JAMB

Use of English
Past questions

Years: 2016 2017

2018 2019 2020

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 2016 JAMB USE OF ENGLISH QUESTIONS

PASSAGE I few people in the society, the fear

of the moralist has not been
COMPREHENSION: Read the justified.
passage carefully and answer
the question that follows. The However, the economist is
question carries 3 marks primarily interested in the habit of
smoking and the consumption of
The African moralist has always alcohol in so far as they give
regarded smoking as an indication satisfaction to smokers and
of moral degradation. drinkers and so generate supply
of and demand for tobacco and
A number of people have alcohol.
accepted the moralist idea on
smoking while a good many Some moral principles associated
people have remained indifferent with religion tend to lead on to
to the moralist view and have economic problems.
continued to smoke. The same Followers of certain religions are
argument has been applied to the expected not to consume pork,
consumption of alcohol. The take alcohol or smoke tobacco.
African moralist, basing his Devotees of some religious
judgement on the behaviour of a groups, on the other hand, can
few alcoholics, tend to regard the eat pork while others are
habit of taking alcohol as a sign of expected to abstain from alcohol
wretchedness. The moralist holds and smoking.
the view that anybody who forms
the habit of consuming alcohol Strict observance of these moral
will never do well in life. While rules could cripple the breweries,
this may be true in respect of a the cigarette factories and some

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businesses; however, there (c) certainly different
seems to be a growing number of (d) certainly unrelated
alcohol consumers and cigarette
smokers-a development which 3. According to the passage, the
should be of interest to the moralist idea is that
economist.
(a) the smoking of cigarettes is
Adapted from Peter Scott's article bad and unacceptable
in Sunday Times. (b) it is typically African not to
smoke cigarettes
1. The view expressed by the (c) people should accept a point
writer in the last paragraph is that of view only when they are
convinced
(a) the number of alcoholics and (d) smoking is not good but a
smoker is certainly increasing little alcohol may be permitted
(b) more people appear to take to
drinking and smoking 4. Which of the following
(c) sales of alcohol and tobacco statements is true according to
products have improved the passage?
tremendously
(d) more people now abstain from (a) total abstinence from drinking
drinking and smoking and smoking is a religious
obligation
2. It can be concluded from the (b)smoking and drinking may
passage that morality, religion have positive effects on the
and economy are economy
(c) every one ignores the moralist
(a) somewhat interconnected view on drinking and smoking
(b) clearly interconnected

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(d) people who drink or smoke was otherwise a nuisance to him
surely die of cancer in the business of keeping alive.

5. The positions maintained by In the primitive situation, man

the moralist and the economist was, therefore, basically against
can be described as being nature but, as the battle was
progressively won, conscience
(a) quite indifferent crept in; the awareness of
(b) very agreeable responsibility, and a failure to
(c) very passionate meet it, produced feelings of guilt.
(d) at variance
Those who live in cities and need
PASSAGE ll no longer do battle against nature
are nowadays most actively for
Read the passage carefully nature. At this time, something
and answer the question that like a thousand kinds of animals
follows. The question carries 3 (vertebrate animals) can be said
marks to be in danger of extinction. A
few of them have been reduced to
When man evolved a conscience, this precarious position by
his basic relationship with the extensive killing but the majority
other animals began to change. are disappearing only as fast as
Until then, they were broadly the particular kind of country they
divided into those which ate him need for existence is itself
when they got the chance, those disappearing and all the hands of
which he ate when he got the man, as often as not by mistake.
chance, and a third group which
competed with him for food, or There are three species of turtles
whose future survival is menaced

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by the demand for turtle soup, Adapted from Peter Scott's article
which would hardly justify the in Sunday Times.
extermination of a giant reptile
whose family has existed for 200 6. The sentence There will be
million years. twice as many of us before most
of us are dead means
Leopards are in jeopardy because
of the fashion for their skins. As (a) some increase in human and
they get rarer, the prices rise and, animal population growth rates
as leopard skin become more (b) mankind is fast spreading
expensive, the demand increases. across the earth
No species can long survive the (c) the population growth rate will
price of N60,000 which a half- double before our death
grown baby leopard now carries (d) many of us will die as a result
on its skin. of population explosion

And crocodiles, the longest 7. Which of the following

surviving reptiles, are now statements is true according to
dwindling alarmingly as a result of the passage?
the fashion in crocodile skin for
ladies' handbags and men's (a) man kills animal only when he
shoes. The human population can afford to do so.
explosion spreads mankind across (b) man eats all categories of
the land surfaces of the earth at animals
an alarming rate. There will be (c) man cannot spare those
twice as many of us before most animals that eat his kind
of us are dead. Does this mean no (d) man poses the greatest threat
room for wild animals? Of course to nature
not.

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8. The basic causes of the 10. From the passage, the
elimination of certain animals attitude of the writer can be
from the earth include described as

(a) a deliberate battle against (a) indifferent

nature and the quest for leopard (b) partial
skin (c) optimistic
(b) man's decision to live in cities (d)pessimistic
and the development of large
farm lands PASSAGE III
(c) man's penchant for meat and
the sale of animals for meat and The passage below has gaps.
hides Immediately following each
(d) extensive killing of animals gap, four options are
and the fast disappearances of provided. Choose the most
their favourable habitats appropriate option for each
gap
9. The expression when man
evolved a conscience means when A prepared speech is not easy to
deliver, especially if it is not
(a) man's intellect improved written by the presenter ..... 11
tremendously (a) quantum (b) document (c)
(b) man became a critical free (d) manuscript .....
creature delivery is one in which the
(c) man developed an awareness speech has been written out word
of right and wrong for word and is read to – 12 (a)
(d) man acquired new habits an audience (b) a
congregation (c) a gathering
(d) a conference.

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This kind of delivery is usually delivery could --- 18 (a) decisive
reserved for every --- 13 (a) (b) positive (c) interactive (d)
genuine (b) impromptu (c) restrictive --- effects created by
guaranteed (d) formal --- the carefully chosen --- 19 (a)
occasions when exact wording is - dialect (c) slang (d) language
-- 14 (a) reportive (b) --- lack of familiarity with the ---
conclusive (c) critical --- such 20 (a) text (b) context (c)
as the State of the Union Address exchange (d) note --- could
or speeches before the United also speaker from maintaining
Nations General --- 15 (a) eye contact with the people being
assembly (b) organisation (c) addressed.
negotiation.
These questions are based on
The primary advantage is that A. H. Mohammed's "The First
speech may be highly --- 16 (a) Days at Forcado High School"
advanced (b) analogue (c)
discreet (d) polished in terms 21. According to the Novel, Efua
of word choice, turns of phrase was in Forcados High School
and development of ideas. The because
main advantage is that this type
of delivery is difficult to do well. (a) her stepfather was a board
member
Reading aloud with meaningful --- (b) of her former principal's
17 (a) vocal (b) bifocal (c) recommendation
anticipatory (d) profuse (c) the school needed her
inflection speaker to be very mother's support
familiar with the text. If not the (d) of aunt Muni' gift to the school
words will come out in a choppy,
expressionless way. Such poor

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22. According to the Novel, who 25. When did a boy faint at
intimated Efua that there was a Forcados High School?
clash between area boys?
(a) during the prize-giving day
(a) Miss Novi (b) during the Mid-term dinner
(b) Mr Salami (c) during the valedictory service
(c) Mr Edet (d) during the inter-house sports
(d) Mr Mallum competition

23. The speculation amongst the 26. Mr Mallum, the principal, was
students of Forcados High School a symbol of
gas that Jimi was dating
(a) freedom
(a) Joke (b) envy
(b) Caro (c) condemnation
(c) Risikat (d) achievement
(d) Efua
27. Ansa decided not to like Efua
24. The best thing that happened because he
to Efua at the end of the term
was (a) learnt she was controversial
(b) thought she was fetish
(a) the visit of Nene's family (c) Felt she was snobbish
(b) her participation in the (d) thought she was wayward
Christmas concert
(c) her exclusion from Miss Novi's 28. In the novel, Ansa looked
charity group around glumly when Jimi was
(d) the principal's open engrossed in laughter and chatter
commendation of her result because he was

