JAMB Yoruba 2015
Questions & Answers

A student might guess that it relates to actions or time due to general grammar terminology. Ọ̀rọ̀ ìpè jẹ́ ọ̀rọ̀ tí ó ń pe ènìyàn tàbí nǹkan, bíi 'ọmọ' tàbí 'Adé', tí ó sì ń fi orúkọ tàbí ìdánimọ̀ hàn. Common mistake: Confusing vocative or naming words with descriptive verbs.

One might mistakenly select 'kọrin' thinking about the main action verb of the sentence. Ayọ̀ jẹ́ ọ̀rọ̀ àpèjúwe nítorí ó ń ṣàpèjúwe bí ọmọ náà ṣe ń kọrin, tí ó ń fi ìdùnnú tàbí ìtẹ́lọ́rùn hàn. Common mistake: Confusing the action verb with the descriptive modifier.

A literal misinterpretation might lead a student to think the proverb is about literal tools rather than moral principles. Ọ̀kọ́ kan kì í gba ọlọ́ lọ́wọ́ ọlọ́ ń sọ pé èèyàn kì í fi agbára gba ohun tí kò tọ́, ó ń kọ́ni nípa ìwà rere àti ìdúróṣinṣin. Common mistake: Taking cultural proverbs literally instead of decoding their moral lesson.

Numbers like seventeen or eighteen might confuse someone rushing through Yoruba numerical subtraction systems. Mẹ́rindínlógún ní èdè Yorùbá ń tọ́ka sí nọ́ńbà 'sixteen' ní èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì, gẹ́gẹ́ bí ìṣirò Yorùbá. Common mistake: Miscalculating subtraction-based numbers in traditional counting systems.

Tools like household furniture or weapons might be incorrectly chosen without knowing traditional vocabulary. Ọ̀sà jẹ́ irinṣẹ́ tí a máa ń lò fún ìgbàlẹ̀ ilé lọ́nà ìbílẹ̀, tí ó ń ràn wọ́n lọ́wọ́ láti wẹ́ ilé mọ́ pẹ̀lú ìrọ̀rùn. Common mistake: Confusing traditional cleaning implements with unrelated domestic items.

Students might guess cooking or trading markers due to the varied uses of outdoor spaces. Ààlẹ jẹ́ ohun tí a máa ń fi ṣe àmì lórí ilẹ̀, bíi igi tàbí ohun mìíràn, láti ṣe ìkìlọ̀ tàbí fi ìdánà hàn. Common mistake: Confusing boundary or warning markers with cooking hearths.

A student might mistakenly think 'gbóná' implies something sweet or fragrant in a metaphorical sense. Gbóná níbí ń sọ pé ilé náà ń ru pẹ̀lú ooru tàbí ó ń gbóná, tí ó ń fi bí ó ti rí nínú ilé náà hàn. Common mistake: Misinterpreting physical temperature terms as sensory qualities like smell or taste.

Animals like wolves or cattle might seem like cultural symbols of strength rather than peace. Ẹyẹ àdàbà jẹ́ ẹranko tí ó ń ṣe àmì ìtẹ́lọ́rùn nítorí ìrọ̀rùn, ìyọ́, àti ìdùnnú tí ó máa ń fi hàn. Common mistake: Confusing symbols of peace and contentment with predatory or livestock animals.

One might guess a cooking or construction profession based on the prefix of the word. Ọlọ́sà ń tọ́ka sí ènìyàn tí ó máa ń bọ òrìṣà omi, bíi Ọ̀ṣun tàbí Yemọja, tí ó sì ń ṣe àwọn ìsèlú omi. Common mistake: Misidentifying water deity worshippers as construction or culinary workers.

Major cities like Ibadan or Oyo might be guessed by students familiar with prominent Nigerian geography in literature. Ìlú Àbèní jẹ́ ìlú tí Àbèní ń dáàbò bò nínú ìwé 'Oju Odun Meerindilogun' pẹ̀lú ìgboyà àti ọgbọ́n rẹ̀. Common mistake: Confusing fictional settings in literature with real-world historical cities.

Students might guess a general fruit category like oranges or bananas without knowing specific seed names. Èso ẹ̀gúsí jẹ́ èso tí a máa ń pè ní 'ẹ̀gúsí', tí a máa ń lò fún ọbẹ̀ àti àwọn oúnjẹ mìíràn ní èdè Yorùbá. Common mistake: Confusing specialized culinary seeds with standard sweet fruits.

