1978

JAMB Use of English 1978 past questions

90 questions from the 1978 JAMB UTME Use of English paper. Free, with answers where available.

Practice with CBT mock -> All Use of English years
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q1
The author observes that
A
war, pestilence and famine were caused by taiko the extravagance of nature
B
Nature was heartless and senseless
C
there was a time when uncontrolled birth made sense
D
It was wise at a time when mankind did not interfere with normal reproduction
E
nature was heartless in its reproductive process [PAGE 2]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q2
Which of these statements does not express the option of the author?
A
Mankind has started to interfere with the work of nature
B
Many people had died in the past through want and disease
C
Mankind should not have the maximum number of children possible
D
Mankind should take care of its children
E
' Man's present relationship with nature in matters of birth and death is a happy one.
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q3 OK Answer: A
Humane, as used in the passage means
A
sensible
B
wise
C
human
D
benevolent
E
thorough
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q4 OK Answer: C
'We must consciously try to establish an equilibrium, implies that mankind must
A
realistically find an equation
B
strive not to be wasteful
C
deliberately try to fight nature
D
try to fight nature
E
purposely find a balance
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q6
When may a journalist have to act against his own inclination?
A
"When his friends act stupidly
B
When he becomes weak and decrepit
C
When his enemies make a mistake
D
When his political opponents frame misleading headlines
E
After he has been given a bribe [PAGE 3] A giving credit to his political enemies
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q8
'Insidious' (line 2) means
A
subtle
B
wicked
C
natural
D
unusual
E
wild
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q11
frame of reference in this passage means
A
point of information
B
range of authority
C
economic pattern
D
context of situation
E
wholesome choice
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q12
The writer apparently believes that through science and technology our country can achieve
A
peace and order
B
progress and material success
C
social values and universality
D
wealth and economic progress
E
military development and power
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q13 OK Answer: A
According to the passage, the basic consideration for developing science and technology should be three of the following: 1. technical know-how 2. availability of raw materials 3. Atmospheric pollution 4. the people's tradition and beliefs 5. population 6. capital
A
2, 1 and 6 only
B
3, 2 and 4 only
C
5, 3 and 6 only
D
6, 5 and 4 only
E
5, 2 and 6 only
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q14 OK Answer: E
The main idea of this passage is that
A
there is a yawning gap between the have and the have-nots [PAGE 4]
B
there is need to rid his countrymen from scourges of hunger, disease, ignorance and want
C
there could be atmospheric pollution and population explosion
D
the concerns of science and technology are the same in all countries
E
each nation must plan its development according to its needs and resources
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q16
The author believes that to overcome the problem of altitude and weather, the climber needs mainly
A
courage and speed
B
energy and moral fortitude
C
sufficient quantities of oxygen
D
swiftness and sureness of foot
E
quick acclimatization
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q19 OK Answer: A
to live and have our being above the limit of natural acclimatization' (line 7) means
A
to be protected from the effects of the weather
B
to expect no protection from the bad weather
C
to survive under unnatural weather conditions
D
limit our natural desires to get acclimatized to the weather
E
none of the above
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q21 OK Answer: A
The evidence would seem to indicate that
A
the author adores his wife
B
he disapproves of her ways
C
he thinks she is extravagant
D
the author regrets the cause of his debt
E
she had not been properly brought up
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q24 OK Answer: D
Which one of the following is NOT true of the passage?