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(a) distracted by a b playing on (c) he saw an accident on the way
the field (d) he was carrying illicit drugs
(b) neglected by Jimi
(c) given twelve strokes of the 31. After listening to Jimi's
cane by the principal explanation on the stolen
(d) anxious to go home laboratory equipments, Mr Mallum
decided to
29. Which of the following
statements captures Ansa's (a) get in touch with Jimi's
thought about Jimi? relations
(b) punish Jimi for the wrong
(a) He thought Jimi was a lucky doings
boy (c) put an end to the matter
(b) He was going to break his (d) contact the police for Jimi's
friendship with Jimi release
(c) He thought Jimi cut corners to
succeed 32. Which of the following best
(d) He was envious of Jimi's describes Mr Mallum?
achievement
(a) He was a small, wiry man with
30. Jimi was still trembling when odd accent
he got home from the bar (b) He was a tall, wiry man with
because good diction
(c) He was crude, rash and
(a) he ran into a team of impatient
policemen (d) He was a fat, tall man with
(b) Wole's friend wanted to beat wimpish behaviour
him

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33. How did Nene feel when she (c) the students of the school did
saw Efua's painting by Ansa? not like her
(d) she bribed the principal before
(a) She became friendly she was admitted
(b) She acted timidly
(c) She was delighted LEXIS, STRUCTURE AND ORAL
(d) She was surprised. FORMS: In these questions,
select the option that best
34. One of the things Ansa explains the information
observed about his fellow conveyed in the sentence
students when they resumed for
the new term was that some of 36. Ramatu expressed her
them feelings in no uncertain terms

(a) wore their ties in odd knots (a) she expressed it feebly and
(b) were eager to go back home sickly
(c) looked sickly and (b) she expresses it quietly and
malnourished cautiously
(d) had become rude and unruly (c) she expressed it secretly and
courageously
35. Efua was not in the good book (d) she expressed it clearly and
of teachers at Forcados High strongly
School because
37. Usman needs to get his act
(a) her admission into the senior together if he wants to pass the
class was unusual examination
(b) she was expelled from her
previous school (a) he needs to put on his stage
costume

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(b) he needs to be fast when (d) the team's performance was
writing the examination full of disappointment
(c) he needs to organise himself
(d) he needs to put all points 40. He is a clinging child
down in the examination
(a) He is a bully
38. As the drama unfolded, (b) He likes to cling with his sister
Olatinuke was advised to keep her (c) He is possessive
shirt on (d) He is a handsome young man

(a) she was advised to stay calm 41. You need to brush up on your
(b) she was advised to commit Spanish
herself
(c) she was advised to join the (a) you need a brush from Spain
club (b) you need to study the history
(d) she was advised to wear her of Spain
shirt (c) you need to learn to play with
a Spaniard
39. The team's poor performance (d) you need to improve your
at the tournament plumbed the skills.
depths of horror.
42. Tolu and Chinedu live in each
(a) the team's performance was other's pockets
rewarded
(b) the team's performance took (a) They are long-term business
them to the next round partners
(c) the team's performance was (b) They are very close to each
enjoyed by all other

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(c) They blackmail each other (b) she would pass the drink to
(d) They steal from each other the queen who is sitting next to
her
43. Zinana'a examination result (c) she would be accepted by all
was not unfavourable as a beauty queen
(d) she walked past the beauty
(a) She failed her examination queen
(b) Her result could not earn her
admission For these questions, choose
(c) She was successful in the the option opposite in
examination meaning to the word or
phrase in italics
44. can't wait to become a
mother. 'the new bride declared 46. The relationship between the
couple has been frosty
(a) she sees motherhood as a
burden (a) amenable
(b) she will be patient as a (b) fraudulent
mother (c) frugal
(c) She is not keen on becoming a (d) cordial
mother
(d) She is excited about 47. The dressmaker unpicked the
motherhood. seam of the shirt

45. Amaka would pass for beauty (a) tore up

queen (b) sewed up
(c) threaded
(a) she was acting as a beauty (d) picked up
queen

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48. Some of my neighbours have (c) subsequently
an antipathy to dogs (d) consequently

(a) enmity towards 52. My niece has an

(b) alarm for unquenchable thirst for adventure
(c) acronym stories
(d) affection for
(a) an illegitimate
49. Chibuzor gave a curt nod and (b) a spurious
walked away (c) an inextinguishable
(d) a reduced
(a) rude
(b) polite 53. Musa is a gifted but erratic
(c) gentle player
(d) shocking
(a) regular
50. The girl took a cursory glance (b) strong
at the letter and hid it (c) unstable
(d) unpredictable
(a) brief
(b) sententious 54. The testimony of the witness
(c) lasting was vague
(d) concise
(a) real
51. The accused was eventually (b) factual
convicted (c) true
(d) clear
(a) initially
(b) finally

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55. As a student, Isa tried 58. The exhibition was an eye
communal living for a few years opener to all

(a) shared (a) dispatch

(b) private (b) examination
(c) collective (c) style
(d) general (d) display

56. The lamb is a feeble little 59. The first round of the
animal tournament was a doddle

(a) fat (a) exasperating

(b) weak (b) balanced
(c) loving (c) dodgy
(d) quite (d) easy

For these questions, choose 60. As a journalist, Bala has

the nearest in meaning to the always had a nose for stories
word or phrase in italics
(a) a command
57. The chairman admires (b) cynical statement
incessant meetings (c) soft comment
(d) an instinct
(a) planned
(b) unusual 61. The actress screamed when
(c) irregular she noticed an object behind her
(d) constant
(a) wailed
(b) protested

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(c) waded in 65. Joke gave Muhammad a
(d) stormed out jaunty smile

62. Today's weather is favourable (a) frightful

for a game of tennis (B) cheerful
(c) discouraging
(a) impartial (d) Inviting
(b) abnormal
(c) encouraging From questions 65 to 85,
(d) disapproving choose the option that best
completes the gap(s)
63. All the candidates looked
aghast at the first reading of the 66. You live in the city now, __ ?
questions
(a) are you
(a) fulfilled (b) don't you
(b) dismayed (c) didn't you
(c) satisfied (d) haven't you
(d) again
67. Concrete is made of __
64. I am tired of your eternal
argument (a) sand and cement
(b) a sand and a cement
(a) open (c) sand and a cement
(b) strong (d) a sand and cement
(c) constant
(d) useless 68. Suana___ that hexagons had
five sides, but later he knew they
were six-sided figures.

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(a) would have believed (d) orthopaedic
(b) had believed
(c) believes 72. I have been doing this
(d) has believed exercise___

69. The___ to the fallen heroes (a) for five minutes

was erected at the market square (b) five minutes ago
(c) since five minutes
(a) exhibition (d) during five minutes
(b) monument
(c) myth 73. Oloyede always sleeps like a
(d) picture baby,___ ?

70. The Flying Eagles of Nigeria (a) does he

couldn't have won the match if (b) could he
they hadn't prepared well,___? (c) doesn't he
(d) did he
(a) can't they
(b) couldn't they 74. The man was given degree
(c) could they despite the fact that he did not
(d) can they attend a___ university

71. They all gathered to exhume (a an honorary

the___musician's corpse for (b) an honourable
examination (c) a ceremonial
(d) a ceremonious
(a) posthumous
(b) post-mortem 75. My father has just bought___
(c) post-natal

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(a) a peugeot brand new car 79. Nkiru has lots of friends, but I
(b) a car brand new peugeot have___
(c) a new brand peugeot car
(d) a brand new peugeot (a) only a little
(b) little
76. The university is a corporate (c) only a few
body made___ different colleges (d) few

(a) in with 80. The HOD says she considers

(b) of with her degree certificate___ than as
(c) up of a prize through labour
(d) up from
(a) rather as a gift of God
77. The secretary hadn't___ (b) rather God as a gift
money left. (c) as a gift rather of God
(d) as a rather gift of God
(a) any
(b) anything 81. Mr Ojo instructed his son to
(c) none replace the faulty___ tube
(d) no
(a) flurescent
78. The King was recognised___ (b) flourescent
the scar on his face. (c) fluorescent
(d) florescent
(a) with
(b) to 82. The employer, not the
(c) by salesmen___responsible for the
(d) for loss

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(a) have been (d) ought
(b) was
(c) were For these questions, choose
(d) will be the option that has the same
sound as the one represented
83. She was___ as anyone could by the letter(s) underlined
have had
86. Waiter
(a) as patient as teacher
(b) as a patient a teacher (a) flavour
(c) as patient teacher (b) cite
(d) a patient a teacher (c) road
(d) hair
84. There was a serious___
between the new couple over 87. Flee
feeding allowance
(a) field
(a) arguement (b) skate
(b) argeument (c) faith
(c) arguement (d) rid
(d) argument
88. Palm
85. They thought Musa___ agree
if they altered some of the (a) florid
conditions (b) ranch
(c) blunt
(a) can (d) lunch
(b) may
(c) might 89. Phantom

