Neco 2022 English Language Question 71

When the rains finally arrived after a long dry spell, Chinedu, a small‑scale farmer from Enugu, felt a surge of hope. The dark clouds had been a promise that his yam fields would soon be [71]. He gathered his family early in the morning, and together they inspected the newly formed puddles, checking that the soil was [72] enough to retain moisture. By noon, the first sprouts pushed through the earth, their green shoots [73] against the brown background. Chinedu remembered the advice of his uncle, who had warned that excessive water could [74] the seedlings, so he carefully dug shallow furrows to improve drainage. The market in Awka was scheduled for the following Saturday, and the farmer hoped to sell enough produce to [75] his children's school fees. He wrote a short note to his wife, reminding her to [76] the fresh produce before the bus arrived. As the day progressed, a sudden gust of wind [77] the loose thatch on the storage shed, threatening the harvested yams. Quick thinking saved the situation; a neighbor offered his [78] to reinforce the roof. By evening, the community gathered around a fire, sharing stories of past harvests. The elders praised Chinedu's perseverance, saying that a farmer who works [79] the land will always be rewarded. With a satisfied smile, he whispered a quiet prayer that the next season would be even [80].