JAMB Use of English 1984 past questions and answers

On the train Jim was

1. A.reading a book
2. B.staring at the girl
3. C.pretending to read
4. D.looking through a magazine
5. E.reading a newspaper

He wanted to see the girl again because

1. A.it was summer
2. B.she was attractive
3. C.he wanted to read her magazine
4. D.she smiled at him
5. E.they had agreed to meet

He hoped to arrange a date with her by

1. A.writing a letter to her
2. B.ringing her up
3. C.waiting at the station
4. D.handing in a short note in a hurry
5. E.sending a telegram

That evening he had a telephone call from

1. A.his colleague, Umaru
2. B.the girl he met on the train
3. C.the railway authorities
4. D.nobody at all
5. E.Joan

The source of misunderstanding was

1. A.his natural shyness
2. B.the station clock being out of order
3. C.the time given by Jim — 9 o'clock p.m.?
4. D.the foggy morning
5. E.Jim's faulty wrist watch.

The manufactured crystals have to be pure

1. A.because natural quartz is pure
2. B.to maintain hygiene in factory work
3. C.to satisfy the precise needs of importers
4. D.to satisfy the exact requirements of science
5. E.otherwise they would take 3 million years to grow.

According to the passage, quartz is used

1. A.only in a few devices
2. B.in a lot of devices
3. C.in wrist watches
4. D.for jewellery
5. E.for steel cylinders

Artificial quartz as compared with natural is

1. A.superior
2. B.inferior
3. C.just the same
4. D.varied
5. E.limited in use.

Transistors have

1. A.helped to produce quartz
2. B.made radio and television inaccessible to the working populace
3. C.made transmitters and receivers smaller and lighter
4. D.retarded progress in electronics
5. E.made transmitters and receivers bigger and heavier.

Artificial quartz is produced

1. A.in Brazil
2. B.from tiny transistors
3. C.in an astonishing number of devices
4. D.with the help of thermionic valves
5. E.from natural crystals within steel cylinders.

Most artists are strongly influenced by the

1. A.desire for self-expression
2. B.need to sell their works
3. C.tastes and wishes of the society
4. D.creative imagination
5. E.opinions of critics

A social anthropologist is someone who

1. A.studies only social conditioning
2. B.is interested in art and artists
3. C.studies social conditions and other things
4. D.is interested in the community
5. E.studies the origins of man

It would be useful study the social conditioning of artists because

1. A.we know that African art is entirely influenced by tradition
2. B.traditional art arises from the customs of the people
3. C.an artist's predecessors solely determine the nature of his work
4. D.we do not know the extent to which an artist is influenced by his society
5. E.we do not know very much about how an artist's creative imagination works.

'The work of art is the outcome of a dialectic between the informing tradition and the individual genius of the artist' means that

1. A.the artist is influenced both by the society and by his own creative imagination
2. B.there is an irreconcilable conflict between an artist's creativity and the demands that society makes on him
3. C.the artist subordinates his individual talent to the demands of the society
4. D.few works of art are entirely original
5. E.the individual artist needs to be informed about the traditions of the society.

Which of the following represents the writer's view about African art in relation to European art?

1. A.The African artist is influenced by his society, but the European artist is not
2. B.In both African and European art there is a blend of tradition and individual creativity
3. C.African art is tribal, but European art is not
4. D.Although traditional influences can be seen in European art they are much less strong than they are in African art.
5. E.African artists are more imitative than European artists.

Why did the fish land in the field?

1. A.It had wings
2. B.It was a flying fish
3. C.It was looking for food
4. D.Alan pulled too hard
5. E.It fell off the hook

The picnickers were

1. A.farmers
2. B.from the nearby village
3. C.tourists
4. D.people from the city
5. E.anglers like him

Where was Alan looking for his fish? He was looking for the fish

1. A.in the grass
2. B.down in the river
3. C.in front of the gate
4. D.in his basket
5. E.among the picnickers

Alan made the picnickers believe that fish jump out of the river to look for flies by

1. A.telling a story
2. B.finding his trout and showing it to them
3. C.taking them down to the river
4. D.watching how trout catch flies
5. E.picking up a fish and looking for more

'He laughs best who laughs last' (proverb). It is true for this story because

1. A.the picnickers were enjoying themselves
2. B.finally he found his fish
3. C.Alan played a good trick on the picnickers
4. D.fishing is a pastime
5. E.Alan likes country life.

