JAMB Use of English 1979 past questions and answers

An appropriate title for the article from which this passage is taken could be:

1. A.The need for foreign language learning in universities
2. B.An apology for the study of foreign languages in Nigerian universities
3. C.The need for studying French and Kiswahili in our colleges and universities
4. D.Why a foreign language should be studied by all who study music, mathematics or philosophy
5. E.The pros and cons of foreign language learning in Nigerian universities.

Which of the following statements is not made in the passage?

1. A.All students should study a language in the University
2. B.Foreign language learning enables one appreciate other people's culture
3. C.Teachers emphasize ability to communicate as a reward for foreign language learning
4. D.Foreign language learning helps the study of other subjects
5. E.Foreign language learners are usually better students than others.

'Discipline' as used in the above passage means

1. A.punishment
2. B.lecture
3. C.skill
4. D.training
5. E.subject.

JAMB 1979 Passage B: St Alban's College

St Alban's College was founded because

1. A.the war was over
2. B.there were no other colleges in the country
3. C.founding a college required quick money
4. D.the need for education was seriously felt
5. E.boys from the interior were eager to learn.

Boys who went to St. Alban's College were those who

1. A.could easily have gone into either Achimota or Mfantsipim if they wanted
2. B.for some reasons were not admitted into schools like Achimota and Mfantsipim
3. C.rushed into the new school
4. D.did not want to live in the boarding houses at Achimota or Mfantsipim
5. E.wanted only cheap education

It is said in the passage that Noel Barber has

1. A.visited all the earthly paradises
2. B.visited only the Nicobar Islands
3. C.visited Hunza in the Himalays
4. D.visited Hunza in the Himalayas on 5, 6, and 8 June, 1962
5. E.not done any of the above.

The civilizations of Buma and Nicobar Islands are

1. A.alike because both are romanticized
2. B.alike because both operate at low cultural levels
3. C.alike because one is gentle and non-acquisitive and the other operates at a low cultural level
4. D.not alike because Burma has been described but the Nicobar Islands have not
5. E.not alike because the Nicobar Islands have a small population, and Burma has a large population.

The Kingdom of Hunza had no war in 2,000 years. This

1. A.proves that pacifism is hereditary
2. B.suggests that pacifism may be hereditary
3. C.shows that Alexander the Great was their ancestor, and he hated wars
4. D.is because they deserted the army of Alexander the Great
5. E.is because they could not fight.

Why is toothache a joke in Hunza?

1. A.it provides so much fun for the people
2. B.they joke to relieve its pain
3. C.because they have no cure for it, it is better to joke about it.
4. D.civilized people must joke when they have toothache
5. E.toothache is unknown

To say that the Hunza people have serenity means they are

1. A.cultured
2. B.contented
3. C.artistic
4. D.friendly
5. E.romantic.

Which of the following statements is not true of the Hunza people?

1. A.They have no money
2. B.There are no crimes
3. C.They have had no wars
4. D.They live till a ripe old age
5. E.They have no diseases.

Different materials are chosen because

1. A.they are considered suitable
2. B.some are difficult to obtain
3. C.they are used by different worshippers of the same god
4. D.they are thought to have particular physical powers
5. E.they are associated with different deities.

The durability of a carving

1. A.is not considered important
2. B.is less than five years
3. C.should not be interfered with
4. D.is natural
5. E.is related to its mystic properties

The journey up the Nile is very soothing because

1. A.it is very slow
2. B.the scenery doesn't change much
3. C.the general pattern changes from day to day
4. D.there is not much activity on the banks
5. E.there are few people to be seen

The presence of people on the shore

1. A.is often apparent
2. B.becomes apparent when they come out of their huts
3. C.reminds the traveller of their humanity
4. D.is indicated by the smells from the villages
5. E.prevents the traveller from feeling lonely

Which of the following suggests that the country is a land of ancient civilization?

1. A.Egyptian faces swathed in white
2. B.the palms and eucalyptus
3. C.the mud-nut villages
4. D.the patch work of ricefields
5. E.the brown pillars

Which of the following statements is true of the traveller in this passage?

1. A.he likes being idle
2. B.he would not like to live in the villages
3. C.he would like to see temples in ruins
4. D.he finds the smell of the villages unbearable
5. E.he felt a deceptive glow.

