JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2007
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2007 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

For their part in the unsuccessful .... the mutineers were court-martialed.

A. coops
B. coupes
C. coupe
D. coup
Explanation

'Coup' refers to a sudden, violent seizure of power, fitting the context of a mutiny leading to a court-martial.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

The Chairman ruled the impertinent speaker ......

A. according to order
B. out of order
C. contrary to order
D. disorderly
Explanation

'Out of order' means not adhering to proper conduct, appropriate for an impertinent speaker being disciplined.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Your approach to the problem is different .... ours.

A. as
B. like
C. from
D. because of
Explanation

'Different from' is the standard preposition for comparison, correctly contrasting two approaches.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

The way to stop some frivolous publications is to .... the press.

A. gag
B. shackle
C. fetter
D. handcuff
Explanation

'Gag' means to restrict freedom of speech, fitting the context of controlling press publications.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

They .... our donation with gratitude.

A. accepted
B. rejected
C. ignored
D. returned
Explanation

'Accepted' is the appropriate verb for receiving a donation positively, fitting the context of gratitude.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

The exercise must be done .... possible.

A. as quick as
B. as quicker as
C. as quickly as
D. as most quick as
Explanation

'As quickly as' is the correct adverbial phrase to describe the speed of completing the exercise.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

He bought a typewriter with a view .... to type.

A. to learning
B. to learnt
C. to be learning
D. to be learnt
Explanation

'With a view to learning' indicates the purpose of learning to type, using the gerund after the phrase.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

It is time we .... this irresponsible member.

A. expel
B. are to expel
C. will expel
D. are expelling
Explanation

'It is time' is followed by the base form of the verb, so 'expel' is correct for proposing action.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Had he known in advance, he ....

A. should prepare for the interview
B. was going to prepare for the interview
C. would have prepared for the interview
D. will have been preparing for the interview
Explanation

The third conditional ('had he known') uses 'would have prepared' for a past unreal situation and its consequence.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

He was reported .... the policeman.

A. to be assaulting
B. to assault
C. assaulting
D. to have assaulted
Explanation

'To have assaulted' indicates a completed past action in reported speech, fitting the context.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Although he was invited .... he was not welcome.

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

'Yet' introduces a contrasting statement, fitting the context of being invited but not welcome.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

When John reported the incident, the teacher remarked that he .... a responsible boy.

A. was
B. is
C. will be
D. should have been
Explanation

'Was' matches the past tense of 'reported' and 'remarked', aligning with the context of the teacher’s comment.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

They tried to cash in .... the people's ignorance.

A. under
B. against
C. about
D. on
Explanation

'Cash in on' means to take advantage of, fitting the context of exploiting ignorance.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

A pioneer, he .... the institution from his own resources.

A. found and funded
B. founded and funded
C. was finding and funding
D. had found and funded
Explanation

'Founded and funded' means he established and financed the institution, fitting the role of a pioneer.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

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, leading to the scholarship.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Government should prevent smugglers .... their contraband.

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

'Prevent from selling' is the correct phrase to indicate stopping smugglers from selling contraband.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

He looked .... everyone in authority as an enemy.

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

'Looked at' is the correct preposition for perceiving or regarding authority figures as enemies.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

If .... one day we would talk about it for weeks.

A. a lion was coming into this room
B. a lion comes 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, unreal situation.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Excuse me, do you mind .... I smoke?

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

'Do you mind if I smoke' is the standard phrase for requesting permission.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

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 due to the new paint, fitting the context.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

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.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

He is easily the .... of the lot.

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

'Brightest' is the superlative form, indicating he is the most outstanding.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Some people think that .... are potentially a nuisance.

A. parent-in-law
B. parents-in-law
C. parents-in-laws
D. parent-in-laws
Explanation

'Parents-in-law' is the correct plural form for a spouse’s parents.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Shakespearian .... are generally the victims of circumstances.

A. heros
B. heres
C. heroes
D. heroses
Explanation

'Heroes' is the correct plural of 'hero,' fitting Shakespearian characters.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

There was .... noise at night that we couldn’t sleep.

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

'So much noise' correctly describes a large amount of noise preventing sleep.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

A policeman stopped me and I .... to the police station.

A. was taken
B. took
C. am taken
D. will be taken
Explanation

'Was taken' is the past passive form, fitting the context of being escorted by the policeman.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Have you paid your taxes up to date? The tax collector inquired if ....

A. you have paid your taxes up to date
B. I had paid my taxes up to date
C. I paid my taxes up to date
D. have I paid my taxes up to date
Explanation

In reported speech, 'have you paid' shifts to 'I had paid' in the past perfect tense.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Do you want me to buy her anything? She asked Asman if ....

A. she wants her to buy her anything
B. you want to buy anything
C. she wanted to buy anything
D. I wanted her to buy anything
Explanation

In reported speech, 'do you want me' shifts to 'I wanted her,' fitting the question to Asman.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

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 form after 'to,' indicating his commitment.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Although the problem was simple .... students were able to solve it.

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

'Few students' implies a small number, fitting the limited success in solving the problem.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

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 absence since New Year’s Day.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

I wish I .... to swim when I was younger.

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

'I wish I had learnt' uses the past perfect for a past regret about not learning to swim.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

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 completed exams by June.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

He used his savings to 'bring up' his nephew.

A. lead
B. accompany
C. feed
D. support
Explanation

'Bring up' means to raise or support, so 'support' is the closest synonym.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Mary is 'jealous' of her sister’s success.

A. suspicious
B. bitter
C. careful
D. mindful
Explanation

'Jealous' implies envy or resentment, making 'bitter' the closest synonym.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Passage: The Importance of Libraries
Libraries provide access to vast knowledge resources. They promote literacy and research among students. Governments should fund them to enhance education.
What is the main purpose of libraries according to the passage?

A. To entertain visitors
B. To promote literacy and research
C. To sell books
D. To store old documents
Explanation

The passage highlights that libraries 'promote literacy and research,' which is their primary purpose.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Interpret the following sentence: 'Her decision to ignore the warning was a recipe for disaster.'

A. She was cooking a dangerous meal
B. Her action was likely to lead to failure
C. She was planning a successful event
D. Her warning was about food safety
Explanation

'A recipe for disaster' means an action likely to cause failure, implying negative consequences.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.

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

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

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

In a courtroom, what does the term 'acquit' mean?

A. To sentence someone
B. To declare not guilty
C. To delay a trial
D. To arrest a suspect
Explanation

'Acquit' means to declare someone not guilty in a courtroom context.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2007

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

A. The teacher said, let's finish the lesson now.
B. The teacher said, Let's finish the lesson now.
C. The teacher said let's finish the lesson now.
D. The teacher, said Let's finish the lesson now.
Explanation

The sentence requires a comma after 'said' and a capital 'L' for 'Let's' as it begins the quoted speech.

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