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(a) physics 93. Cable
(b) pew
(c) phew (a) bible
(d) party (b) mabel
(c) able
90. Chest (d) marble

(a) fixture 94. Mail

(b) school
(c) charisma (a) bale
(d) mass (b) slate
(c) girl
91. Epitaph (d) galle

(a) pneumonia For these questions, choose

(b) fan the appropriate stress pattern
(c) paper from the options, the stress
(d) pseudo syllables are written in capital
letter(s)
For these questions, choose
the option that rhymes with 95. Advantages
the given word
(a) advantaGES
92. Ever (b) adVANtages
(c) ADvantages
(a) never (d) advanTAges
(b) heavier
(c) fever 96. Intentional
(d) favour

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(a) inTENtional 99. Kanu can play FOOTBALL
(b) INtentional
(c) intentionAL (a) Who can play football?
(d) intentioNAL (b) What can Kanu play?
(c) What can Kanu do with
For this question, choose the football?
option that is stressed on the (d) Why should Kanu play
first syllable football?

97. (a) guitar 100. Aisha plays TENNIS always

(b) guilty
(c) confuse (a) Who plays tennis always?
(d) relief (b) Does Aisha watch tennis
always?
In the question, the words in (c) What does Aisha play always?
capital letter has the emphatic (d) When does Aisha play tennis?
stress. Choose the option to
which the given sentence ANSWER KEYS 2016
relates.
1. B 2. A 3. A 4. B 5. D 6. C 7. D
98. I left my bag on the TABLE 8. D 9. C 10. D 11. C 12. A 13.
D 14. A 15. A 16. D 17. A 18. C
(a) Is the bag left under the 19. D 20. B 21. B 22. A 23. B
table? 24. D 25. B
(b) Did I leave the shoe on the
table? 26. C 27. C 28. A 29. A 30. A
(c) Who left the bag on the table? 31. B 32. A 33. D 34. D 35. A
(d) Where did I leave the bag? 36. D 37. C 38. A 39. D 40. C

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41. D 42. B 43. C 44. D 45. C
46. D 47. B 48. D 49. B 50. C

51. A 52. D 53. A 54. D 55. B

56. B 57. D 58. D 59. D 60. D
61. A 62. C 63. B 64. C 65. D
66. B 67. A 68. B 69. B 70. C
71. B 72. A 73. C 74. A 75. D

76. C 77. A 78. C 79. D 80. B

81. C 82. B 83. B 84. D 85. C
86. A 87. A 88. B 89. A 90. A
91. B 92. A 93. C 94. A 95. B
96. A 97. A 98. D 99. B 100. C

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 2017 JAMB USE OF ENGLISH QUESTIONS

PASSAGE I men began to be eroded one after

another. There is hardly any
Read the passage carefully sphere of human Endeavour in
and answer each question that which women have not gained a
follows. firm foothold: there are women
doctors, engineers, pilots, prime
Anthropologists tell us that for a ministers, judges, bankers and so
society to remain stable, the roles on.
of men and women must be
properly differentiated and well Today, the women's spheres of
defined. In primitive societies, the operation are no longer restricted
men were assigned the roles of to the home; she is successfully
going out to hunt, fish and fight competing with her counterpart in
off the hostile tribe next door every area of human activity. But
while the women did the has this development been an
housekeeping and minded the unqualified blessing to the
children. The men were believed society?
to be superior to the women in
physical strength and capability. To answer this question, let us
There was a controversy in these examine some of the problems
societies as to what the roles of created in the process of
the sexes should be. achieving women's emancipation.
First, a large number of women
Consequently, primitive societies including the married ones and
enjoyed great stability. However, mothers now take up paid
with the advancement of employment.
civilization, many of the special
privileges traditionally enjoyed by

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The conditions attached to such 2. According to the passage, what
employment make it extremely two masters are women
difficult if not impossible for them struggling to serve?
to take adequate care of their
children at homes. Since no one (a) The health and education of
serve two masters, the health and their children
education of the children suffer (b) The husband and the children
tremendously. (C) The office and the husband
(d) The office and the home
Adapted from Ukwuegbe C., et
al (2006) CATCH-Up English 3. According to the passage,
Language for SSCEMME, ancient societies were secured
Ibadan: Heinemann because
Educational Books (Nigeria)
PLC. (a) men were assigned superior
roles
1. Advantages usually enjoyed by (b) the tasks of women and men
men began to were outlined
(c) women accepted inferior roles
(a) weaken through gender interpreted the roles of women
sensitivity were commonly interpreted
(b) diminish through women (d) the roles of women were
emancipation commonly interpreted
(c) dwindle with the advancement
of civilization 4. From the passage, it can be
(d) fade with wide self-realization inferred that women emancipation
results in

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(a) women becoming covertly the planning ...7...[A. holistic B. a
ambitious partial C. abnormal D. curative].
(b) resentment of men by gain When ...8... [A. planning B.
women budgetary C. projected D.
(c) crises at tome national] provisions are made,
(d) men becoming nonchalant. infrastructural ...9..[A. estimates
B. prompt C. prompt D.
5. The phrase suffer processes] shot lid be embedded.
tremendously, as used in the Where these are glaringly
passage, means ...10...[A. shortened B. cleared C.
omitted D. altered], then national
(a) greatly disadvantaged development and integration can
(b) to become worse be greatly ...11... [A. impaired B.
(c) badly unpleased degraded C. reduced D. denied].
(d) badly affected
However, the case with most
PASSAGE II developing countries is to place
other ...12... [A. sectional B.
The passage below has gaps. sectorial C. selectional D.
Immediately following each palliative] interests for above the
gap, four options are development of infrastructure. A
provided. Choose the most nation inclined to this erroneous
appropriate option for each position may continue to
gap experience ...13... (A. economic
stagnation B. recession C. social
In truth, realistic planning efforts decay D. management. This
its go with infrastructural...6... [A. implies that infrastructural
development B. projected C. development should be made to
arrangement D. tenet]. It makes take ...14...[A antecedent B.

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procedure C. control D. (d) the food in the college was
advantage] over other sectors. terrible

This is be-cause of the immense 18. In the novel, it was that

importance of infrastructure to Vanessa's father was in the
national ...15...[A. awareness B.
orientation C. policy D. growth] (a) Northern Protectorate
(b) colonial service
This question is based al S.I (c) house of commons
Manyika's INDEPENDENCE (d) house of lords

16. The college food was 19. From the novel, the Nigerian
described as dreadful by film shown created mixed
reactions in
(a) Jane
(b) Charlie (a) Simon
(c) Mahul (b) Ike
(d) Vanessa (c) Francis
(d) Margery
17. According to novel, Vanessa
fell sick after the party at 20. The mention of Negritude, in
Charlie's place because the novel, is an example of

(a) she drank too much and (a) African contribution to

skipped meals democracy
(b) of the continuous ringing of (b) African tribal custom
Oxford bells (c) African contribution to western
(c) her room was not warm civilization
enough

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(d) African adoption of western 24. The article published in
culture Students' paper criticized women
for
21. Who among the following
emphasized the importance of (a) playing music always
cross-cultural breeding? (b) overdressing
(c) distracting the men
(a) Sengbor. (d) partying
(b) Cesaire
(c) Charlie 25. In the novel, Francis pointed
(d) Simon out to Ike that Nigerians

22. Mr. Richardson's daughter (a) were inexperienced in Western

bothered about Lumumba and the democracy
wanted to go to--- (b) had taken control of their own
affairs
(a) Gabon (c) should know their history
(b) Congo better
(c) Togo (d) should speak with one voice
(d) Guinea
For this question, select the
23. The first time Tayo met option that best explains the
Vanessa was at information conveyed in the
sentences
(a) the film presentation
(b) hail for tutorials 26. The government didn't mind
(c) the Charlie's place my mentioning his name
(d) the Oxford University

