1980

JAMB Use of English 1980 past questions

92 questions from the 1980 JAMB UTME Use of English paper. Free, with answers where available.

Practice with CBT mock -> All Use of English years
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q1
Ezekiel was a great herald of things to come because
A
he was a prophet
B
he preached about events which were to characterized the period after the exile
C
God showed him what was going to happen after exile
D
he ran a prophetic ministry
E
God was with him
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q2
in his work, Ezekiel
A
was friendly with Ezra
B
founded Judaism in conjunction with Ezra
C
had a large religious following
D
forged a link between the past and the future
E
demonstrated that he was a man of God
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q3
By and large critics of Ezekiel and his work were
A
successful
B
ungodly
C
unsuccessful
D
jealous
E
angered by his acceptance
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q4
when other prophetic book where discredited, Ezekiel's book was accepted because
A
the people loved him
B
the other prophetic writers were not an original
C
the critics were biased in their judgement
D
he was a great prophet
E
his work was convincingly documented
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q6 OK Answer: C
in the passage, there is an attempt to explain that to ensure a totally healthy child
A
it is necessary to concentrate on the child's physical well-being alone
B
it is essential to reduce the high child mortality and morbidity rate
C
it is necessary to take care of other things in addition to the child's physical well-being
D
it is important to keep to the rules of hygiene
E
it is necessary to copy foreign ways of bringing up children
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q7
it is said that differences in ways of bringing up children and educating them
A
achieve the same results
B
are reflected in the personalities, attitudes and achievements of the individual
C
make people aggressive
D
have nothing to do with educational attainments
E
are a matter of the cultural background of the people
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q8
since the training for social adjustment begins from the moment of birth, our traditional practices
A
are too uncivilized to be helpful to the child
B
need to be modernized
C
are very helpful to the proper growth of the child
D
make the child a stranger to modern civilization
E
are the cause of underdevelopment
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q9
in spite of the fact that the Western country now recognize the importance of the early period of childhood in forming a relationship, Nigerian hospital and maternity home.
A
copy the wrong Western practice not being criticized in Western countries
B
improve on local practices and make the future of the child secure
C
ensure that the child is brought up in the right way [PAGE 41]
D
ensure that the child develops the right skills for establishing relationships
E
do not know which practice to choose
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q11
the author explains that researches conducted on various aspect of rural urban drift have
A
failed to provide effective solutions
B
revealed the causes and effects of this drift
C
increase the hue and cry against it
D
provide effective solutions to the problem
E
not only provide the solutions but also brought out the causes and effect on this drift [PAGE 42]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q12
one of the reasons why people drift for the rural areas to the urban areas is
A
hunger resulting from drought
B
laziness and ignorant
C
better rural education and possession of qualifications which make better jobs available in urban areas
D
the easy life and comfort in the city
E
the freedom from traditional control and pagan practices
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q13
migration in large number is said to result in
A
juvenile delinquency
B
a fall in the production of food, accommodation and health in the cities
C
highway robbery
D
difficulty of life in rural areas
E
mental stress by parents and relations
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q14
one suggested solution to the problem is to
A
provide social amenities and create employment opportunities in rural areas
B
encourage mechanized agriculture in order to raise income
C
force the young rural people to stay by warning them about the problems in the cities
D
mount road blocks
E
lower the level of education in rural areas and increase qualification for employment in the cities
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q17
Boeta Dick spat in the bucket because
A
he was sick
B
he had a dirty habit
C
he coughed
D
the smithy smelled badly
E
it is good to spit regularly
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q18
without the soldiers in the smithy
A
no work can be done
B
the boss will go into debt
C
the products cannot be completed
D
the boss will be unhappy
E
the other workers will not like their job
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q19
the soldiers received
A
occasional money for their work
B
too much for their work
C
just enough for their work
D
a fair wage
E
not so much as their work demanded
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q21
Rufus Okeke was very popular with people because he
A
was energetic
B
has decided to pitch his tent with the villagers
C
did not like town life
D
could not live without his parents
E
made more money for the villagers
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q22
a village tout can be described as being
A
unemployed
B
crazy
C
energetic
D
lazy
E
servile
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q23
the reference to Okeke's 'bright future' in Port-Harcourt can be described as being
A
sarcastic
B
true
C
untrue
D
irrelevant
E
impossible
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q24
The writer is saying indirectly that political parties in power could be
A
unpredictable
B
honest
C
corrupt
D
servile
E
autocratic
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q25
which of the following statement would you consider correct with reference to Okeke as an election expert?
