JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2001
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2001 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: A number of students ___ missed the opportunity to re-register.

A. is
B. has
C. have
D. do
Explanation

The subject 'A number of students' is plural, requiring the plural verb 'have.' Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect due to subject-verb agreement or inappropriate verbs.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: The problems seem to be a well thought ___ scheme.

A. over
B. out
C. off
D. into
Explanation

'Thought out' is the correct phrasal verb, meaning carefully planned. Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D form incorrect phrases.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: Adekunle is prepared for a ___ with his opponent following his defeat last season.

A. show-off
B. show-down
C. show-out
D. show up
Explanation

'Show-down' means a confrontation, fitting the context of facing an opponent. Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are incorrect phrases.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: Tosin refused to be ___ though he has written the same examination three times.

A. sad
B. placated
C. frustrated
D. indifferent
Explanation

'Frustrated' fits the context of repeated failure leading to discouragement. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are less precise.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: On his ___ of office, the new president announced some drastic measures.

A. assumption
B. ascension
C. acceptance
D. appointment
Explanation

'Assumption of office' is the correct phrase for taking up a position. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

The legal matter was filed ___ the Ilorin Magistrate Court.

A. in
B. at
C. on
D. by
Explanation

'Filed in' is the correct phrase for submitting a case to a court. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect prepositions.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: The plaintiff ___ the court to restrain the defendants from further action.

A. begged
B. demanded
C. commanded of
D. prayed
Explanation

'Prayed' is the legal term for requesting a court’s action. Option D is correct. Options A, B, and C are less appropriate.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: My experience in Lagos last week was ___ about.

A. something to excite
B. nothing to explain at home
C. nothing to write home
D. something to celebrate
Explanation

'Nothing to write home about' means unremarkable. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect phrases.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

She is very good ___ solving complex problems.

A. at
B. in
C. on
D. with
Explanation

'Good at' is the correct preposition for proficiency in an activity. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: Ahmed is one of the boys who always ___ good work.

A. does
B. would do
C. do
D. done
Explanation

In the relative clause 'who always ___ good work,' the plural 'who' (referring to 'boys') requires 'do.' Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: I sent ___ news to the press yesterday.

A. a parcel of
B. a flash of
C. an item of
D. a number of
Explanation

'An item of news' is the correct phrase for a single piece of information. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: The university has a large collection of sporting ___.

A. equipment
B. equipments
C. costumes
D. aids
Explanation

'Equipment' is uncountable and correct for sporting gear. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect ('equipments' is not a word).

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: He keeps his ___ clean always.

A. surroundings
B. surrounding
C. premise
D. environments
Explanation

'Surroundings' is the correct plural noun for the area around someone. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: She has a set of gold ___.

A. earing
B. earrings
C. earring
D. ear-ring
Explanation

'Earrings' is the correct plural form for a pair of ear jewelry. Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are incorrect spellings.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: I have stopped writing letters of application because ___ that all the vacancies are filled.

A. I have heard
B. I had heard
C. I heard
D. I hear
Explanation

'I have heard' is the correct present perfect tense for a recent action affecting the present decision. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect tenses.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: A survey of opinions on how pupils feel about their teachers ___ carried out.

A. has been
B. have been
C. are being
D. is been
Explanation

The singular subject 'A survey' requires 'has been.' Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: The police are looking for ___.

A. two big cars black
B. two big black cars
C. two blacks big cars
D. two black big cars
Explanation

Adjectives follow the order size-color-noun: 'two big black cars.' Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are incorrect word orders.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: Adaobi is contemptuous ___ dishonest people.

A. to
B. at
C. for
D. of
Explanation

'Contemptuous of' is the correct preposition for expressing disdain. Option D is correct. Options A, B, and C are incorrect.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: My goats are grazing ___ the field.

A. in
B. on
C. into
D. at
Explanation

'In the field' is the correct preposition for grazing animals. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: It ___ easier if he had told us himself.

A. would be
B. would have been
C. will be
D. will have been
Explanation

'Would have been' is the correct conditional perfect for a past hypothetical situation. Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are incorrect tenses.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Our principal and chairman of the occasion ___ just arrived.

A. has
B. having
C. have
D. had
Explanation

The singular subject 'principal and chairman' (one person with two roles) requires the singular verb 'has.' Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., he ___ hot chocolate, often not having time for his own breakfast.

