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JAMB Use of English 2014 past questions and answers

93 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.

Question 1

Comprehension
JAMB 2014 Passage I: Political and social change
Political change and social transformation in the form of revolutions have radically altered the course of human civilization and history. Today, the world is witnessing political and social changes arising from the desire of people all over the globe for greater freedom and a voice in the way they are governed and a better standard of living. Part of these struggles and processes have become more pronounced in the Third World since the end of the East-West Cold War in the late 1980s, and in the face of the challenges being posed by the ongoing process of globalization.

While political and social changes may appear to be distinct phenomena, they are analytically inseparable. Political and social changes refer to alteration or transformations in human behaviour, norms and politico-social institutions. Such changes are often a collective response to the need to change, or as a tacit recognition of a shift in the prevalent power relations in the society. Therefore, the coming to power of a new set of rulers, or the establishment of new structures and processes of governance broadly typifies socio-political changes.

It is important to note that change can either be positive or negative. In most cases, political and social changes are caused by certain factors or reasons. These push people to collectively organize themselves to struggle for a change in the existing power relations. Another reason is to capture political power, in the hope of making life better for the generality of the people. If politics is defined as who gets what, when and how; it then implies that political change refers to an alteration in the form of power, and the identity of the group or class which controls and wields state power.

Adapted from Anifowose, R. and Enemuo, F. (1999) Element of Politics.

Which Question Paper Type of Use of English is given to you?

  1. A.Type F
  2. B.Type E
  3. C.Type L
  4. D.Type S.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Type L)

Explanation

The heading of this paper says 'Paper Type: L'.

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Question 2

Comprehension

Which of the following is true according to the passage?

  1. A.Change is inimitable.
  2. B.Change is inestimable.
  3. C.Change is invaluable.
  4. D.Change is inevitable.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (Change is inevitable.)

Explanation

The passage shows change happening all over the world, driven by people's needs and struggles, so change cannot be avoided; it also says change can be negative, so it is not always 'invaluable'.

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Question 3

Comprehension

It can be deduced from the passage that political and social changes are

  1. A.intertwined.
  2. B.antithetical.
  3. C.independent.
  4. D.repulsive.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (intertwined.)

Explanation

The passage says political and social changes 'are analytically inseparable', i.e. intertwined.

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Question 4

Comprehension

A suitable title for this passage is

  1. A.Reasons for Political Change.
  2. B.The Struggle for Political Power.
  3. C.Elements of Politics.
  4. D.Social Change and Political Empowerment.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Reasons for Political Change.)

Explanation

The passage explains what political and social change is and why it happens.

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Question 5

Comprehension

The word alteration, as used in the passage, means

  1. A.multiplication.
  2. B.recognition.
  3. C.modification.
  4. D.complication.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (modification.)

Explanation

An alteration is a change or modification.

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Question 6

Comprehension
JAMB 2014 Passage II: Snakes
Like all reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded, or more correctly, ectothermic – they cannot produce their own body heat; instead, they rely on the sun to heat their bodies. Because they do not rely on energy from food to generate body heat, snakes can survive on an extremely meagre diet. Some wait for months between successive meals, and a few survive by eating a large meal just once or twice a year. When they do eat, snakes swallow their prey whole rather than biting off small pieces. Many snakes have specialized jaws that enable them to swallow animals that are far larger than their own heads. Although uncommon, some snakes, such as the African rock python, have been observed eating animals as large as an antelope or a small cow.

With over two thousand five hundred species belonging to more than ten families, snakes are a large and successful group. They owe much of this success to their versatility – snakes occupy habitat ranging from underground burrows to the top of the tree, to ocean depths as great as one hundred and fifty metres. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and although they are most abundant in tropical areas, many survive in regions marked by extreme cold. The only places without snakes are parts of the polar regions and isolated islands, such as the Republic of Ireland and New-Zealand as opposed to places in Nigeria like Plateau and Gombe States in the Northern part where there is a large population of snakes.