A
The lady was beautiful
B
The marriage cost a lot of money
C
The marriage was according to native law and custom
D
Fatmata never had an issue
E
The author wanted another wife
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q25 OK Answer: E
'swelling' (line 6) means
A
jovial
B
great
C
remarkable
D
happy
E
growing
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q26 OK Answer: C
In the match against the uplanders team, the sub mariners turned out to be the dark horse
A
played most brilliantly
B
played below their usual form
C
won unexpectedly
D
lost as expected
E
won as expected [PAGE 7]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q27
Only the small fry get punished for such social misdemeanors
A
small boys
B
unimportant people
C
frightened people
D
frivolous people
E
inexperienced people
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q28 OK Answer: E
He spoke with his heart in his mouth
A
courageously
B
with such unusual cowardice
C
with a lot of confusion in his speech
D
without being able to make up his mind
E
with fright and agitation
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q29
The leader in today's issue of our popular newspaper focuses on inflation
A
president
B
headline
C
editorial
D
columnist Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence;
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q30 OK Answer: C
From the ways my friend talks, you can see he is such a bore
A
rude
B
brilliant
C
uninteresting
D
overbearing
E
humorous
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q31 OK Answer: A
His jail terms were to run concurrently
A
simultaneously
B
uniformly
C
laboriously
D
consecutively
E
judiciously
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q32 OK Answer: D
There is some obvious symmetry in the whole presentation
A
confusion
B
hesitation
C
excitement
D
orderliness
E
dissatisfaction
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q33 OK Answer: E
The bill has to wait as we are now insolvent
A
overworked
B
bankrupt
C
unsettled
D
insoluble
E
affluent
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q34 OK Answer: A
All his plans fell through
A
failed
B
were accomplished
C
had to be reviewed
D
were rejected
E
fell
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q35
The balance sheet at the end of the business year shows that we broke even
A
lost heavily
B
made profit
C
neither lost nor gained
D
had no money to continue business
E
were heavily indebted to our bankers [PAGE 8]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q36 OK Answer: E
He was appointed specifically to put the recruits through
A
assign them to work
B
train them
C
discipline them
D
assist them at work
E
supervise them at work
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q37 OK Answer: A
The result of his experiment represents a breakthrough in medical science
A
an outstanding success
B
catastrophe
C
an end to such experiments
D
breaking point
E
a colossal failure
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q38 OK Answer: E
Being an optimist, our professor always sees the bright side of most things
A
charming
B
illumined
C
brilliant
D
pleasing
E
cheerful
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q39
The state government appointed a commission of inquiry to go into the community's complaints carefully and without prejudice
A
investigate
B
search
C
look for
D
account for
E
ascertain
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q40
The traffic situation in Lagos can lead to disastrous consequences; a man lost a very lucrative job because he was held up by it
A
confused
B
delayed
C
annoyed
D
intrigued
E
obstructed
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q41 OK Answer: B
Mrs. Dada has been deserted by her husband because he feels she has a heart of stone
A
she has a heavy heart
B
she has little warmth of feeling
C
she has a hard heart
D
she is hard hearted
E
she has a strong heart [PAGE 9]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q42
Mr. Jack could be a successful businessman if he paid more attention to the more intricate aspects of his account
A
Mr. Jack will undoubtedly succeed
B
Mr. Jack cannot succeed
C
Jack will have a very good chance of succeeding
D
Mr. Jack will find it difficult to succeed
E
Mr. Jack will succeed in spite of all odds
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q43 OK Answer: A
If my father had not arrived, I would have starved. This sentence means
A
My father did arrive and I didn't starve
B
I had to starve because my father didn't come
C
my father didn't arrive and I didn't starve
D
I should have starved but I didn't
E
I had starved before my father arrived
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q44 OK Answer: A
The two sprinters were running neck and neck
A
exact level
B
very slowly
C
very fast
D
with their necks together
E
together
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q45
He stared at her
A
glanced
B
peeped
C
looked
D
gazed
E
fixed
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q46
When the man was caught by police, he presented a bold front
A
he attacked the policemen boldly
B
he walked up to the policemen
C
he faced the situation with apparent boldness
D
he bravely attempted to give them a present
E
he frowned at them in a defiant manner
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q47 OK Answer: D
I have been able to observe him at close quarters
A
in government house nearby
B
within a short space of time
C
in a small family house
D
at close range
E
at regular intervals [PAGE 10]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q48 OK Answer: E
At the site of the ghastly accident the poor woman's hair stood on end
A
the woman's hair became straight
B
the wind blew her hair upwards
C
the woman was unmoved
D
the woman disarranged her hair
E
the woman was frightened
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q49 OK Answer: D
When the beggar was tired, he .... down by the roadside
A
lied
B
laid
C
layed
D
lay
E
lain
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q50 OK Answer: C
He did not like .... leaving the class early
A
we
B
us
C
our
D
ourselves
E
our selves
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q51
Before the operation, the dentist found that his patient's teeth....
