JAMB - English Language (1987)

  • 1
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

    The house-wife was hard up before the end of each month
    Antwort
    (D)
    in no need
  • 2
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:
    The retired General became a hard- nosed officer after fighting the war
    Antwort
    (B)
    weak
  • 3
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:
    The Lions lost the match because their goalkeeper was in a haze most of the time
    Antwort
    (C)
    alert
  • 4
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:
    Unless we see the evils clearly, contending against them is like fighting the air
    Antwort
    (A)
    avoiding
  • 5
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:The explosive growth of world population has not been caused by a sudden increase in human fertility
    Antwort
    (B)
    gradual
  • 6

    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:

    It is generally believed that misers are not loved by many

    Antwort
    (A)
    spendthrifts
  • 7
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) Underlined:
    My bother's primary school foundation was solid and this influenced his secondary education
    Antwort
    (C)
    shaky
  • 8
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the Underlined word(s) or phrase:Ít is very difficult to know who is not entitled to essential commodities these days' observed the mobbed NNSC officials
    Antwort
    (C)
    eligible
  • 9
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:'This is a miniaturized version of your house' remarked the Architect.
    Antwort
    (D)
    smaller
  • 10
    In the question below, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined:
    It is claimed that there is an extinct volcano near Pankshin.
    Antwort
    (B)
    inactive
  • 11
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    Bola has a sonorous voice.
    Antwort
    (C)
    strong
  • 12
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    Some workers went on rampage at a trade-fair.
    Antwort
    (A)
    turned violent
  • 13
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    We have to identify the protagonists of the new movement
    Antwort
    (B)
    leading figures
  • 14
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    My nephew came in stealthily through the back gate
    Antwort
    (D)
    quietly
  • 15
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    The distance is not more than twenty kilometres as the crow flies
    Antwort
    (B)
    by the shortest route
  • 16
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    Your extreme patience sometimes infuriates me
    Antwort
    (B)
    annoys
  • 17
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    I cannot understand how he suddenly became audacious contrary to his nature
    Antwort
    (B)
    bold
  • 18
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    He as been a life of make-belief
    Antwort
    (B)
    fantasy
  • 19
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    Our teacher seldom comes late to school
    Antwort
    (D)
    hardly ever
  • 20
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:At the age of 80, Musa wished he could put the clock back.
    Antwort
    (C)
    go back in time
  • 21
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:

    The Director left his secret file to the Secretary in good faith
    Antwort
    (D)
    in trust
  • 22
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    The Chief approached the issue with convincing disinterestedness.
    Antwort
    (B)
    lack of personal interest
  • 23
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    Nothing irritates the clerk more, than being assigned miscellaneous duties
    Antwort
    (D)
    assorted
  • 24
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    It is of fundamental importance that one sleeps properly.
    Antwort
    (B)
    basic
  • 25
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    I know you've been eaves-dropping all along.
    Antwort
    (C)
    listening secretly
  • 26

    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:

    She showed an affected interest in the game.