Adapted from Microsoft Encarta Premium (2009)

It can be inferred from the passage that snakes are

  1. A.heterogeneous creatures.
  2. B.voracious cow eaters.
  3. C.great insect eaters.
  4. D.homogeneous reptiles.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (heterogeneous creatures.)

Explanation

With over 2,500 species in more than ten families living in very different habitats, snakes are a varied (heterogeneous) group.

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Question 10

Comprehension

A suitable title for this passage is

  1. A.Feeding Habits of Snakes.
  2. B.Some Characteristics of Snakes.
  3. C.Snakes as Legless, Cold-blooded Reptiles.
  4. D.Species of Snakes in Nigeria and Other Lands.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (Some Characteristics of Snakes.)

Explanation

The passage covers several features of snakes: body heat, diet, jaws, number of species and habitats, so 'Some Characteristics of Snakes' fits best.

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Question 11

Cloze Passage
JAMB 2014 Passage III: Setting up a newspaper (cloze)
Setting up a newspaper involves a lot of preparations. The ...11... has to employ a lot of people. Other people working with him are cartographers, editors, typesetters, readers, who work in various ways to produce the text of the newspaper, ...12..., who go out and collect stories and items of news, and ...13..., who specialize in one kind of topic. Another important person who works closely with the Editor-in-Chief is the ...14..., who has to choose the most important stories ...15... go through stories sent to them and make necessary adjustments.

The Editor-in-Chief could determine for instance, whether a particular journalist should write articles daily or weekly in a particular column. Such a journalist is known as ...16... . The editorials of the newspaper will be coordinated by ...17... .

The publisher could decide to establish ...18... which would be on sale weekly, fortnightly or monthly ...19... the eye catching, screaming headlines and captions of newspapers on sale everyday from the ...20... .

Adapted from Idowu, et al. (1998) Round-up English: A Complete Course. Lagos: Longman

Passage III, gap 11: Setting up a newspaper involves a lot of preparations. The ________ (11) has to employ a lot of people.

  1. A.processor
  2. B.lithographer
  3. C.proprietor
  4. D.sub-editor
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (proprietor)

Explanation

The owner of the newspaper, the proprietor, employs the staff.

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Question 12

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 12: Other people working with him are cartographers, editors, typesetters, readers, who work in various ways to produce the text of the newspaper, ________ (12), who go out and collect stories and items of news...

  1. A.agents
  2. B.reporters
  3. C.analysts
  4. D.vendors
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (reporters)

Explanation

People who go out to collect news are reporters.

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Question 13

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 13: ...and ________ (13), who specialize in one kind of topic.

  1. A.correspondents
  2. B.distributors
  3. C.listeners
  4. D.newscasters
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (correspondents)

Explanation

Journalists who cover one particular topic or area are correspondents.

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Question 14

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 14: Another important person who works closely with the Editor-in-Chief is the ________ (14), who has to choose the most important stories

  1. A.announcer
  2. B.news editor
  3. C.proofreader
  4. D.reporter
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (news editor)

Explanation

The news editor chooses the most important stories.

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Question 15

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 15: ________ (15) go through stories sent to them and make necessary adjustments.

  1. A.Sub-editors
  2. B.Writers
  3. C.Agents
  4. D.Producers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Sub-editors)

Explanation

Sub-editors check and correct stories before they are printed.

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Question 16

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 16: The Editor-in-Chief could determine for instance, whether a particular journalist should write articles daily or weekly in a particular column. Such a journalist is known as ________ (16).

  1. A.a freelancer
  2. B.a composer
  3. C.a columnist
  4. D.an essayist
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a columnist)

Explanation

A journalist who writes regularly in a particular column is a columnist.

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Question 17

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 17: The editorials of the newspaper will be coordinated by ________ (17).

  1. A.a guild of researchers
  2. B.an editorial board
  3. C.all readers
  4. D.an agent
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (an editorial board)

Explanation

A newspaper's editorials are handled by its editorial board.

