JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2006
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2006 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: It was a blind alley. I could not walk any ____.

A. far
B. farthest
C. furthest
D. farther
Explanation

'Farther' is the comparative form for physical distance, suitable for the context of a blind alley limiting further movement.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: After weeks of bargaining, they ____ a deal worth millions.

A. made up
B. turned about
C. brought off
D. went in
Explanation

'Brought off' means successfully completed, fitting the context of finalizing a deal after negotiations.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: ____ reached 18.7% of the U.S. population.

A. Employed
B. Unemployment
C. Employers
D. Employees
Explanation

'Unemployment' is a statistic that can be expressed as a percentage of the population, fitting the context.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: Joe had found a flat, so ____ he will not be sleeping here, even if he still comes for meals.

A. lastly
B. least
C. last
D. at last
Explanation

'At last' indicates a resolution after a process, fitting the context of Joe finally securing a flat.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: My younger brother looked ill last night, and was evidently ____ this morning.

A. worse
B. worst
C. more ill
D. leaner
Explanation

'Worse' is the comparative form of 'bad' (ill), fitting the context of a decline in health.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: The schoolboy screamed loudly when he saw a snake ____ looked terrifying.

A. it
B. who
C. and
D. he
Explanation

'It' refers to the snake, correctly describing its terrifying appearance in this context.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: The guests ____ breakfast by the time the bus arrives.

A. are finishing
B. have finished
C. shall have finished
D. had finished
Explanation

'Shall have finished' is the future perfect tense, indicating completion of breakfast by a future point.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: They promised to cause ____ fuss ____ possible.

A. as little/as
B. a little/if
C. a few/as
D. the least/that
Explanation

'As little/as possible' is the correct phrase for minimizing fuss in this context.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: The passenger waited patiently whilst they transferred his ____ from the taxi to the bus.

A. properties
B. baggages
C. luggage
D. luggages
Explanation

'Luggage' is the uncountable noun for a passenger’s belongings, fitting the context.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: ____ a good film. Wasn’t it?

A. It is
B. Was it
C. There is
D. It was
Explanation

'It was a good film' aligns with the past tense tag question 'wasn’t it?', fitting the context.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: ____ several bad air-crashes recently.

A. There is
B. They are
C. There were
D. There have been
Explanation

'There have been' is the present perfect tense, suitable for recent events.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: There was ____ much noise at night that we couldn’t sleep.

A. such a
B. so much
C. that
D. very
Explanation

'So much noise' correctly quantifies a large amount of noise, fitting the context.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: He devoted himself ____ homeless children.

A. to helping
B. to help
C. by helping
D. with helping
Explanation

'Devoted himself to helping' uses the gerund after 'to', fitting the context.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: Although the problem was simple, ____ students were able to solve it.

A. little
B. small
C. few
D. a few
Explanation

'Few students' indicates a small number, implying limited success in solving the problem.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: These six employees ____ absent from work since New Year’s Day.

A. are
B. have been
C. were
D. had been
Explanation

'Have been' is the present perfect tense, indicating a continuing state of absence.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: I wish I ____ to swim when I was younger.

A. had learnt
B. learn
C. learnt
D. was learning
Explanation

'Had learnt' uses the past perfect for a past regret, fitting the context of a missed opportunity.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: By the end of June, I ____ six examinations this year.

A. shall take
B. have taken
C. shall have taken
D. am taken
Explanation

'Shall have taken' is the future perfect tense, indicating completion of exams by a future date.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: He passed so well ____ he was awarded a scholarship.

A. since
B. because
C. that
D. while
Explanation

'So well that' indicates the result of his performance, fitting the context of earning a scholarship.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: Government should prevent smugglers ____ their contraband.

A. to sell
B. to be selling
C. from selling
D. having sold
Explanation

'Prevent from selling' means stopping smugglers from selling contraband, fitting the context.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: He looked ____ everyone in authority as an enemy.

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

'Looked at' is the correct phrase for perceiving or viewing, fitting the context of seeing authority as enemies.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: If ____ one day, we would talk about it for weeks.

A. a lion was coming into this room
B. a lion would come into this room
C. a lion came into this room
D. a lion is coming into this room
Explanation

'If a lion came into this room' uses the second conditional for a hypothetical situation, fitting the context.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: Excuse me, do you mind ____ I smoke?