    Antwort
    (B)
    pretended
  • 27
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    I would not like you to do the work piecemeal
    Antwort
    (B)
    bit by bit
  • 28
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    I think i'll like to reiterate the points earlier made.
    Antwort
    (D)
    repeat
  • 29
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    The sudden death of the king put paid to the ambition of the Minister
    Antwort
    (D)
    terminated
  • 30
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase Underlined:
    The man insisted on having no strings attached to the agreements
    Antwort
    (C)
    conditions
  • 31
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    I was .... hearing distance of the speaker.
    Antwort
    (C)
    within
  • 32
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    Peter was such a skillful boxer that he was not afraid to take ...... anybody.
    Antwort
    (C)
    on
  • 33
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    Owing to the constant harassment of the populace by armed robbers, all night guards have been instructed to shoot .... every moving things
    Antwort
    (A)
    at sight
  • 34
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    My wife and i were to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary last Sunday. Unfortunately on that ....day, my father-in-law died mysteriously
    Antwort
    (D)
    fateful
  • 35
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    The first graduation ceremony of the university was attended by men from all ..... of life
    Antwort
    (C)
    walks
  • 36
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    ..... guests enjoyed joy's birthday party
    Antwort
    (B)
    All the
  • 37
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    One would wish .... missed that opportunity to be present at the graduation ball
    Antwort
    (D)
    not to have
  • 38
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    The ceremony was rounded .... very late.
    Antwort
    (B)
    off
  • 39
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    My ..... brother intends to get married in December.
    Antwort
    (B)
    elder
  • 40
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    The ..... Affairs Officers is expecting all of us in the dining room
    Antwort
    (A)
    Student
  • 41
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s):
    Many candidates ..... to realise the difference between written and spoken English
    Antwort
    (B)
    fail
  • 42
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Chinyere has not really described the Cabinet as irresponsible; she only ..... it in her speech.
    Antwort
    (A)
    alluded to
  • 43
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    '.... at 9:30 for more news',said the announcer.
    Antwort
    (B)
    Tune in
  • 44
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The way that big boy bullied his sister with relish make me think he could be a ....
    Antwort
    (B)
    sadist
  • 45
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    All .... well with Peter
    Antwort
    (D)
    is not
  • 46
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Ore .... so if she had thought it necessary
    Antwort
    (A)
    would have said
  • 47
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    We have done three quarters of the journey already; we .... as well see the end of it
    Antwort
    (B)
    might
  • 48
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    My little daughter has .... sights; hence she now wears glasses
    Antwort
    (D)
    defective
  • 49
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Bassey's evidence led .... Okon being imprisoned for life
    Antwort
    (D)
    to
  • 50
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    My boss is usually a charming man but ... he can be very irritable.
    Antwort
    (B)
    at times
  • 51
    In the question below, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    We surely ought to have an .... arrangement in case somebody discovers the present strategy.
    Antwort
    (C)
    alternative
  • 52
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The nurse kept apologizing to mothers as she stuck her needle .... every baby at the clinic
    Antwort
    (D)
    into
  • 53
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    One of the ladies who .... in the premises .... been asked to withdraw.
    Antwort
    (D)
    sell/has
  • 54
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    A tale of two cities .... the .... we are studying for examination
    Antwort
    (D)
    is/novel
  • 55

    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):

    We must not take with us the feelings of inadequacy .... experienced during preparations for the debate

    Antwort
    (A)
    that were
  • 56
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Omogbai reported that the examinations .... before he arrived in the hall
    Antwort
    (C)
    had started
  • 57
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    In my opinion, neither the player nor the coach .... praise for the result of the match.
    Antwort
    (A)
    deserves
  • 58
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    no one has said anything yet, but i think i .... be getting a salary increase next month
    Antwort
    (D)
    may
  • 59
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Student: Excuse me sir, must we complete the assignment before lunch? Teacher: No you ....
    Antwort
    (A)
    needn't
  • 60
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    During demonstration, the mobile police were instructed to break .... the students defence line
    Antwort
    (C)
    through
  • 61
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Roli failed because the examination was .... difficult for her
    Antwort
    (D)
    too
  • 62
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):

