1981

JAMB Use of English 1981 past questions

87 questions from the 1981 JAMB UTME Use of English paper. Free, with answers where available.

Practice with CBT mock -> All Use of English years
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q1
the brothers thought it was odd for the post office to be open because
A
nobody works on Sundays
B
people should be in church
C
post offices should open only five days in the week
D
they were ignorant
E
that was probably the second time they had seen it open on a Sunday
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q2
The narrator kept his younger brother behind him because
A
big brothers must protect their younger ones
B
he wanted to relay all that was happening to him
C
his brother was too short for his liking
D
younger brothers are not easily frightened
E
he was very brave
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q3 OK Answer: A
The brothers decided to call the police because
A
they thought they were burglars
B
policemen are required on such occasions
C
calling the policemen was the only thing they could have done
D
they were cowardly
E
they would have wished to give evidence in court
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q4 OK Answer: C
The robbers could not escape because
A
the safe was too heavy
B
they were sinners who deserve punishment
C
the engine of their lorry failed
D
they were not smart enough
E
Nemesis wanted to catch up with them [PAGE 59]
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q6 OK Answer: E
Max and his friends met to launch a new political party because
A
they were intellectuals
B
they wanted their courts to adopt communism
C
they thought they could solve their country's problems
D
they were expelled from an existing political party
E
it was the only way they could combat the corrupt politicians
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q7
The only lady in the gathering
A
a total stranger
B
a former student of the London School of Economics
C
Max's bride to be
D
an interloper
E
not welcome in the gathering [PAGE 60]
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q8
The speaker.... to Max's introduction of him
A
took exception
B
happily adhered
C
became attuned
D
was agreeable
E
was hostile
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q9 OK Answer: D
would you say that Chief Nanga, according to the people in that gathering was
A
a popular politician
B
a wealthy man
C
an influential man
D
a notorious person
E
a man of the people
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q11 OK Answer: D
which of the following statement is true according to the passage
A
Yoga is foreign and therefore foolish
B
to think that Yoga is foreign is foolish
C
Yoga is foolish because it is foreign [PAGE 61]
D
not to take advantage of Yoga on the ground that it is foreign is foolish
E
it is foolish to take advantage of foreign practices
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q12 OK Answer: E
which one of the following in the authors opinion best complete this statement. The Indians would
A
not use electricity because Thomas Edison was an American
B
not use electricity because American electricity is inferior to some other kind of electricity
C
not use electricity since they can substitute their own Yoga for it
D
not use because Indians and Americans are friendly people
E
use electricity irrespective of who discovered it
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q13
The writer dislikes Fakirs because
A
Fakirs have gained extraordinary control of their senses
B
Fakirs are confused with Yogis
C
Fakirs subject their bodies to abnormal conditions, and perform supernatural feats for money
D
Fakirs do not practice Yoga
E
being a Yogi himself, he is jealous f Fakirs
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q14 OK Answer: E
With which of the following do Yoga have something in common?
