JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2004
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2004 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
Ready to test yourself? Take the full JAMB Use Of English 2004 CBT quiz — timed, just like the real exam.
Start Quiz
1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. When he played
B. Playing
C. Having played
D. In playing
Explanation

The phrase 'Having played' correctly indicates a completed action before another past action (deciding to join another team).

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. blown up
B. blown down
C. blown over
D. blown away
Explanation

'Blown up' means destroyed by an explosion, fitting the context of an enemy action against a bridge.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. from
B. of
C. for
D. with
Explanation

The correct preposition for suffering from a disease like jaundice is 'from'.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. a big leather brown
B. a leather brown big
C. a big brown leather
D. a brown big leather
Explanation

The correct order of adjectives is size (big), color (brown), material (leather), so 'a big brown leather' is correct.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. I'm living
B. I'd be living
C. I'll live
D. I'll have lived
Explanation

'I'll have lived' is the future perfect tense, indicating a duration of time completed by the end of this year.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: I knew you were going in that direction but I did not know exactly ...

A. where you were going
B. where you were going to
C. where were you going
D. to where you were going
Explanation

'Where you were going' is grammatically correct and fits the past context of the sentence.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. that no man could find a foot-hold on
B. that any man could find a foot-hold on it
C. for no man to find a foot-hold on
D. that no man could find a foot-hold on it
Explanation

'That no man could find a foot-hold on it' correctly indicates the steepness made it impossible to find a foothold.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. the boy was knocked down by a car
B. a car knocked the boy down
C. the boy was knocked down by car
D. a car collided with the boy
Explanation

'The boy was knocked down by a car' is grammatically correct and describes an event that happened while walking.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. fell over
B. fell through
C. fell off
D. fell in
Explanation

'Fell through' means failed or did not happen, fitting the context of a project failing due to lack of funds.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: James asked ... could she meet him later

A. could she meet him later
B. if she could meet him later
C. she could meet him later
D. that she could meet him later
Explanation

'If she could meet him later' is the correct indirect question form for 'whether'.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: Doesn't she have to attend the lecture ...?

A. is she
B. has she
C. hasn't she
D. does she
Explanation

The correct tag question is 'hasn't she', matching the auxiliary verb and negation.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. hypothetical
B. essential
C. hypercritical
D. necessary
Explanation

'Hypothetical' means based on pretense, fitting the context of pretending to have regard.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. at
B. of
C. from
D. with
Explanation

'Of their own making' means the delay was caused by the company itself.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. away
B. against
C. out
D. off
Explanation

'Ward off' is the correct phrase, meaning to prevent or repel enemy attacks.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. exposing
B. exposure
C. exposition
D. positioning
Explanation

'Exposure' is a noun, fitting the sentence structure ('through exposure to life').

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. developed
B. fabricated
C. organized
D. formulated
Explanation

'Formulated' means to create or devise, fitting the context of creating an educational policy.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. at a great length
B. for great length
C. at great length
D. for a great length
Explanation

'At great length' is the correct idiomatic expression, meaning to talk in detail for a long time.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. humanitarian
B. humanist
C. humanity
D. humanistic
Explanation

'Humanitarian' refers to services aimed at improving human welfare.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. discussing about it
B. discussing on it
C. discussing it
D. discussing upon it
Explanation

'Discussing it' is correct, as 'discussing' does not require a preposition in this context.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: This writer analyses the evil society ...

A. very masterly
B. in such a masterly way
C. in a masterly way
D. in so masterly a way
Explanation

'In a masterly way' means skillfully, fitting the context of analyzing the society.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. a brain trust
B. a tribunal
C. an inquiry
D. a task force
Explanation

'A task force' is a group set up to address specific problems, fitting the context.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. by memory
B. to heart
C. by heart
D. from memory
Explanation

'By heart' is the correct idiom for memorizing something completely.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The young teacher was surprised that his promotion was approved by the old inspector who is generally ...

A. generous
B. friendly to young people
C. fond of young people
D. hard to please
Explanation

'Hard to please' fits the context, as the surprise suggests the inspector is typically difficult to satisfy.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: John, would you mind lifting this box?

