JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2024
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2024 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The western allies frowned at their enemies' 'indiscriminate' bombing of their territory

A. impartial
B. selective
C. unprovoked
D. divided
Explanation

'Indiscriminate' means random or without distinction, so the opposite is 'selective,' meaning targeted or deliberate, fitting the context of bombing.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: We cannot but talk about his 'invaluable' contributions to the affairs of the society

A. worthless
B. costly
C. unrecognized
D. incalculable
Explanation

'Invaluable' means extremely valuable, so the opposite is 'worthless,' meaning without value, fitting the context of contributions.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: Men living in an 'extended' family know that they have to be responsible for the welfare of some other person's children

A. extensive
B. nuclear
C. neutral
D. contracted
Explanation

'Extended' family includes multiple generations, so the opposite is 'nuclear,' meaning just parents and children, fitting the context of family structure.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: Many miners protested against the order to 'march' into the coal pits

A. strut
B. amble
C. trudge
D. ramble
Explanation

'March' means to walk purposefully, so the opposite is 'amble,' meaning to walk leisurely, fitting the context of the miners' movement.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The man's health has 'deteriorated' in the hospital

A. collapsed
B. improved
C. worsened
D. revived
Explanation

'Deteriorated' means worsened, so the opposite is 'improved,' meaning got better, fitting the context of the man's health.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Her anxiety was 'apparent' to everyone present at the ceremony

A. real
B. visible
C. transparent
D. unknown
Explanation

'Apparent' means clearly seen or obvious, so 'visible' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of her anxiety.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The rampage was organized and directed by the 'militant' ones among the students

A. soldiers
B. rebellious ones
C. belligerent ones
D. commandoes
Explanation

'Militant' means aggressively active or combative, so 'belligerent ones' (hostile or aggressive) is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of student behavior.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: It was their custom to 'keep an open house' on Sundays

A. welcome all visitors
B. keep the shutters open
C. leave the house open
D. expose the whole house
Explanation

'Keep an open house' means to be hospitable to all, so 'welcome all visitors' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of their custom.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Mali stole the 'day's takings' from the bakery

A. receipts
B. collection
C. contributions
D. offerings
Explanation

'Day's takings' refers to the money received, so 'receipts' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the bakery.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: What embarrasses me is the 'stealthy' way in which the new servant goes about his duties in the house

A. indolent
B. furtive
C. boisterous
D. agile
Explanation

'Stealthy' means secretive or sneaky, so 'furtive' (sneaky) is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the servant's behavior.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The way he handled the whole issue was rather 'despicable'

A. disturbing
B. likeable
C. contemptible
D. frustrating
Explanation

'Despicable' means worthy of contempt, so 'contemptible' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of his handling of the issue.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: After careful investigation, the police found no 'iota' of truth in Ibrahim's allegations

A. quota
B. grain
C. evidence
D. statement
Explanation

'Iota' means a very small amount, so 'grain' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of truth in the allegations.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The case was thrown out because the court lacked 'jurisdiction'

A. jurors to help the judge
B. authority
C. prosecutors
D. appellate powers
Explanation

'Jurisdiction' means legal authority, so 'authority' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the court's limitation.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: Sade has been employed. But she is unhappy because it is a 'run-of-the-mill' job

A. a boring
B. an exciting
C. a tiring
D. an ordinary
Explanation

'Run-of-the-mill' means commonplace or average, so 'an ordinary' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of Sade's job.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: I would like to believe that this brilliant performance of yours is not just a 'flash in the pan'

A. repeated occurrence
B. normal happening
C. flashy happening
D. chance occurrence
Explanation

'Flash in the pan' means a one-time success, so 'chance occurrence' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the performance.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: I told my brother to 'get the matter off his chest' as soon as possible

A. give serious thought to the matter
B. say what he has been anxious to say
C. make a brief comment
D. state his point clearly
Explanation

'Get the matter off his chest' means to express something troubling, so 'say what he has been anxious to say' is the closest, fitting the context.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The clerk refused to 'answer for' the mistake made by the manager and his assistants

A. reply to
B. give an answer
C. accept responsibility
D. account for
Explanation

'Answer for' means to take responsibility for something, so 'accept responsibility' is the closest, fitting the context of the clerk's refusal.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: I didn't think she could be so easily 'taken in' by his pretenses

A. flattered
B. deceived
C. overcome
D. blackmailed
Explanation

'Taken in' means fooled or deceived, so 'deceived' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of her reaction.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined: The minister's summary of the meeting was 'brief and to the point'