A
Fakirs
B
snakes' charmers
C
Indian rope trick practitioners
D
all of the above
E
none of the above
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q17 OK Answer: A
the author says that writers on language are
A
inclined to be dogmatic
B
opposed to dogmatism
C
unlikely to be dogmatic
D
resolved to be dogmatic
E
ready to be dogmatic
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q18 OK Answer: E
in the author's opinion, a book on style
A
can do with few examples
B
need not have any examples
C
is a book on art
D
will be intellectual with many examples
E
will be ineffectual with insufficient examples
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q19 OK Answer: B
to write English well, the author says it is helpful to
A
to be able to write French fairly well
B
to be able to read French fairly well
C
know French thoroughly
D
must never be insular
E
do all of the above
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q21 OK Answer: C
John deserves to pass his examinations because
A
the examinations were easy
B
he was a brilliant student
C
he prepared very well for it
D
he was a lucky student
E
the examiner was very liberal
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q22 OK Answer: E
You will regard Osman during term time as a student who reads
A
all types of books
B
always
C
all the subjects on the curriculum
D
much more than other students
E
only the books that are prescribed
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q23 OK Answer: D
Osman couldn't do most of what he had planned for the holiday because
A
he thought he would fail
B
he was afraid of failure
C
waiting for the result made him sick
D
his anxiety for the results of the examination made other activities unattractive to him
E
he could not find anything else to do [PAGE 64] Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options:
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q24 OK Answer: C
From the passage, we can see that Osman intends to become
A
a very learned man
B
the cleverest man in the family
C
a lawyer
D
the chief magistrate of his district
E
a writer of books
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q25 OK Answer: D
Osman became less confident of his result each day but that does not mean that
A
he will pass
B
he will fail
C
he is a coward
D
he is hopeless
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q26 OK Answer: D
For their part in the unsuccessful .... the mutineers were court - martialed
A
coops
B
coupes
C
coupe
D
coup
E
coupes
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q27 OK Answer: B
The Chairman ruled the impertinent speaker ......
A
according to order
B
out of order
C
contrary to order
D
disorderly
E
correctly
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q28 OK Answer: C
Your approach to the problem is different .... ours
A
as
B
like
C
from
D
because of
E
to
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q29 OK Answer: A
The way to stop some frivolous publications is to .... the press
A
gag
B
shackle
C
fetter
D
handcuff
E
bind
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q29 OK Answer: A
They .... our donation with thanks
A
recieved
B
recived
C
received
D
receved
E
receipt
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q30 OK Answer: C
You surely want .... in your tea, don't you?
A
all milk
B
a milk
C
some milk
D
every milk [PAGE 65]
E
any milk
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q32 OK Answer: C
The exercise must be done .... possible
A
as quick as
B
as quicker as
C
as quickly as
D
as most quick as
E
as most quickly as
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q33 OK Answer: A
He bought a typewriter with a view .... to type
A
to learning
B
to learnt
C
to be learning
D
to be learnt
E
as most quickly as
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q34 OK Answer: E
It is time we .... this irresponsible member
A
expel
B
are to expel
C
will expel
D
are expelling
E
expelled
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q35 OK Answer: C
Had he known in advanced, he ....
A
should prepare for the interview
B
was going to prepare for the interview
C
would have prepared for the interview
D
will have been preparing for the interview
E
may be preparing for the interview
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q36 OK Answer: D
He was reported .... the policeman
A
to be assaulting
B
to assault
C
assaulting
D
to have assaulted
E
to have been assaulted
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q37 OK Answer: E
Peter's .... a cold upset our plans
A
catches
B
will catch
C
to catch
D
to have caught
E
catching [PAGE 66]
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q38 OK Answer: B
Although he was invited .... he was not welcome.
A
but
B
yet
C
so
D
since
E
because
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q39 OK Answer: A
When John reported the incident, the teacher remarked that he .... a responsible boy.
A
was
B
is
C
will be
D
should have been
E
is going to be [PAGE 67]
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q40 OK Answer: E
They tried to cash in .... the people's ignorance
A
under
B
against
C
about
D
with
E
on
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q42 OK Answer: C
He passed so well .... he was awarded a scholarship
A
since
B
because
C
that
D
while
E
thus
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q43 OK Answer: C
Government should prevent smugglers .... their contraband
A
to sell
B
to be selling
C
from selling
D
having sold
E
to selling
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q45 OK Answer: B
He looked .... everyone in authority as an enemy
A
on
B
at
C
in
D
about
E
against
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q46 OK Answer: C
Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences making use of the best of the five options: As .... of you as can come are welcome
A
each
B
any
C
many
D
more
E
most [PAGE 68]
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q47 OK Answer: E
He bade them .... to his house
A
welcomed
B
are welcome
C
to be welcome
D
to have been welcome
E
welcome
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q48 OK Answer: C
If .... one day we would talk about it for weeks
A
a lion was coming into this room
B
a lion was coming into this room
C
a lion came into this room
D
a lion is coming into this room
E
a lion is going to come into this room
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q49 OK Answer: B
Excuse me, do you mind .... I smoke?
