JAMB - English Language (1990)

  • 1
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
    The policeman was asked to investigate the matter
    Antwort
    (B)
    forget about
  • 2
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
    Lola was agitated when the sad news of her mother's accidents was broken to her
    Antwort
    (B)
    calm
  • 3

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

    Though his parents' poverty placed many obstacles in his path as a young man, Olu succeeded at last.

    Antwort
    (B)
    advantages
  • 4
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
    Binta sobbed by the door because she had lost her mother's precious necklace
    Antwort
    (D)
    laughed
  • 5
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
    The president took exception to the ignoble role the young man played in the matter
    Antwort
    (A)
    honourable
  • 6
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
    The man who had been seriously ill was convalescing at a sea-side resort
    Antwort
    (B)
    deteriorating in health
  • 7
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:For millions years, the worlds's resources have remained boundless
    Antwort
    (D)
    limited
  • 8
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
    It seems fashionable, in some quaters today to decry examinations and the ability to pass them
    Antwort
    (A)
    extol
  • 9
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:
    Ogedebge was an Intrepid fighter for human freedom and dignity
    Antwort
    (A)
    timid
  • 10
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined:The difference between the experimental procedure was imperceptible to me
    Antwort
    (C)
    obvious
  • 11
    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word Underlined: His antipathy to religious ideas makes him unpopular
    Antwort
    (D)
    receptiveness
  • 12
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:
    The boss told the man to let sleeping dogs lie
    Antwort
    (A)
    not to look for trouble
  • 13
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word Underlined: The fact that Ruth has inherited her late husband's house is cold comfort to her
    Antwort
    (B)
    inadequate comfort
  • 14
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word Underlined: The headmaster decided to make good his promise to the students
    Antwort
    (A)
    fulfil
  • 15
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word underlined: The advertisement served as a smoke screen for the activities of the company
    Antwort
    (A)
    a camouflage
  • 16
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word underlined: My plans are still up in the air
    Antwort
    (B)
    uncertain
  • 17
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word underlined: The judge always takes a hardline on such issues
    Antwort
    (C)
    uncompromising stand
  • 18
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The case was dismissed for want of evidence
    Antwort
    (D)
    for lack of proof
  • 19

    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:

    The term has become indomitable quite recently

    Antwort
    (C)
    unconquerable
  • 20
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The flock suddenly became restive after midday
    Antwort
    (D)
    fidgety
  • 21
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Your reaction underscores the point i was making
    Antwort
    (C)
    emphasizes
  • 22
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: What he received from the visitors was invaluable
    Antwort
    (A)
    priceless
  • 23
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The potential resources of the university should be fully exploited
    Antwort
    (B)
    latent
  • 24
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:Tom's aberrant behaviour attracted attention.
    Antwort
    (D)
    abnormal
  • 25
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:A number or people impersonating tax-official were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate this morning
    Antwort
    (D)
    brought
  • 26
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:
    Ngozi spoke to her father quite candidly about her proposed marriage
    Antwort
    (C)
    frankly
  • 27
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The secretary was advised to put on a cheerful disposition whenever the manager arrives
    Antwort
    (C)
    a happy look
  • 28
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The cereal is fortified with multivitamins
    Antwort
    (A)
    enriched
  • 29
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:The lawyer told the court some unsavoury details about the case
    Antwort
    (C)
    unpleeasant
  • 30
    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:The professor's thesis was the precursor of nuclear studies
    Antwort
    (D)
    forerunner
  • 31
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Why do you worry about such .... matters?
    Antwort
    (A)
    insignificant
  • 32
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    It was difficult to .... a man walking on the moon two centuries
    Antwort
    (D)
    imagine
  • 33
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    This section of the test will .... questions on set passages
    Antwort
    (C)
    contain
  • 34
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Animals in .... behave differently from animals living in the natural habitat
    Antwort
    (C)
    captivity
  • 35
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    After months of tedious climbing, the team reached the .... of the mountain
    Antwort
    (B)
    summit
  • 36
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    After Jerry had made the bed, he .... on it
    Antwort
    (D)
    lay
  • 37
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Knowledge of figures of speech as well as idioms and lexical items .... in this section
    Antwort
    (A)
    is tested
  • 38
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    The buildings damaged by the rainstorm .....schools, hospitals and private houses
    Antwort
    (A)
    included
  • 39
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    I would have been off to see Biola at Festac Town by the time you ... tomorrow
    Antwort
    (B)
    return
  • 40
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    The lecturer said that we .... be able to finish the next chapter this evening
    Antwort
    (D)
    should
  • 41
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    If you want a successful marriage , you .... pray for it
    Antwort
    (C)
    had better
  • 42
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    I could have agreed with your action if i .... not .... you promised to increase the worker's salaries
    Antwort
    (B)
    had/heard
  • 43
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    The chemistry teacher seized the girl's comic .... during the laboratory work
    Antwort
    (A)
    which she had been reading
  • 44
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    He .... during the whole of last month
    Antwort
    (A)
    was sick
  • 45
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Ladies and gentlemen, our guest speaker, Dr. Oni .... also a resident doctor at the teaching hospital.
    Antwort
    (D)
    is
  • 46
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    We are not surprised he was not elected; every one of his constituents .... that he is unreliable
    Antwort
    (B)
    knows
  • 47
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    I have the .... of meeting him
    Antwort
    (B)
    privilege
  • 48
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    The pastor said 'lay .... your hearts to God'
    Antwort
    (C)
    bare
  • 49
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Now, i am used .... bread without butter.
    Antwort
    (D)
    to eating
  • 50
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Dan and Tina met on the ship and greeted ....
    Antwort
    (C)
    each other
  • 51
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    One can no longer take for granted today what .... enjoyed in the university some years ago, can ....?
    Antwort
    (B)
    one/one
  • 52
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Attention has shifted to the teaching of science nowadays .... the usefulness of the Arts
    Antwort
    (A)
    in spite of
  • 53
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    .... to help him, being the only person in the vicinity.
    Antwort
    (B)
    There was no one
  • 54
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    I heard that Kayode's car was stolen last night. It .... be true because i saw him .... it this morning.
    Antwort
    (D)
    cannot/driving
  • 55
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    The competitor who .... earlier on has started .... again
    Antwort
    (C)
    fainted/running
  • 56
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    A number of teachers in secondary schools are not so well disposed to .... these days, .... they?
    Antwort
    (B)
    teaching/are
  • 57
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    If it had rained, we would have had to postpone the concert. It didn't rain, so ....
    Antwort
    (D)
    we didn't have to
  • 58
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    .... all probability, the train will arrive today
    Antwort
    (A)
    In
  • 59
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    We cannot explain his objection .... the new law
    Antwort
    (D)
    to
  • 60
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap:
    Silk materials ought be be prohibited .... being brought into the country
    Antwort
    (C)
    from
  • 61
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    The answers to the questions were discussed .... the students
    Antwort
    (B)
    by
  • 62
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):

