Tackle the 2021 JAMB Use of English paper to gauge your command of English vocabulary, grammar, and reading analysis. Key areas covered in this batch include antonyms, synonyms, grammatical structure filling, and comprehension questions based on sustainable city planning. Practicing these exercises helps reinforce your understanding of lexical nuances and standard sentence construction rules. Ensure you review the step-by-step explanations for each question rather than merely memorizing correct answers to genuinely improve your performance.
Topics in this paper
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined: The housewife was 'hard up' before the end of each month
Options like 'upset' or 'penniless' might look plausible because financial struggle can cause emotional distress or lack of funds, but they fail to capture an antonym. The expression 'hard up' indicates a state of lacking money, meaning the exact opposite is 'in no need,' which properly conveys financial security and fits the housewife’s situation before each month ends. Common mistake: Confusing a synonym of the underlined phrase with its intended opposite.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined: The Lions lost the match because their goalkeeper was 'in a haze' most of the time
A student might incorrectly choose 'confused' because it is a synonym rather than an antonym, or 'sleeping' assuming total unconsciousness. Since 'in a haze' describes being unfocused or confused, finding the opposite leads us to 'alert,' which means attentive and accurately reflects the goalkeeper’s performance during the match. Common mistake: Selecting a definition or synonym instead of looking for the opposite meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined: The 'explosive' growth of world population has not been caused by a sudden increase in human fertility
Words like 'fantastic' or 'dangerous' might seem attractive since rapid growth often feels extreme or overwhelming. However, because 'explosive' growth specifically denotes a rapid pace, the direct opposite is 'gradual,' which denotes a slow rate of change and correctly fits the context of world population trends. Common mistake: Choosing an adjective with a similarly intense connotation instead of true antonymous meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined: My brother’s primary school foundation was 'solid' and this influenced his secondary education
Options like 'sound' might trick students since it is a synonym rather than an opposite. Given that 'solid' describes a strong and stable foundation, its true opposite is 'shaky,' meaning unstable, which correctly characterizes the quality of the foundation that influenced his secondary education. Common mistake: Forgetting to read the prompt carefully and picking a word with a similar meaning.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: 'This is a miniaturized version of your house,' remarked the Architect
Options such as 'abridged' or 'decreased' might seem relevant for condensed text or reduced quantities. However, because 'miniaturized' literally means made smaller, the closest option in meaning is 'smaller,' which accurately matches the context of a scale model of a house. Common mistake: Applying a vocabulary term meant for written works or abstract amounts to physical objects.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: Bola has a 'sonorous' voice
Words like 'high-pitched' or 'throaty' might be chosen by assuming physical vocal qualities. Because 'sonorous' describes a voice that is rich and pleasant in sound, 'beautiful' serves as the closest synonym, fitting the description of Bola’s voice. Common mistake: Equating loudness or pitch with acoustic richness.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: We have to identify the 'protagonists' of the new movement
A student might be drawn to 'enemies' or 'opponents' because new movements often involve conflict. Yet, 'protagonists' refers to the main advocates or leaders of a cause, making 'leading figures' the closest synonym that fits the context of the movement. Common mistake: Confusing protagonists with antagonists due to dramatic contexts.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: The distance is not more than twenty kilometers 'as the crow flies'
Students might select 'by the longest route' or 'by air' by misinterpreting idiomatic expressions related to travel. The idiom 'as the crow flies' refers to traveling in a straight line, which means 'by the shortest route' is closest in meaning for measuring distance. Common mistake: Taking flight idioms too literally as meaning aviation transport.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: I cannot understand how he suddenly became 'audacious' contrary to his nature
Options like 'proud' or 'rude' might be chosen because unexpected behavioral changes often manifest as arrogance. However, 'audacious' means daring or bold, making 'bold' the closest synonym that properly fits his sudden shift in behavior. Common mistake: Equating daring behavior with generalized hostility or arrogance.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: At the age of 80, Musa wished he could 'put the clock back'
A student might pick 'stop the clock' or 'have more time' by focusing on the general theme of aging rather than the specific idiom. The phrase 'put the clock back' means to return to an earlier time, so 'go back in time' is the closest match for Musa’s wish at age 80. Common mistake: Interpreting idioms via literal mechanical actions instead of their established figurative meaning.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: The Chief approached the issue with convincing 'disinterestedness'
Options like 'lack of interest' might seem correct at first glance, but they miss the nuance of professional impartiality. 'Disinterestedness' means impartiality rather than apathy, so 'lack of personal interest' is the closest meaning, fitting the Chief’s objective approach to the issue. Common mistake: Confusing 'disinterested' (impartial) with 'uninterested' (bored or lacking interest).
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: It is of 'fundamental' importance that one sleeps properly
A student might select 'undisputed' or 'special' by overestimating the emotional weight of the sentence. Since 'fundamental' means essential, 'basic' is the closest synonym that correctly fits the context of how important proper sleep is. Common mistake: Choosing an intensifier instead of the core structural synonym.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: I know you've been 'eavesdropping' all along
Options like 'dropping gently' or 'paying attention' might trap students who mishear or misunderstand compound words. 'Eavesdropping' specifically denotes listening secretly, making 'listening secretly' the closest meaning for the context. Common mistake: Guessing based on surface word roots rather than the actual definition of the compound term.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: I would not like you to do the work 'piecemeal'
A student might choose 'at meal time' as a humorous or literal distraction from the sound of the word. Because 'piecemeal' means gradually or in stages, 'bit by bit' is the closest meaning, perfectly fitting the context of completing work. Common mistake: Falling for wordplay traps that mimic unrelated terms.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase underlined: The man insisted on having 'no strings attached' to the agreements
Options like 'financial obligation' or 'moral obligations' might look plausible if one assumes business deals always involve money or ethics. However, 'no strings attached' means without conditions, making 'conditions' the closest meaning to complete the agreement's context. Common mistake: Narrowing a broad idiom down to monetary terms.
Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s): I was .... hearing distance of the speaker
Students might try to use 'on' or 'at' by relying on weak prepositional intuition. The correct fixed phrase is 'within hearing distance,' which means being close enough to hear someone speak, thus fitting the speaker’s proximity. Common mistake: Substituting standard prepositions without checking fixed collocational phrases.
Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s): Owing to the constant harassment of the populace by armed robbers, all night guards have been instructed to shoot .... every moving thing
Options like 'in sight' or 'by sight' might be selected due to general familiarity with visual idioms. The correct idiom is 'shoot at sight,' meaning to shoot immediately upon seeing a target, which fits the guards' strict instructions. Common mistake: Mixing up prepositions within established idioms.
Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s): The first graduation ceremony of the university was attended by men from all .... of life
A student might mistakenly choose 'works' or 'areas' by thinking of labor or geography. The correct idiom is 'all walks of life,' which denotes various backgrounds and social strata, fitting the attendees at the university's graduation ceremony. Common mistake: Using common nouns that sound similar instead of the correct fixed idiom.
Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s): One would wish .... missed that opportunity to be present at the graduation ball
Options like 'to have not' or 'for having not' are grammatically awkward constructions that trap careless readers. The correct structure for expressing past regret with a wish is 'not to have' missed that opportunity, fitting the graduation ball context. Common mistake: Misplacing the negative particle in infinitive verb phrases.
Choose the word(s) or phrase which best fills the gap(s): My .... brother intends to get married in December
Students often choose 'older' or 'oldest' because they are more common everyday comparatives. When referring to family relations and siblings, 'elder brother' is the correct term to use before a noun. Common mistake: Using 'older' as an attributive adjective before family member nouns instead of 'elder'.
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