A
it is true that he was an expert
B
it is doubtful that he was an expert
C
it is most likely to be true that he was an expert
D
there are no election experts
E
he was not an election expert at all [PAGE 45] Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five option:
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q26
The telephone .... in the nineteenth century and is now used in most countries in the world
A
had been invented
B
was invented
C
would have been invented
D
has been invented
E
was being invented [PAGE 46]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q27
By the end of the next semester he .... his University education
A
would have completed
B
will be completing
C
shall have completed
D
was completing
E
must complete
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q28
In the past his father used to walk but nowadays he .... to work by bicycles
A
was going
B
is going
C
seldomly goes
D
goes
E
has gone
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q29
The students .... so much noise while the lecturer had to walk out of the class
A
made
B
had been making
C
were making
D
had made
E
would have been making
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q30
Olukayode .... as a mechanic when he was young, but now he is a driver
A
had been working
B
used to work
C
would work
D
would have worked
E
had worked
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q31
...., it might not look such a rosy proposition.
A
From his viewing proposal
B
when he views the proposal
C
Having viewed the proposal
D
From his point of view
E
From his seeing it
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q32
If we went to any European country .... Britain, we should need a substantial amount of money to pay our way
A
like
B
let us say
C
as an example
D
like say
E
if we say
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q33
The horse is a winner, ....
A
you can take that from me
B
you can say I say so
C
you can take my word for it
D
it is my word against theirs
E
you may or may not believe it
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q34
If he had entered the room, I .... him
A
saw
B
had seen
C
would have seen
D
may see
E
will see
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q35
You should show some consideration .... the feelings of others
A
with
B
about
C
by
D
to
E
for
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q36
The old car .... several times this year
A
was repaired
B
has been repaired
C
had been repaired
D
has repaired
E
was being repaired Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to the underlined word:
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q37 OK Answer: C
His penury gave him a lifetime of hunger
A
avariciousness
B
affluence
C
poverty
D
penny pinching [PAGE 47]
E
greed
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q38 OK Answer: E
The bible's prodigal son became quite wealth eventually
A
prestigious
B
phlegmatic
C
errant
D
pecuniary
E
extravagant
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q39 OK Answer: B
Don't eat just any innocuous looking mushroom you see around
A
harmful
B
harmless
C
innocent
D
immunized
E
conspicuous
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q40 OK Answer: B
Colossal means
A
a Greek column
B
gigantic
C
something which has lost too much fluid
D
a calamity
E
the sale of colos Choose the best option to fill the gaps in the following sentences:
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q41 OK Answer: B
The prices .... are too high for us
A
you lent me
B
you quoted
C
you attended
D
you gave me
E
you want to buy
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q42 OK Answer: A
The method .... does not give the expected results.
A
you recommended
B
you visited
C
you told
D
you sent me
E
you wanted
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q43 OK Answer: C
Oxygen is necessary to life. Nothing can live without it. It was .... a century ago
A
invented
B
found out
C
discovered
D
learnt [PAGE 48]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q44 OK Answer: C
Why does a flamingo stand on one leg? Because if it lifted the other one, it would ....
A
go down
B
let down
C
fall down
D
come down
E
get down
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q45 OK Answer: A
I am travelling by the 6:30 train tomorrow morning. Will you .... me ...?
A
see/off
B
look/up
C
take/down
D
see/to
E
put/up
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q46 OK Answer: B
I am a student and .... Musa. I left for the university, and .... Musa
A
was, does
B
so is, so did
C
so was, so does
D
he is, he did
E
so he is, so he went
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q47 OK Answer: B
You have been absent from classes for four months. How can you .... for the lost time
A
make in
B
make up
C
make off
D
make out
E
make over [PAGE 49]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q48 OK Answer: A
I am afraid you cannot use this telephone; it is ....