A
have long decayed
B
have long been decayed
C
have long being decayed
D
had long decayed
E
had been decayed
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q52 OK Answer: E
The employer, not the salesman and his representative .... responsible for the loss
A
are
B
are being
C
are never
D
have been
E
is Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space;
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q53 OK Answer: B
The boy was born before his parents actually got married and so the court has declared him ....
A
illegal
B
illegitimate
C
illicit
D
unlawful
E
untenable [PAGE 11]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q54 OK Answer: A
As he was still owing me two naira, I was careful not to .... him any more money
A
lend
B
loan
C
borrow
D
extend
E
credit
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q55 OK Answer: D
Last week the .... at the theater was the longest I had ever seen
A
assembly
B
congregation
C
convention
D
audience
E
crowd
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q56 OK Answer: B
If you travel by air you will be given an allowance to cover ....
A
a luggage
B
luggage
C
luggages
D
a baggage
E
baggages
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q57
Tennyson and Browning lived about the same time and therefore .... poets
A
contrary
B
contractual
C
contemporaneous
D
contemporary
E
contemptible
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q58
The green snake which lives in the green grass is using a perfect ....
A
ambush
B
under cover
C
camouflage
D
shelter
E
subterfuge
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q59 OK Answer: E
In order to carry out necessary examination the dead body was ....
A
extracted
B
extradited
C
exiled
D
expelled
E
exhumed
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q60 OK Answer: D
Remember this matter is strictly ....
A
between you and I [PAGE 12]
B
among you and me
C
among you and me
D
between you and me
E
between you and myself
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q61 OK Answer: D
He went abroad with a view .... a business partner
A
to find
B
to be finding
C
to have found
D
to finding
E
he will find
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q62 OK Answer: D
He had just entered the office .... the telephone rang
A
as
B
before
C
since
D
when
E
until
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q63
They .... receive visitors on short notice.
A
use to
B
are used to
C
used to
D
are always
E
are use to
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q64
His suggestion are completely .... the point and cannot be accepted
A
to
B
about
C
beside
D
on
E
under
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q65 OK Answer: B
For .... he is a secretary we shall not have correct minutes
A
because
B
as long as
C
so long
D
in as much
E
although
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q66 OK Answer: B
He went up quickly and returned ....
A
fastest
B
fastly
C
as fastly [PAGE 13]
D
as fast
E
in fastness
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q67 OK Answer: D
Invariably, he ends his letters .... amicably
A
you
B
your's
C
yours'
D
yours
E
your own
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q68 OK Answer: C
If I went to the cinema I .... early
A
shall return
B
am returning
C
would return
D
had return
E
may return
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q69 OK Answer: E
The traditional folktales form an .... to the book
A
index
B
insertion
C
information
D
overview
E
appendix
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q70 OK Answer: E
the frightening explosion in the factory .... whole wing
A
washed out
B
wiped out
C
rooted out
D
flushed out
E
cleared out
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q71 OK Answer: B
Our plane was scheduled to .... at 10.00 hrs. but it was delayed because of the bad weather
A
fly out
B
take off
C
start out
D
shoot off
E
lift off
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q72 OK Answer: A
As luck would have it, the weather brightened almost immediately and after six hours flight we .... at Heathrow Airport
A
touched down
B
dropped
C
came down
D
flew down [PAGE 14]
E
stopped
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q73 OK Answer: A
Before we left the airport, each passenger was made to .... certain form
A
fill in
B
write in
C
enter in
D
go through
E
read out
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q74 OK Answer: D
My father cannot bear the .... of the concoction that emanates from my mother's soup pot
A
sweet
B
savoring
C
aroma
D
smell
E
scent
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q75 OK Answer: A
I would not have condescended to appease the traffic policeman but I happened .... traffic regulation
A
to have broken
B
to be breaking
C
to break
D
to break in
E
to have evaded
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q76 OK Answer: D
The managing director did not pay his staff last month ...?