A. Yes, I mind
B. No, I don't
C. No, I do
D. I don't mind
Explanation

'I don't mind' is the polite response indicating willingness to help.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. I employed her
B. I did not employ him
C. I did not employ her
D. I employed neither of the two
Explanation

The sentence implies that because she didn’t ask earlier, the action (employing him) did not happen.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. He is likely to apologize and be forgiven
B. He will apologize and be forgiven
C. I shall definitely forgive him if he apologizes
D. If he apologizes, I may forgive him
Explanation

'Probably' indicates a possibility, so 'If he apologizes, I may forgive him' captures the conditional nature.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

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

A. Weak and unable to enforce authority
B. Partial and unfair in dispensing justice
C. Simple-minded to a fault
D. Slow to act
Explanation

'Gullible' means easily deceived, aligning with 'simple-minded to a fault'.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Fill the blank spaces in the following sentences: The telephone ... in the nineteenth century and is now used in most countries in the world

A. has been invented
B. was invented
C. would have been invented
D. had been invented
Explanation

'Was invented' is the correct past tense for an event in the nineteenth century.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Fill the blank spaces in the following sentences: By the end of the next semester, he ... his university education

A. would have completed
B. will be completing
C. shall have completed
D. was completing
Explanation

'Shall have completed' is the future perfect tense for an action finished by a future time.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Fill the blank spaces in the following sentences: In the past, his father used to walk, but nowadays he ... to work by bicycle

A. was going
B. is going
C. seldom goes
D. goes
Explanation

'Goes' is the present tense, fitting the contrast with the past ('used to walk').

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Fill the blank spaces in the following sentences: The students ... so much noise that the lecturer had to walk out of the class

A. made
B. had been making
C. were making
D. had made
Explanation

'Were making' is the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action at the time.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word: His 'penury' gave him a lifetime of hunger

A. Avariciousness
B. Affluence
C. Poverty
D. Penny-pinching
Explanation

'Penury' means extreme poverty, so 'poverty' is the closest in meaning.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word: The bible's 'prodigal' son became quite wealthy eventually

A. Systematic
B. Affluent
C. Prudent
D. Pecuniary
Explanation

'Prodigal' means extravagant, but the sentence describes him as wealthy, so 'affluent' fits.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the best option to fill the gaps: The prices ... are too high for us

A. you lent me
B. you quoted
C. you attended
D. you gave me
Explanation

'Quoted' refers to stating a price, fitting the context of high prices.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the best option to fill the gaps: The method ... does not give the expected results

A. I recommended
B. you visited
C. you told
D. you sent me
Explanation

'I recommended' fits the context of a method that was suggested but failed.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the best option to fill the gaps: Oxygen is necessary to life. Nothing can live without it. It was ... a century ago

A. found out
B. discovered
C. invented
D. learnt
Explanation

'Discovered' is the correct term for the scientific finding of oxygen’s role.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

What is the primary benefit of education mentioned in the passage? Passage: Education equips individuals with knowledge and skills for personal and societal growth. It fosters critical thinking and opens opportunities for better employment. However, access to quality education remains a challenge in many regions due to limited resources.

A. Entertainment
B. Personal and societal growth
C. Physical fitness
D. Wealth accumulation
Explanation

The passage states that education equips individuals for 'personal and societal growth'.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

According to the passage, what challenge limits access to quality education? Passage: Education equips individuals with knowledge and skills for personal and societal growth. It fosters critical thinking and opens opportunities for better employment. However, access to quality education remains a challenge in many regions due to limited resources.

A. Lack of interest
B. Limited resources
C. Excessive technology
D. Strict regulations
Explanation

The passage mentions 'limited resources' as a challenge to accessing quality education.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

What does education foster, as stated in the passage? Passage: Education equips individuals with knowledge and skills for personal and societal growth. It fosters critical thinking and opens opportunities for better employment. However, access to quality education remains a challenge in many regions due to limited resources.

A. Competition
B. Critical thinking
C. Isolation
D. Dependence
Explanation

The passage explicitly states that education 'fosters critical thinking'.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2004

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in the sentence: 'She passed the exam by the skin of her teeth.'

A. With great effort
B. By cheating
C. By a narrow margin
D. With confidence
Explanation

'By the skin of her teeth' means by a very narrow margin.

Now practice in exam mode

You've studied the answers — now test yourself under real exam conditions with the timer running.

Start JAMB Use Of English 2004 Quiz
Back to 2004 Start Page