Sericulture is

1. A.carried out only in China
2. B.the breeding of silkworms for the production of silk
3. C.the research done on silkworms
4. D.the making of cloth from the cocoons of silk worms
5. E.the breeding of silkworms in Malawi

It is implied in the passage that silk was discovered

1. A.after years of hardwork and research by the Empress
2. B.by accident
3. C.in the search for a more durable fibre for making cloth
4. D.after some experiments carried out by the Japanese sericulturist
5. E.by design.

According to sericulturists, silkworms

1. A.cannot survive in a warm climate
2. B.may be reared on any tree
3. C.do well in areas with a warm climate
4. D.produce the longest threads when they are fed leaves from the top of the mulberry tree
5. E.are destroyed by heat.

The work carried out at the Agricultural Research Station in Malawi on the silkworm eggs was to

1. A.try to breed cocoons which would produce more silk
2. B.determine the survival rate of silkworms
3. C.find out the most suitable areas and conditions for rearing silkworms
4. D.search for better methods of rearing silkworms
5. E.find out how cocoons become silkworms

Choose the meaning which best fits the underlined phrase from the passage. Closely guarded secret

1. A.Carefully hidden from the knowledge of others
2. B.Secretly processed business with armed guards
3. C.Carefully hidden from the view of strangers
4. D.Scarcely known
5. E.Unknown

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The meeting was cancelled because of the convocation.

1. A.brought up
2. B.called off
3. C.broke off
4. D.dropped out
5. E.phased out

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word: Our town is so small that we are always meeting our schoolmates accidentally

1. A.coming across
2. B.falling into
3. C.knocking up
4. D.running up
5. E.running into

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: Can you give a good explanation for your behaviour?

1. A.account for
2. B.call for
3. C.clear up
4. D.make up
5. E.give up

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: Be careful! We are approaching the crossroads.

1. A.look up
2. B.watch out
3. C.look out
4. D.hold up
5. E.look in

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: Thousands of students are candidates for the examination but only very few pass.

1. A.come into
2. B.call for
3. C.go into
4. D.enter for
5. E.turn up for

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: He went through fire before he qualified as a doctor

1. A.had a fire accident
2. B.made a lot of fire
3. C.suffered a lot
4. D.underwent some purification
5. E.required a lot of fire

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: Osyaku started playing football because he thought it would develop him physically

1. A.took up football
2. B.picked up football
3. C.returned to football
4. D.took up with football
5. E.put in for football

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: Once I have finished all my homework, I am permitted to watch television.

1. A.I can only watch television at any time
2. B.I can only watch television after doing my homework
3. C.Television comes first, then homework second
4. D.I can only finish my homework after permission to watch television
5. E.after watching television I finished my homework

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined sentence: For all he cared, the game was as good as lost.

1. A.He did not care if the game was lost
2. B.He could not care less if the game was lost
3. C.He was almost certain that the game would be lost
4. D.He was afraid the game would be lost
5. E.The game was very good, and he cared very much about losing it

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined sentence: A basic objective in this respect is the attainment of self sufficiency in food in about a decade.

1. A.Food will soon be sufficient for everybody
2. B.Mass production of food
3. C.We should aim at producing food for sale and consumption in ten years
4. D.We should be able to feed ourselves in five years
5. E.Our aims is to provide enough food for our needs in ten years

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: In their desire to impress their friends and relatives, many young workers bite off more than they can chew in terms of financial obligations.

1. A.have more money than sense
2. B.eat more than they can digest properly
3. C.spend too much money on food
4. D.care too much for their relatives
5. E.take on more responsibility than they can afford

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word: All the efforts made to settle the quarrel were futile

1. A.successful
2. B.wicked
3. C.reasonable
4. D.remarkable
5. E.fruitless

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words: The new Inspector decided that the culprits should be brought to book.

1. A.should have their names recorded in a book
2. B.should be brought before him to show whether they could read or not
3. C.should be booked
4. D.should be jailed
5. E.should be made to answer for their conduct.

Select the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word: The long straight trunk of the tree is ideal for roundwood used like railway sleepers, refters and fence posts.

1. A.best
2. B.perfect
3. C.most unsuitable
4. D.satisfactory
5. E.poor

Select the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word: A book on style without abundant examples seems to me as ineffectual as a book on biology without abundant illustrations

1. A.useless
2. B.difficult
3. C.interesting
4. D.satisfactory
5. E.attractive.

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: My uncle told me, 'I have a large house and you are welcome to the protection it offers'. My uncle told me that ............

1. A.he had a large house, and you are welcome to the protection it offers
2. B.he have a large house, and I was welcome to the protection it offered
3. C.had a large house and he was welcomed to the protection it offers
4. D.he had a large house, and I was welcome to the protection it offered
5. E.he has a large house, and I am welcome to the protection it offers.

