Before you proceed to the questions please note that JAMB Use of English is compulsory for all candidates for all subjects and for all year. We have published instructions on the best way to answer JAMB Use of English Questions to earn higher score.
Read the passage below carefully and answer the question that follows. Each question carries 3 marks
JAMB -UME USE OF ENGLISH 2007 PAST QUESTIONS: PASSAGE I
While trying desperately to cope with the scourge of the dreaded HIV/AIDS l, the virus, the human race was once again beset with the problem of graphing with another fast-spreading and lethal pandemic called bird flu. Also called avian influenza. Bird flu vicious strain, H5NI was spread from birds to human and could also be as HIV/AIDS. The pandemic had ravaged many countries in Europe, Asia and Middle East, resulting in a high death toll in livestock, but as yet with a few human casualties. As the pandemic made its steady spread there was the fear that, if it ever got to Africa, the consequence would be devastating in view of the content’s lack of infrastructure and money to keep it in control. This fear was consequent upon Africa countries unenviable response to emergences in the past, like drought in some shelling countries or flooding along the coast. It was against this frightening background that many Nigerians were thrown into panic following the announcement on Wednesday the 18th of February, 2006, that the bird flu had indeed entered Nigeria. The announcement itself was sequel to death of a large number of birds in a farm in Kaduna states whose sample were diagnosed at the National veterinary institute, vow, plateau state, and confirm at the food and Agriculture organization (FAO) diagnostic center in Rome, Italy. Several follow-up actions had been taken to try and halt the spread of the virus in the country, such as the immediate quarantine of the affected farms, the killing and disposal of all infected and surviving birds in affected farms and the restriction of movement of people in and outside such farms, commendable as these measure were, many Nigerian still dreaded the chicken and had already excluded its meat from their menu. As a result, poultry farmers in Nigeria were counting their losses instead of producing more protein and smiling to the bank with good sales. To return to the state quo ante and restore the confidence of Nigeria in poultry products, additional measures were suggested, namely the closed monitoring of migratory birds which flock into the country at different time of the years, the proper cadging of all free-range birds and appropriate sanctioning of defaulting owners, not restricting the monitoring of poultry farms in the country to the urban centers only, the upward review of the compensation paid to farmers whose birds had been destroyed to Cushing to the effect of their loss, the strict enforcement of the restriction on the importation of poultry products and, lastly, the leadership demonstrating, by example, that it was safe to eat poultry products by several them at dinners and banquets during state functions.
- A suitable title for this passage is
(a) livestock and human casualties of bird flu pandemic in Nigeria
(b) HIV/AIDS and the birds flu pandemic in Nigeria
(c) the ravaging effects of epidemics in Nigeria
(d) controlling the bird flu pandemics in Nigeria - From the passage, it can be referred that
(a) the Kaduna poultry farmers who lost many bird was not adequately compensated by government
(b) bird flu had already resulted in a high human and livestock death toll
(c) Nigerians no longer consume poultry products as a result of bird flu
(d) bird flu in Nigeria was first by the food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) diagnosed centre - The expression to return to the statue quo ante refers to the
(a) state of affairs following the bird flu pandemics in Nigeria
(b) condition of things prior to the incidence of bird flu
(c) bird flu pandemic that had ravaged many countries in Europe, Asia, and middle east
(d) killing of birds as a result of bird flu and its effect on poultry farmers - From the third paragraph, the steps taken to check the spread of bird flu in Nigeria were
(a) restricting movement paying compensation and cadging free-range birds
(b) public enlightenment, controlling migration birds and killing infected birds
(c) monitoring all poultry farms, quarantining affected farms and killing ands disposing of affected birds
(d) isolating ravaged farms, destroying and disposing of affected birds and restricting movement - Which of the following statement is true according to the passage?