    My brother does not have a flair .... mathematics.
    Antwort
    (A)
    for
  • 63
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The poor little kid has been down .... fever these few days
    Antwort
    (A)
    with
  • 64
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    He did not stop to ask himself why .... such thing.
    Antwort
    (B)
    he should do
  • 65
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The quarrel has got to a stage where someone has to ....
    Antwort
    (D)
    intervene
  • 66
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The villages looked ..... their leader for good examples.
    Antwort
    (A)
    up to
  • 67
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The hunter brought home ..... antelope.
    Antwort
    (C)
    a live
  • 68
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Do not take my books out of this office unless you .... my permission to do so
    Antwort
    (B)
    have
  • 69
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The man insisted on giving unsolicited ....
    Antwort
    (A)
    advice
  • 70
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Culture patterns are modified as they are .... from one generation to the next
    Antwort
    (D)
    transmitted
  • 71
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    We discovered at the end of last term that we had to read .... books before we could confidently go for our final examination
    Antwort
    (B)
    very many more
  • 72
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Chinedu took his umbrella with him in case it ....
    Antwort
    (B)
    rained
  • 73
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    The train was to slow so i decided to .... at the next stop
    Antwort
    (C)
    get off
  • 74
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Dapo has made good use of some useful .... on the chemical composition of chalk
    Antwort
    (A)
    information
  • 75
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):
    Tonye said that he was going to bed because he was .... to do any more work.
    Antwort
    (C)
    too tired
  • 76
    The tone of this passage is
    Antwort
    (B)
    Satirical
  • 77
    'Mortuary stylistics' as used in the passage refers to the
    Antwort
    (D)
    art of eulogizing the dead
  • 78
    One suspects that the reason why some of our newspaper still manage to break even.......suggests that some Nigerian newspapers
    Antwort
    (A)
    would be runnung at a loss but for obituaries
  • 79
    Obituaries are very popular in Nigeria because
    Antwort
    (D)
    Nigerians value dead greatly
  • 80
    Which of the following can be deduced from the passage?
    Antwort
    (B)
    obituaries insinuate that most Nigerians do not die natural deaths
  • 81
    The dominant subject of this passage is the
    Antwort
    (C)
    white man's influence
  • 82
    According to the passage, the people of Umuaro and Okperi
    Antwort
    (C)
    are no friends
  • 83
    'There is no escape from the white man' in the passage means that the
    Antwort
    (D)
    people must accept the white man
  • 84
    'Passes by your ears' in the passage means
    Antwort
    (C)
    making no impression
  • 85
    'Passes by your ears' in the passage means
    Antwort
    (C)
    making no impression
  • 86
    Unachukwu's speech in this passage shows that he
    Antwort
    (D)
    is wise with experience
  • 87
    when may a journalist have to act against his own inclination?
    Antwort
    (A)
    when his friends act stupidly
  • 88
    A journalist would be able to uphold the tenets of his profession if
    Antwort
    (C)
    he resists temptation to bias
  • 89
    The relationship between the manager and his secretary, as revealed in the passage could be said to be
    Antwort
    (A)
    strained
  • 90
    'insidious' (line 2)means
    Antwort
    (A)
    subtle
  • 91
    'I would not describe you as an inefficient worker.......suggests that the manager
    Antwort
    (D)
    is non-committal over the efficiency of his secretary
  • 92
    A dutiful journalist must
    Antwort
    (E)
    be able to recognise merit wherever found
  • 93
    it would appear that the manager feels that the secretary
    Antwort
    (C)
    should have ensured that the cleaner did his job
  • 94
    The duty of the journalist to the public entails
    Antwort
    (D)
    telling the truth
  • 95
    The secretary's attitude seems to be
    Antwort
    (B)
    it is not the duty of a secretary to enforce the instruction he gives to his junior workers
  • 96
    The last comment by the manager suggests that he
    Antwort
    (A)
    is going to hold the secretary responsible for what has happened
  • 97
    frame of reference' in this passage (line 11 means)
    Antwort
    (D)
    contex of situation
  • 98
    Primitive man carried a firebrand during his journeys mainly for
    Antwort
    (C)
    flame perservation
  • 99
    According to the passage, the torch probably developed from a
    Antwort
    (A)
    firebrand
  • 100
    The writer apparently believed that through science and technology our country can achieve
    Antwort
    (B)
    progress and material success
  • 101
    Primitive man was least concerned with fire as a
    Antwort
    (C)
    source of light
  • 102
    One way early man made a lamp was by putting a lighted reed in a
    Antwort
    (D)
    molten fat
  • 103
    Primitive man preserved fire because
    Antwort
    (A)
    he used it for illumination during his travels
  • 104
    According to the passage, the basic consideration for developing science and technology should be three of the following.
    1. Technical know-how
    2. availability of raw material
    3. atmospheric pollution
    4. the people's tradition and beliefs
    5. population
    6. capital
    Antwort
    (A)
    2,1 and 6 only
  • 105
    The main idea of this passage is that
    Antwort
    (E)
    each nation must plan its development according to its needs and resources
  • 106
    The term 'our sister developing countries' implies
    Antwort
    (D)
    Liberia, Sierra Leone and Gabon
  • 107
    The author believes that electronic recording is
    Antwort
    (C)
    superior to both mental recording and writing
  • 108
    The writer believes that the art of record keeping has
    Antwort
    (A)
    improved over the years
  • 109
    How many stages of development did the writer mention while discussing the art of record keeping?
    Antwort
    (A)
    two
  • 110
    According to the author, human memory is unreliable because people
    Antwort
    (B)
    forget events or tell lies
  • 111
    From the passage, we gather that writings were almost
    Antwort
    (A)
    as unreliable as human memory
  • 112
    The author believes that to overcome the problem of altitude and weather the climber needs mainly
    Antwort
    (C)
    sufficient quantity of oxygen
  • 113
    'conspires' (line 3)means
    Antwort
    (D)
    combines
  • 114
    'regardless of terrain' (line 5)
    Antwort
    (B)
    despite the nature of the ground
  • 115
    'to live and have our being above the limit of natural acclimatization' (line 7)means
    Antwort
    (C)
    to survive under unnatural weather conditions