A. is kept busy serving
B. keeps busy to serve
C. is busied serving
D. kept busy to serve
Explanation

'Is kept busy serving' is the correct passive construction for being occupied with a task. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

One of the students ___ absent from the class yesterday.

A. was
B. were
C. is
D. are
Explanation

The singular subject 'One of the students' requires the singular verb 'was' for the past tense. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: You avoid facing ___ the reality of life.

A. at
B. up
C. up to
D. on to
Explanation

'Facing up to' is the correct phrase for confronting reality. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: When ___ we, as politicians, are identified with the masses.

A. a more deeper sense
B. much deeper sense
C. most deeper sense
D. much more deeper sense
Explanation

'Much deeper sense' is the correct comparative form. Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are grammatically incorrect.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: In addition, their comments are vague and abstract, ___ difficult to interpret.

A. which students find them
B. but students find it
C. so students find them
D. but students find them
Explanation

'So students find them' indicates a result, fitting the context. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect or redundant.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

We are ___ to receive your letter and to know that you are well.

A. pleased
B. grateful
C. happy
D. appreciative
Explanation

'Pleased' is the most natural adjective for receiving good news. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are less precise in this context.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: People who live by ___ what loneliness is like.

A. each other know
B. one another know
C. oneself knows
D. themselves know
Explanation

'Themselves' is the correct reflexive pronoun for people living alone. Option D is correct. Options A, B, and C are incorrect.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

It has been confirmed that the election ___ held in July.

A. will be
B. is being
C. has been
D. have been
Explanation

'Will be' is the correct future tense for a confirmed future event. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect tenses.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: The choice to go to the university or not is ___.

A. yours
B. your
C. yours'
D. your's
Explanation

'Yours' is the correct possessive pronoun. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect ('your's' is not a word).

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: People may not pick flowers in this park.

A. People can pick flowers in this park
B. People may not wish to pick flowers in this park
C. People are prohibited from picking flowers from this park
D. People cannot pick flowers from this park
Explanation

'May not' indicates prohibition. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect interpretations.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: Tom ought not to have told me.

A. Tom did not tell me but he should
B. Perhaps Tom was wrong to have told me
C. Tom told me but it was wrong of him
D. It was necessary for Tom not to tell me
Explanation

'Ought not to have told' implies Tom told but shouldn’t have. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence: He can't be swimming all day.

A. It's possible he is not swimming now
B. It's very likely he is swimming now
C. He does not have the ability to swim all day
D. He does not like to swim all day
Explanation

'Can't be swimming all day' suggests inability to continue. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word 'stretch' in the sentence: Language teachers believe that grammar exercises 'stretch' the mind.

A. expand
B. ruin
C. enrich
D. restrict
Explanation

'Stretch' means to expand. The opposite is 'restrict,' meaning to limit. Option D is correct. Options A, C are synonyms, and B is unrelated.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word 'identical' in the sentence: These two books are 'identical'.

A. alike
B. similar
C. different
D. equal
Explanation

'Identical' means exactly the same. The opposite is 'different.' Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are synonyms.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word 'alleviate' in the sentence: The doctor tried to alleviate the patient's pain.

A. Opps
B. worsen
C. kill
D. cure
Explanation

'Alleviate' means to reduce. The opposite is 'worsen.' Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are incorrect.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word 'explicit' in the sentence: The instructions on the examination paper are 'explicit'.

A. simple
B. ambiguous
C. detailed
D. definite
Explanation

'Explicit' means clear. The opposite is 'ambiguous,' meaning unclear. Option B is correct. Options A, C, and D are synonyms or related.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word 'amateur' in the sentence: Okoro is an 'amateur' wrestler.

A. skilful
B. good
C. professional
D. strong
Explanation

'Amateur' means non-professional. The opposite is 'professional.' Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Based on the passage: 'Technology has transformed education, but access to digital tools remains limited in rural areas. Governments must bridge this gap.' What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Technology is harmful to education
B. Governments should improve digital access in rural areas
C. Rural areas do not need technology
D. Education does not benefit from technology
Explanation

The passage highlights technology’s role in education and the need for better access in rural areas. Option B captures the main idea. Options A, C, and D are incorrect.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2001

Choose the option that best fills the gap in the sentence: If I ___ earlier, I would have completed the assignment on time.

A. start
B. started
C. had started
D. have started
Explanation

'Had started' is the correct past perfect for a hypothetical past situation. Option C is correct. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.

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