Some students might incorrectly select option A, thinking that words starting with 'àì-' simply describe a virtuous trait, or confuse it with option D. However, when we break down the phrase 'Ọmọ náà jẹ́ aláìdára', it points directly to an individual displaying improper behavior or lacking good character, acting in ways that are inappropriate. Common mistake: Confusing negative prefixes in adjectives with positive character traits.

Students could mistakenly lean towards Ọbàtálá or Ògún due to their prominent roles in mythology, but these deities represent different attributes altogether. Ṣàngó is recognized as the deity of justice and unity because he delivers true judgments accompanied by power and the harmony he generates. Common mistake: Mixing up the specific portfolios and divine domains of major Yoruba deities.

A student might guess 'Ọ̀pá' or 'Àga' thinking they represent common physical items used during ceremonies. The correct item, 'Aṣọ ìdí', serves as a traditional marriage material functioning as a symbol of love, unity, and care between a couple. Common mistake: Selecting general household furniture over culturally specific ceremonial garments.

One might mistakenly choose option A or C assuming 'òkìkí' relates broadly to truthful historical accounts or royalty. In Yoruba tradition, 'òkìkí' specifically denotes a narrative possessing praise or glory, usually recounting significant people or impactful events. Common mistake: Equating historical truth or status with fame and praise.

A test-taker could mistakenly choose option A or C, misinterpreting 'rò' as a domestic or commercial task. The term indicates that they are thinking or meditating concerning the progress of the school, demonstrating mental processing and intellectual effort. Common mistake: Literal misinterpretation of abstract cognitive verbs.

A student might incorrectly choose option A or D, assuming youth wisdom and elder tradition are mutually exclusive. The proverb 'Ọgbọ́n ọ̀dọ́, àṣà àgbà' actually teaches that knowledge and tradition work together to bring advancement, mirroring a young person's knowledge combined with an elder's experience. Common mistake: Interpreting complementary generational traits as conflicting opposites.

An unwary student might select option D, confusing a lack of knowledge with taking academic tests. 'Òmùgọ̀' points specifically to an individual lacking knowledge or wisdom, who tends to behave thoughtlessly or without proper guidance. Common mistake: Assuming ignorance refers to academic testing rather than a general lack of wisdom and discretion.

One might mistakenly think Àbèní fought Lápìtàn for wealth or status as seen in options A or C. Examining her motivations reveals she utilized her intellect to conquer Lápìtàn because she wanted to protect her city and her people from harm. Common mistake: Misattributing altruistic protective motives in literature to personal greed or ambition.

Students could mistakenly select option A, associating royal lineage automatically with ideal behavior. The term 'ọmọlúàbí' actually designates a child who possesses good character, proper upbringing, and respect for tradition and people. Common mistake: Conflating noble birth with inherent good character and cultural values.

A student might confuse this with 'Ìgbà òjò' or 'Ìgbà òrùn' based on general weather terms. 'Ìgbà ẹ̀ẹ̀rùn' is specifically the dry season of the year when the earth dries up or rainfall ceases, typically lasting for a month or two. Common mistake: Confusing seasonal meteorological definitions.

A test-taker might pick option A or D by focusing on literal physical actions rather than the deeper meaning. The proverb teaches that elders look backward because of their experience and knowledge, learning from past mistakes just as children look forward. Common mistake: Missing the metaphorical contrast between youthful forwardness and elder retrospection.

Students might mistakenly choose Ọbàtálá or Ọya, confusing general deities with the specific divinity of wisdom. Ifá is the deity known as the keeper of knowledge and wisdom because he prophesies, teaches guidance, and distributes knowledge to people. Common mistake: Confusing the distinct divine roles of Ifá and other orishas.

One might select 'Àga' or 'Ìdà' thinking of standard furniture or weapons. 'Ọmọlángídí' is the specific traditional domestic artifact—a carved wooden doll—that serves as a symbol of children or procreation in the home. Common mistake: Mistaking household furniture for symbolic fertility artifacts.

A student could mistakenly choose option A or C, assuming uniqueness implies moral virtue or physical strength. 'Ìyàtọ̀' conveys that a person's action differs from others or holds a distinct identity that sets it apart. Common mistake: Confusing distinctiveness with moral or physical attributes.

A test-taker might guess 'Ọ̀pá' or 'Àṣẹ' thinking of royal staffs or commands. In Akinwunmi Isola's book 'Ṣaworoide', the drum ('Ìlù') serves as the primary symbol of government, speaking to Lapite's power and unity. Common mistake: Confusing royal regalia items like staffs with specific symbolic instruments in literature.