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Question 18

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 18: The publisher could decide to establish ________ (18) which would be on sale weekly, fortnightly or monthly

  1. A.an article
  2. B.column
  3. C.magazine
  4. D.a gazetteer
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (magazine)

Explanation

A publication sold weekly or monthly is a magazine.

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Question 19

Cloze Passage

Passage III, gap 19: ...which would be on sale weekly, fortnightly or monthly ________ (19) the eye catching, screaming headlines and captions of newspapers on sale everyday

  1. A.a contrast from
  2. B.a contrast in
  3. C.a contrast to
  4. D.a contrast for
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a contrast to)

Explanation

The correct expression is 'a contrast to'.

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Question 21

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: Chief Okeke Okafo decided to buy an 'iron horse' because it would

  1. A.allow him to be the head of the clan.
  2. B.raise his status in the clan.
  3. C.minimize the strain of travel from one town to another.
  4. D.give him the opportunity to act like the District Commissioner.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (minimize the strain of travel from one town to another.)

Explanation

In the novel the bicycle ('iron horse') was bought to make travelling between towns less tiring.

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Question 22

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: ... the vanquished dragon, spewing sand instead of fire gave a solemn and humiliating pledge that he would never cross Obu's path. From the excerpt above, the word vanquished means

  1. A.unflappable.
  2. B.unconcerned.
  3. C.sensitive.
  4. D.subdued.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (subdued.)

Explanation

To vanquish is to defeat completely, so the vanquished dragon is subdued.

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Question 23

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: In the novel, the suspicion that Obu was an 'ogbanje' had revalued the

  1. A.time Obu spent at Teacher's house.
  2. B.disappearance of Obu in Standard I.
  3. C.price tag Mazi Laza and his wife placed on Obu.
  4. D.participation of Obu as a member of the masquerade group.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (price tag Mazi Laza and his wife placed on Obu.)

Explanation

Because his parents feared Obu was an ogbanje, they valued him even more highly.

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Question 24

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: According to the novel, a pupil who 'carried his class' would be instructed to

  1. A.dance on the assembly ground.
  2. B.fetch firewood for the teachers.
  3. C.carry a pad.
  4. D.clean the latrines.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (fetch firewood for the teachers.)

Explanation

In the novel a pupil who came last ('carried his class') was made to carry a pad as a mark of failure.

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Question 25

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: If you get confused at any stage, let me know; I want this pottage to be well prepared. The statement above was meant to

  1. A.distract Ada.
  2. B.encourage Ada's cooking habit.
  3. C.confuse Obu.
  4. D.test Obu's cooking skills.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (test Obu's cooking skills.)

Explanation

The speaker gives Obu the pottage to cook to see how well he can do it.

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Question 26

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: According to the novel, Mazi Laza would shout at any person standing in his way because his bicycle

  1. A.had injured people on many occasions.
  2. B.was manufactured by local engineers.
  3. C.had faulty brakes and outdated pedals.
  4. D.came from the same stock as Chief Okeke's.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (had faulty brakes and outdated pedals.)

Explanation

Mazi Laza's old bicycle had bad brakes, so he shouted at people in his way.

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Question 27

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: From the novel, the first person to own a bicycle in Umuatulu clan was

  1. A.Chief Okeke Okafo.
  2. B.Polycarp's father.
  3. C.Mazi Lazarus.
  4. D.Teacher Zacheaus Kanu.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Chief Okeke Okafo.)

Explanation

Chief Okeke Okafo was the first in the clan to buy a bicycle.

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Question 28

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: In the novel, what did Mazi Laza do after putting a pinch of snuff into each nostril?

  1. A.He commended his wife.
  2. B.He gave the remaining to Nwobiara.
  3. C.He nodded with satisfaction.
  4. D.He complained of the stuff.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (He nodded with satisfaction.)

Explanation

After taking the snuff, Mazi Laza nodded with satisfaction.

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Question 29

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: From the novel, what was Ada's punishment for fighting with Madam?

