JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2005
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2005 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. would not be
B. would have not be
C. would not been
D. would not have been
Explanation

Third conditional ('If he had left...') requires 'would not have been' for a past unreal condition.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The chairman of the company was very sympathetic ... his staff.

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

'Sympathetic to' is the correct preposition for showing empathy toward others.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. inheritance
B. remnants
C. legacies
D. evidence
Explanation

'Legacies' refers to enduring contributions from a past era, like colonial rule.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. reiterated
B. reviewed
C. restated
D. recited
Explanation

'Reviewed' means to examine past activities, fitting an inaugural address.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The world bank team which visited the land-lock country ... a bleak economic future.

A. thought of
B. discovered
C. prophesied
D. projected
Explanation

'Projected' means forecasted, suitable for predicting economic conditions.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

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

'At' is used for specific locations and times, e.g., 'at the Oyo motor park'.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. should
B. should in case
C. although
D. in case
Explanation

'In case' prepares for a possible event, like robbers returning.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. take over
B. carry on
C. look after
D. overlook
Explanation

'Look after' means to manage or care for, fitting the Vice-Principal’s role.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. carry them with him
B. carry them out
C. carry on them
D. carry them all
Explanation

'Carry them out' means to implement intentions, fitting the context.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. hour of driving
B. hour’s drive
C. hour by driving
D. hour in driving
Explanation

'Hour’s drive' is the correct possessive form for distance measured by driving time.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. is arrived
B. will be arriving
C. has arrived
D. had arrived
Explanation

'Has arrived' (present perfect) is used for a recent event.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. will be going
B. would have gone
C. would had gone
D. may be going
Explanation

Third conditional ('Had he known') requires 'would have gone' for a past unreal condition.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. should be going
B. ought to go
C. are going
D. went
Explanation

'It is time' is followed by a verb in the past tense, so 'went' is correct.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. so that
B. so
C. yet
D. since
Explanation

'So that' indicates purpose, fitting the intent of being alone.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. around
B. in about
C. during
D. for
Explanation

'For' is the correct preposition for duration, e.g., 'for an hour or two'.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. defied
B. alluded
C. eluded
D. denied
Explanation

'Eluded' means escaped, fitting the solution being hard to find.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

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

Past perfect 'had' is correct for an event before the past action of asking.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. are suppose
B. are supposed
C. suppose
D. have supposed
Explanation

'Are supposed' means expected to know better, fitting the context.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. treat
B. bore
C. affect
D. harass
Explanation

'Affect' means to influence, fitting the decision’s impact.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. is not
B. were
C. was
D. are
Explanation

'Is not' agrees with the singular 'benefit' and fits the comparison.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. unhappy
B. lazily
C. wonderfully
D. angrily
Explanation

'Looked unhappy' uses an adjective after 'looked,' fitting post-exam feelings.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The boycott of classes last year by undergraduates resulted ... the temporary closure of Nigerian universities.

A. to
B. in
C. from
D. at
Explanation

'Resulted in' means led to, fitting the closure as an outcome.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The head of state emphasized the need for Nigerians to regard ...

A. themselves
B. one another
C. each other
D. yourselves
Explanation

'One another' is used for mutual regard among a group like Nigerians.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the expression or word which best completes the sentence: The president honored the messenger with the Grand Commander of the Niger award ... his meritorious services.

A. in recognition of
B. in gratitude for
C. in recognition to
D. by recognition of
Explanation

'In recognition of' is used for honoring contributions.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

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

A. noises
B. lots of noise
C. plenty of noise
D. lots of noises
Explanation

'Lots of noise' is correct, as 'noise' is uncountable here.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Fill the blank: Olukayode ... as a mechanic when he was young, but now he is a driver.

A. had been working
B. used to work
C. would work
D. would have worked
Explanation

'Used to work' indicates a past habit, contrasting past and present jobs.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Fill the blank: ... it might not look such a rosy proposition.

A. when he views the proposal
B. Having viewed the proposal
C. when he viewed the proposal
D. From his point of view
Explanation

'From his point of view' fits the perspective on the proposition.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Fill the blank: If we went to any European country ... Britain, we would need a substantial amount of money.

A. like
B. let us say
C. as an example
D. like say
Explanation

'Let us say' introduces an example, fitting Britain as a case.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word: Don't eat any 'innocuous' looking mushroom.

A. harmless
B. innocent
C. immunized
D. conspicuous
Explanation

'Innocuous' means harmless, so 'harmless' is closest.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word: 'Colossal' means

A. a Greek column
B. gigantic
C. something which has lost fluid
D. a calamity
Explanation

'Colossal' means extremely large, so 'gigantic' is closest.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Fill the gap: Why does a flamingo stand on one leg? Because if it lifted the other one, it would ...

A. go down
B. let down
C. fall down
D. come down
Explanation

'Fall down' means lose balance, fitting the humorous context.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Fill the gap: I am travelling by the 6:30 train tomorrow. Will you ... me ...?

A. see/off
B. look/up
C. take/down
D. see/to
Explanation

'See/off' means to accompany to a departure point, fitting travel.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Fill the gap: I am a student and ... Musa. I left for the university, and ... Musa.

A. was, does
B. so, is so did
C. so is, so did
D. he, is he did
Explanation

'So is' and 'so did' indicate Musa shares the same status and action.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

According to the passage, how has technology transformed communication? Passage: Technology has transformed communication, making it faster and more accessible. It connects people globally but can lead to over-dependence. Responsible use ensures benefits outweigh drawbacks.

A. Made it more expensive
B. Made it faster and more accessible
C. Reduced its importance
D. Made it less reliable
Explanation

The passage states technology makes communication faster and more accessible.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

What drawback of technology is mentioned in the passage? Passage: Technology has transformed communication, making it faster and more accessible. It connects people globally but can lead to over-dependence. Responsible use ensures benefits outweigh drawbacks.

A. High cost
B. Over-dependence
C. Lack of innovation
D. Limited access
Explanation

The passage identifies over-dependence as a drawback.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

What ensures technology’s benefits outweigh its drawbacks? Passage: Technology has transformed communication, making it faster and more accessible. It connects people globally but can lead to over-dependence. Responsible use ensures benefits outweigh drawbacks.

A. Increased production
B. Responsible use
C. Government regulation
D. Public awareness
Explanation

The passage states responsible use ensures benefits outweigh drawbacks.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Interpret: 'His decision to ignore the advice was a recipe for disaster.' What does this imply?

A. He was planning a successful event
B. His action was likely to lead to failure
C. He was cooking a dangerous meal
D. His advice was about safety
Explanation

'Recipe for disaster' means likely to cause failure.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word: The teacher’s explanation was very *clear* to the students.

A. Simple
B. Confusing
C. Brief
D. Detailed
Explanation

'Clear' means easy to understand; 'confusing' is the opposite.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word: The politician’s *eloquent* speech won over the audience.

A. Persuasive
B. Brief
C. Confusing
D. Ordinary
Explanation

'Eloquent' means expressive and persuasive, so 'persuasive' is closest.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2005

Fill the gap: She was so tired that she ... asleep during the lecture.

A. falls
B. fell
C. has fallen
D. is falling
Explanation

'Fell' is the past tense, fitting the past event of falling asleep.

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