JAMB - English Language (1980)

  • 1
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five option:
    The telephone .... in the nineteenth century and is now used in most countries in the world
    Sagot
    (B)
    was invented
  • 2
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five option:
    By the end of the next semester he .... his University education
    Sagot
    (A)
    would have completed
  • 3
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five option:
    In the past his father used to walk but nowadays he .... to work by bicycles
    Sagot
    (D)
    goes
  • 4
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    The students .... so much noise while the lecturer had to walk out of the class
    Sagot
    (C)
    were making
  • 5
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    Olukayode .... as a mechanic when he was young, but now he is a driver
    Sagot
    (B)
    used to work
  • 6
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    ...., it might not look such a rosy proposition.
    Sagot
    (D)
    From his point of view
  • 7
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    If we went to any European country .... Britain, we should need a substantial amount of money to pay our way
    Sagot
    (A)
    like
  • 8
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    The horse is a winner, ....
    Sagot
    (C)
    you can take my word for it
  • 9
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    If he had entered the room, i .... him
    Sagot
    (C)
    would have seen
  • 10
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    You should show some consideration .... the feelings of others
    Sagot
    (E)
    for
  • 11
    Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options
    The old car .... several times this year
    Sagot
    (B)
    has been repaired
  • 12
    Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to the underlined word:
    His penury gave him a lifetime of hunger
    Sagot
    (C)
    poverty
  • 13
    Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to the underlined word:
    The bible's prodigal son became quite wealth eventually
    Sagot
    (E)
    extravagant
  • 14
    Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to the underlined word:
    Don't eat just any innocuous looking mushroom you see around
    Sagot
    (B)
    harmless
  • 15
    Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to the underlined word:
    Colossal means
    Sagot
    (B)
    gigantic
  • 16
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    The prices .... are too high for us
    Sagot
    (B)
    you quoted
  • 17
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    The method .... does not give the expected results.
    Sagot
    (A)
    you recommended
  • 18
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    Oxygen is necessary to life. Nothing can live without it. It was .... a century ago
    Sagot
    (C)
    discovered
  • 19
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    Why does a flamingo stand on one leg? Because if it lifted the other one, it would ....
    Sagot
    (C)
    fall down
  • 20
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    I am travelling by the 6:30 train tomorrow morning. Will you .... me ....?
    Sagot
    (A)
    see/off
  • 21
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    I am a student and .... Musa. I left for the university, and .... Musa
    Sagot
    (B)
    so is, so did
  • 22
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    You have been absent from classes for four months. How can you .... for the lost time
    Sagot
    (B)
    make up
  • 23
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    I am afraid you cannot use this telephone; it is ....
    Sagot
    (A)
    out of order
  • 24
    Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
    You should make an ..... to improve the situation
    Sagot
    (D)
    effort
  • 25

    From the options lettered A-D, select the option that best fills the gap(s) in the sentence below:

    Must you always .... lies? Why don't you .... the truth for once

    Sagot
    (D)
    tell
  • 26
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    .... listening to the news when i came in
    Sagot
    (E)
    They were
  • 27
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    They said that ....about 20 candidates for the job of a shorthand typist
    Sagot
    (C)
    there were
  • 28
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    He told me to go on .... till seven
    Sagot
    (D)
    working
  • 29
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    Many goods .... tape recorders and cameras find a ready market in every country
    Sagot
    (C)
    such as
  • 30
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    He acts .... he were a general manager
    Sagot
    (C)
    as if
  • 31
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    Could i ring him up? I'd rather you ....
    Sagot
    (B)
    visited him
  • 32
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    Don't study on the examination day? What did he tell you? He told me .... on the examination day
    Sagot
    (D)
    not to study
  • 33
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    I .... to gain admission to the college for the past three years
    Sagot
    (A)
    have been trying
  • 34
    complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    .... a lot of arguments for and against car loans in the press recently
    Sagot
    (C)
    There have been
  • 35
    Complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:

    He reported to his manager that he .... overseas
    Sagot
    (A)
    had never been
  • 36
    Complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    Shall we go to the union meeting? No thank you, i do not feel like .... anywhere
    Sagot
    (B)
    going
  • 37
    Complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    Will they sign any contracts at the Fair? They will not only sign the contracts but a lot of goods .... as well
    Sagot
    (E)
    will be bought
  • 38
    Complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
    I started writing this test at 8 : 00 a.m It is 10 : 00 a.m now. By 11 : 00 a.m. I .... it for three hours
    Sagot
    (C)
    shall have been writing
  • 39
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    Writing for newspaper is exciting and lucrative especially when one is a freelance journalist
    Sagot
    (C)
    an unattached
  • 40
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    He has never been a good mediator, even in minor family disputes, because in most cases his views are always jaundiced
    Sagot
    (E)
    prejudiced
  • 41
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    After the wife had covered her misdeeds by prevaricating on several occasions, the poor husband accused her point blank of adultery
    Sagot
    (A)
    bluntly
  • 42
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    The vote of thanks which was elaborately moved by the social secretary did not ring true particularly as the fund raising had been a big failure
    Sagot
    (D)
    was not genuine
  • 43
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    I listened with rapt attention as he never suspected that i knew he was telling me a cock and bull story
    Sagot
    (C)
    an incredible story
  • 44

    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:

    When a man is immune to an illness, he is

    Sagot
    (D)
    protected against it
  • 45
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    The two boxers were neck and neck up till the sixth round but in the seventh and final round, the bigger one lost ground
    Sagot
    (B)
    failed to maintain his position
  • 46
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    While the mother and father were arguing furiously their small-boy sat patiently taking in everything they said
    Sagot
    (E)
    noting
  • 47
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    For a priest to be successful, he should, from time to time review his actions
    Sagot
    (B)
    examine
  • 48
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    In some parts of our society, people are ostracized purely on the basis of their parentage
    Sagot
    (C)
    shut off form others
  • 49
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    Sitting majestically on his throne is the Oba of Benin flanked by some of his wives
    Sagot
    (A)
    surrounded
  • 50
    Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
    In civilized society, it is unseemly to emit a loud belch at the end of a meal
    Sagot
    (E)
    impolite
  • 51
    Choosing the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    As a result of the injury sustained on the football field, Segun was .... with a broken leg for months
    Sagot
    (D)
    laid up
  • 52
    Choosing the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    the principal was able to establish a functional language laboratory for school because he acted .... the advice of experts on the subject
    Sagot
    (D)
    on
  • 53
    Choosing the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    Dume .... in Abraka for three years when i met her
    Sagot
    (B)
    had lived
  • 54
    Choosing the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    If i were the Head of the English Department in my school, i .... make oral English a compulsory subject
    Sagot
    (A)
    would
  • 55
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    If Remi perform poorly in her forthcoming examination,then either her mother or i .... to blame
    Sagot
    (E)
    am
  • 56
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:

    I was able to .... Olu my book because he promised to return it the following day
    Sagot
    (C)
    lend
  • 57
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    You cannot have a vague idea of the content of this comprehension text unless you first .... the whole passage for few minutes, said the teacher to his pupils
    Sagot
    (C)
    skim through
  • 58
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    The prefect came to the class five minutes after the lesson ....
    Sagot
    (B)
    had started
  • 59
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    Bimbo sings beautifully .... ?
    Sagot
    (B)
    doesn't she
  • 60
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    we couldn't find the official who was to act as our guide ...., he has left before we arrived
    Sagot
    (B)
    Actually
  • 61
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    No sooner had the examination ended .... the students started vacating the halls of residence
    Sagot
    (C)
    than
  • 62
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    Ogedengbe kept goal for his club team because there wasn't .... to do it
    Sagot
    (E)
    anybody else
  • 63
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    Grace must be allergic .... smoke because any time she sits by someone who is smoking, she sneezes
    Sagot
    (A)
    to
  • 64
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    Now that i realize the full extent of your ... i am afraid it will be impossible for me to ever trust you again
    Sagot
    (D)
    duplicity
  • 65
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    Legislators must be trained to .... the truth
    Sagot
    (B)
    discern
  • 66
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    He must be a good student because he is a .... reader
    Sagot
    (C)
    voracious
  • 67
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    It is very difficult to capture the subtle ..... of words when translated from one language to another
    Sagot
    (C)
    connotations
  • 68
    Choose the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
    As it holds true that, unless you train your body you cannot be an athlete, so also unless you train your .... you cannot be a ....
    Sagot
    (C)
    mind - scholar
  • 69
    Choose the correct word to fill the space in the following sentences:
    The meeting starts .... two o'clock. Please be punctual
    Sagot
    (D)
    at
  • 70
    Choose the correct word to fill the space in the following sentences:
    Every time you pay a bill you must insist .... being given a receipt
    Sagot
    (C)
    on
  • 71
    Choose the correct word to fill the space in the following sentences:
    The elections .... the Senate were held in July
    Sagot
    (A)
    into
  • 72
    Choose the correct word to fill the space in the following sentences:
    There is a filling station .... the corner, to your right
    Sagot
    (B)
    by
  • 73
    Choose the correct word to fill the space in the following sentences:
    It is difficult these days to get a seat .... the plane in spite of a confirmed booking
    Sagot
    (C)
    on
  • 74
    Choose the correct word to fill the space in the following sentences:
    He travelled to Jos .... train when he came last
    Sagot
    (A)
    by
  • 75
    Ezekiel was a great herald of thing to come because
    Sagot
    (B)
    he preached about events which were to characterized the period after the exile
  • 76
    in his work, Ezekiel
    Sagot
    (D)
    forged a link between the past and the future
  • 77
    By and large critics of Ezekiel and his work were
    Sagot
    (C)
    unsuccessful
  • 78
    when other prophetic book where discredited, Ezekiel's book was accepted because
    Sagot
    (B)
    the other prohpetic writers were not a original
  • 79
    in the passage, there is an attempt to explain that to ensure a totally healthy child
    Sagot
    (C)
    it is necessary to take care of other things in addition to the child's physical well-being
  • 80
    it is said that differences in ways of bringing up children and educating them
    Sagot
    (B)
    are reflected in the personalities , attitudes and achievements of thye individual
  • 81
    since the training for social adjustment begins from the moment of birth, our traditional practices
    Sagot
    (C)
    are very helpful to the proper growth of the child
  • 82
    in spite of the fact that the Western country now recognize the importance of the early period of childhood in forming a relationship, Nigerian hospital and maternity home.
    Sagot
    (A)
    copy the wrong Western practise noe being criticized in Western countriesd
  • 83
    unless the training of our traditional birth attendants is based on healthy practices
    Sagot
    (B)
    our children will be worse off thanthose brough up in the traditional way
  • 84
    the author explains that researches conducted on various aspect of rural-urban drift have
    Sagot
    (E)
    not only provided solutions but also brought out the causes and effects of this drift
  • 85
    one of the reasons why people drift fro the rural areas to the urban ares is
    Sagot
    (C)
    better rural eduaction and possession of qualifications which make better jobs available in urban ares
  • 86
    migration in large number is said to result in
    Sagot
    (B)
    a fall in the production of food, accomodation and health in the cities
  • 87
    one suggested solution to the problem is to
    Sagot
    (A)
    provode social amenities and create employment opportunities in rural areas
  • 88
    the consequences of the rural-urban drift are shown in the above passages as being
    Sagot
    (D)
    negative
  • 89
    the boss Boeta Dick, can be described as being
    Sagot
    (A)
    skinny
  • 90
    Boeta Dick spat in the bucket because
    Sagot
    (C)
    he coughed
  • 91
    without the solderers in the smithy
    Sagot
    (C)
    the products can not be completed
  • 92
    the solderers received
    Sagot
    (E)
    not so much as their work demanded
  • 93
    sulphur powder was added to
    Sagot
    (B)
    complete the manufacture
  • 94
    Rufus Okeke was very popular with people because he
    Sagot
    (B)
    has decided to pitch his tent with the villagers
  • 95
    A village tout can be described as being
    Sagot
    (A)
    unemployed