  1. A.She copied Psalm 119 from start to finish.
  2. B.She fetched water from the stream with a basket.
  3. C.She ate only once a day for one week.
  4. D.She scrubbed the school latrine for one week.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (She scrubbed the school latrine for one week.)

Explanation

Ada was punished by being made to scrub the school latrine for a week.

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Question 30

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Chukwuemeka Ike's The Potter's Wheel: In the novel, Obu would not touch cocoyam soup because he claimed it

  1. A.had lost its taste.
  2. B.would get stuck in his throat.
  3. C.would make him sick.
  4. D.was not well prepared.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (would get stuck in his throat.)

Explanation

Obu refused cocoyam soup, claiming it would get stuck in his throat.

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Question 31

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Jerry Agada's The Successors: The entertainment expenses for Okoh Ameh's traditional marriage rites were paid for by

  1. A.Okoh Ameh's parents
  2. B.the bride's parents
  3. C.Okoh Ameh
  4. D.Terkura Atsen.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Okoh Ameh's parents)

Explanation

Okoh Ameh's parents bore the cost of entertaining guests at the marriage rites.

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Question 32

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Jerry Agada's The Successors: Mfa's friend asserted that Bob Marley and other reggae stars were 'good' because they

  1. A.smoked Indian hemp.
  2. B.were gainfully employed.
  3. C.listened to their parents.
  4. D.went to school.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (smoked Indian hemp.)

Explanation

Mfa's friend praised the reggae stars because they smoked Indian hemp, which shows his bad influence.

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Question 33

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Jerry Agada's The Successors: From the novel, what did Terkura do with the balance of the money Chief Ofega paid him?

  1. A.He married another wife.
  2. B.He bought a beautiful house.
  3. C.He invested it in his business.
  4. D.He bought two cars for his father.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (He invested it in his business.)

Explanation

Terkura put the rest of the money into his business.

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Question 34

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Jerry Agada's The Successors: Makurdi became more prominent because of the

  1. A.road.
  2. B.bridge.
  3. C.international hotel.
  4. D.railway station.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (railway station.)

Explanation

In the novel Makurdi grew in importance because of its railway station.

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Question 35

Prescribed Reading Text

Based on Jerry Agada's The Successors: In the novel, Maria's tolerance of her husband spending half the night on duty at the hotel was considered a

  1. A.way of taking a great risk.
  2. B.way to remedy all marital problems.
  3. C.necessary price to pay for the success of their marriage.
  4. D.bad thing that couples should discourage.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (necessary price to pay for the success of their marriage.)

Explanation

Maria accepted her husband's long hours as the price their marriage had to pay to succeed.

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Question 36

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The minister considered the ministry's budget to be a drop in the ocean in view of the number of projects in the pipeline.

  1. A.The amount available may be inadequate for projected expenditure.
  2. B.The minister may be dropped for failing to complete a number of projects.
  3. C.The money approved cannot complete the pipeline project across the ocean.
  4. D.The pipeline project across the ocean will be abandoned unless budgetary allocation improves.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The amount available may be inadequate for projected expenditure.)

Explanation

'A drop in the ocean' is a very small amount compared with what is needed, so the budget is too small for the planned projects.

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Question 37

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The police are looking for the woman who farmed her children out to her neighbours.

  1. A.The woman and her children are in the habit of working in neighbours' farms and the police are not well disposed to this.
  2. B.The police may arrest the woman for allowing her neighbours to take care of her children.
  3. C.The woman may be arrested for allowing her children to be a nuisance to her neighbours.
  4. D.The police wanted the woman for allowing her children to destroy her neighbours' crops.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (The police may arrest the woman for allowing her neighbours to take care of her children.)

Explanation

To farm children out is to hand them over to other people to look after.

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Question 38

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Jummai's father remarked that pigs would fly before she passed.

  1. A.It would be possible to pass only if she worked harder.
  2. B.It would never be possible for her to pass.
  3. C.He would have to bribe her teachers to enable her to pass.
  4. D.She would have to cheat in order to pass.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (It would never be possible for her to pass.)

