JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2017
Questions & Answers

35 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 35 with explanations

35 Total Questions
2017 Exam Year
35 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The chief was 'generous' in his award of university scholarships

A. noble
B. considerate
C. liberal
D. mean
Explanation

'Generous' means giving freely, so the opposite is 'mean,' meaning stingy, fitting the context of awarding scholarships.

2
Question 2 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: Chidi is naturally 'taciturn'

A. friendly
B. cheerful
C. dumb
D. garrulous
Explanation

'Taciturn' means silent or reserved, so the opposite is 'garrulous,' meaning talkative, fitting the context of Chidi’s nature.

3
Question 3 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The military Governor 'upheld' the decision of his cabinet

A. held up
B. opposed
C. maintained
D. reversed
Explanation

'Upheld' means supported or maintained, so the opposite is 'reversed,' meaning to overturn, fitting the context of the decision. 'Opposed' is less precise, as it suggests disagreement rather than annulment.

4
Question 4 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The deafening noise of the two jet planes which flew across our compound yesterday made people fear that an assault on the country might be 'imminent'

A. impending
B. ahead
C. remote
D. threatening
Explanation

'Imminent' means about to happen, so the opposite is 'remote,' meaning far off or unlikely, fitting the context of an assault.

5
Question 5 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The 'severity' of the harmattan helped me to complete my writing assignment in record time because I had no choice but to lock myself indoors

A. warmth
B. mildness
C. moderation
D. leniency
Explanation

'Severity' means harshness, so the opposite is 'mildness,' meaning gentleness, fitting the context of the harmattan weather.

6
Question 6 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: This card 'entitles' you to attend the film show

A. disqualifies
B. discourages
C. disenchants
D. proclaims
Explanation

'Entitles' means gives the right, so the opposite is 'disqualifies,' meaning removes the right, fitting the context of attending the show.

7
Question 7 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: Victor will not attend the dinner party tonight; he is 'afraid of his own shadow'

A. not in the mood
B. attending another party
C. scared of imaginary things
D. unhappy with his assigned role
Explanation

'Afraid of his own shadow' means overly fearful, so 'scared of imaginary things' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of Victor’s absence.

8
Question 8 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: The manager often quarrels with his staff because he goes around with 'a chip on his shoulder'

A. deformed shoulder
B. readiness to be angered
C. look of contempt
D. an air of superiority
Explanation

'A chip on his shoulder' means being easily provoked, so 'readiness to be angered' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the manager’s behavior.

9
Question 9 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: Kelechi 'hardly ever' falls sick

A. most often
B. very seldom
C. sometimes
D. frequently
Explanation

'Hardly ever' means rarely, so 'very seldom' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of Kelechi’s health.

10
Question 10 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: The ceiling of my bedroom 'fell in' and knocked me out

A. made me unconscious
B. removed me
C. flattened me
D. killed me
Explanation

'Fell in' means collapsed, and 'knocked me out' means rendered unconscious, so 'made me unconscious' fits the context.

11
Question 11 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: The class as a whole will have a 'lecture' on scarce commodities tomorrow

A. argument
B. deliberation
C. dispute
D. talk
Explanation

'Lecture' means a formal talk, so 'talk' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of a class session.

12
Question 12 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: He lost his voice 'momentarily'

A. in a moment
B. in a split second
C. for a brief period of time
D. without delay
Explanation

'Momentarily' means for a short time, so 'for a brief period of time' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of losing his voice.

13
Question 13 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: The 'penultimate' paragraph of my essay

A. last but one
B. third to the last
C. second
D. concluding
Explanation

'Penultimate' means second to last, so 'last but one' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the essay.

14
Question 14 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: Stephen was blamed for leaving his door 'ajar' during the heavy rainfall

A. unlocked
B. unbolted
C. open
D. keyless
Explanation

'Ajar' means slightly open, so 'open' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the door during rainfall.

15
Question 15 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: Despite increasingly 'punitive' laws against hemp smoking, it is still rising at an alarming rate

A. devastating
B. fair
C. barbaric
D. severe
Explanation

'Punitive' means harsh or punishing, so 'severe' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of strict laws. 'Fair' is unrelated to punitive.

16
Question 16 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: Since his father's death, Osita has not been able to 'cope with' the tasks of a family head

A. perform adequately
B. tolerate
C. accept
D. assess properly
Explanation

'Cope with' means to manage or handle, so 'perform adequately' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of Osita’s responsibilities.

17
Question 17 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: To be 'above board' is to be

A. afloat
B. on top of a plank
C. above suspicion
D. raised above a board
Explanation

'Above board' means honest and transparent, so 'above suspicion' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of integrity.