A
because
B
if
C
since
D
while
E
against
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q51 OK Answer: D
Without .... words he accused him directly of treachery
A
amending
B
modifying
C
mixing
D
mincing
E
meaning
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q52 OK Answer: B
He is easily the …... of the lot
A
brightest
B
brighter
C
more bright
D
brightest
E
most bright
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q53 OK Answer: B
I am not attending …… is my wife
A
whereas
B
neither
C
either
D
but
E
since
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q54 OK Answer: B
Some people think that …… are potentially a nuisance
A
parent-in-law
B
parents-in-law
C
parents-in-laws
D
parent-in-laws
E
parents-ins-laws
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q55 OK Answer: E
Shakespearian …… are generally the victims of circumstances
A
heros
B
heres
C
heroses
D
hero
E
jeroes
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q56 OK Answer: A
Asmau, did you see the snap shot of ....
A
Yourself
B
You
C
Yours
D
Yourselves [PAGE 69]
E
Herself
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q57 OK Answer: C
I can't mind the light. I don't know .... about electricity.
A
Something
B
Nothing
C
Anything
D
Nobody
E
Anybody
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q58 OK Answer: D
.... a good film. Wasn't it?
A
It is
B
Was it
C
There is
D
It was
E
There was
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q59 OK Answer: D
.... Several bad air-crashes recently.
A
There is
B
They are
C
There were
D
There have been
E
There are
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q60 OK Answer: A
We left .... U.S.A, and crossed .... Atlantic Ocean to .... Europe
A
the/the/…
B
…/…/…
C
…/…/the
D
the/…/a
E
…/an/…
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q61 OK Answer: E
There was .... much noise at night that we couldn't sleep
A
Such a
B
Such
C
That
D
Very
E
So
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q62 OK Answer: E
Visitors…. Pass beyond this point. It is forbidden
A
needn't
B
don't have to
C
could not
D
cannot
E
must not [PAGE 70]
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q64 OK Answer: B
Have you paid your taxes up to date? The tax collector inquired if ….
A
You have paid your taxes up to date
B
I had paid my taxes up to date
C
I paid my taxes up to date
D
Have I paid my taxes up to date
E
I have paid my taxes up to date
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q65 OK Answer: E
Do you want me to buy her anything? She asked Asman. She asked Asman if …...
A
She wants her to buy her anything
B
You want to buy anything
C
She wanted to buy anything
D
I wanted her to buy anything
E
She wanted her to buy her anything.
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q66 OK Answer: A
He devoted himself …. homeless children.
A
To helping
B
To help
C
By helping
D
With helping
E
Helping.
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q68 OK Answer: D
We talked quietly …. waked the baby.
A
So that not
B
In order to
C
So as to
D
So as not to
E
So not.
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q69 OK Answer: B
These six employees ........ absent from work since New Year's Day.
A
Are [PAGE 71]
B
Have been
C
Were
D
Had been
E
Are being
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q70 OK Answer: A
I wish I …. to swim when I was younger.
A
Had learnt
B
Learn
C
Learnt
D
Was learning
E
Have learnt.
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q71 OK Answer: C
By the end of June, I …. six examinations this year.
A
Shall take
B
Have taken
C
Shall have taken
D
Am taken
E
Took
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q72 OK Answer: B
We used to go to that club on Saturday night ….?
A
Isn't it
B
Didn't we
C
Don't we
D
Aren't we
E
Use we not.
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q73 OK Answer: D
It was a blind alley. I could not walk any ....
A
Far
B
Farthest
C
Furthest
D
Farther
E
Further
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q74 OK Answer: A
Maimuna wrote to ask if I could put her …. for the night
A
Up
B
In
C
Out
D
Off
E
Away
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q75 OK Answer: A
After weeks of bargaining they …. a deal worth million.
