JAMB - English Language (1997)

1
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The stadium had a capacity crowd in spite of the weather?
Answer
(B)
The crowd defied the weather to fill the stadium
2
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The conference is biennial?
Answer
(C)
The conference is held once every other year
3
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Only two ministers survived the recent cabinet reshuffle?
Answer
(D)
In recent changes in government, all but two ministers were sacked
4
Bassey is as hard as nails?
Answer
(D)
Bassey is unsympathetic
5
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

He gave a painstaking account of his encounter with the ghost of his father?
Answer
(C)
half-hearted
6
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

He gave a painstaking account of his encounter with the ghost of his father?
Answer
(C)
half-hearted
7
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

Bala was put off by Lanre's coquettish behaviour towards him?
Answer
(A)
unfriendly advances
8
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

Since mortality is the lot of man, argued the preacher, we must all accept death with equanimity.
Answer
(D)
anxiety
9
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

We admire the minister's passionate and dynamic characteristics.
Answer
(C)
passive and charmless
10
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

I was advised to stay away from cities that are ravaged by crime?
Answer
(B)
free from
11
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

You can use lethal means if necessary to stop dangerous characters from molesting innocent citizens?
Answer
(C)
harmless
12
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

His intention was not actually to punish the villagers, and in any case he is now making moves to pacify them?
Answer
(D)
annoy
13
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

If you are really keen on immediate results, you just have to adopt his pragmatic approach?
Answer
(B)
unrealistic
14
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

My friend was reduced to beggary by various ill-advised business deals?
Answer
(A)
affluence
15
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

Measures were taken to authenticate the number of the booklets received?
Answer
(B)
discredit
16
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

He urged other progressives in the country to join forces with his association.
Answer
(B)
conservatives
17
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

Adama's father simply condoned her bad habits instead of punishing her appropriately?
Answer
(D)
forbade
18
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

The undesirable elements who perpetuate these vices are never detected?
Answer
(C)
discontinue
19
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

Some travelers unwittingly render themselves open prey to questionable characters?
Answer
(C)
knowingly
20
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

His father is a shrewd businessman?
Answer
(A)
gullible
21
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

Many people have raised the issue about the need for an equitable distribution of our wealth?
Answer
(C)
an unjust
22
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

The pastor decided to exorcise the evil spirit as the afflicted member of his congregation cried for help.
Answer
(C)
invite
23
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

He mumbled a few words at the trial and then cried?
Answer
(A)
shouted
24
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

There are many areas of convergence between male and female behaviour.
Answer
(C)
incompatibility
25
Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

The greenhouse effect is beginning to abate in Europe?
Answer
(A)
intensify
26
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

Adebayo's plans for the future are in the air?
Answer
(B)
uncertain
27
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The group of performers thrilled the audience with its peculiar choreography?
Answer
(A)
form of dancing
28
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

Our local paper is noted for its incisive editorials on local politics?
Answer
(B)
penetrating
29
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The criminal didn't bat an eyelid when the judge pronounced the sentence?
Answer
(D)
showed no emotion or surprise
30
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The rally was attended only by people who were apolitical?
Answer
(D)
not interested in politics
31
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

Smiling broadly, she explained why she always took exception to being referred to as his wife?
Answer
(A)
objected to
32
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

In those days, an ordinary school drop-out would come around putting on airs?
Answer
(A)
trying to impress people
33
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

Many Nigerians have inured themselves to hardship?
Answer
(C)
acustomed
34
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

There are many venal judges in our law courts today?
Answer
(C)
corrupt
35
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

He is bound to expose himself by his nefarious activities?
Answer
(C)
despicable
36
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

In this house, children are supposed to be in bed by ten o'clock?
Answer
(D)
not later than
37
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

You don't have to agree with our procedure?
Answer
(C)
may disagree if you wish
38
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

You don't have to agree with our procedure?
Answer
(C)
may disagree if you wish
39
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The new Vice-Chancellor's immediate concern was to tide over the major difficulties of the moment?
Answer
(C)
decisively solve
40
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The lawyer gave evasive answers to all the questions?
Answer
(D)
equivocal
41
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

Their strength is their staggering capacity to reproduce?
Answer
(D)
overwhelming multiplying power
42
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The sales were lively, the upset price in each case was fair?
Answer
(D)
lowest selling price of each item
43
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The cleaner resigned from his job which he said had become a trivial round?
Answer
(B)
too routine
44
Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

The island becomes more enchanting at night?
Answer
(A)
attractive
45
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

For a long time, the robber defied police warnings as if he was invulnerable?
Answer
(C)
impossible to harm
46
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

He was ....... by the trickster
Answer
(B)
duped
47
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

When the soldiers saw that resistance was ....... they stopped fighting?
Answer
(C)
futile
48
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

You should read all the ...... carefully before you decide where to go on holiday?
Answer
(A)
brochures
49
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

The Emir and conqueror of the enemy territories .......next week?
Answer
(A)
arrives
50
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

We ought to have visited the Governor ......?
Answer
(B)
oughtn't we
51
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

He didn't sense Obi's presence in the room, did he?
Answer
(D)
No, he didn't
52
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

You can stay here ....... as you are quite?
Answer
(A)
as long
53
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

Where ...... buses ...... ?
Answer
(C)
do these / go
54
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

Ours ..... based venture
Answer
(B)
is a resource
55
Wale: Do you know where my chemistry book is?
Tom:
Answer
(B)
it is with Toyin
56
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

The accident occurred when the driver of the car..... the lorry?
Answer
(B)
reversed into
57
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

...... i would have helped you?
Answer
(D)
If you had asked me
58
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

The principal warned the students not to take the....... hands.
Answer
(C)
law into their own
59
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

Those men helped Duped and ......?
Answer
(C)
me
60
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

I had hardly ...... down to sleep when I heard the gunshot.
Answer
(C)
lain
61
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

My shoes are worn out; I must see my ...... ?
Answer
(C)
cobbler
62
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

A sterile range of mountains, broken at intervals by deep ravines ...... almost the whole of this small state?
Answer
(B)
encloses
63
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

Kunle was annoyed for arriving late ..... put him out of temper?
Answer
(C)
and Kemi's rather insolent manner also
64
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

The protesters, unable to pull down the statue,.... it form its fixtures?
Answer
(A)
wrenched
65
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

...... been no official reaction to your request yet?
Answer
(A)
There's
66
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

His looks portend that ....... would be unpleasant?
Answer
(D)
the news
67
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

By January 1999, I ..... ten years in the service of this institution?
Answer
(A)
should have been
68
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

The accused is optimistic of regaining his freedom because there is no witness to ..... his story?
Answer
(D)
contradict
69
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

Don't ...... said the leader 'I want a decision now?
Answer
(A)
prevaricate
70
Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap.

Most of the missing jewelry were___________ by the police?
Answer
(D)
recovered