a country is governed and sets out the rights of citizens.

A system where power is shared between a central government and regional governments, each with its own defined responsibilities.

The principle that everyone, including government officials, must obey the law and is subject to it equally.

Basic freedoms and protections guaranteed to every citizen by the constitution, such as freedom of speech and right to life.

The division of government into three branches-legislature, executive, and judiciary-so that no single branch holds all power.

The 1914 joining of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria by the British to form a single colony.

The state of a nation governing itself without outside control. Nigeria became independent from Britain on 1 October 1960.

Patriotic feeling and action aimed at gaining or defending a nation's freedom and self-rule, often through political movements.

A form of government in which the head of state is an elected or appointed president rather than a hereditary monarch. Nigeria became a republic in 1963.

A microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus, that causes disease. Examples include the germs that cause malaria and tuberculosis.

Practices that keep the body and surroundings clean to prevent illness, such as handwashing and safe disposal of waste.

Giving a person a weakened or inactive form of a germ to train the body's defences and prevent future disease.

The body's ability to resist a particular infection, often gained after recovery from a disease or through vaccination.

Systems and actions for safe disposal of human waste and keeping water and food clean to protect public health.

The process of drawing valid conclusions from given statements or premises using consistent rules of thought.

A form of reasoning with two premises leading to a conclusion, such as 'All humans are mortal; John is human; therefore John is mortal.'

The ability to notice a repeated rule or design in shapes, numbers, or letters and use it to predict what comes next.

The lawful taking of a person into custody by a police officer so that the person can be brought before a court to answer a suspected offence.

The temporary release of a suspect from custody, usually with conditions, while waiting for trial.

A written order from a court that allows police to enter and search a named place for specific items connected to an investigation.

A partnership between police and local people to identify and solve safety problems, built on trust and shared responsibility.

The condition in which citizens can go about their lawful business peacefully, with police maintaining safety and preventing disorder.

The ability to carry out daily tasks and police duties with alertness and without undue fatigue, including strength, endurance, and flexibility.

A health check before recruitment to confirm a candidate is free from conditions that would prevent safe performance of police duties.

The ability to keep going during long or strenuous activity, such as running or marching, without giving up.