JAMB Use Of English 2025
Questions & Answers

A test-taker could mistakenly select an option related to success or control rather than coordination. Since 'concerted' denotes coordinated or joint action, its semantic opposite is 'dissipated', which implies scattered or disorganized efforts. Common mistake: choosing a word based on general positivity rather than precise antonym meaning.

A student might mistakenly choose a word meaning brave or harsh rather than looking for a direct opposite. Because 'outrageous' means shocking or deeply offensive, the exact opposite meaning is 'pleasant', describing agreeable jokes. Common mistake: picking a synonym instead of an antonym.

One might mistakenly select a word meaning to cover or conclude instead of revealing. Given that 'conceals' means to hide or keep secret, the direct opposite is 'exposes', meaning to reveal or bring to light. Common mistake: confusing concealment with physical covering.

A test-taker could mistakenly choose unorganized instead of a direct visual antonym. Since 'extremely fascinating' means highly captivating or attractive, the opposite is 'repulsive', meaning causing strong dislike or revulsion. Common mistake: selecting a structural opposite rather than a semantic meaning opposite.

A student might mistakenly choose reward or disgrace instead of the true conceptual opposite. Because 'discredit' means loss of reputation or shame, the direct opposite is 'honor', representing high respect and acclaim. Common mistake: selecting a synonym instead of an antonym for the underlined term.

1) Distractor check: Students might pick 'cleanly swept the office' because it mistakenly translates the idiom literally into physical sweeping. 2) Reasoning to the answer: The idiom 'clean sweep' refers to an absolute removal or clearing out of personnel. Applying this meaning, the phrase 'completely got rid' accurately matches the context of removing all old hands from the office. Common mistake: Translating figurative idioms literally instead of interpreting their conceptual meaning.

1) Distractor check: A student might lean toward 'nobody's business' due to a misunderstanding of common conversational idioms about personal experiences. 2) Reasoning to the answer: The phrase 'nothing to write home about' describes something that is ordinary, average, or unexciting. Translating this concept to the quality of the aircraft ride, 'not remarkable' correctly captures the lack of noteworthy features. Common mistake: Confusing common idiomatic phrases of mediocrity with privacy or secrecy.

1) Distractor check: Option A ('use the old roads') is a tempting trap because it relies on the literal physical meaning of the word 'tracks' rather than the figurative idiom. 2) Reasoning to the answer: The expression 'get off the beaten tracks' directs people away from conventional behavior to adopt innovative approaches. Therefore, 'find new ways' properly reflects the guidance given regarding community matters. Common mistake: Selecting literal interpretations of figurative expressions.

1) Distractor check: 'Inflamed' might look plausible if a student associates emotional appeals with anger or agitation. 2) Reasoning to the answer: Being 'passionate' means that a feeling or statement is deeply felt and charged with strong emotion. In the context of a call for calm, 'intense' accurately represents the high level of earnest emotion behind the appeal. Common mistake: Equating intense emotion with negativity or agitation.

1) Distractor check: Students could choose 'jump about' by mistakenly associating an expression of excitement with physical motion. 2) Reasoning to the answer: To 'stutter' is to speak with involuntary breaks, repetitions, or hesitation. Among the choices, 'stammer' is the exact synonym for speaking hesitantly, making it fit the context of vocalizing excitement. Common mistake: Confusing verbal hesitation with physical actions of excitement.

1) Distractor check: 'Hostile' is a potential trap if a student misreads a serious, quiet mood as aggressive or unfriendly. 2) Reasoning to the answer: The term 'pensive' describes someone absorbed in deep or serious thought. Connecting this to the brother's unusual demeanor, 'thoughtful' fits the context perfectly. Common mistake: Mistaking a reflective and quiet psychological state for hostility.

1) Distractor check: A student might choose 'inefficiency' because a poor administrator is often presumed to be incompetent at work. 2) Reasoning to the answer: The word 'apathy' specifically denotes a state of lacking interest, concern, or enthusiasm. Translating this attitude to the workplace, 'indifference' properly describes the administrator's observed behavior toward subordinates. Common mistake: Confusing a lack of emotional engagement (apathy) with poor job performance (inefficiency).

1) Distractor check: 'Source' could be mistakenly selected if a student confuses checking where a claim came from with checking its truthfulness. 2) Reasoning to the answer: 'Authenticity' relates directly to the quality of being genuine, authentic, or real. Thus, 'genuineness' appropriately matches the requirement to verify the reporter's claims before taking action. Common mistake: Confusing the origin of a claim with its intrinsic truth or validity.

1) Distractor check: Option C ('travel by boat') is a humorous distractor that incorrectly plays on the literal nautical meaning of launching a vessel. 2) Reasoning to the answer: To 'launch' an event or campaign means to initiate or begin it. Consequently, 'start off' corresponds directly to the chief initiating the fund-raising appeal. Common mistake: Taking metaphorical verbs like launch in their literal physical or nautical contexts.

1) Distractor check: 'Feel cold' is a common literal trap for students who fail to recognize this specific emotional idiom. 2) Reasoning to the answer: Developing 'cold feet' is an idiom indicating a sudden loss of courage or hesitation regarding a planned event. Therefore, 'be reluctant' accurately reflects the bride's growing hesitation as her wedding day nears. Common mistake: Interpreting idiomatic expressions literally instead of looking up their figurative meanings.

1) Distractor check: 'Large' or 'huge' might be chosen if a student mistakenly thinks the phrase refers to physical anatomy rather than personality. 2) Reasoning to the answer: Having a 'big heart' is an idiom used to describe someone who is exceptionally kind, caring, and generous. Within the context of his personality contrasting with a witty conversation, 'warm' fits best. Common mistake: Confusing anatomical descriptions with idiomatic traits of character.

1) Distractor check: 'Comprehensible' might be chosen if a student confuses missing the target with failing to understand something. 2) Reasoning to the answer: The phrase 'wide of the mark' means failing to hit the target, rendering statements incorrect or off-point. Thus, 'irrelevant' correctly describes observations that miss the point entirely. Common mistake: Assuming an incorrect statement automatically means it was hard to understand.

1) Distractor check: 'Bitterness' might tempt a student who associates strong negative feelings with anger or resentment. 2) Reasoning to the answer: An 'aversion' is defined as a strong or fixed dislike toward someone or something. Given the context of sharing opinions on war films, 'dislike' captures the exact sentiment. Common mistake: Confusing a preference-based dislike with general bitterness.

1) Distractor check: 'Designed a plan' might be chosen if a student thinks the minister carefully engineered the strategy from scratch over the months. 2) Reasoning to the answer: The phrasal verb 'hit on' means to suddenly find, stumble upon, or discover a clever idea or solution. Therefore, 'discovered plan' fits the context of the minister finding a strategy after months of lobbying. Common mistake: Confusing the creation of an idea with the sudden discovery or realization of it.

1) Distractor check: 'Efficient' is a frequent distractor because students often mistake bossy behavior for high professional competence. 2) Reasoning to the answer: To be 'officious' means to be assertively and annoyingly domineering or overly eager to assert authority. Matching this unpleasant trait to why everyone hates the school prefect, 'over-zealous' is the correct choice. Common mistake: Equating annoying over-involvement with genuine workplace or school efficiency.