One might mistakenly pick options B, C, or D, associating the root word with secular trades or construction. 'Ìwàásù' specifically points to discourse referencing religion, which teaches morals, beliefs, and spiritual guidance. Common mistake: Restricting religious instruction terms to secular or domestic activities.

Students could mistakenly choose 'Ìbà' or other general illnesses. 'Arùn ẹsẹ̀' is precisely the ailment that causes foot pain and distress, potentially stemming from sickness or physical injury. Common mistake: Overlooking literal name translations in medical vocabulary questions.

A student might select option A or C, confusing parts of speech with actions or time markers. 'Ọ̀rọ̀ orúkọ' is a noun, which is a word that refers to the name of a person or thing, such as 'Bọ́lá' or 'ilé', thereby establishing identity. Common mistake: Confusing grammatical categories like nouns with verbs or adverbs.

One might mistakenly choose 'Ìkookò' or 'Ejò', which usually symbolize danger or cunning rather than virtue. The dove ('Ẹyẹ àdàbà') is the animal used as a symbol of good character because of its gentleness, contentment, and the peace it displays. Common mistake: Associating predatory animals with virtuous cultural symbols.

A student could mistakenly select 'Ìgbéyàwó' or 'Ìsìnkú' by confusing naming ceremonies with weddings or funerals. 'Ìsọmọlórúkọ' is the traditional ceremony performed to name a newborn child, which typically takes place on the eighth or eleventh day. Common mistake: Mixing up traditional life-cycle ceremonies.

A test-taker might mistakenly select 'Ìtara' or 'Ìbínú', confusing calmness with emotional intensity or anger. 'Ìfọ̀kànbalẹ̀' states that an individual possesses trust or certainty in their action, demonstrating steadfastness. Common mistake: Confusing inner peace and confidence with transient emotions.

One might choose 'Òkúta' or 'Irin' thinking of durable natural elements used in remedies. 'Epo' is the specific part of a tree—specifically tree bark—utilized for treatments, such as medicinal barks used for healing the body. Common mistake: Confusing plant anatomy terms in traditional medicine.

A student could mistakenly select option A or C, linking traditional laborers to storytellers or cooks. 'Aláàárù' is a person who carries loads, working strenuously to earn food or money. Common mistake: Confusing occupational titles in traditional folklore.

One might mistakenly choose option A or C, assuming 'òdì' describes positive traits or strength. The word 'òdì' indicates that the child is engaging in bad behavior or improper conduct that hinders progress. Common mistake: Misinterpreting negative behavioral descriptors as positive traits.

A student might incorrectly choose 'Ìsìn Ìgbàgbọ́' or 'Ìsìn Ìmàle' due to the prominence of foreign religions. Traditional Religion ('Ìsìn Ìbílẹ̀') is the faith dealing with deities and ancestor reverence in Yoruba culture, which continually teaches unity. Common mistake: Confusing indigenous spiritual systems with imported monotheistic religions.

A student might incorrectly select options A, C, or D thinking they indicate general actions or timeframes, but 'ẹyọ' specifically deals with manner rather than frequency or speed. To determine the correct meaning, we look at how 'Wọ́n ń lọ ẹyọ' denotes movement that happens one by one or individually. This individual progression carries a sense of caution or guidance. Common mistake: Confusing the descriptive manner of movement with general terms of speed or quantity.

Options like A, B, and D are everyday household or ornamental objects, but they do not specifically serve the traditional burial rites intended to cover a corpse. Instead, traditional funeral rites require a specific material to drape over the body as a sign of deep respect for the deceased individual. Common mistake: Assuming any traditional artifact or ornament can substitute for the specific burial fabric.

Options A, C, and D suggest mundane or religious pursuits, which might seem plausible for a heroic journey, but the text explicitly outlines a quest for enlightenment and power. Àkàrà-ògùn undertakes his travels because he desires to transform into a wise and mighty figure, fulfilling the narrative's core premise. Common mistake: Misattributing the character's quest to economic or basic domestic activities.

A test-taker might be tempted by options A, C, or D because they relate to traditional life milestones or ceremonies, yet 'ìtọ́jú' focuses on interpersonal care and respect. This term points directly toward showing reverence and mindful oversight, exemplified by how one looks after elders or family members. Common mistake: Mixing up caregiving and respect with specific ceremonial events like marriage or funerals.