(a) the death of many poultry birds led to the discovery of bird flu in Nigeria
(b) if it had not been quickly controlled, bird flu might proven more deadly than HIV/AIDS
(c) poultry farms in Nigeria had been quarantined
JAMB -UME USE OF ENGLISH 2007 PAST QUESTIONS: PASSAGE II
It is of no more use to give advise to the idle than to pour water into a sieve, but it strikes me that lazy people ought to have a large looking glass hung up where they are bound ton see themselves in it. If their eyes are at all like mine, they will never bear to look at themselves long or often. The ugliest sight in world is one of those through-bred loafers, who would hardly hold up his basin if it were to rain with porridge; and certain, would never hold up a bigger pot than he wanted filled fore himself. Perhaps, if the shower should turn to beer, he might wake himself up a bit, but he would make up for it afterwards, since as a slothful man. He folds his hand in sleep and hates to get up even for his meals. Men like him ought to be treated like the drone which the bees drive out of their hives for inactivity and overdependence. Every man ought to have patience and pity for poverty; but for laziness, a long whip might be better. This would be a healthy treatment for all sluggards, but there is no chance of some of tem getting their full dose of this medicine, for they were born with silver spoon in their mouths, and like spoons will scarce stir their own tea unless somebody lends them a hand. They are like the proverbial dog that leaned his head against the wall to bark and, like lazy sheep, it is too much trouble for them their eyes if the glass were hung for them. If in seem to hit hard at the sluggards, it is because I know they can bear it, for if they were seed on the threshing floor, you would thresh many days to get them out of the straw, for laziness is in their bones, and will show itself in their idle flesh, no matter what you do with them
- One conclusion that can be drawn from the opening paragraph is that
(a) lazy people work only to satisfy their own immediate needs
(b) lazy people are though-bred loafer who cannot even eat their porridge
(c) though lazy people have ugly faces, they like to see themselves in the mirror
(d) it is a waste of time to advice a lazy man because he will always use a sieve to sift the advice - From the argument in the last paragraph, it can be concluded that the sluggards are
(a) Phlegmatic when advised
(b) weary of sound advice
(c) intolerant of good advice
(d) impervious to advice - The expression if the shower should turn to bear, he might wake himself up a bit suggest that lazy people
(a) are pleasure-loving
(b) have beer showers
(c) are gourmets
(d) are inconsiderate - Which of the following explain the point being made in the second paragraph?
(a) the drone and the slothful often look themselves up in the mirror
(b) the drone and the slothful hover around beehives because of their overdependence on honey
(c) the drone and the slothful are idle so they depend on their needs
(d) the drone and the sluggard are lazy people who slept a lot - Which of the following represents the author’s view in the passage?
(a) the slothful will not get out bed unless someone wakes them up
(b) idle and unproductive people should have no place in society
(c) loafers carry their basins about looking for who to fill them with food
(d) laziness leads to poverty so both should be rejected with equal; vehemence
JAMB -UME USE OF ENGLISH 2007 PAST QUESTIONS: PASSAGE III
In time past in Nigeria, being a secretary was perceived with utter disdain by many people. Other professionals such as teachers, lawyers, engineers, surveyors, estate officers and architects were revered. Many issues readily come to mind concerning the old perspective of secretaries as professionals. One, they were regarded as people with little or no education, indeed, many of them were said to be mere typist who learnt how to punch keys on the typewriters. They hardly had any formal education but obtain doubtful certificates. This was made possible because anyone could easily learn to be as typist under the shade tree or in a personal office of a retired secretary or a chief typist from any business organization. As long as a short piece of work could be typed almost accurately and in record time, one then became a secretary. This unrealistic practice-to call an unqualified person a secretary- might have been introduce and sustained by people who did not know who a secretary was. The education secretaries obtained a minimum of Ordinary Notional Diploma (OND) or its equivalent from institutions in and outside Nigeria, particularly Great Britain, Canada or the united state of America. Two, they were mostly women and very few males secretaries, who suffered more humiliation than their female counterparts. They were regards as men who did not succeed in life and did the work that normally women were supposed to do three, and derive from the second reason, secretaries were, as a matter of fact, vary close to their bosses. Most people, including husband of secretaries, regarded such a mode of interaction as tempting-a kind of constant closeness which might engender a deliberate or unintentional amorous relationship between superior and subordinate officers. Quite often, such a situation could not be ruled out when body contact was established inadvertently or deliberately between two people of opposite sex especially when either one or both people were attracted to each other. Moreover, we often talk of the devil and the havoc he is capable of causing in lives of people, particularly the unguarded ones. In today worlds these points of view concerning secretaries are fading fast. Now, there is a clear distinction between typist and a secretary. Modern secretaries are trained in polytechnics and universities. Gone are the days when secretaries were taught only the art of punching the typewriters and various filling systems. They are also encouraged to take training courses other than secretarial duty. Many secretaries have had their training in faculties of business administration, law, arts and mass communication of universities. They take relevant courses in administration and other social science department that enhance their personality, carriage, interpersonal relations and office management. Obviously, secretaries, including the male ones, are more important and well respected today than in the past.