A
out of order
B
in order
C
for order
D
at order
E
with order
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q49 OK Answer: D
You should make an ...... to improve the situation
A
effect
B
efficiency
C
effectiveness
D
effort
E
effectualness
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q50 OK Answer: D
Must you always .... lies? Why don't you .... the truth for once
A
speak
B
say
C
talk
D
tell
E
utter Complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q51 OK Answer: E
.... listening to the news when I came in
A
There were
B
There was
C
It was
D
There are going to be
E
They were
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q52 OK Answer: C
They said that .... about 20 candidates for the job of a shorthand typist
A
they were
B
it will be
C
there were
D
it was
E
there are
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q53 OK Answer: D
He told me to go on .... till seven
A
to work
B
worked
C
works
D
working
E
work
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q54 OK Answer: C
Many goods .... tape recorders and cameras find a ready market in every country
A
like
B
such a
C
such as
D
such
E
as
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q55 OK Answer: C
He acts .... he were a general manager
A
as
B
if
C
as if
D
so as
E
that
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q56 OK Answer: A
Must you say ‘Good morning' to everybody in the street? No, …... [PAGE 50]
A
I needn't
B
I mustn't
C
I can't
D
I do not need
E
I'll have to
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q57 OK Answer: B
Could I ring him up? I'd rather you ....
A
visit him
B
visited him
C
would visit him
D
visiting him
E
will visit him
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q58 OK Answer: D
Don't study on the examination day? What did he tell you? He told me .... on the examination day
A
no studying
B
don't study
C
not study
D
not to study
E
to not study [PAGE 51]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q59 OK Answer: A
I .... to gain admission to the college for the past three years
A
have been trying
B
tried
C
am trying
D
was trying
E
try
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q60 OK Answer: B
.... a lot of arguments for and against car loans in the press recently
A
There are
B
There has been
C
There have been
D
There is
E
There was
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q61 OK Answer: A
He reported to his manager that he .... overseas
A
had never been
B
never was
C
has never been
D
is never
E
will never be
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q63 OK Answer: E
Will they sign any contracts at the Fair? They will not only sign the contracts but a lot of goods .... as well
A
will buy
B
to buy
C
they buy
D
they bought
E
will be bought
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q64
I started writing this test at 8: 00 a.m. It is 10: 00 a.m. now. By 11: 00 a.m. I .... it for three hours
A
shall be writing
B
have been writing
C
shall have been writing
D
am writing
E
was writing Choosing the word or phrase from A to E which has the same meaning as the underlined word or words in each sentence:
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q65 OK Answer: C
Writing for newspaper is exciting and lucrative especially when one is a freelance journalist
A
a forthright
B
an eloquent
C
an unattached
D
a political
E
a convincing
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q66 OK Answer: E
He has never been a good mediator, even in minor family disputes, because in most cases his views are always jaundiced
A
colored
B
sick
C
suspicious
D
unscrupulous
E
prejudiced
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q67 OK Answer: A
After the wife had covered her misdeeds by prevaricating on several occasions, the poor husband accused her point blank of adultery
A
bluntly
B
pointedly
C
emphatically
D
unreservedly
E
mistakenly [PAGE 52]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q68 OK Answer: D
The vote of thanks which was elaborately moved by the social secretary did not ring true particularly as the fund raising had been a big failure
A
was all lies
B
was not honest
C
was inaudible
D
was not genuine
E
was distorted
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q69 OK Answer: C
I listened with rapt attention as he never suspected that I knew he was telling me a cock and bull story
A
a story about a cock
B
a story about bull
C
an incredible story
D
an interesting
E
an eye witness story
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q70 OK Answer: D
When a man is immune to an illness, he is
A
opposed to it
B
attached to it
C
hated by it
D
protected against it
E
addicted to it
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q71 OK Answer: C
The two boxers were neck and neck up till the sixth round but in the seventh and final round, the bigger one lost ground
A
could no longer stand on his feet
B
failed to maintain his position
C
was beaten
D
became dizzy
E
became a punching bag
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q72 OK Answer: A
While the mother and father were arguing furiously their small-boy sat patiently taking in everything they said
A
absorbing
B
accommodating
C
embracing
D
accepting
E
noting
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q73 OK Answer: B
For a priest to be successful, he should, from time to time review his actions