A
didn't he
B
had he not
C
is not it
D
did he
E
has he
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q77 OK Answer: A
Although he is in all respects a poor student, he has managed to buy a tape recorder to improve his .... of French
A
mastery
B
mastering
C
speaking
D
ideas
E
thinking
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q78 OK Answer: C
Granted you are my senior by one year, you cannot .... me around as if I were your servant
A
control
B
dribble
C
order
D
ask
E
compel [PAGE 15]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q79 OK Answer: A
.... mark an important step in the history of industrial revolution
A
The invention of the locomotive engine
B
The discovery of locomotion
C
The discovery of the engine
D
The process of locomotion
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q80 OK Answer: B
Because the referee was partial and his opponent rough, the loser of the wrestling match received .... cheers than the winner
A
thunderous
B
many more
C
overwhelming
D
a little more
E
several
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q81
The boxer was highly rated .... his doggedness and ability to absorb heavy punches
A
by
B
through
C
for
D
about
E
in
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q82 OK Answer: D
Many lives are lost on Nigerian roads .... lack of consideration for other road users by many crazy drivers
A
in view of
B
resulting in
C
owing totally to
D
through
E
by
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q83
The man no longer feared his opponent after their spokesman had assured him that they were well disposed .... him
A
to
B
toward
C
around
D
about
E
for
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q84 OK Answer: C
My little boy is hyper-active and he is therefore prone .... accidents
A
with respect to
B
for
C
to
D
about
E
as regards [PAGE 16]
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q85 OK Answer: D
His horrible high-pitched laugh .... on my nerves
A
jags
B
jabs
C
jams
D
jars
E
jeers
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q86 OK Answer: B
The train rattled along .... full speed
A
in
B
at
C
with
D
by
E
on
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q87 OK Answer: E
You would have thought that somebody would have informed me ….
A
shouldn't they
B
wouldn't you
C
I should think
D
You agree
E
isn't it
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q88 OK Answer: C
If this had happened to you, what ......?
A
would you do
B
have you done
C
would you have done
D
will you do
E
would you be doing
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q89
What a relief that the strike .... when it did!
A
would end
B
was ending
C
ended
D
has ended
E
is ending
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q90 OK Answer: E
We should take care .... the robbers come back
A
may be
B
should in case
C
perhaps
D
probably
E
in case
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q91 OK Answer: B
By the time the rainy season ended, all the young cocoa trees .... in size
A
have double [PAGE 17]
B
had doubled
C
were doubling
D
doubled
E
will double
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q92 OK Answer: A
There were so many children ....
A
that she couldn't feed them all
B
than she could feed
C
that she couldn't feed
D
that she could feed them all
E
more than she could feed them all
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q93
Isn't it high time you .... your office?
A
are leaving
B
do leave
C
leave
D
left
E
did leave
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q94 OK Answer: B
In West Africa the .... of sickle cell is about 25 percent
A
incident
B
incidence
C
accident
D
accidence
E
incense
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q95
We got to the hall after the play ....
A
is started
B
was starting
C
had started
D
has started
E
would start
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q96 OK Answer: D
The plaintiff made very cogent submissions to the trail judge
A
bailiff
B
prosecutor
C
lawyer
D
defendant
E
accused Substitute for the underlined word in the following sentence the word that most closely expresses the opposite meaning: [PAGE 18] Choose the option which is nearest in meaning to the sentences in each of the following questions:
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q97 OK Answer: B
We visited the home of one boy. That's the boy I mean
A
That's the boy whom we visited his home
B
That's the boy whose home we visited
C
That's the boy to whose home we visited
D
That's the boy whom we visited the home
E
That's the boy the home of whom we visited
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q98 OK Answer: A
The dog was limping. It appeared that one of its legs might have been injured
A
The dog was limping as if it had an injured leg
B
The dog was limping as it had an injured leg
C
The dog was limping so it had an injured leg
D
The dog was limping so as it had an injured leg
E
The dog was limping for it had an injured leg
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q99
I can walk that distance and have done so many times
A
I am used to walk that distance
B
I used to walk that distance
C
I used to walking that distance
D
I am used to walking that distance
E
I will walk that distance
Use of English JAMB 1978 Q100 OK Answer: C
For all he cared, his parent might have been dead for years
A
although concern about his parent, he had been unable to find out if they were alive
B
He cared for no one except his parents, and it was possible that they had died long before
C
he did not care whether his parents were alive or had died long before
D
He was concerned about everyone not just his parents, who might have died long before
E
He cared very much for his parents even though they were dead [PAGE 19] USE OF ENGLISH 1979 COMPREHENSION Read each passage and answer the questions that follow; Foreign Language Learning