    I can always depend .... my father for my survival.
    Antwort
    (A)
    on
  • 63
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    The Director is .... pains to ensure the success of the programme.
    Antwort
    (B)
    at
  • 64
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    Bola broke .... when he heard the news of the arrest of his twin brother
    Antwort
    (D)
    down
  • 65
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    Yemi said 'i'm coming' to her friend Biola who was waiting for her instead of saying ....
    Antwort
    (C)
    i'll be with you in a moment
  • 66
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    'Be that as .... we are determined to get to the root of the matter!' shouted the officer
    Antwort
    (B)
    it may
  • 67
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    When the farmers were found guilty of unlawful assembly and procession, their lawyer .... before the sentence was passed
    Antwort
    (B)
    made a plea for mitigation
  • 68
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    My price for the pair of shoes is fifty naira. I cannot .... anything less than that
    Antwort
    (B)
    settle for
  • 69
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    Aishatu: Could you please give this book to Aminu? Chidi: Certainly, I .... him on something, so it won't be ....
    Antwort
    (C)
    i'll be seeing/any bother
  • 70
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    The company representative in Nigeria is a ....
    Antwort
    (A)
    smart little Japanese
  • 71
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    The shipping company advertised for .... accountants
    Antwort
    (A)
    two young, but highly competent , Nigerian
  • 72
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    Let's have a cup of coffee, ....
    Antwort
    (A)
    shall we?
  • 73
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    No matter to whom I ...., nobody in the crowd had a clue to what was going on
    Antwort
    (C)
    turned
  • 74
    In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s):
    Olu, Akpan and Ovbiagele's .... make people to believe that they belong to same school of thought.
    Antwort
    (C)
    philosophies
  • 75
    In the question below choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:
    The principal warned us against burning candle at both ends
    Antwort
    (B)
    wearing ourselves out
  • 76
    In the question below choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in underlined:
    Biola decided to give the task everything he had
    Antwort
    (C)
    complete attention
  • 77
    In the question below choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in underlined:
    The result of the election would have been different if some people had not been disfranchised
    Antwort
    (D)
    prevented from voting
  • 78
    In the question below choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in underlined:
    We enjoy the story but it sounds larger than life
    Antwort
    (D)
    somewhat unusual
  • 79
    In the question below choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in underline:
    Olu might visit London next summer
    Antwort
    (A)
    could
  • 80
    In the question below choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in underlined:
    General Murtala Mohammed excelled in deeds of prowess
    Antwort
    (C)
    courage
  • 81
    In the question below choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in underlined:
    The teacher's face broke into an incredulous smile when he heard Adamu's reason for coming late
    Antwort
    (C)
    unbelievable
  • 82
    The young men of Emopa would hunt for elephants because
    Antwort
    (C)
    no young Emopa attracts a girl's admiration untill he has killed a dangerous animal
  • 83
    The legend that the lions were invulnerable was confirmed by the fact that
    Antwort
    (B)
    many famous hunters had tried without success in the past to kill the lions
  • 84
    The lions played the game of 'baw' because
    Antwort
    (C)
    they want to decide whether to go on a raid or not
  • 85
    The famous hunters failed to kill the loins because the
    Antwort
    (D)
    hunters did not have enough time
  • 86
    According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a superstitious reason for fearing the lions?
    Antwort
    (A)
    many famous hunters had tried and failed to kill the lions
  • 87
    The immature adult is like the child because
    Antwort
    (D)
    some of his actions are delibrately irrational
  • 88
    What main difference is mentioned between the child and the adult?
    Antwort
    (C)
    time difference
  • 89
    What right has the mother to give orders to the child?
    Antwort
    (C)
    she understands the environment better than the child
  • 90
    The two-year old child begins to refuse orders
    Antwort
    (C)
    he assert his independence
  • 91
    What kind of awareness does the child demonstrate at two?
    Antwort
    (D)
    that he is different and separate from others
  • 92
    The phrase 'a dismal picture' means
    Antwort
    (C)
    a sad situation
  • 93
    According to the writer, most girls in less developed countries are not in school because
    Antwort
    (C)
    the education of boys is rated higher
  • 94
    The non-literate woman is very difficult to reach because she
    Antwort
    (A)
    does not understand the value of education and health services
  • 95
    The phrase 'too late' in the passage implies that the woman
    Antwort
    (B)
    goes on producing children when she ought to have stopped
  • 96
    The writer emphasizes that in less developed countries,
    Antwort
    (D)
    there is a need to give boys and girls equal opportunity in education
  • 97
    An appropriate tittle for this passage is
    Antwort
    (D)
    codes and education
  • 98
    The groups of children mentioned as examples in the passage are
    Antwort
    (C)
    urban working-class and rural and urban middle-class
  • 99
    'Restricted code' and 'elaborate code' are
    Antwort
    (D)
    antonyms
  • 100
    It can be assumed reasonably that language has
    Antwort
    (A)
    only one code
  • 101
    'The school system does not talk to him' means that the
    Antwort
    (D)
    teachers talk to him differently from the way hie is talked to at home
  • 102
    Books are different from other goods because
    Antwort
    (C)
    one cannot tell so easily which books will prove saleable
  • 103
    The problem of selection in the book trade involves
    Antwort
    (B)
    determing which books will sell fast
  • 104
    How many solutions to the bookseller's problems are offered in this passage?
    Antwort
    (B)
    three
  • 105
    Of the solutions proposed for the bookseller's problems, how many are actually positive?
    Antwort
    (D)
    none