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(a) He was not angry when I (d) I would like to buy a bigger
mentioned his name car if it was not so expensive
(b) He was angry when I
mentioned his name 29. No sooner had he got into the
(c) He told me not to mention his pool than the telephone rang
name
(d) He forgot to mention his name (a) He didn't get into the pool
to me because the telephone rang
(b) The telephone rang just after
27. The leader said he was not he got into the pool
unaware of the plight of the (c) The telephone rang as he was
people getting into the pool
(d) The telephone rang before he
(a) He knew of their plight got into the pool
(b) He was not informed of their
plight 30. My father said I might just as
(c) He could not understand their well stay at home for another
plight year
(d) He felt their plight
(a) I should stay at home because
28. But for the expense, I'd buy I had no other choice
bigger car (b) I might stay at home and do
well
(a) I want to buy a bigger car (c) Staying at home was probably
because it is more expensive the best thing for me
(b) I will not buy bigger car (d) I ought to stay at home in
because it is too expensive order to do well
(c) I would buy a bigger car if I
had more money

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For this question, choose the (a) anxious
option opposite in meaning to (b) fragile
the word or phrase in italics. (c) healthy
(d) cautious
31. The King's security men
relegated to the east 35. A conscientious student
should not receive a reward
(a) discharge from
(b) known in (a) An irresponsible
(c) accepted in (b) A persistent
(d) hated by (c) busy
(d) An active
32. The minister averred his
commitment 36. The poem appealed to my
sixth sense
(a) denied
(b) pledged (a) brain
(C) undertook (b) mind
(d) accented (c) instinct
(c) intelligence
33. The company was on the
brink of a financial abyss. 37. Sophie anticipated the
celebration of her tenth birthday
(a) difficult
(b) scandal (a) suggested
(c) services (b) hoped for
(d) stability (c) imagined
(d) waited for
34. Nosa is indisposed

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38. Mr. Bola is an irascible young (a) thick up
man (b) thick on
(c) thick about
(a) a weak (d) think at
(b) a crabbed
(c) a hilarious 42. Last week I ........ your friend
(d) a rude in the salon

39. She became neurotic as a (a) came into

result of her performance (b) came by
(c) came across
(a) balanced (d) came over
(b) disturbed
(c) rational 43. We might wait a little longer,
(d) excited but he would not it ..... soon

40. Malam Aliyu lived in lack (a) turn out

(b) turn up
(a) surplus (c) turn in
(b) penury (d) turn over
(c) plenitude
(d) opulence 44. His are tied, so he could not
do anything to help her
For this question, choose the
option that best completes the (a) shoulders
gap(s). (b) arms
(c) hands
41. You have to ...... how to make (d) legs
the whole week a memorable one

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45. If you want to be part of the (a) takes after
conference, you have to ...... a (b) takes up
form on me (c) takes from
(d) takes back
(a) fill up
(b) fill out 49. We have time to -- before the
(c) fill on gallery opens
(d) fill over
(a) Make
46. The flight..... has been (b) waste
postponed (c) conserve
(d) keep
(a) schedule
(b) timetable 50. The time has now come .......
(c) menu policy change in Nigeria
(d) manifest
(a) to
47. My wife should not worry (b) for
about this trial, I will always .... (c) by
her (d) at

(a) stand for For this question, choose the

(b) stand by option that has the same
(c) stand on sound as the one represented
(d) stand over by the letter(s) underlined

48. I can tell from the way he 51. tolerated

talks that he ....... his mentor
(a) stale

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(b) kneel (c) heater
(c) met (d) motor
(d) mat
56. cowed
52. gearbox
(a) low
(a) bare (b) flow
(b) feature (c) loud
(c) beer (d)cooed
(d) teacher
57. distribution
53. confusion
(a) distriBUtion
(a) measure (b) DIStribution
(b) mission (c) disTRIbution
(c) correction (d) distribution’
(d) caution
58. irrevocable
54. tertiary
(a) irreVOcable
(a) shame (b) Irrecocable
(b) question (c) iRREvocable
(c) catch (d) irrevocaBLE
(d) chair
59. My house is ACROSS the road
55. poster
(a) is her house the road?
(a) jotter (b) Is my room across the road?
(b) counter (c) Is my house on the road?

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(d) Is my house across the
street?

60. The shop closes AT 4pm

(a) Does the shop close by 4pm?

(b)Does the shop opens at 4pm?
(c) Does the stall close at 4pm?
(d) Does a shop close at 4pm?

ANSWER KEYS 2017

1. A 2. D 3. B 4. A 5. D 6. A 7. A
8. B 9. A 10. D 11. A 12. A 13. C
14. B 15. D 16. D 17. D 18. B
19. B 20. C

21. A 22. D 23. A 24. D 25. D

26. A 27. D 28. B 29. B 30. D
31. B 32. A 33. D 34. C 35. A
36. A 37. C 38. D 39. B 40. B

41. B 42. C 43. B 44. C 45. A

46. A 47. B 48. A 49. C 50. B
51. A 52. C 53. A 54. A 55. D
56. C 57. A 58. A 59. C 60. A

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 2018 JAMB USE OF ENGLISH QUESTIONS

PASSAGE A Of course, he hardly waits for

answers to these and similar
Read the following passage questions before jumping to the
and answer the questions that same inevitable conclusion.
follow. However, he met his match one
day when a new student joined
Returning home after a decade the class and heard the litany we
and half abroad, our Geography were used to. The new boy calmly
master remained incurably said, "Sir, I happen to know a few
addicted to foreign ways and white men who suffer from the
ideas for years after landing here. sickle cell disease; some are
He would forever stick to his Italians and some are Spanish.
theory of Africans suffering from a
curse inflicted on them by the The mosquito is equally deadly in
Almighty God for some heinous India, South-east Asian Countries
sins committed centuries ago. He and South America. The United
would, in support of this theory, States and some other South
ask listeners: American 5 Countries have their
"Why would our mosquito inflict deadly snakes. And, Sir, I know
deadly malaria on us whereas the many white men, some of them
British mosquito does not bite? British, who would prefer our
Why aren't there poisonous brilliant sunshine to their horribly
snakes in Britain whereas here cold winter." And he sat down.
most snakes are deadly?
I had never, before that day, seen
Why should the deadly sickle cell our master so consumed with
disease be peculiar to the black anger. He directed a burning look
race?" at the poor boy, who had no

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answer to this new battle. Without 2. Which of the following
as much as saying a single word, arguments did he not use to
the master stalked out of the support his vies?
classroom. Needless to say, our
anger was turned on the new boy, A. In Africa, the mosquito causes
who had decided to rock the boat deadly malaria whereas in Britain,
without taking the time to sound it doesn't bite or caw e malaria
the water. A delegation was sent B. There is malaria both in Britain
to the master to apologise to him. and in African Countries
C. The snakes in Africa are deadly
He was appeased. But we all but those in Britain are harmless
noticed something rather unusual D. The sickle cell disease is
thereafter never again did he peculiar to the black race.
dwell on the issue of Africans
being the cursed People. 3. "...rock the boat" What figure
of speech is this expression?
1. What point of view is the
Geography master fond of A. Simile
advancing? B. Metaphor
C. Personification
A. Africans are infested with all D. Hyperbole
kinds of problem
B. Only the white men are free
from deadly diseases 4. What extra argument (lid the
C. The Almighty God is punishing new boy offer after countering
Africans for sins they committed each of vie master's points?
long ago.
D. God did not curse the white A. There are problems especially
people. in Africa

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B. There are deadly snakes be the D. Main clause
in America and Africa
C. There are harmless snakes in PASSAGE B
Britain
D. Many white men prefer the The passage below has gaps
African climate to their own. immediately following each
gap, four options are
5. Why do you think the master provided. Choose the most
fought back with his look rather appropriate option for each
than with further argument? gap.

A. He knew that the boy's points Mankind has been ravaged by

were valid many virus and ...7... [A. germ B.
B. He had answers to the boy's bacterial C. dirty D. mosquito]
argument diseases such as measles, but
C. He went out to sort for the tuberculosis, diarrhoea and many
boy's argument others including ... 8... [A. catarrh
D. He already made up his mind B. runny-nose C. headache D.
on his points. influenza] known also as the ...
9... cold [A. common B. sporadic
6. "...who had no answer to this C. universal D. regular].
new battle".
What grammatical name is given Outbreaks of many of these
to the above passage expression diseases have been brought under
as it is used in the passage? control in the last fifty years.
Some 10... [A. pains B. fevers C.
A. (non-defining) relative clause infection D. traces] like measles
B. Adverbial clause and whooping cough still pose a
C. Subordinate clause great danger to younger children.