- Modern secretaries are different from the old ones because they
(a) are more educated and better exposed to professional training
(b) may become teacher in polytechnics and universities
(c) are able to become graduate of various universities
(d) can use modern gadgets such as computers and other machines - Which of the following statement can be deduced from the passage concerning the old perspective of secretaries?
(a) the training they received from professional was sufficient
(b) they were highly respected by other professionals.
(c) one could see that they were well educated
(d) they did not deserve to be addressed as secretaries - The expression unguarded ones, as used in the passage, refers to
(a) two people who may be attracted to each other
(b) husband of female secretaries
(c) the female secretaries and their bosses
(d) the devil and all his cohorts - The expression utter disdain, as used in the passage, means
(a) undue criticism
(b) complete contempt
(c) deserved respect
(d) professional misconduct - The writer seems to suggest that
(a) there was nothing wrong in having males as secretaries
(b) secretaries were best trained by retired chiefs typist
(c) only graduates who studies abroad were good secretaries
(d) the ordinary National Diploma was sufficient for secretaries
JAMB -UME USE OF ENGLISH 2007 PAST QUESTIONS: PASSAGE IV
The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks.
Ofala is a festival that is celebrated in virtually every Igbo community in Nigeria. it is the king’s own festival during which he shows himself to his people, many of whom have probably not….16… [A lied B laid C lay D lain] eyes on him for a long time. The morning of the ofala sees large crowds….17….[A gather B gathers C were gathered D to be gathering] in the palace arena. Suddenly a cannon…18…[A bangs B knows C shoots D booms] repeatedly. Rich…19…. [A vibration B gyration C percussion D explosion] from the royals musician fills the air. The igwe emerges like the rising sun….20… [A surrounded B dazzle C royally D resplendent] in white-bordered gold and black robes. The igwe then begins the….21… [A cultural B social C traditional D royal] dance with his wife. Followed by his entourage, he dance round the arena…22…[ A at the cheer B to the cheers C with the cheers D from the cheers] and praises of the crowd. Finally, the igwe takes his seat and his people begins to ..23… [A pay their toll B spray him with gifts C pay their respect D observe his steps] igweeee! You will live long ..24.. [A on the throne B at the throne C in the throne D by the throne ]: they declare, bowing respectfully before the him. The igwe …25… [A replies B acknowledge C answer D responds] their homage by touching their back with his royal fly whisk. Exhausted, the igwe rises igweeee; the crowd hails, he waves his fly whisk for the last time and heads straight back to the palace with his entourage.
JAMB -UME USE OF ENGLISH 2007 PAST QUESTIONS: LEXIS, STRUCTUER AND ORAL FORMS
In each of questions 26 to 28, choose the option that has the stress on the first syllables
26. A integral B intact C negotiate D about
27. A understand B afternoon C taxi D address
28. A reproduce B conduce C renewal D calendar
In each of question 29 to 31, choose the option that has a different stress pattern from the others
29. A superman B slaughter C surcharge D superior
30. A evacuee B expedite C European D cigarette
31. A education B individual C Cinderella D agriculture
In each of question 32 to 34 choose the appropriate stress pattern from the option. The syllables are written in capital letters.
