JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2019
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2019 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: Mr. Jack was most 'flexible' in his instruction

A. rigid
B. correct
C. stiff
D. upright
Explanation

'Flexible' means adaptable, so the opposite is 'rigid', meaning inflexible, fitting the context of Mr. Jack's instruction.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: Mary complained that she slept on the 'coarse' floor

A. smooth
B. rough
C. bad
D. harsh
Explanation

'Coarse' means rough, so the opposite is 'smooth', fitting the context of the floor's texture.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The Governor 'declined' to give audience to the journalist

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

'Declined' means refused, so the opposite is 'accepted', fitting the context of giving an audience.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The lotion recommended by the doctor 'soothed' Okon's aching tooth

A. calmed
B. extracted
C. excited
D. worsened
Explanation

'Soothed' means calmed or relieved, so the opposite is 'worsened', meaning made worse, fitting the context of the tooth's condition.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: He was 'locked up' for a fortnight

A. released
B. punished
C. remanded
D. locked out
Explanation

'Locked up' means imprisoned, so the opposite is 'released', meaning freed, fitting the context of confinement.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: You are 'free to leave' the hall

A. at an advantage
B. opportune
C. at liberty
D. right
Explanation

'Free to leave' means having permission to go, so 'at liberty' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of leaving the hall.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The discussion became 'animated'

A. specialized
B. lively
C. intellectual
D. unruly
Explanation

'Animated' means lively or spirited, so 'lively' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the discussion.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The musician's popularity is beginning to 'decline'

A. change
B. wane
C. slide
D. disappear
Explanation

'Decline' means to decrease, so 'wane' (meaning to diminish) is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of popularity.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Thompson was a 'prosecution' witness at the court hearing

A. false
B. reliable
C. government
D. trial
Explanation

'Prosecution' refers to the side representing the government in a trial, so 'government' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the witness.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: His attempts were 'nipped in the bud'

A. unsuccessful
B. cut short
C. frustrated
D. disqualified
Explanation

'Nipped in the bud' means stopped early, so 'cut short' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of his attempts.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: 'Watch it'! You could be followed, said the robber

A. Look around
B. Be sober
C. Be vigilant
D. Look out
Explanation

'Watch it' means to be careful, so 'be vigilant' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the robber's warning.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The armed robbers who raided passengers on the Expressway 'came to grief' when they had a shootout with the police today

A. came to a bad end
B. became grieved
C. encountered grief
D. came to a dead end
Explanation

'Came to grief' means met with disaster, so 'came to a bad end' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the robbers' fate.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: We will surely 'buy' this idea of introducing an entirely new product

A. pay for
B. accept
C. trade in
D. barter
Explanation

'Buy' in this context means to agree with, so 'accept' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the new product idea.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Many candidates now apply to read Law because it is a 'lucrative' profession

A. brings plenty of profit
B. brings high prestige
C. brings quick money
D. brings plenty of knowledge
Explanation

'Lucrative' means profitable, so 'brings plenty of profit' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the profession.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Finally, I assured him that I would not 'go back on my word'

A. return to a place
B. return to a certain word when reading
C. re-use my word
D. fail to keep my promise
Explanation

'Go back on my word' means to break a promise, so 'fail to keep my promise' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of assurance.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Everybody 'respects' the team leader

A. looks up for
B. looks up on
C. looks up to
D. looks up at
Explanation

'Respects' in this context means admires, so 'looks up to' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the team leader.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The speaker took his audience 'down memory lane' before he went to the topic of his lecture

A. took his audience on a journey through a street called Memory Lane
B. recalled events from the past
C. told a tale about a place called Memory Lane
D. gave an outline of his lecture
Explanation

'Down memory lane' means reminiscing, so 'recalled events from the past' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the lecture.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The new religious leader 'hands out an olive branch'

A. sues for peace
B. gives out branches of the olive tree
C. challenges his opponents to a fight
D. blesses his congregation
Explanation

'Hands out an olive branch' means to offer peace, so 'sues for peace' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the leader's action.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The accounts clerk was jailed because he 'cooked the books'

A. set fire to the account books
B. sold the books in his office to get money for food
C. falsified the accounts to his advantage
D. destroyed the accounts books by cooking them
Explanation

'Cooked the books' means to falsify financial records, so 'falsified the accounts to his advantage' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the clerk's crime.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: It is advisable to 'administer' the test in the morning when students are fresh

A. perform
B. set
C. undertake
D. give
Explanation

'Administer' means to conduct or give, so 'give' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of conducting a test.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: After the accused was found guilty by the court, his counsel .... before sentence was passed

A. begged for mercy
B. made a plea for mitigation
C. made an innovation
D. made a plea for litigation
Explanation

'Made a plea for mitigation' refers to requesting a lighter sentence, fitting the context of the court scenario.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: You had to stand in the corridor all the way? Poor you! I don’t suppose you enjoyed the journey ....?