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The ...11... symptoms B. [A. relievers B. treatments C.
appearance C. feels D. signs] of antibiotics D. Pills] has also
measles are more easily ... 12... helped to reduce the ... 19... [A.
[A. diagnosed B. treated C. dealt high B. mortality C. killing D
with a handled] than those of dangerous] rate among children.
whooping cough. Unlike that of
many others, the virus of measles It is universally accepted that
more easily remain ...13... [A. good ...20... [A. health B. body C.
unchanged B. constant C. sense D. development] is the
undiscovered D. erratic] for right of every human being and
hundreds of years. However, once children. You do not have to die
you have had an ...14...[A. from these diseases which wiped
epidemic B. encounter C. attack out the whole ...21... [A.
D. indisposition] of this dreadful countries B. areas C. communities
disease, you develop an ... 15... [ D. states] in the middle Ages. We
A. impurity B. armour C. have today ...22... [A. bitter B.
immunity D. ability] which is lovely C. potent D. marvellous]
almost complete and long lasting. drugs which give protection
Modern science has made against most childhood diseases.
available ... 16 ...[A. injections B.
medicine C. tablets D. vaccines to After each of the following
prevent many childhood diseases sentences, a list of possible
and this is the only guarantee of interpretations of the
... 17... [A. freedom B. discharge sentence is given. Choose the
C. cure 0. protection] from these interpretation that you
scourges. More effective consider appropriate for each
treatment of Complication arising sentence.
from these childhood diseases
using penicillin and other ...18...

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23. When asked to state her side D. getting to understand each
of the story, Bunmi started by other.
beating about the bush. This
means that Bunmi 26. The driver smelled a rat when
the policemen asked him to stop.
A. went straight to the point This means that the driver was
B. was lost in great thought
C. followed a bush path A. reckless
D. approached the subject without B. suspicious
coming to the point. C. careful
D. offensive.
24. The amount he donated was
small. He said it was his widow's 27. The students were as advised
mite. This means that to face their studies and let the
sleeping dog lie. This means that
A. he was a widow the students should
B. he was misery.
C. it was all he could honestly A. obey the authorities
afford B. organise them properly
D. he could have given more. C. leave matters as they are now
D. be as watchful as sleeping
25. The friendship between Segun dogs.
and Shehu has turned sour. This
means that Segun and Shehu are 28. From the way Ngozi behaves,
it is obvious she is a greenhorn.
A. no longer friends This means that Ngozi is
B. stilt friends
C. better friends now A. arrogant
B. cautious

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C. inexperienced 31. I knew Okoronkwo's father
D. uncivilised. very well and I must say that his
son is a chip off the old block. Thy
29. The economic situation is so means that Okoronkwo
bad that many wage earners are
hardly able to make both ends A. has Chosen the game career as
meet. This means that its father
B. is very much like his father
A. people's income exceed their C. is a I extremely different sort
expenditure of person from his lather.
B. most people are extravagant D. has taken up a different
with their income profession from his father's.
C. people's earnings are not
sufficient for their essential needs 32. The debating team was
D. most people engage in warned to make convincing points
activities that bring them extra and not to play to the gallery.
pay. This means that the team should
not
30. Since I found out his
hypocritical nature, I have been A. be selfish
keeping him at arm's length. This B. underrate opponents
means that I C. be over-confident
D. attempt to win cheap
A. avoid being similar with him popularity.
B. ignore his advice
C. report him to the authority 33. Anyone who thinks that he
D). stop visiting him. can succeed in life without
working hard is living in a fool's

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paradise. This means is that such 36 My hostess greeted her guest
a person in a very relaxed manner

A. is having an illusion A. energetic

B. thinks other people are fools B. athletic
C. thinks hat working is merely a C. stiff
joke. D. perplexed
D. is on the verge of insanity.
37. Ayo takes his studies rather
From these questions, choose lightly
the options opposite in
meaning to the words or A. humorously
phrases in italics. B. tediously
C. carefully
34. I am happy to inform you that D. seriously
your boys are conscientious
38. The doctor was very gentle
A. industrious with his patients in the examining
B. carefree room
C. careful
D. corrupt A. harsh
B. rude
35. My father is a very prosperous C. rough
businessman. D. unkind

A. ungrateful 39. The President took exception

B. unscrupulous to the ignoble role the young man
C. unskilled played in the matter
D. unsuccessful

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A. honourable C. obvious
B. embarrassing D. obscure
C dishonourable
D. extraordinary 43. His anti-apathy to religion
ideas makes him unpopular
40. The man who had been
seriously ill was convalescing at a A. remedy
seaside resort B. Consciousness
C. hostility
A. regaining health D. receptiveness
B. deteriorating in health
C. recuperating For the questions, choose the
D. relaxing options that best complete the
gap(s).
41. For millions of years, the
world resources have remained 44, He was ... [A. assisted B.
boundless duped C. enjoined D. encouraged]
... by the trickster.
A. unlimited
B. scarce 45. When the soldiers saw that
C. indomitable resistance was ... [A. inadequate
D. limited B. inefficient C. futile D.
successful] ..., they stopped
42. The difference between the fighting
experimental procedures was
imperceptible to me 46. You should read all the ... [A.
brochures B. prospectus C. tickets
A. negligible D. handouts] ... carefully before
B. significant

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you decide where to go on A. argued
holiday. B. confirmed
C. denied
47. The Emir and Conqueror of D. affirmed
the enemy territories. ---[A.
arrives B. are to arrive C. arrive 52. The high cost of living these
D. are arriving] --- next week. days calls for a lot of frugality

48 We ought to have visited the A. extravagance

Governor, ...[A. isn't it B, oughtn't B. economy
we C. shouldn't we D. haven't] C. recklessness
D. prudence.
49. He didn't sense Obi's
presence in the room, did he?... 53. Tunde's reaction underscores
[A. yes, he did B. No, he did C. the points I was making.
Yes, he didn't D. No, he didn't]
A. justifies
50. You can stay here --- [A. as B. summarizes
long B. so long C. in a much D. C. emphasizes
for as long] --- as you are quiet. D. clarifies

In each of these questions, 54. Everyone admired the

choose the option nearest in manager's adroit handling of the
meaning to the word(s) or crisis in the company
phrase in italics.
A. emphasised
51. The witness averred that she B. skilful
had seen Dosun at the scene of C. tactless
the crime D. clumsy

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55. The principal took exception In each of these questions,
to the ignoble role the teacher choose the appropriate stress
plays d in the matter item from the options. The
syllables are written in capital
A. embarrassing letters.
B. honourable
C. extraordinary 58. comfortable
D. dishonourable
A. COMfortable
In each of these questions, B. comFORtable
choose the option that has the C. comfortaBLE
same sound as the one D. comforTABLE
represented by the letter(s)
underlined. 59. incapacitate

56. key A. inCApacitate

B. incaPAcitate
A. sit C. INcapacitate
B. bet D. incapaciTATE.
C seat
D. tread 60. encouragement

57. taught A. Encouragement

B. encouragement
A. law C. encouRAgement
B. aunt D. encouragement
C. count
D. plateau

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ANSWER KEYS 2018

1. C 2. B 3. B 4. D 5. A 6. A 7. B
8. A 9. B 10. C 11. A 12. A 13. C
14. C 15. C 16. D 17. D 18. C
19. B 20. A

21. C 22. C 23. D 24. C 25. A

26. B 27. C 28. C 29. C 30. A
31. B 32. D 33. A 34. B 35. D
36. C 37. D 38. A 39. A 40. B

41. B 42. B 43. D 44. B 45. C

46. A 47. A 48. B 49. D 50. A
51. C 52. A 53. D 54. B 55. B
56. A 57. A 58. A 59. B 60. A

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 2019 JAMB USE OF ENGLISH QUESTIONS

COMPREHENSION enable them to swallow animals

that are far larger than their own
Read each passage carefully heads. Although uncommon,
and answer the questions that some snakes, such as the African
follow. rock python, have been observed
eating animals as large as an
PASSAGE I antelope or a small cow.