18
Question 18 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: Bankole was a man 'given to much wine'

A. pushed to
B. taken over by
C. addicted to
D. forced to
Explanation

'Given to much wine' means habitually indulging, so 'addicted to' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of Bankole’s behavior.

19
Question 19 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: The principal advised the boy to 'come to grips with' himself if he wanted to do well at the end of his course

A. criticize himself
B. master his difficulties
C. learn to be obedient
D. behave himself
Explanation

'Come to grips with' means to confront and deal with, so 'master his difficulties' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of self-improvement.

20
Question 20 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: Employees have been urged to 'desist from witch-hunting and character assassination'

A. commanded to stop hunting witches
B. ordered to stop assassinating witches
C. entreated not to accuse individuals unjustly and maliciously
D. informed to resist witch-hunters and character assassins
Explanation

'Desist from witch-hunting and character assassination' means to stop falsely accusing others, so 'entreated not to accuse individuals unjustly and maliciously' is the closest in meaning.

21
Question 21 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase: The officer refused to be 'taken in' by the report given by the private

A. won over
B. drawn in
C. overtaken
D. deceived
Explanation

'Taken in' means to be fooled, so 'deceived' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the officer’s reaction to the report.

22
Question 22 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: Mary goes to school .... bus

A. in
B. on
C. by
D. through
Explanation

'Goes to school by bus' is the standard preposition for mode of transport, fitting the context of Mary’s travel.

23
Question 23 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: Little children are usually afraid .... thunder

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

'Afraid of' is the correct preposition for fear, fitting the context of children and thunder.

24
Question 24 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: The principal advised that we pursue this case cautiously, otherwise we are bound to be taken .... by Ada's lies

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

'Taken in' means to be deceived, fitting the context of being fooled by lies.

25
Question 25 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: When you are faced with an examination of this nature, endeavor to keep your mind .... the job and not be distracted for one moment

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

'Keep your mind on' means to focus, fitting the context of concentrating on the exam.

26
Question 26 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: Samuel: Would you please come here, John? John: No, I'm busy .... in my farm

A. I am working
B. I'm working
C. I am to work
D. I shall have worked
Explanation

'I'm busy working' uses the present continuous for a current activity, fitting the context of John’s response.

27
Question 27 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: After the team had conceded two goals, their enthusiasm ....

A. was beginning to wane
B. was waning
C. began to wane
D. had begun to wane
Explanation

'Was waning' uses the past continuous to describe a gradual decline in enthusiasm after conceding goals, fitting the context.

28
Question 28 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: The dull student took a correspondence course as a means .... his standard in the class

A. to improve
B. for improving
C. of improving
D. by improving
Explanation

'As a means of improving' is the correct phrase for indicating purpose, fitting the context.

29
Question 29 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: I don't want .... from such a friend as Jimoh

A. no more advice
B. any advice
C. some advice
D. no advice
Explanation

'No more advice' is the standard phrase in a negative context, indicating refusal of further advice from Jimoh.

30
Question 30 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: The old politicians were discredited because they tried to .... the people's ignorance

A. cash in on
B. catch in with
C. catch in on
D. cash in with
Explanation

'Cash in on' means to exploit, fitting the context of taking advantage of ignorance.

31
Question 31 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: The single .... was enough to spoil a whole lifetime of good living

A. occurence
B. ocurence
C. occurrence
D. occurrense
Explanation

'Occurrence' is the correct spelling, fitting the context of a single event.

32
Question 32 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: Whilst the thief was .... the passengers, he kept apologizing for the inconvenience he was causing them

A. robbing
B. rubbing
C. robing
D. robbed
Explanation

'Was robbing' uses the continuous tense for an ongoing action, fitting the context of the thief’s actions.

33
Question 33 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: The court ordered the lorry driver to pay for the .... to my car

A. damages
B. heavy damages
C. destruction
D. damage
Explanation

'Damage' is the correct uncountable noun for harm to the car, fitting the context.

34
Question 34 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap in each sentence: He received a pat .... the back for his brilliant success in the examination

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

'A pat on the back' is the correct phrase for praise, fitting the context of success.

35
Question 35 of 35
JAMB · Use Of English · 2017

Read the passage and answer the question: Climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems, altering weather patterns and impacting biodiversity. Agriculture faces challenges from climate change due to unstable weather. Erratic rainfall disrupts planting and harvesting, reducing crop yields. Farmers in developing nations, lacking advanced irrigation, are hit hardest. Key Efforts to combat climate change include policies and grassroots actions. What is one impact of climate change on agriculture mentioned in the passage?

A. Increased crop yields
B. Stable weather conditions
C. Reduced crop yields
D. Improved soil fertility
Explanation

The passage states that erratic rainfall disrupts planting and harvesting, reducing crop yields, making 'Reduced crop yields' the correct answer.

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