JAMB Use Of English 2008
Questions & Answers

The correct option is 'how he wanted to be paid' because it accurately transforms the direct question into indirect speech, maintaining the original meaning and structure. 'Whether' in option B is less precise, and options C and D do not fit grammatically.

'Needn’t have translated' indicates that the action was unnecessary, which fits the context since the person already knew Hausa. 'Mustn’t' implies prohibition, 'can’t' denies ability, and 'wouldn’t' suggests refusal, none of which apply.

'Where else' is the correct phrase to ask about additional locations, implying other possible places. 'What place' and 'which place' are awkward, and 'where' alone does not convey the sense of additional options.

'Put back' means to adjust the time backward, which is appropriate for correcting a watch that is running fast. 'Away,' 'up,' and 'on' do not fit this context.

'Do you some good' is the idiomatic expression meaning to provide a benefit, fitting the context of tea being refreshing. 'Make,' 'give,' and 'set' do not form correct collocations here.

'Unconscious' describes the state resulting from being knocked on the head, fitting the context. 'Collapsed' and 'fainted' are actions, not states, and 'conscious' is the opposite of the intended meaning.

'At first' means initially, which fits the context of the initial mistaken thought about the television. 'At last,' 'at least,' and 'at the moment' do not convey the correct temporal sense.

'Fell through' means failed or did not happen, which fits the context of plans disrupted by a strike. 'Went,' 'came,' and 'set' do not convey failure in this context.

'Grown out of' means to move beyond a habit, fitting the context of overcoming untidiness. 'From,' 'without,' and 'away with' do not form correct phrases here.

'Have been treated' is the present perfect passive form, appropriate for actions over a period up to the present. Option B is grammatically incorrect, and A and D do not fit the time frame.

'Was prepared' is the past tense passive form, fitting the context of a routine action ensured daily. 'Is prepared' and 'has been prepared' suggest incorrect tenses, and B is grammatically incorrect.

'Is raining' is the present continuous tense, fitting the current event causing cars to stop. 'Rains' is general, 'will rain' is future, and 'was raining' is past, none of which fit.

'Will already be living' is the future continuous tense, indicating an ongoing state at a future time. 'Are already living' is present, 'will already live' is less natural, and 'will have lived' suggests completion.

'May I come' is a polite request for permission, fitting the context of asking to attend a party. 'Will,' 'would,' and 'might' do not convey the same polite request.

'Hit on' means to come up with or discover an idea, so 'discovered a plan' is the closest in meaning. 'Beat,' 'drew up,' and 'selected' do not capture the sense of sudden realization.

'Go without' means to skip or forgo, so 'forgo breakfast' is the closest in meaning. Other options misinterpret the phrase or context.

'In the red' is an idiom meaning overdrawn or in debt, so 'overdrawn' is the closest in meaning. Other options are literal or unrelated.

'Is traveling' indicates a planned future action, so 'will travel tomorrow' is the closest in meaning. Other options suggest possibility, obligation, or advice, which do not match.

'Should be able to' implies expectation or likelihood, so 'ought to be able to' is the closest in meaning. Other options suggest different modalities (possibility, obligation, or conditionality).

'Will smoke' describes a habitual action in this context, so 'smokes continuously whenever he is depressed' is the closest in meaning. Other options imply intention, desire, or possibility, which do not fit.

'Is to come' indicates an expectation or arrangement, so 'is expected to come home' is the closest in meaning. Other options suggest planning, possibility, or desire, which are less precise.

'Must be' indicates a logical conclusion based on evidence, so 'I am sure John is happy' is the closest in meaning. Other options suggest certainty, hope, or possibility, which do not match.

'Can talk' indicates permission, so 'are permitted to talk to her' is the closest in meaning. 'Must' implies obligation, 'might' suggests possibility, and D is less direct.

'Barracks' refers to soldiers’ living quarters, so 'soldiers’ quarters' is the closest in meaning. 'Barricade,' 'army,' and 'military training school' are unrelated or too broad.

'Tranquil' means calm and peaceful, so 'peaceful' is the closest in meaning. 'Free,' 'prosperous,' and 'decent' do not convey the same sense of calmness.

'Cock and bull' stories are fabricated or false, so 'untrue' is the closest in meaning. 'Costly,' 'unreasonable,' and 'clever' do not fit the meaning of the idiom.

'In the lurch' means to be abandoned in a difficult situation, so 'abandoned him' is the closest in meaning. Other options do not convey the same sense of desertion.

'A bed of roses' means an easy or pleasant situation, so the negation implies life is not 'as pleasant as one thought,' which is the closest in meaning.

'Larger than an elephant' implies a huge size, so 'of enormous proportions' is the closest in meaning. Other options are too literal or unrelated.

'Unlikely to come' means doubtful attendance, so 'I doubt whether she will come' is the closest in meaning. Options B and C contradict the meaning, and D is unrelated.

'Has so much been owed by so many to so few' refers to a great debt of gratitude to a small group, so 'a handful of people saved a nation' is the closest in meaning.

'Affluence' means wealth, often associated with a life of pleasure, so 'pleasure' is the closest in meaning in this context. 'Influence,' 'poverty,' and 'happiness' do not fit.

'Misers' are people who hoard money, so 'hoarders' is the closest in meaning. 'Spendthrifts' and 'spenders' are opposites, and 'savers' is too neutral.

'Solid' means strong and stable, so 'sound' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of a good educational foundation. Other options are negative or unrelated.

'Cunning' means sly or deceitful, so 'deceitful' is the closest in meaning. The original option B ('straightforward') was incorrect as it is an antonym; the corrected option aligns with the meaning.

The passage explicitly states that cooperation 'enhances teamwork,' making 'teamwork' the correct answer. Other options are either negative or unrelated to the passage’s content.

'Arrived' is the correct past tense form used in reported speech or conditional clauses following 'warned,' fitting the context of a warning about future tardiness.

'Kept her word' means to fulfill a promise, so 'fulfilled her promise' is the closest in meaning. Other options are either opposites or unrelated.

'Were' is the correct subjunctive mood form used in hypothetical situations, fitting the conditional structure of the sentence. 'Am,' 'was,' and 'be' are incorrect in this context.

'Has been lying' is the present perfect continuous tense, appropriate for an action that started in the past and continues to the present, fitting the context of the book’s position.