Like all reptiles, snakes are cold- With over two thousand five
blooded, or more correctly, hundred species belonging to
ectothermic – they cannot more than ten families, snakes
produce our own heat instead, are a large and successful group.
they rely on the sun to heat their They owe much of this success to
bodies. their versatility - snakes occupy
habitat ranging from underground
Because they do not rely on burrows to the top of the trees, to
energy from food to generate ocean depths as great as one
body heat, snakes can survive on hundred and fifty metres.
an extremely meagre diet. Some
wait for months between They are found on every continent
successive meals, and a few except Antarctica, and although
survive by eating a large meal they are most abundant in
just once or twice a year. tropical areas, many survive in
regions marked by extreme cold.
When they do eat, snakes swallow
their prey whole rather than The only places without snakes
biting of small pieces. Many are parts of the polar regions and
snakes have specialized jaws that isolated islands, such as the

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Republic of Ireland and New C. eat big but seldom
Zealand as opposed to places in D. exist in families
Nigeria like Plateau and Gombe
States in the Northern part where 3. A suitable title for this passage
there is a large population of is ____
snakes.
A. Feeding Habits of Snakes
(Adapted from Microsoft Encarta B. Some Characteristics of alles
Premium 2009) C. Snakes as Legless, Cold-
blooded Ruptiles
1. Which of the following is true D. Species of Snakes in Nigeria
according to the passage? and Other Lands

A. Snakes are not in the polar 4. It can be inferred from the

regions passage that snakes are ____
B. Snakes are endemic on every
continent A. heterogeneous creatures
C. There are countless number of B. voracious cow eaters
snakes in the Republic of Ireland C. great insect eaters
D. Snakes are seldom seen at the D. homogeneous reptiles
Antarctica
5. It can be deduced from the
2. The most notable thing about passage that snakes have ____
snakes, according to the passage,
is that they ____ A. no external auditory organs
B. visible internal locomotive
A. abound in Gombe and Plateau organs
States C. no visual sense of
B. are versatile in reproduction measurement

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D. large appetite for antelopes would arrange for my family to
join me.
PASSAGE II
Other financial problems at home
Whenever I have had to ask would be taken care of by my
myself the question why I have regular remittances. Would I then
not left this country for good, never think of going back home in
many answers rush to my mind, future? Not until the situation in
each striving to be recognized as the country improves
being the most cogent. considerably. I would answer.

I am reminded of the popular And who did I expect to carry on

slogan that this country belongs with the task of national
to us all, for which reason every rehabilitation when the likes of
Nigerian must join hands in trying me are all out of the country?
to salvage it. I try to dismiss the Those who messed up the country
argument by reasoning that it is in the first place. I would argue.
foolhardy attempting to lend a And so on. This dialogue of self
helping hand where one's services has been going on for the last ten
are apparently not required. years or so, meanwhile. I am yet
to leave the country
There I am reminded that if I left
the country in a hurry just When I wonder how many people
because of our political instability share my kind of mental
and economic hardships, my experience, I realize that we must
commitments to my family and be very few, For no many have
extended family at home would the slightest opportunity of
suffer. I reply by saying that as absconding from the country;
soon as I got settled abroad, I they do not have the place to run

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to, nor do they have the means of D. now that things are not very
escape. Even among the elite who good
consider this possibility, the
uncertainty of a future outside 8. The last paragraph of the
their fatherland intimidates. And passage reveals that ____
so we all end up staying and
mumbling. A. the writer is a member of the
elite which alone indulges this
6. The writer's argument that it is kind of thinking
foolhardy to offer one's services B. people in the country only end
where such are apparently not up arguing among themselves,
required implies that in Nigeria while nobody does anything about
____ the situation
C. the majority of citizens in the
A. the authorities do not solicit for country do not possess the ability
the services of the citizens to argue the way the writer does
B. mediocrity is the order of the D. deciding to leave the country is
day as bad as deciding to stay.
C. the authorities are indifferent
to offers of help from the citizens 9. The expression 'each striving to
D. to offer to serve the country is be recognized as being the most
dangerous cogent' means each ____

7. 'To leave the country for good' A. trying to prove its superiority
means leaving the country ____ B. determined to prove that it is
the most acceptable
A. unexpectedly C. resolved not to be dislodged
B. for better opportunities D. attempting to show that it is
C. permanently the brightest

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10. The writer's posture as to who 12. My MOTHER served rice and
caused the problems in his fresh fish stew.
country can be described as ____
A. Did your mother serve rice and
A. indifferent fresh fish?
B. unpatriotic B. Who served rice and fresh fish
C. self-righteous stew for dinner?
D. logical C. What kind of meal did your
mother serve for dinner?
LEXIS, STRUCTURE AND ORAL D. What kind of stew did your
FORMS mother serve for dinner?

In each of the questions 11 to 13. The President SPOKE to the

13, choose the option that press.
best completes the gap(s)
A. Did the president write to the
11. My neighbour BRUISED his press?
thigh while playing football. B. Did the president speak to the
press?
A. Did your neighbour break his C. Who spoke to the press?
leg while playing tennis? D. Are these the pressmen the
B. Did your neighbour fractu his president spoke to?
thigh while playing football?
C. Was your neighbour involved in In each of the questions 14 to
an accident? 15, choose the appropriate
D. Did your neighbour play stress pattern from the
football yesterday? options. The syllables are
written in capital letters.

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14. suburbanite: A. imitate
B. mime
A. SUburbanite C. ridicule
B. suBURbanite D. lease
C. suburBAnite
D. suburbaNITE 18. The police ran the criminal to
earth.
15. departmentalize:
A. jailed him
A. departMENtalize B. knocked him down
B. dePARTmentalize C. discovered
C. DEpartmentalize D. buried him
D. departmenTAlize
19. He is credulous.
In each of the questions 16 to
25, choose the option nearest A. credible
in meaning to the word(s) or B. creditable
phrase(s) in italics. C. gullible
D. fallible
16. Adeniji is suffering from the
consequences of alienation 20. Her problem was
exacerberated by the loss of her
A. confirmation father.
B. isolation
C. enclosure A. exaggerated
D. imprisonment B. solve
C. aggravated
17. Some children mimic their D. infuriated
teachers.

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21. The old woman is suffering B. a protection
from dementia. C. an enhancement
D. an exchange
A. lucidity
B. sevility 25. Accountability is certainly a
C. insanity desirable quality in a politician
D. sagacity
A. Responsibility
22. Laraba saw a forlorn little B. Respectability
figure sitting outside the class. C. Courage
D. Diligence
A. wise and intelligent
B. lovely and unhappy In each of the questions 26 to
C. smart and healthy 30, select the option that best
D. short and ugly explains the information
conveyed in the sentence.
23. The accident victim received a
superficial wound from the crash. 26. The men were not pawns in
someone else's political game.
A. a serious
B. a painless A. The action they executed was
C. an internal their idea
D. an external B. The men used someone's else's
plan
24. The advertisement served as C. they were used by someone's
a smoke-screen for the activities pollical game
of the company. D. They loved playing political
game
A. a camouflage

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27. The class was tired of the new 30. The conference is biennial.
boy jawing away all the time.
A. The conference is held twice
A. He bit off people's jaws every year
B. He was always chewing in the B. The conference is held every
class two years
C. He talked continuously in the C. The conference is held every
class other year
D. He was always making trouble D. The conference lasts for two
for the class years

28. The governor parried all the In each of the questions 31 to

questions put to him by the 40, choose most appropriate
journalist. option opposite in meaning to
the word(s) or phrase(s) in
A. The governor answered all the italics.
questions brilliantly
B. The governor failed all the 31. He gave a painstaking
questions account of his encounter with the
D. The governor evaded all the ghost of his father.
questions
A. sordid
29. Bassey is as hard as nails. B. fearful
C. half-hearted
A. Bassey is very strong D. tender-hearted
B. Bassey is very brave
C. Bassey is determined 32. If you are really keen on
D. Bassey is unsympathetic immediate results, you just have
to adopt this pragmatic approach.

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A. practical 36. The chairman's redressed the
B. unrealistic injustice meted out by the
C. opportunistic secretary
D. sensible
A. corrected
33. Measures were taken to B. restored
authenticate the number of the C. aggravated
booklets received. D. addressed

A. affirm 37. The Lions' of Cameroun is

B. discredict really an indomitable team.
C. discountenance
D. count A. a powerful
B. a prominent
34. The girl's idiosyncrasy was a C. a weak
passion for bread and butter. D. a cowardly

A. stupid outburst 38. The plan to merge the two

B. general tendency local government areas has met
C. singular characteristic with much apathy.
D. occupational calling
A. hospitality
35. She is immune to the flattery B. criticism
of young men. C. consideration
D. enthusiasm
A. rejuvenation
B. decline 39. Mutual love is what Kabi and
C. turbulence Musa have in common and
D. upheal nothing else.