A
inspect
B
examine
C
stare at
D
visualize
E
conceptualized [PAGE 53]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q74 OK Answer: C
In some parts of our society, people are ostracized purely on the basis of their parentage
A
hated
B
disrespected
C
shut off form others
D
locked up
E
abandoned
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q75 OK Answer: A
Sitting majestically on his throne is the Oba of Benin flanked by some of his wives
A
surrounded
B
supported
C
guarded
D
protected
E
neglected
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q76 OK Answer: E
In civilized society, it is unseemly to emit a loud belch at the end of a meal
A
noisy
B
annoying
C
stupid
D
outrageous
E
impolite Choosing the appropriate option to fill the gap in the following sentences:
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q77 OK Answer: E
As a result of the injury sustained on the football field, Segun was .... with a broken leg for months
A
laid down
B
laid out
C
laid on
D
laid up
E
laid off
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q78 OK Answer: D
the principal was able to establish a functional language laboratory for school because he acted .... the advice of experts on the subject
A
through
B
at
C
from
D
on
E
by
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q79 OK Answer: B
Dume .... in Abraka for three years when i met her
A
lived
B
had lived
C
would have lived
D
was living [PAGE 54]
E
was lived
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q80 OK Answer: A
If I were the Head of the English Department in my school, I .... make oral English a compulsory subject
A
would
B
could
C
should
D
might
E
had
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q81 OK Answer: E
If Remi perform poorly in her forthcoming examination, then either her mother or I .... to blame
A
must
B
has
C
will be
D
are
E
am
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q82 OK Answer: C
I was able to .... Olu my book because he promised to return it the following day
A
borrow
B
give
C
lend
D
lease
E
secure
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q83 OK Answer: C
You cannot have a vague idea of the content of this comprehension text unless you first .... the whole passage for few minutes, said the teacher to his pupils
A
digest
B
decipher
C
skim through
D
chew through
E
master
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q84 OK Answer: B
The prefect came to the class five minutes after the lesson ....
A
has started
B
had started
C
have started
D
is started
E
has been started
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q85 OK Answer: B
Bimbo sings beautifully ...?
A
isn't it
B
doesn't she
C
isn't she
D
does she
E
is she [PAGE 55]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q86 OK Answer: B
we couldn't find the official who was to act as our guide ...., he has left before we arrived
A
Moreover
B
Actually
C
Nevertheless
D
However
E
Even
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q87 OK Answer: C
No sooner had the examination ended .... the students started vacating the halls of residence
A
when
B
that
C
than
D
before
E
and
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q88 OK Answer: E
Ogedengbe kept goal for his club team because there wasn't .... to do it
A
nobody else
B
any other body
C
any other body
D
no other body
E
anybody else
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q89 OK Answer: A
race must be allergic .... smoke because any time she sits by someone who is smoking, she sneezes
A
to
B
from
C
for
D
with
E
by
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q90 OK Answer: A
Now that I realize the full extent of your ... I am afraid it will be impossible for me to ever trust you again
A
dubiousness
B
corruption
C
deceptiveness
D
duplicity
E
inconsistency
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q91 OK Answer: B
Legislators must be trained to .... the truth
A
disguise
B
discern
C
digest
D
disturb
E
distort
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q92 OK Answer: C
He must be a good student because he is a .... reader [PAGE 56]
A
Romanesque
B
veracious
C
voracious
D
mendacious
E
sarcastic
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q93 OK Answer: C
It is very difficult to capture the subtle ...... of words when translated from one language to another
A
essence
B
denotations
C
connotations
D
inflexions
E
insults
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q94 OK Answer: C
As it holds true that, unless you train your body you cannot be an athlete, so also unless you train your .... you cannot be a ....
A
kicking - footballer
B
voice - choirmaster
C
mind - scholar
D
courage - hero
E
arms - swimmer [PAGE 57]
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q95 OK Answer: D
The meeting starts .... two o'clock. Please be punctual
A
about
B
in
C
on
D
at
E
around
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q96 OK Answer: C
Every time you pay a bill you must insist .... being given a receipt
A
in
B
from
C
on
D
by
E
onto
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q97 OK Answer: A
The elections .... the Senate were held in July
A
into
B
of
C
from
D
onto
E
on
Use of English JAMB 1980 Q99 OK Answer: C
It is difficult these days to get a seat .... the plane in spite of a confirmed booking
A
inside
B
in
C
on
D
upon
E
into