Explanation

'Pigs would fly' describes something that will never happen.

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Question 39

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The president said that he found himself between a rock and a hard place when the press said that he had resigned.

  1. A.He dreamt that he was abandoned.
  2. B.He thought that hard places were unsafe.
  3. C.He had a hard decision to make.
  4. D.Hard places are dangerous for the president.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (He had a hard decision to make.)

Explanation

Being between a rock and a hard place means facing a difficult choice.

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Question 40

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Kunana is like a bear with a sore head

  1. A.He is a bully.
  2. B.He is grumpy.
  3. C.He is ugly.
  4. D.He is quiet.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (He is grumpy.)

Explanation

'Like a bear with a sore head' means bad-tempered and grumpy.

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Question 41

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Olu gave his brother a bumpy ride.

  1. A.Olu's brother rode on Olu's back to success.
  2. B.Olu took his brother on a bumpy road.
  3. C.Olu gave his brother a difficult time.
  4. D.Olu gave his brother a ride in his car.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Olu gave his brother a difficult time.)

Explanation

Figuratively, giving someone a bumpy ride means making things difficult for them.

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Question 42

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Adeola doesn't have to go to the farm today.

  1. A.Adeola may go to the farm today if he so wishes.
  2. B.Adeola ought not to have gone to the farm today.
  3. C.Adeola must not go to the farm today.
  4. D.Adeola should not go to the farm today.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Adeola may go to the farm today if he so wishes.)

Explanation

'Doesn't have to' means there is no obligation; he can go or not as he likes.

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Question 43

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: My boss asked me to take my eyes off the ball.

  1. A.should stop paying attention to what is most important.
  2. B.I should be focused when I am about to stay off football.
  3. C.I should stay off football after sustaining an injury.
  4. D.I should be focused when playing football.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (should stop paying attention to what is most important.)

Explanation

To take your eyes off the ball is to stop paying attention to the most important thing.

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Question 44

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: The robber was hedged in by the people.

  1. A.The robber was surrounded by the people.
  2. B.The robber was killed by the people.
  3. C.The robber was exposed by the people.
  4. D.The robber was caught by the people.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (The robber was surrounded by the people.)

Explanation

To be hedged in is to be surrounded and hemmed in.

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Question 45

Sentence Interpretation

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Many workers are not happy because they live a hand-to-mouth life.

  1. A.They work hard with their hands.
  2. B.They are voracious and avaricious.
  3. C.They are barely surviving.
  4. D.They have rejected the use of spoons.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (They are barely surviving.)

Explanation

A hand-to-mouth life means having just enough to survive.

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Question 46

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Prolonged strike action debilitated the industry.

  1. A.invigorated
  2. B.weakened
  3. C.isolated
  4. D.destroyed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (invigorated)

Explanation

Debilitated means weakened; invigorated means strengthened.

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Question 47

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: One of the students bought a plagiarized copy of the book.

  1. A.a used
  2. B.an original
  3. C.a revised
  4. D.an annotated
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (an original)

Explanation

A plagiarized copy is copied without permission; the opposite is an original.

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Question 48

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The young girl was taken aback by her father's gift of a car.

  1. A.shocked
  2. B.unmoved
  3. C.surprised
  4. D.nonplussed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (unmoved)

Explanation

Taken aback means surprised; unmoved means not affected.

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Question 49

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Musa is a gifted but erratic player.

  1. A.strong
  2. B.regular
  3. C.unpredictable
  4. D.unstable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (regular)

Explanation

Erratic means irregular and unpredictable; the opposite is regular.

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Question 50

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The lamp shades were translucent.

  1. A.opaque
  2. B.intersected
  3. C.luminous
  4. D.transparent
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (opaque)

Explanation

Translucent lets light through; opaque does not.

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Question 51

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: My niece has an unquenchable thirst for adventure stories.