A. precise
B. accurate
C. exact
D. crucial
Explanation

'Brief and to the point' means concise and relevant, so 'precise' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of the summary.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: A student's natural ability should be a .... factor in his choosing a course of study at the university

A. determined
B. determining
C. determinant
D. determinate
Explanation

'A determining factor' means a decisive influence, correctly functioning as an adjective in the context of choosing a course.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: The traveler had to run .... in order to .... the train

A. first/catch
B. fast/cash
C. fast/catch
D. first/cash
Explanation

'Run fast in order to catch the train' means to hurry to board, fitting the context of the traveler’s action.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: My uncle is one of the .... of the society

A. elitists
B. elites
C. elite
D. elitist
Explanation

'One of the elite' refers to a member of the upper class, using the noun form, fitting the context of society.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: If Kaka hadn't tried to stand up in the boat, he .... into the lake

A. wouldn't have fallen
B. will not have fell
C. will not have fallen
D. wouldn't have fell
Explanation

'Wouldn't have fallen' uses the correct conditional perfect for a past hypothetical, fitting the context of the boat incident.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: My younger brother is going to the stream with .... boys

A. two other little
B. other little two
C. two little other
D. other two little
Explanation

'Two other little boys' follows the correct adjective order (number, quality, size), fitting the context of the brother.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: Sociologists are concerned with the problem of man in ....

A. a society
B. the society
C. society
D. some society
Explanation

'Man in society' refers to the general concept without an article, fitting the context of sociological study.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: The contractors were short .... cash even before the project was completed

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

'Short of cash' is the correct idiom meaning lacking money, fitting the context of the contractors’ situation.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: The judge acquitted the accused .... all the eight counts

A. of
B. on
C. from
D. upon
Explanation

'Acquitted of all counts' uses the correct preposition for legal exoneration, fitting the context.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: ‘Leave me alone,’ blurted the angry customer. I can’t .... with your price hike

A. make do
B. put up
C. make out
D. make good
Explanation

'Can’t put up with your price hike' means unable to tolerate, fitting the context of the customer’s frustration.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: Many a man .... done without milk in .... tea these days

A. had/their
B. has/his
C. have/their
D. had/his
Explanation

'Many a man has done without milk in his tea' uses singular verbs and pronouns with 'many a,' fitting the context.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: If I had not finished my assignment, I would not .... the opportunity to go with the group

A. have been given
B. be given
C. be giving
D. have been giving
Explanation

'Would not have been given the opportunity' uses the correct conditional perfect, fitting the past hypothetical context.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: .... with him for two years, I cannot guarantee his good behavior

A. To work
B. Having worked
C. To have worked
D. By working
Explanation

'Having worked with him for two years' uses the correct participle for a completed action, fitting the context.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: .... is always superior to any other in town

A. There's
B. Theirs
C. Theirs’s
D. There
Explanation

'Theirs is always superior' refers to possession, fitting the context of comparison.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: The manager was angry with Dauda for .... seeds of discord among the workers

A. planting
B. sewing
C. cultivating
D. sowing
Explanation

'Sowing seeds of discord' is the correct idiom for causing conflict, fitting the context of Dauda’s actions.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: Tsado and his wife are always fighting. The .... to be drawn from this is that they are not happy together

A. reference
B. inference
C. difference
D. deference
Explanation

'The inference to be drawn' means conclusion, fitting the context of their unhappiness.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The speaker’s tone was 'sarcastic' during the debate

A. mocking
B. sincere
C. humorous
D. bitter
Explanation

'Sarcastic' means mocking or insincere, so the opposite is 'sincere,' meaning genuine, fitting the context of the tone.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined: The policy was 'stringent' to ensure compliance

A. strict
B. lenient
C. rigid
D. enforced
Explanation

'Stringent' means strict or severe, so the opposite is 'lenient,' meaning relaxed, fitting the context of the policy.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the phrase underlined: The project was completed 'against all odds'

A. despite challenges
B. with ease
C. as expected
D. without effort
Explanation

'Against all odds' means despite difficulties, so 'despite challenges' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the phrase underlined: She decided to 'call it a day' after hours of work

A. continue working
B. start anew
C. stop working
D. take a break
Explanation

'Call it a day' means to stop working, so 'stop working' is the closest in meaning, fitting the context.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: She is very good .... solving complex problems

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

'Good at solving complex problems' uses the correct preposition, fitting the context of her skill.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2024

Choose the word or phrase which best fills the gap: By the time the guests arrive, we .... the decorations

A. will complete
B. will have completed
C. completed
D. are completing
Explanation

'Will have completed the decorations' uses the future perfect for an action finished before a future event, fitting the context.

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