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A. insincere A. very
B. one-sided B. too
C. unhappy C. so
D. disrespectful D. far

40. Always strive to get what is 43. If you ____ me that you had
legitimate. run out of petrol. I would have
given you some.
A. illicit
B. legal A. were to tell
C. good B. tell
D. improve C. have told
D. had told
In each of the questions 41-
50, fill the blank space with 44. ____ to your birthday party in
the most appropriate of September?
options A-D.
A. May I come
41. You can go on; I ____ what B. Will I come
you are saying. C. Would I come
D. Shall I come
A. am understanding
B. may be understanding 45. Tosin refused to be .........
C. understand though he has written the
D. was understanding examination three times.

42. The angry language ... A. sad

woman shouted and cursed in B. placated
shocking for words. C. frustrated

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D. different A. rounds of anxiety
B. loss of memory
46. In ____ we, as politicians are C. pains in his arms
identified with the masses. D. bouts of malaria

A. more deeper sense 50. The match gave the team a

B. a much deepet sense chance to show their ____
C. a most deeper sense
D. much more deeper A. worth
B. position
47. People who live by ____ what C. prowess
loneliness is like. D. mettle

A. each other know In each of the questions 51 to

B. one another know 60, choose the word(s) or
C. oneself knows phrase(s) which best fills the
D. themselves know gap in each sentence.

48. He keeps his… clean always. 51. I am very sorry ____ to

attend the meeting yesterday.
A. surroundings
B. surrounding A. for failure
C. premise B. in failing
D. environment C. for failing
D. to having fail
49. Ali has been cured of his
amnesia, he no longer suffers 52. The old politicians were
from ____ discredited because they tried to
____ the people's ignorance.

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A. cash in on 56. Many goes to school ____
B. catch in with bus.
C. cash in with
D. cash in by A. in
B. by
53. The plane overshot the ____ C. with
in a minor accident D. on

A. railway 57. The thief ran ........ luck when

B. hangar the policeman running after him
C. tarmac caught up with him and knocked
D. runway him down.

54. Journalist always collect and A. into

publish ____ B. with
C. of
A. informations D. out of
B. an information
C. some information 58. We should take care the
D. information robbers ____ come back.

55. After team had conceded two A. in case

goals, their enthusiasm ____ B. should in case
C. may be
A. was beginning to wane D. probably
B. was waning
C. begin to wane 59. The Managing Director did not
D. had been waning pay his staff last month …?

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A. didn't he 51. C 52. A 53. D 54. D 55. C
B. had he not 56. B 57. D 58. A 59. D 60. C
C. has be
D. did he

60. Many lives are lost on

Nigerian roads ____ lack of
consideration for other road users
by many crazy drivers.

A. in view
B. resulting in
C. owing totally to
D. through

ANSWER KEYS 2019

1. B 2. D 3. D 4. A 5. D 6. A 7. C
8. D 9. A 10. C 11. B 12. B 13. A
14. B 15. D 16. B 17. A 18. C
19. C 20. C 21. B 22. B 23. D
24. A 25. A 26. B 27. C 28. D
29. A 30. C

31. C 32. B 33. C 34. A 35. D

36. C 37. C 38. D 39. B 40. A
41. C 42. B 43. D 44. A 45. C
46. B 47. D 48. A 49. B 50. D

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 2020 JAMB USE OF ENGLISH QUESTIONS

COMPREHENSION that eight hours of daily exposure,

year in and year out, to the din of
Read the passage carefully the proverbial boiler factory would
and answer the questions that eventually result in permanent
follow hearing loss.

PASSAGE I Riveters were particularly

susceptible. Then they learned
The young are not listening to that the same thing happened to
their elders, and perhaps they aviators. After the advent of jets,
never have. But now it happens the hazard applied to ground
that, with many of them, the crews at airports and flight-deck
reason may be medical. The personnel aboard aircraft carriers
young aren't listening because hence the introduction of
they can't hear. insulated, noise-absorbing plastic
earmuffs.
Just as nagging parents his long
suspected, otologists (hearing In discotheques and rock 'n' roll
specialists) now report that joints, the trouble is not so much
youngsters are going deaf as a in the instruments themselves or
result of blasting their eardrums the close quarters. The blame
with electronically amplified rock goes to the electronic amplifiers.
'n' roll.
An old-fashioned military band,
The hearing specialists used to playing a march in Ramat Park,
worry about loud noise as a cause generated as much sound. But
of deafness only in industrial and the sound was not amplified and
military situations, They knew was dissipated in the open air. A

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trombonist sitting in front of a t** 2. What is the result of being
player might be a bit deaf for an subject to the proverbial boiler
hour or so after a concert, then factory for a prolonged period?
his hearing returned to normal.
A. loss of hearing which will never
A microphone hooked up to a improve
public address system did not B. total deafness eight hours a
appreciably increase the hearing day
hazard. What he did was multiple C.
microphones and speakers, and D. having loss which can be
the installation of internal improved with medical treatment
microphones in such instruments
as guitars and bousouki. 3. The same thing happened to
aviators'. This excerpt, according
1. What is the difference between to the passage means ____
an old-fashioned military band on
the one hand and discotheque A. that riveters were particularly
and rock-n-roll joints on the susceptible
other? B. industrial and military deafness
C. that continued loud noise
A. one is old-fashioned while the resulted in deafness
other is modern D. that working in a boiler factory
B. one produces sounds for affected one's hearing
marching, the other for disco
C. one has drums, the other has 4. The young are not listening to
guitars their elders because ____
D. one produces amplified
sounds, the other does not. A. they never have
B. their parents nag constantly

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C. they are permanently deaf We went to hide whenever we
D. they appear to be going deaf broke the rules too visibly. We
knew, nevertheless, our parents
5. Just as nagging parents have wanted good things for us. Some
long suspected that ____ of these, such as the insistence
on going to school and never
A. their children did not listen to missing a day, we accepted
them readily enough, although, like
B. children could not hear most other children, we
properly after listening to occasionally yielded to the
amplified music temptation to play truant.
C. Otologists were always right
D. children were disobedient However, in other cases, such as
because they did not listen to their effort to keep us out of
their parents contact with the difficult life - the
drinking and fighting and beer-
PASSAGE II brewing and gambling their failure
was inevitable. They could not
We knew early in our life that the keep us insulated. By the time we
atmosphere in our home was moved about, we were already
different from that in many other seeing things with their eyes and
homes, when husbands and wives judging things by the standards
quarrel and where there was we had absorbed from them.
drunkenness, laziness or
indifference - things we never saw It was borne into me and my
in our family. brothers at a very early age that
our father was an uncommon
We chatted and grumbled at the man. For one thing, in most
strictness of my father's regime.

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African families, work around the you got out before dawn, placed
home was women's work. your twenty-litre tin in line and
then went home returning later to
So we were vastly impressed by take your place.
the fact that whenever my mother
was away, my father could and Often, of course, tins would be
did do all her jobs - cooking, moved back in line and others
cleaning and looking after us. We moved ahead. This could be
lived in a community in which corrected if none of those in front
housework was regarded as being were too big a challenge.
beneath male dignity.
When taps were substituted for
Even in families which, like ours the pumps, the first one installed
produced boy after boy - our was nearly a kilometre away from
sister came fifth it simply meant our house, we had to make the
that the mother carried a greater trek with the water tins balanced
and greater burden of work. In on our heads- an indignity
our family, nevertheless, the boys because this was the way girls,
did girls' work and my father did not proud males, carried their
it with us. burdens.