A. because
B. if
C. since
D. while
Explanation

'Do you mind if I smoke' is the correct phrase for asking permission, fitting the context.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: The house will look all the better ____ this new coat of paint.

A. for
B. under
C. against
D. upon
Explanation

'All the better for' means improved because of, fitting the context of the house’s appearance.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: Without ____ words, he accused him directly of treachery.

A. amending
B. modifying
C. mixing
D. mincing
Explanation

'Without mincing words' means speaking plainly, fitting the direct accusation.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: He is easily the ____ of the lot.

A. brightest
B. brighter
C. more bright
D. most bright
Explanation

'The brightest' is the superlative form, fitting the context of being the most outstanding.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word/phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The president sent his 'regrets' for missing the meeting.

A. confusion
B. explanations
C. anxieties
D. apologies
Explanation

'Regrets' means apologies for inability to attend, making 'apologies' the closest meaning.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word/phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The politician’s 'jaundiced' view distorted the issue.

A. hazy
B. unclear
C. prejudiced
D. bleak
Explanation

'Jaundiced' means biased, so 'prejudiced' is the closest meaning.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word/phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined phrase: She refused 'point-blank' to comply.

A. directly
B. boldly
C. pointedly
D. sharply
Explanation

'Point-blank' means directly and without hesitation, so 'directly' is the closest meaning.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word/phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined word: Those who violate the rules are 'ostracized'.

A. abandoned
B. shut off from society
C. refused education
D. rendered unhappy
Explanation

'Ostracized' means excluded from society, so 'shut off from society' is the closest meaning.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word/phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined word: His anger was 'manifested' during the argument.

A. demanded
B. highlighted
C. submerged
D. demonstrated
Explanation

'Manifested' means shown or displayed, so 'demonstrated' is the closest meaning.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word/phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined word: A 'wholesome' diet improves health.

A. palatable
B. mixed
C. hygienic
D. delicious
Explanation

'Wholesome' means healthy and beneficial, so 'hygienic' is the closest, implying health-giving.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word: He takes his studies rather 'lightly'.

A. humorously
B. gloomily
C. tediously
D. carefully
Explanation

'Lightly' means not seriously, so the opposite is 'carefully', meaning with serious attention.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word: The future looks 'bleak' for the lazy student.

A. cloudy
B. cheerless
C. bright
D. huge
Explanation

'Bleak' means hopeless, so the opposite is 'bright', meaning hopeful or promising.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Passage: The Role of Education
Education empowers individuals and fosters critical thinking. It opens opportunities but requires dedication. Lack of access limits progress.
What does the passage suggest about education?

A. It is unnecessary for success
B. It guarantees wealth
C. It requires commitment
D. It restricts creativity
Explanation

The passage states education 'requires dedication,' making 'commitment' the correct answer.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Interpret the sentence: 'Her decision threw the team into disarray.' What does this mean?

A. The team was motivated
B. The team was disorganized
C. The team celebrated
D. The team resigned
Explanation

'Threw into disarray' means caused confusion or disorder, implying the team was disorganized.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the correct meaning of the phrasal verb: 'He backed out of the agreement.'

A. Supported it
B. Withdrew from it
C. Revised it
D. Promoted it
Explanation

'Backed out' means withdrew or retreated, fitting the context of leaving the agreement.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

In journalism, what does the term 'scoop' refer to?

A. An exclusive news story
B. A newspaper’s editorial
C. A reporter’s salary
D. A printing error
Explanation

'Scoop' refers to an exclusive or first-reported news story in journalism.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Fill in the blank: The teacher insisted that the students ____ their assignments by tomorrow.

A. submit
B. submitted
C. submits
D. will submit
Explanation

The subjunctive mood 'submit' is used after 'insisted that' for a command or requirement, fitting the context.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word/phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The politician’s decision was 'pragmatic'.

A. hasty
B. practical
C. reckless
D. confusing
Explanation

'Pragmatic' means practical and focused on results, so 'practical' is the closest meaning.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2006

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word: The lecture was 'tedious' and unengaging.

A. boring
B. lengthy
C. interesting
D. complex
Explanation

'Tedious' means boring or dull, so the opposite is 'interesting', meaning engaging.

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