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: ________ for the team for six years, he decided to join another

1. A.When he played
2. B.Playing
3. C.Having played
4. D.In playing
5. E.When he was playing

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The bridge connecting the two cities was ________ by the enemy

1. A.blown up
2. B.blown down
3. C.blown off
4. D.blown over
5. E.blown away

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: My little boy is suffering ________ jaundice

1. A.from
2. B.of
3. C.for
4. D.with
5. E.by

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: They went to the market and bought a suitcase and ________ bag

1. A.a big leather brown
2. B.a leather brown big
3. C.a big brown leather
4. D.a brown big leather
5. E.a leather big brown.

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: By the end of this year, ________ in this town for eleven years

1. A.I'm living
2. B.I'd be living
3. C.I'll live
4. D.I'll have lived
5. E.I have lived

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: If he had left home earlier, he ________ late.

1. A.would not be
2. B.would have not been
3. C.would not been
4. D.would have been not
5. E.would not have been

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: I saw you walking in that direction but I did not know exactly ________

1. A.where are you going
2. B.where you were going
3. C.where were you going to
4. D.to where were you going
5. E.where you are going.

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The hill behind the town was so steep ________

1. A.that no man could find a foot-hold on
2. B.that any man could find a foot-hold on it
3. C.for no man to find a foot-hold on
4. D.that no man could find a foot-hold on it
5. E.for any man to find a foot-hold on

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: Walking down the street ________

1. A.the boy was knocked down by a car
2. B.a car knocked the boy down
3. C.the boy was knocked down by car
4. D.a car collided with the boy
5. E.a serious accident happened

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The project which seemed very near realization, ________ because of lack of funds

1. A.fell over
2. B.fell through
3. C.fell off
4. D.fell in
5. E.fell down

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The Chairman of the Company was very sympathetic ________ his staff

1. A.to
2. B.at
3. C.for
4. D.from
5. E.on

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: Jane asked James ________

1. A.whether could she meet him later
2. B.could she meet him later
3. C.if she could meet him later
4. D.she could meet him later
5. E.that she could meet him later

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: She doesn't have to attend the lecture, ________?

1. A.doesn't she
2. B.is she
3. C.has she
4. D.does she
5. E.isn't it

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: After our series of quarrels, it would be ________ to pretend that I have any more regard for him

1. A.hypothetical
2. B.essential
3. C.hypocritical
4. D.necessary
5. E.inevitable

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: If the company had any delay at the Customs office, it was ________ their own making

1. A.at
2. B.of
3. C.from
4. D.with
5. E.through

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: There is an obvious need to ward ________ enemy attacks

1. A.away
2. B.against
3. C.out
4. D.apart
5. E.off

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: David can only becomes more mature through ________ to life outside his home.

1. A.posting
2. B.exposure
3. C.exposition
4. D.exposing
5. E.positioning

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: Many of those who ________ the country's educational policy have taught for many years

1. A.develop
2. B.fabricate
3. C.organize
4. D.scheme
5. E.formulate

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: Mr. Thomas talked ________ about the successes of his institute in the past year

1. A.at a great length
2. B.for great length
3. C.at great length
4. D.for a great length
5. E.at great lengths.

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The governor commended the society's ________ services to the nation

1. A.humanitarian
2. B.humanist
3. C.humanity
4. D.humanistic
5. E.human

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The members of the panel were ________

1. A.discussing about it
2. B.discussing on it
3. C.discussing upon it
4. D.discussing it
5. E.discussing around it.

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: This writer analyses the evils of the society ________

1. A.so masterly
2. B.very masterly
3. C.in such a masterly way
4. D.in a masterly way
5. E.in so masterly a way

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The Nigerian Society of Engineers has set up ________ to study the nation's problems

1. A.a brains trust
2. B.a tribunal
3. C.an enquiry
4. D.an inquest
5. E.a task force.

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: It was a long poem but he learnt it ________

1. A.off head
2. B.in memory
3. C.by heart
4. D.at heart
5. E.from memory

Choose the correct option that completes the following sentence: The young teacher was surprised to learn that his promotion was approved by the old inspector who is generally known to ________

1. A.be generous
2. B.be friendly to young people
3. C.like young people
4. D.be hard to please
5. E.be very cheerful.

Complete the following with the appropriate answer to the question: John, would you mind lifting this box?