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: The manager said that unless the employees worked harder the factory would have to be closed. The manager said that .......

1. A.the employees were not working hard, and so the factory would be closed
2. B.the employees should not close early so that they could produce more
3. C.the factory was not productive because the employees were lazy
4. D.the factory would be shut if the employees did not increase their output
5. E.the factory was closed because the employees did not work hard enough

The student who went home without an exeat has apologised..... his misconduct.

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

The man has atoned.. his sins..

1. A.upon
2. B.on
3. C.for
4. D.at
5. E.against

The Headmaster was interviewed in connection .. ... the expansion project.

1. A.to
2. B.with
3. C.for
4. D.about
5. E.at

I am looking......... seeing your family.

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

These folktales have been handed... from generation to generation

1. A.in
2. B.over
3. C.down
4. D.up
5. E.across

John arrived at the airport on time but he could not get........ the plane.

1. A.into
2. B.on
3. C.in
4. D.to enter
5. E.to

The young lovers first met.......... the University of Ibadan Havana Night dance.

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

I have not seen my housemaster........ the beginning of this session

1. A.from
2. B.in
3. C.for
4. D.at
5. E.since

The Chairman of the State School Board has advised students to desist..... blackmailing college authorities.

1. A.from
2. B.in
3. C.on
4. D.against
5. E.by

The most stupid boy in the class passed the examination contrary...... the expectation of many people.

1. A.upon
2. B.from
3. C.on
4. D.to
5. E.with

The Principal remarked that it was the high standard of discipline that was instrumental .......... the high percentage of passes in the school.

1. A.upon
2. B.to
3. C.with
4. D.on
5. E.in

She wounded the man....... the back with her knitting needle

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

It took the father many days to get........ the untimely death of his son

1. A.off
2. B.over
3. C.by
4. D.through
5. E.across

While the worshippers closed their eyes in prayer, a thief made... with the collection.

1. A.out
2. B.away
3. C.up
4. D.by
5. E.through

There is not doubt that every lady takes great pride..... her appearance.

1. A.with
2. B.in
3. C.at
4. D.on
5. E.about

If you keep playing with this door handle, it will get....

1. A.loose
2. B.lose
3. C.lost
4. D.loosing
5. E.loosed

'Have you given the patient his medicine?' The doctor asked the nurse .........

1. A.if you have given the patient his medicine
2. B.had you given the patient his medicine?
3. C.have you given the patient his medicine?
4. D.if she had given the patient his medicine
5. E.if the patient is given his medicine

I was seriously disappointed when the....... between the two teams ended in a goalless draw.

1. A.march
2. B.marsh
3. C.match
4. D.mash
5. E.martch

Children's clothes have to be strong to stand...... rough use

1. A.with
2. B.in through
3. C.in for
4. D.up to
5. E.up for

Shall I make the cheque.... you or to your firm?

1. A.in for
2. B.up with
3. C.in with
4. D.up for
5. E.out to

The hotel.... is at Wurno Road.

1. A.which I am staying
2. B.in where I am staying
3. C.that I am staying
4. D.at which I am staying
5. E.I stay

.......... the main points of the lecture given by the Director of the Institute.

1. A.Those were
2. B.That was
3. C.There were
4. D.This was
5. E.That is

I am sure that my mother will not find out. She is so.... that she will accept anything I tell her.

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

The boys are very naughty. They have started fighting again,.....

1. A.haven't they?
2. B.isn't it?
3. C.not so?
4. D.have they?
5. E.is it?

If only I..... insured! But I wasn't. Now I have to pay a lot of money.

1. A.am
2. B.have been
3. C.had been
4. D.would be
5. E.was to be

Do you mind if I wait for the reply? I'd rather you.... again tomorrow

1. A.called
2. B.will call
3. C.can call
4. D.call
5. E.were calling

Olu: How do you want the money in cash or in traveller's cheques? Ali: Beg your pardon? Olu: I was asking you how...... the money?

1. A.do you want
2. B.you want
3. C.you wanted
4. D.you are wanting
5. E.did you want

The young man looked carefully at the long document, but he couldn't make.... what it meant.

1. A.up
2. B.out
3. C.off
4. D.through
5. E.do

The students haven't come back from the library....

1. A.isn't it?
2. B.have they?
3. C.is it?
4. D.had they?
5. E.haven't they?

Give me a minute to think I can't remember the answer....

1. A.out of hand
2. B.ahead
3. C.off hand
4. D.to hand
5. E.off head

The government suffered a..... when they lost two by-elections.