One of the prime chores of life in All the children in the

the family was fetching water neighbourhood knew we did
from the pump down the street, women's work and I can still hear
some two hundred metres from their derisive laughter. We did our
our door. Since the pump was not jobs doggedly, that
unlocked until six in the morning notwithstanding, because our
and there was always crowding, a father and mother expected it of
system had developed whereby us. Out of choice, our father did

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everything we did, including 8. Which of the following
fetching water on occasion, and describes the father's role in the
commanded us by sheer force of family?
his example.
A. being too hard on the children
6. The word "atmosphere," as B. serving the children
used in the first paragraph of the C. leading by example
passage means: D. usurping his wife's role in

A pattern 9. By describing his father as "an

B. preference uncommon man", the writer
C. unity means that he is ____
D. disposition
A. strict
7. Which of the following B. kind
statements captures the family C. amenable
approach to housework? D. remarkable

A. the boys were not allowed to 10. A suitable title for the passage
do girls' work is ____
B. the mother did the cooking and
cleaning willing A. The unusual parent
C. no job was reserved for anyone B. A village life
on the basis of gender C. An experience in early life
D. the water needed was provided D. The problem of water
by everyone
LEXIS, STRUCTURE & ORAL

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In each of questions 11 to 20 14. Every programming language
choose the option that best and software package ____
completes the gap(s) limitations

11. I shall find the time for my A. have its

____ when I get ____ B. have their
C. has its
A. past-time/over D. has their
B. pass-time/over
C. pass-time/through 15. Tosin refused to be ____
D. past-time/through though he has written the same
examination three times.
12. Actually, he forgot the one to
____ the job was given. A. sad
B. placated
A. whom C. frustrated
B. who D. indifference
C. whomever
D. whoever 16. Adaobi is contemptuous.....
dishonest people.
13. After many trials, the
experiment ____ A. to
B. at
A. paid up C. for
B. paid for D. of
C. paid out
D. paid off 17. We are ____ to receive your
letter and to know that you are
____

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A. happy/in good health In each of the questions 21-
B. grateful/sound 30, choose the option nearest
C. pleased/all well in meaning to the word(s) or
D. appreciative/swimming in good phrase in italics.
health
21. Funnily enough, the priest
18. We are all hungry, we ____ prayed for the robber who shot
anything to eat since morning. him.

A. didn't have A. timidly

B. hadn't had B. unexpectedly
C. haven't had C. disappointingly
D. never had D. fearlessly

19. The politicians were ____ by 22. The school's badge is the
the press. insignia of office for all the
prefects in the school.
A. marooned
B. ridiculed A. power
C. eclipsed B. symbol
D. ostracized C. seal
D. recognition
20. Raffle draws like gambling
often end in a ____ for me. 23. There has been a downturn in
the affairs of the company.
A. lost
B. loss A. a massive increase
C. loose B. a turn-around
D. lose C. little progress

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D. a decline 27. The chairman advised the
participants to follow convention
24. Mary is jealous of her sister's in stating their points.
success.
A. eloquence
A. suspicious B. advice
B. bitter C. prudence
C. envious D. tradition
D. mindful
28. Adamu is rather meddlesome
25. In some parts of India, people in dealing with his friends.
are ostracised simply because of
their ancestry. A. impertinent
B. intimidating
A. abandoned C. quarrelsome
B. shut off from society D. uncaring
C. refused education
D. rendered unhappy 29. I am yet to write the
penultimate paragraph of my
26. The move to expel the essay.
chairman was sanctioned by
members of the party. A. last but one
B. third to the last
A. unleashed C. second
B. opposed D. concluding
C. supported
D. initiated 30. To be above board is to be
____

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A. afloat 33. The speaker was rather bold
B. on top of a plank in his presentation of the case.
C. above suspicion
D. raised above a board A. unfair
B. reserved
In questions 31 to 40, choose C. ashamed
the option opposite in D. formal
meaning to the word
underlined 34. Chidi is naturally taciturn.

31. The weather condition now A. garrulous

prevailing in the town is B. friendly
unbearable. C. lively
D. cheerful
A. widespread
B. dominant 35. I am optimistic about the
C. uncommon interview though it was a mind-
D. uncontrollable bending exercise

32. The plan to merge the two A. An enervating

local government areas has met B. A debilitating
with much apathy. C. A difficult
D. An easy
A. hospitality
B. criticism 36. A book on style without
C. consideration abundant examples seems to me
D. enthusiasm as ineffectual as a book on
biology without abundant
illustrations.

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 C. rarely

A. useless D. sparsely

B. difficult
C. interesting 40. The man’s health has

D. satisfactory deteriorated in the hospital

37. The lady acted courageously A. collapsed

when thieves attacked her. B. improved

C. worsened

A. shyly D. revived

B. fearlessly
C. indiscreetly In each of the questions 41-

D. timidly 50, fill the blank space with

the most appropriate of

38. The explosive growth of world options A-D

population has not been caused

by a sudden increase in human 41. The sea waves continue to …

fertility. the cliff on the west coast

constantly.

A. fantastic
B. gradual A. impair

C. combustible B. rub

D. dangerous C. knock
D. erode

39. Coastal plains are often very

densely populated. 42. Each of the candidates that
came late ….. to complete …..

A. weakly
B. badly A. have/this form

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B. are having/these forms
C. have/these forms A. what is my name
D. has/this form B. what was my name
C. what my name was
43. Oche should leave for New D. what my name should be
York on Friday …... being equal.
47. Two young boys have been
A. all the things caught with parts of the stolen
B. all other things machine but …... admitted
C. other things stealing it.
D. other things all
A. neither of them has
44. Do you prefer…... my rickety B. neither of them have
car? C. none of them has
D. none of them have
A. going on foot to taking
B. to go on foot to taking 48. We ought to have visited the
C. going on foot than taking Governor…...
D. to go on foot than to take
A. isn’t it?
45. When I was in the secondary B. oughtn’t we?
school, my parents were active C. shouldn’t we?
members of the …... D. haven’t we?

A. Parents-Teachers Association 49. The old man couldn’t help …...

B. Parents’-Teachers’ Association at his grandson’s babbling.
C. Parent-Teacher Association
D. Parent’s-Teacher’s Association A. to laugh
46. The principal asked me …... B. that he laughed

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C. laughing
D. in laughing 52. You could have heard the
sound if you weren’t asleep.
50. "Your brigade would be the
better for it, if you desisted ____ A. You were not asleep so you
rumour-mongering," observed the heard the sound
Chief of Staff. B. You were asleep so you did not
hear the sound
A. from C. You heard the sound though
B. away you were asleep
C. into D. You did not hear the sound
D. away from though you were not asleep

In each of the questions 51– 53. Tom ought not to have told
55, select the option that best me.
explains the information
conveyed in the sentence. A. Tom did not tell me but he
should
51. Emeka wished he had started B. Perhaps Tom was wrong to
school early. have told me
C. Tom told me but it was wrong
A. Emeka starts school early as of him
he wished D. It was necessary for Tom not
B. Emeka regretted starting to tell me
school early
C. Emeka regretted not starting 54. Bolade would make a mess of
school early cooking the rice.
D. Emeka could have started
school early if he had wished

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A. It was typical of Bolade to B. pear
make a mess of things C. fair
B. Bolade cannot cook D. pier
C. Bolade will not cook the rice
D. Bolade does not like cooking 57. thatch
rice
A. clothing
55. The manager said that the B. mother
new loaf was the last word in C. then
bakery. D. method

A. The loaf was the best ever 58. judge

baked
B. The loaf was the last to be A. measure
baked B. general
C. The loaf was the worst to have C. pressure
been baked D. grace
D. The loaf was the last in the
baker’s directory In each f the questions 59–60,
choose the appropriate stress
In each of questions 56 – 58, pattern for the option. The
choose the option that has the syllables are written in capital
same vowel sound as the one letters
represented by the letter(s)
underlined 59. melodramatic

56. beer A. Melodramatic

B. melodramatic
A. bear C. melodramatic

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D. melodramatic

60. understandable

A. unDERstandable
B. understandABLE
C. UNderstandable
D. underSTANDable

ANSWER KEYS 2020

1. D 2. A 3. C 4. D 5. B 6. A 7. C
8. A 9. D 10. A 11. D 12. A 13.
D 14. B 15. C 16. D 17. A 18. C
19. B 20. B 21. B 22. B 23. D
24. C 25. B 26. C 27. D 28. C
29. A 30. C

31. C 32. D 33. B 34. A 35. D

36. D 37. D 38. B 39. D 40. B
41. C 42. D 43. C 44. A 45. C
46. C 47. C 48. C 49. C 50. A
51. C 52. B 53. C 54. C 55. A
56. D 57. D 58. B 59. D 60. D

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 DISCLAIMER

These are not JAMB expo questions for this year

but past questions of previous years.

You are advised to study these past questions

and know how each correct answer was gotten

to be well-prepared for your JAMB exam.

Speaking of which,

Would you like to download this JAMB Use of

English past questions and answers with step-

by-step explanation for each correct answer?

Click on the link below...

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