  1. A.a spurious
  2. B.an illegitimate
  3. C.a reduced
  4. D.an inextinguishable
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (a reduced)

Explanation

An unquenchable thirst cannot be satisfied or reduced; 'a reduced' thirst is the opposite.

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Question 52

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Some of my neighbours have an antipathy to dogs.

  1. A.enmity towards
  2. B.acronym for
  3. C.affection for
  4. D.alarm for
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (affection for)

Explanation

Antipathy to means strong dislike of; the opposite is affection for.

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Question 53

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The dressmaker unpicked the seam of the shirt.

  1. A.threaded
  2. B.sewed up
  3. C.picked up
  4. D.tore up
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (sewed up)

Explanation

To unpick a seam is to undo its stitches; the opposite is to sew it up.

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Question 54

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The testimony of the witness was vague.

  1. A.disturbing
  2. B.ambiguous
  3. C.true
  4. D.clear
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (clear)

Explanation

Vague means unclear; the opposite is clear.

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Question 55

Antonyms

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: As a student, Isa tried communal living for a few years.

  1. A.collective
  2. B.general
  3. C.shared
  4. D.private
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (private)

Explanation

Communal living is shared with others; the opposite is private.

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Question 56

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The chairman admires incessant meetings.

  1. A.unusual
  2. B.planned
  3. C.constant
  4. D.irregular
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (constant)

Explanation

Incessant means continuing without stopping, i.e. constant.

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Question 57

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Today's weather is favourable for a game of tennis.

  1. A.impartial
  2. B.abnormal
  3. C.encouraging
  4. D.disapproving
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Answer: C (encouraging)

Explanation

Favourable weather is suitable and encouraging for the game.

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Question 58

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: All the candidates looked aghast at the first reading of the questions.

  1. A.fulfilled
  2. B.dismayed
  3. C.satisfied
  4. D.relaxed
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Answer: B (dismayed)

Explanation

Aghast means shocked and dismayed.

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Question 59

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: Joke gave Muhammed a jaunty smile.

  1. A.a discouraging
  2. B.an inviting
  3. C.a frightful
  4. D.a cheerful
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Answer: D (a cheerful)

Explanation

Jaunty means lively and cheerful.

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Question 60

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The first round of the tournament was a doddle.

  1. A.easy
  2. B.balanced
  3. C.dodgy
  4. D.exasperating
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Answer: A (easy)

Explanation

A doddle is something very easy.

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Question 61

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The lazy man cast a lustful glance at his neighbour's wife.

  1. A.hateful
  2. B.quick
  3. C.covetous
  4. D.envious
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Answer: C (covetous)

Explanation

A lustful glance shows desire for someone; covetous means wanting what belongs to another.

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Question 62

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: They accused him of fomenting political unrest.

  1. A.inciting
  2. B.discouraging
  3. C.preventing
  4. D.guiding
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Answer: A (inciting)

Explanation

To foment trouble is to stir it up, i.e. incite it.

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Question 63

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: You can learn a great deal just from watching other players.

  1. A.invent
  2. B.accumulate
  3. C.allow
  4. D.discover
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Answer: D (discover)

Explanation

To learn something by watching is to find it out, i.e. discover it.

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Question 64

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: All the researchers were asked to garner information on the new viral infection.

  1. A.collect
  2. B.distort
  3. C.disseminate
  4. D.give
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Answer: A (collect)

Explanation

To garner is to gather or collect.

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Question 65

Synonyms

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics: The dispute between the two countries has resulted in the severing of diplomatic relations.

  1. A.breaking
  2. B.securing
  3. C.swapping
  4. D.strengthening
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Answer: A (breaking)

Explanation

To sever is to cut off or break.

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Question 66

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The House and The Senate will ... at noon next Wednesday to hear a special address by the president.

  1. A.convene
  2. B.adjourn
  3. C.rise
  4. D.collude
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Answer: A (convene)

Explanation

To convene is to come together for a meeting.

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Question 67

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): At the ... of the century, many ways of doing things were introduced.