A. don’t you
B. did you
C. didn’t you
D. don’t I
Explanation

'I don’t suppose you enjoyed' in the past context requires the tag 'did you', fitting the context of confirming the journey's enjoyment.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: No wonder those plants are dying. They .... any water for ages!

A. didn’t have
B. hadn’t
C. haven’t had
D. haven’t
Explanation

'Haven’t had any water for ages' uses the present perfect to indicate a lack of water up to now, fitting the context of the plants' condition.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: My wife and I met .... on a ship going to Liberia

A. ourselves
B. one another
C. each other
D. ourself
Explanation

'My wife and I met each other' is the correct phrase for two people meeting, fitting the context.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: I am .... to another week’s holiday this year after such a tedious job

A. due
B. qualified
C. looking
D. entitled
Explanation

'Entitled to another week’s holiday' means having the right to, fitting the context of deserving a break.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: The committee was frustrated because the Chief withheld his ....

A. accent
B. access
C. assent
D. ascent
Explanation

'Withheld his assent' means did not give approval, fitting the context of the committee’s frustration.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: He did not attend the final burial ....

A. rite
B. rights
C. rites
D. right
Explanation

'Burial rites' is the correct term for funeral ceremonies, fitting the context.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: He missed the point because he took the statement ....

A. literally
B. literarily
C. literary
D. unilaterally
Explanation

'Took the statement literally' means interpreted it word-for-word, fitting the context of misunderstanding.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: The brave officer .... the time bomb

A. diffused
B. defused
C. detonated
D. difused
Explanation

'Defused the time bomb' means to deactivate it, fitting the context. The original options B and C were identical ('defused'); replaced C with 'detonated' to provide a distinct incorrect option.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: If you want peace, you .... prepared for war

A. had better
B. have better
C. had better be
D. should better
Explanation

'Had better be prepared' is the correct form for giving advice, fitting the context. Replaced original option A with 'should better' to maintain four distinct options.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: 'We are gradually .... to the end of the programme this afternoon,' remarked the chairman of the wedding reception

A. arriving
B. getting
C. approaching
D. going
Explanation

'Gradually approaching to the end' means nearing, fitting the context of the programme’s conclusion.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: A number of doctors are not so well-disposed to .... in governmentftig hospitals these days, .... they?

A. working/do
B. work/are
C. working/are
D. work/aren’t
Explanation

'Not so well-disposed to working' uses the gerund after 'disposed to', and 'are they' is the correct tag for a negative statement, fitting the context.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: We later on discovered that some members .... another meeting before the one advertised

A. were holding
B. have held
C. have been holding
D. had held
Explanation

'Had held another meeting' uses the past perfect for an action before another past event, fitting the context of discovery.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: Thank you for the party, we really ....

A. enjoyed ourselves
B. enjoyed
C. enjoyed very much
D. enjoyed too much
Explanation

'Enjoyed ourselves' is the correct reflexive form, fitting the context of expressing gratitude for the party.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: When he had arranged the furniture, he .... the picture on the wall

A. hanged
B. hung
C. suspended
D. fixed
Explanation

'Hung the picture' is the correct past tense of 'hang' for objects, fitting the context. Original options B, C, and D were identical ('hung'); replaced C and D with 'suspended' and 'fixed' to provide distinct options.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: I forgot to bring a pen with me. Would you, please, .... me yours?

A. borrow
B. loan
C. provide
D. lend
Explanation

'Lend me yours' is the correct verb for giving something temporarily, fitting the context of requesting a pen.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: The teacher warned the students to stop .... in the examination hall

A. whispering
B. muttering
C. cheating
D. talking
Explanation

'Cheating' is the most appropriate term for an activity the teacher would warn against in an examination hall, fitting the context.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: The politician’s speech was so .... that the audience fell asleep

A. monotonous
B. exciting
C. inspiring
D. confusing
Explanation

'Monotonous' means dull and repetitive, fitting the context of causing the audience to fall asleep.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap: She was .... by the sudden noise and dropped her book

A. startled
B. amused
C. calmed
D. bored
Explanation

'Startled' means suddenly shocked, fitting the context of dropping a book due to noise.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2019

Read the passage and answer the question: Urbanization has transformed societies worldwide, bringing both opportunities and challenges. As rural populations migrate to cities in search of better economic prospects, urban centers have expanded rapidly. This growth has spurred infrastructure development, such as improved transportation and communication networks, fostering economic activity. However, the pace of urbanization often outstrips the ability of governments to plan effectively, leading to overcrowded cities and strained resources. The expansion of cities frequently leads to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased pollution levels. To address these challenges, governments and urban planners are increasingly turning to innovative solutions. Smart city technologies, which utilise data and digital tools to optimize urban systems, are gaining traction. Question: What is one environmental impact of urbanization mentioned in the passage?

A. Improved air quality
B. Increased biodiversity
C. Loss of biodiversity
D. Reduced pollution levels
Explanation

The passage states that urbanization leads to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, making option C the correct answer.

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