1. A.yes, I mind
2. B.no, I don't
3. C.no, I do
4. D.yes, I don't mind
5. E.no, I mind

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined statement: Had she asked me earlier, I might have been able to employ him

1. A.I employed her
2. B.I did not employ him
3. C.I did not employ her
4. D.I employed him
5. E.I employ neither of the two

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined statement: If he were to apologize I would probably forgive him

1. A.I shall not forgive him even if he apologizes
2. B.he is likely to apologize and be forgiven
3. C.I shall definitely forgive him if he apologizes
4. D.If he apologizes I shall decide whether or not to forgive him
5. E.he will not apologize and I will not forgive him

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: As he was a gullible leader, his followers took advantage of him

1. A.He was weak and unable to enforce his authority
2. B.He was partial and unfair in dispensing justice
3. C.He was simple minded to a fault
4. D.He was slow to act
5. E.He was lacking in education and experience in everyday affairs

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: His summary of the meeting was brief and to the point

1. A.careful
2. B.precise
3. C.accurate
4. D.exact
5. E.crucial

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word: Do you have the same aversion as I do for War film?

1. A.bitterness
2. B.dislike
3. C.criticism
4. D.indignation
5. E.preference.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: I didn't think she could be so easily taken in by his pretences

1. A.flattered
2. B.deceived
3. C.enamoured
4. D.overcome
5. E.blackmailed

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: The crux of the matter is that the President has just become aware of the mismanagement

1. A.The part of the problem that has just surfaced
2. B.The result of the matter
3. C.The most important aspect of the problem
4. D.The ways to solve the problem
5. E.The moment of crisis

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: The witness was guilty of swearing to a statement he knew to be false

1. A.forgery
2. B.perjury
3. C.libel
4. D.slander
5. E.affidavit

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: The story told by the suspect was difficult to believe

1. A.incredulous
2. B.credible
3. C.incredible
4. D.credulous
5. E.ridiculous

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word: Publishers say that newsprint has become more expensive

1. A.newspapers
2. B.paper for printing
3. C.printers' salaries and wages
4. D.fines for publishing libel
5. E.publishing news.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: After completing half of the journey, all the travellers could do was trudge along

1. A.walk lazily
2. B.run briskly
3. C.walk and stop intermittently
4. D.walk wearily
5. E.walk with determination

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined statement: He got a standing ovation for his speech.

1. A.He stood up to receive the applause
2. B.The audience stood up and applauded as he finished his speech
3. C.Both he and the audience stood up at the end of his speech
4. D.He stood up to make the speech
5. E.He was applauded for the speech.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: Most of his observations were wide of the mark

1. A.comprehensive
2. B.irrelevant
3. C.pertinent
4. D.came rather late
5. E.unacceptable

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The clerk refused to answer for the mistakes made by the Manager and his assistants

1. A.to reply to
2. B.to give an answer
3. C.to explain
4. D.to accept responsibility for
5. E.to account for

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: Good citizens should take the part of a good government when it is being attacked by the foreign press

1. A.speak in support of
2. B.explain the part played by
3. C.act like a representative of
4. D.emphasize the progress made by
5. E.outline the virtues of

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: The politician has a variety of peculiarities. The most conspicuous is the way he gesticulates when making a serious point

1. A.shows anxiety when making a serious point
2. B.breaks down when talking seriously
3. C.uses his hands and arms as a sign
4. D.bows his head in humility to the crowd
5. E.shakes his head from one side to the other

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined statement: My Headmaster is getting old. His mates have been retired. But because of his zeal for work he has been retained.

1. A.My Headmaster is strong
2. B.My Headmaster is cheerful
3. C.My Headmaster is friendly
4. D.My Headmaster is enthusiastic about his job
5. E.My Headmaster's activity at work is unparalleled

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined statement: In spite of the loud music, John soon managed to fall asleep

1. A.the loud music soon helped John to fall asleep
2. B.John soon fell asleep as a result of the loud music
3. C.the loud music made John despise sleep
4. D.the loud music made John unable to fall asleep
5. E.John soon fell asleep even though the music was loud.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: He heard the loud noise of the huge air-raid siren

1. A.buzz
2. B.crack
3. C.rumble
4. D.whistle
5. E.wail

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: He has a big heart but he inept at following a witty conversation

1. A.large
2. B.huge
3. C.warm
4. D.placid
5. E.fragile

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: He took a quick look at the poor man, shook his head and took to his heels

1. A.glanced at
2. B.viewed
3. C.observed
4. D.gazed at
5. E.spied

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: One of the stages of the creative process is the incubation period. This refers to the period when

1. A.the idea is firmly fixed through repetition
2. B.the person suddenly comes upon the idea
3. C.the person thinks over the idea
4. D.the idea yields concrete results
5. E.the idea is given up

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The giant hydro-electric project is among the ________ of colonial rule in Southern Africa