  1. A.turn
  2. B.event
  3. C.birth
  4. D.sight
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Answer: A (turn)

Explanation

'At the turn of the century' is the fixed expression for the start of a new century.

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Question 68

Conjunctions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): You may have the pencil, but you can't have the ballpoint ....

  1. A.either
  2. B.also
  3. C.furthermore
  4. D.as well
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Answer: D (as well)

Explanation

'As well' at the end of the clause means 'too'.

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Question 69

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The president said that the country was not out of the ... yet.

  1. A.forest
  2. B.fog
  3. C.water
  4. D.wood
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Answer: D (wood)

Explanation

The idiom is 'out of the wood(s)', meaning free from danger.

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Question 70

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): He went to the restaurant to enjoy the special ...

  1. A.suite.
  2. B.cuisine.
  3. C.a la carte.
  4. D.chef.
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Answer: B (cuisine.)

Explanation

Cuisine is a style of cooking or food, which is what one enjoys at a restaurant.

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Question 71

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The invigilator ... to know how long the examination ... going on.

  1. A.wanted/has been.
  2. B.wants/had been.
  3. C.wants/have been.
  4. D.wanted/had been.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (wanted/had been.)

Explanation

In reported past time, 'wanted' is followed by the past perfect 'had been'.

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Question 72

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The guard spent all the night pacing ....

  1. A.from and to.
  2. B.fro and to.
  3. C.to and from.
  4. D.to and fro.
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Answer: D (to and fro.)

Explanation

The fixed expression is 'to and fro'.

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Question 73

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The woman refused to testify ... her husband.

  1. A.in
  2. B.at
  3. C.against
  4. D.from
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (against)

Explanation

One testifies against someone.

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Question 74

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Abike must have found the very interesting movies quite ....

  1. A.absolving.
  2. B.absorbing.
  3. C.nauseating.
  4. D.perverting.
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Answer: B (absorbing.)

Explanation

Very interesting films are absorbing.

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Question 75

Concord

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The words ... divided between the end of one line.

  1. A.have been
  2. B.have being
  3. C.has been
  4. D.has being
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Answer: A (have been)

Explanation

'Words' is plural and needs the passive 'have been'.

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Question 76

Pronouns

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Those ... are very beautiful.

  1. A.flowers of her
  2. B.flowers of her's
  3. C.our flowers
  4. D.flowers of ours
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (flowers of ours)

Explanation

The double possessive is 'flowers of ours'; 'those our flowers' is wrong.

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Question 77

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): Cooking has never been Jumoke's ...

  1. A.recital.
  2. B.purview.
  3. C.style.
  4. D.forte.
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Answer: D (forte.)

Explanation

A forte is something one is good at.

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Question 78

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): When the strike is over, there will probably be an increase in wages and a ... increase in prices.

  1. A.sporadic
  2. B.concordant
  3. C.concurrent
  4. D.chronic
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (concurrent)

Explanation

Concurrent means happening at the same time.

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Question 79

Adjectives and Adverbs

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): My mother was ... annoyed with me for coming late.

  1. A.very
  2. B.neither
  3. C.hotly
  4. D.just
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (very)

Explanation

'Very annoyed' is the natural intensifier.

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Question 80

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The chairman is too much ... an idealist for this government.

  1. A.from
  2. B.about
  3. C.of
  4. D.with
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (of)

Explanation

The expression is 'too much of a/an...'.

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Question 81

Tenses

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The clock ... 12 o'clock two hours ago.

  1. A.strikes
  2. B.strike
  3. C.struck
  4. D.striking
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Answer: C (struck)

Explanation

'Two hours ago' needs the simple past 'struck'.

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Question 82

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): What is the jury's ... the matter?

  1. A.verdict on
  2. B.verdict from
  3. C.verdict at
  4. D.verdict with
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (verdict on)

Explanation

We speak of a verdict on a matter.

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Question 83

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The unconscious man was ... after receiving first aid.