32. advertisement A advertiseMENT B adVERtisement CADvertisement D aadverTISEment
33.association A associAtion B Association C associaTION D aSSOciation
34. capitalism A caPItalism B CAitalism C capiTAlism D capitaLISM
In each question 35 to 54, chose the option that best complete the gap(s)
35. If he arrive late, everyone….. [A would have blamed B will blame C must blame D would be blame]
36. Because of his….. [A pliable B kind C uncompromising D uncalculating] nature, Ayo was tricked out of his wristwatch
37. Yesterday in the hall, Ola said that … [A he had forget B he had mislaid C he has misplaced D he have lost] his watch
38. When they examined his body, they found that he … [A was dead B had been dead C died D had been dying]
39. The politician … [A wept over B condoled C commiserated with D greeted] the family of the deceased
40. Our solder are starting to zero [A at B on at C unto D in on] the enemy
41. … [A me and amadi B amadi and myself C amadi and I D amadi and me] went to the stadium to watch a football match
42. I look forward to …. [A seen B be seeing C see D seeing]
43. My father has been away on a journey but my mother says she … he… [A expected /would arrive B expect/will arrive C excepted/will arrive D excepts/would arrive
44. I… [A did not have the opportunity B did not chance C was not opportune D was not chanced] to pursue my education
45. There was … [A no B usually C normally D hardly] any traffic as he drove home
46. The rain fall for days.. [A no end B at end C at ending D on ending]
47. Didn’t [A nobody B everyone C anyone D everybody] draw your attention to the entry requirement
48. The idle steward could not see [A what will be written B what is written C the handwriting D the writing] on the wall and he lost his job
49. Making a phone call instead of paying a visit represents a … [A sudden social new major B new sudden major social C sudden new major social B new social sudden major] trend
50. Kola was fined … [A rest B rests of the C the rest D the rest of the] thieves were given a jail sentence
51. The team has benefited from the coach’s …. [A reservoir B wealth C minefield D world] of experienced
52. The girl cannot speak with a clear voice; she is always …[A blabbing B gesticulating C vociferating D stuttering ]
53. Government should invest more in … [A teacher’s B teachers’ C teacher D teachers] training
54. He says he.. [A cannot be able B is not able C was not able to D could not] find me a job, but will accommodate
Me.
In each of question 55 to 64, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences. Each question carries 2 marks
55. The nest village is at least 30 kilometers away
(a) the next village is 30 kilometers way, or possibly more
(b) the next village is only 30 kilometers away
(c) the next village is approximately 30 ki8lometers away
(d) the next village is 30 kilometers away, possibly less
56. the country is holding its first free elections for five years
(a) there were elections in the country five years ago
(b) the country held elections five years
(c) the last time the country held free election was five years ago
(d) the first free election in the country have now taken five years to conduct
57 there’s door at either end of the building
(a) the building has two ends but only one door
(b) the building has two ends and two doors
(c) the building has two ends, but I do not know which of the two has a door
(d) the building has many ends, each with a door
58. my advice to tolu was; look n before you leap
(a) Tolu was advised to consider the possible consequences before taking action
(b) Tolu was advised to consider her opinion before reaching any decision
(c) Tolu was advised to weigh her decision by looking and leaping
(d) Tolu was advised to leap only after looking
59. there should be a level playing field for women entering politics
(a) women should not be allowed to enter politics
(b) men and women should be able to compete in the politics arena on an equal basis
(c) sports facilities should be provided for women entering politics
(d) special privileges should be given to women who want to enter politics
60. the woman won’t have lived through the night
(a) the woman might not have lived if she hadn’t got the right support
(b) it was likely that the woman died before morning |
(c) from all indication, the woman was taken much worse, through she overcome her ordeal
61 the official had allegedly been taking bribes
(a) the officials accused some people of taking bribes
(b) the official been taking bribe without feeling any guilt
(c) it was proved that the official had been taking bribes
(d) some people accused the official of taking bribes
62. Emeka hardly ever holds with my view on good governance
(a) emeka never really support my opinion of good governance
(b) my view on what good governance is conforms with that of emeka
(c) emeka sometimes opposes my idea of good governance
(d) emeka may never hold a view which conflict with mine on good governance
63. he could not have rewarded them more handsomely
(a) he spoke to them in a very generous way
(b) he rewarded them well, and hew was also a good-looking man
(c) he did not reward them well
(d) he rewarded them very well
64. we have to iron out our differences at once
(a) we must ensure that our problems are eliminated at all cost
(b) we must clear up without delay our misunderstanding
(c) we have to solve some problems for now
(d) we have to settle our disagreement once and for all
In each of question 65 to 79, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics
65. The vice-chancellor relinquished power at the end of his terms.
(a) clung on to
(b) abandoned
(c) gave up
(d) wielded
66. mr adeyemo is quite a conceited young man
(a) a practical
(b) an unassuming
(c) an experience
(d) a resourceful
67. For anything to do with academics work, he has great aversion
(a) conversion
(b) attention
(c) prediction
(d) contempt
68. The man paid a large sum to redeem his mortgaged property
(a) ransom
(b) pawn
(c) acquire
(d) recover
69. The police demanded a factual account of the accident
(a) an undisguised
(b) an admissible
(c) a supportive
(d) an uncorrob orated
70. Is it necessary for us to go? She asked in her shrill voice
(a) indistinct
(b) angry
(c) quite
(d) aggressive
71. The student were undeterred by the noisy lecture environment
(a) encourage
(b) discourage
(c) frustrated
(d) challenged
72. The stadium was seething with people when we entered
(a) empty
(b) noisy
(c) filled
(d) crowed
73. do not be discourage y failure in life.
A dissuaded
B. sincere
C reasonable
D. actuated
74. the suggestion he made were very unobstructed
A. Sincerity
B. reasonable
C. Forceful
D. helpful
75. Lami and her husband are simply munificent
A. Niggardly
B. angry
C. happy
D. weighty
76. the man advised his wife to steer a middle course in the argument between her and her employers A. be unrelenting
B. be unrepentant
C. be reclaimed
D. be compromising
77. the refugees were received at the transit camp
A. Permanent
B. passage
C. temporary
D. nearby
78. Otokpa took after hi late father who was a teetotaler
A. sober
B. disciplinarian
C. careless
D. drunk
79. the study he carried out of the problems was quite comprehensive.
A. detailed
B. inscrutable
C. sketchy
D. complete.
In each of question 80 to 82, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the letter(s) underlined
80. pear A. dear B. there C. near D. year
81. Potable A. pot B. post C . port D. paw
82. Blue A. root B. look C. book D. foot
In each of question 83 to 85, choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented y the letter(s) underlined
83. Shows A. house B. reason C. loss D. horse
84. Cloth A. they B. Three C. mouth D. Thomas
85. English S. edge B. thin C. end D. think
In each of question 86 to 100, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics
86. The tax rebate was a concession given to servants.
A. an incentive
B. an allowance
C. work
D. intelligence
87. The rest of the boys admire Olu’s verve.
A. energy
B. handsomeness
C. work
D. intelligence
88. The noise across the road drowned the sound of the keyboard in my room.
A. overshadowed
B. neutralized
C. balanced
D. equalized
89. The astute businessman neatly fended off questions about his private life.
A. asked
B. welcomed
C. sidestepped
D. explained.
90. He holds on firmly to his hackneyed view of life.
A. principled
B. wayward
C. positive
D. obsolete
91. He deprecated the attempts made to unseat him.
A. resisted
B. condemned
C. despised.
D. challenged
92. beads of sweat an down Ngozi’s armpit
A pounds
B springs
C rivulets
D pools
93. the last criticism at the rally was made in ignorance
A unimpeachable
B objective
C impeccable
D uniformed
94. the debt the company incurred became rather intolerable
A dangerous
B unprecedented
C inevitable
D insupportable
95. we were warned not to indulge in recrimination
A accusation
B indiscretions
C counter-charge
D frivolous allegation
96. the shortage of petrol was a perennial problem
A a seasonal
B a recurring
C an incurring
D an annual
97. the police are not happy with the growing number of depraving people around the politician
A indolent
B violent
C immoral
D loquacious
98. I visited amina umpteen times in her college, but she never came to me
A seldom
B often
C occasionally
D twice
99.things may change soon, but at the moment our economic situation is precarious
A uncertain
B unattractive
C redeemable
D buoyant
100. the striking workers have vowed not to return to work until the decision is reversed
A implemented
B rescinded
C dismissed
D reverted.
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