1. A.inheritance
2. B.remnants
3. C.legacies
4. D.evidence
5. E.trappings

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: During the inaugural address, the President ________ the activities of his government for the past four years

1. A.reiterated
2. B.reviewed
3. C.restated
4. D.recited
5. E.resumed

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The World Bank team which visited the landlocked country ________ a bleak economic future for it

1. A.forecast
2. B.thought of
3. C.discovered
4. D.prophesied
5. E.projected

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: We travelled all night and arrived ________ the Oyo motor part at six o'clock in the morning

1. A.by
2. B.inside
3. C.on
4. D.in
5. E.at

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: We ought to stay away ________ the robbers come back

1. A.provided
2. B.should in case
3. C.although
4. D.in case
5. E.since.

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The Principal will be going away on leave. In his absence, the Vice-Principal will ________ the school

1. A.take over
2. B.carry on
3. C.care for
4. D.look after
5. E.overlook

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The new leader has good intentions, but he is unable to ________

1. A.carry them with him
2. B.carry them out
3. C.carry them on
4. D.carry them all
5. E.carry them well

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: Ikorodu is not far from here, it is only an ________

1. A.hour of driving
2. B.hour's drive
3. C.hour by driving
4. D.hour in driving
5. E.hours drive

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: Do you know if the new teacher ________ yet?

1. A.is arrived
2. B.will be arriving
3. C.has arrived
4. D.had arrived
5. E.has been arriving

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: Had he known he ________ away

1. A.will go
2. B.will be going
3. C.would have gone
4. D.may be going
5. E.is going

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: It is time we ________

1. A.should be going
2. B.ought to go
3. C.are going
4. D.went
5. E.go

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: He sent the children out to play ________ he might be alone

1. A.because
2. B.so that
3. C.yet
4. D.since
5. E.while

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: He played the piano ________ an hour of two

1. A.around
2. B.in about
3. C.during
4. D.while
5. E.for

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The solution to the problem has so far ________ the scientists

1. A.defied
2. B.allured
3. C.eluded
4. D.denied
5. E.avoided

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The teacher asked if she ________ seen her boyfriend recently

1. A.has
2. B.have
3. C.was
4. D.had
5. E.will have

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: You ________ to know better than an illiterate farmer

1. A.are suppose
2. B.are supposed
3. C.suppose
4. D.have supposed
5. E.are supposing.

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: How will the Committee's decision ________ you?

1. A.influence
2. B.treat
3. C.bore
4. D.harass
5. E.afflict

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The benefit one gets from watching plays ________ comparable to that found in taking a university course in drama

1. A.is
2. B.was
3. C.were
4. D.are
5. E.being

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The candidate looked ________ after finishing the examination

1. A.unhappily
2. B.lazily
3. C.wonderfully
4. D.angrily
5. E.unhappy

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The boycott of classes last year by under-graduates resulted ________ the temporary closure of Nigerian Universities

1. A.to
2. B.in
3. C.from
4. D.at
5. E.into

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The Head of State in his New Year Broadcast to the nation emphasized the need for Nigerians to regard ________ as members of the same family

1. A.themselves
2. B.one another
3. C.each other
4. D.yourselves
5. E.theirselves

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The Executive President honoured the messenger with the Grand Commander of the Niger award ________ his industry and meritorious service to the nation

1. A.on recognition of
2. B.in gratitude for
3. C.in recognition to
4. D.by recognition of
5. E.in recognition of

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The neighbour's children always make ________ when she is not at home

1. A.noises
2. B.plenty of noises
3. C.plenty noise
4. D.lots of noises
5. E.a lot of noise

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: In 1966, the Military ________ because of the tragic failure of the civilian politicians

1. A.took to power
2. B.undertook power
3. C.marched into power
4. D.came to power
5. E.arrived in power

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: A society ________ individuals each of whom has his attributes and distinct characteristics

1. A.is constituted of
2. B.comprises of
3. C.consists of
4. D.contains of
5. E.is made from

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: Biliaminu sent the expensive present to one Miss Sanda of the United African Organization and not to ________ of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

1. A.the Miss Sanda
2. B.Miss Sanda
3. C.a Miss Sanda
4. D.one Miss Sanda
5. E.some Miss Sanda

Choose the word or expression which best completes the sentence: The Land Decree does not concern itself with achieving ________ in landed property ownership, since those who already own large estates can keep them for good

1. A.equality
2. B.balance
3. C.fifty-fifty
4. D.sanity
5. E.efficiency