  1. A.reawakened
  2. B.reformed
  3. C.restored
  4. D.revived
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Answer: D (revived)

Explanation

An unconscious person is revived.

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Question 84

Vocabulary in Context

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): The laughter ... his face for a moment.

  1. A.improved
  2. B.controlled
  3. C.animated
  4. D.remade
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (animated)

Explanation

Laughter that brightens a face animates it.

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Question 85

Prepositions

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s): She traced her family history ... matrilineal descent.

  1. A.in
  2. B.by
  3. C.with
  4. D.at
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (by)

Explanation

One traces descent by (through) a line of ancestors.

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Question 86

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: cool

  1. A.full
  2. B.luke
  3. C.look
  4. D.should.
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Answer: B (luke)

Explanation

'Cool' has the long /uː/, as in 'luke'.

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Question 87

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: odour

  1. A.flow
  2. B.sugar
  3. C.hold
  4. D.floor.
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Answer: B (sugar)

Explanation

The 'our' in 'odour' is the weak /ə/, like the 'ar' in 'sugar'.

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Question 88

Vowels

Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: palm

  1. A.ranch
  2. B.florid
  3. C.lunch
  4. D.plait.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (ranch)

Explanation

'Palm' has /ɑː/, as in 'ranch' (/rɑːntʃ/ in British English); 'plait' has /æ/.

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Question 89

Consonants

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: vision

  1. A.instruction
  2. B.mansion
  3. C.nation
  4. D.enclosure.
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Answer: D (enclosure.)

Explanation

The 's' in 'vision' is /ʒ/, as in 'enclosure'.

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Question 90

Consonants

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: gnash

  1. A.forge
  2. B.new
  3. C.king
  4. D.ring.
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Answer: B (new)

Explanation

In 'gnash' the g is silent, giving /n/, as in 'new'.

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Question 91

Consonants

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined: epitaph

  1. A.pseudo
  2. B.fan
  3. C.paper
  4. D.pneumonia.
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Answer: B (fan)

Explanation

'ph' in 'epitaph' is /f/, as in 'fan'.

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Question 92

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word. ever

  1. A.favour
  2. B.fever
  3. C.never
  4. D.heavier.
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Answer: C (never)

Explanation

'Ever' rhymes with 'never'.

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Question 93

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word. keep

  1. A.reap
  2. B.seethe
  3. C.threat
  4. D.dead.
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Answer: A (reap)

Explanation

'Keep' rhymes with 'reap' (/iːp/).

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Question 94

Rhymes

Choose the option that rhymes with the given word. tax

  1. A.box
  2. B.lacks
  3. C.back
  4. D.ask.
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Answer: B (lacks)

Explanation

'Tax' and 'lacks' both end in /æks/.

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Question 98

Emphatic Stress and Intonation

The word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates: My mother bought a BICYCLE yesterday.

  1. A.What did my mother buy yesterday?
  2. B.Whose mother bought a bicycle yesterday?
  3. C.Did my mother steal a bicycle yesterday?
  4. D.When did my mother buy a bicycle?
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Answer: A (What did my mother buy yesterday?)

Explanation

Stressing BICYCLE answers 'what did she buy?'.

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Question 99

Emphatic Stress and Intonation

The word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates: AMINA went to Abuja by air.

  1. A.Is Amina going to Abuja by air?
  2. B.Who went to Abuja by air?
  3. C.Did Amina go to Abuja by road?
  4. D.Did Amina go to Jos by air?
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Answer: B (Who went to Abuja by air?)

Explanation

Stressing AMINA answers 'who went?'.

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Question 100

Emphatic Stress and Intonation

The word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates: Musa is STAYING in Enugu.

  1. A.Is Musa passing through Enugu?
  2. B.Is Musa staying on the outskirts of Enugu?
  3. C.Is Audu staying in Enugu?
  4. D.Was Musa staying in Enugu?
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A (Is Musa passing through Enugu?)

Explanation

Stressing STAYING contrasts it with merely passing through.

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