1. A.check
2. B.set-back
3. C.hindrance
4. D.disturbance
5. E.recession

Our Literature Master said that he would show us a film on Macbeth. The film will.......

1. A.worth seeing
2. B.worth seeing it
3. C.be worth to see
4. D.be worth seeing
5. E.be worthy seeing

The driver of that lorry.... lost his life during the collision.

1. A.barely
2. B.hardly
3. C.nearly
4. D.closely
5. E.narrowly

The principal went to buy some........ for the physics laboratory.

1. A.equipment
2. B.pieces of equipments
3. C.equipments
4. D.items of equipments
5. E.list of equipment

Wherever the leader went people struggled to catch a......... of him.

1. A.look
2. B.view
3. C.glimpse
4. D.portrait
5. E.picture

.......... for them as soon as possible

1. A.committee/accommodation
2. B.committee/accommodation
3. C.committee/accomodation
4. D.committee/accmmodation
5. E.committee/accomondation

I meant.... a pencil but there was no one... there.

1. A.buying /selling
2. B.to buy/to sell
3. C.buying /to sell
4. D.buy/to sell
5. E.to buy/selling

Mrs. Okoro........ in this school since 1975.

1. A.taught
2. B.is teaching
3. C.was teaching
4. D.teaches
5. E.has been teaching

The Governor has....... to the people on many occasions

1. A.broadcast
2. B.been broadcast
3. C.broadcasted
4. D.being broadcast
5. E.been broadcasted.

Paulina arrived late, she.... the right route.

1. A.cannot have taken
2. B.could ot have taking
3. C.cannot take
4. D.could not had taken
5. E.could not have taken

...... the medicine, he asked his daughter to take it according to the doctor's prescription.

1. A.Having to buy
2. B.Having bought
3. C.Having been bought
4. D.Having being bought
5. E.Having buy

It was a funny episode, so I.....

1. A.can't help to laugh
2. B.couldn't help laugh
3. C.couldn't help laughing
4. D.couldn't help to laugh
5. E.can't help laughing

By the end of this year I..... twenty books

1. A.read
2. B.would have read
3. C.will read
4. D.have read
5. E.am reading

Leonard: We went to a hotel and had a very good dinner for N1.00. Geoffrey: You.... a very good dinner if you paid N1.00

1. A.must had had
2. B.needn't have had
3. C.couldn't have had
4. D.had to have
5. E.have had

Evelyn: I've submitted eight copies. Joseph: You.... eight. Three would have been enough

1. A.can't have submitted
2. B.couldn't have submitted
3. C.didn't need to submit
4. D.needn't have submitted
5. E.must have submitted

The present wanton display of riches...... morality of our society

1. A.will be affecting
2. B.are affecting
3. C.is affecting
4. D.was affecting
5. E.had been affecting

The market women..... profit ranges from thirty fifty per cent are making..... difficult for the ordinary people.

1. A.for who/to live
2. B.for whom/lives
3. C.by whose/living
4. D.whose/life
5. E.whose/leaving

Town authorities have put up a railing in front of the exits... people.... out of the stadium and straight across the road.

1. A.prevent rush/dashing
2. B.preventing/ rushing to dash
3. C.to prevent/rushing
4. D.to prevent/rush dash
5. E.to prevent/to rush dash

Someone..... the radio cassette since 6 p.m. I wish he...... turn it off

1. A.has been playing/would
2. B.is playing/would
3. C.played/will
4. D.has played/should
5. E.plays/will

If the armed robbers.... caught, they would have been lynched.

1. A.would be
2. B.have been
3. C.are
4. D.were
5. E.had been

Had he known that it would rain, he.... his umbrella with him.

1. A.would have taking
2. B.was going to take
3. C.would be taking
4. D.would have taken
5. E.would take

Omeime was taking his dog for a walk when the dog suddenly.... from its chain and escaped

1. A.broke through
2. B.broke lose
3. C.broke even
4. D.broke loose
5. E.broke away

After we have taken our share we shall give ........ to them.

1. A.their
2. B.their's
3. C.theirs
4. D.there
5. E.there's

I was still sleeping when the national news........ this morning

1. A.were broadcast
2. B.were broadcasted
3. C.was broadcast
4. D.was broacasted
5. E.were being broacasted

Each of the contestants....... a chance to win

1. A.has
2. B.have
3. C.get
4. D.gets
5. E.take

I gave the book to the library attendant......I think works in the evenings.

1. A.whom
2. B.whose
3. C.which
4. D.who
5. E.of whom

The politicians are responsible for the......events have taken in this country

1. A.course
2. B.curse
3. C.coarse
4. D.cause
5. E.corse.