A
Made up
B
Turned about
C
Brought off [PAGE 72]
D
Went in
E
Fell through
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q76 OK Answer: E
The policemen stood …. the man at the corner.
A
Looking
B
Seeing
C
Shearing
D
Glaring
E
Watching
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q77 OK Answer: B
.... reached 18.7% of the U.S population.
A
Employed
B
Unemployment
C
Employers
D
Employees
E
Underemployment
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q78 OK Answer: D
Joe had found a flat, so …. he will not be sleeping here, even if he still comes for meals.
A
Lastly
B
Least
C
Last
D
At last
E
At least [PAGE 73]
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q79 OK Answer: D
I was in such a hurry; I didn't have time to …. Hello.
A
Tell
B
Speak
C
Talk
D
Say
E
Utter
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q80 OK Answer: A
My younger brother looked ill last night, and was evidently …. this morning
A
Worse
B
Worst
C
More ill
D
Learner
E
Brighter
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q81 OK Answer: E
The schoolboy screamed loudly when he saw a snake …. looked terrifying.
A
It
B
Who
C
And
D
He
E
Which
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q82 OK Answer: C
The guests ...... breakfast by the time the bus arrives.
A
Are finishing
B
Have finished
C
Shall have finished
D
Had finished
E
Will have finished
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q83 OK Answer: C
…. Lawyers enrolled at the Nigerian bar last year …. the year.
A
As much/as
B
Very many/than
C
More/than
D
Some/as
E
As many/than
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q85 OK Answer: B
From one's daily experience, one can see that many people have ...... money ...... they really need.
A
Fewer/that
B
More/than
C
As much/than
D
Much/than
E
As little/as
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q87 OK Answer: C
The passenger waited patiently whilst they transferred his …. from the taxi to the bus.
A
Properties
B
Baggages
C
Luggage
D
Luggages
E
Property [PAGE 74] Choose the word or phrase from A to E which has the nearest meaning to the underlined word or words in each sentence:
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q88 OK Answer: D
He used his savings to bring up his nephew.
A
Lead
B
Accompany
C
Feed
D
Support
E
Conduct
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q89 OK Answer: E
Mary is jealous of her sister's success.
A
Suspicious
B
Bitter
C
Careful
D
Mindful
E
Envious
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q90 OK Answer: C
Our school prefect is too officious and we all hate him because of his behavior.
A
Efficient
B
Efficacious
C
Over-zealous
D
Active
E
Showy
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q91 OK Answer: E
The president of our club has sent his regrets. He may be unable to attend the next meeting.
A
Confusion
B
Explanations
C
Anxieties
D
Unhappiness
E
Apologies
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q92 OK Answer: A
Whenever I travel abroad, I always bring, on my return, photographs, postcards, and other small items as souvenirs
A
Mementoes
B
Remembrance
C
Memorials
D
Memorable
E
Property
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q93 OK Answer: C
Because our representative in the house of assembly is an immature and biased politician, he takes a jaundiced view of our social and economic problems.
A
Hazy
B
Unclear
C
Prejudiced
D
Bleak [PAGE 75]
E
Bright
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q94 OK Answer: E
His wife for ten years refused point-blank to leave her matrimonial home even when he brought another woman into the house.
A
Directly
B
Boldly
C
Pointedly
D
Sharply
E
Bluntly
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q95 OK Answer: B
In some parts of India, people are ostracized simply because of their ancestry.
A
Abandoned
B
Shut off from society
C
Refused education
D
Rendered unhappy
E
Hated
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q96 OK Answer: D
We all have both good and bad characteristics. Either is, however, easily manifested in time of crises.
A
Demanded
B
Highlighted
C
Submerged
D
Demonstrated
E
Ridiculed
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q97 OK Answer: E
One of the surest ways to ensure good health is to have a wholesome and adequate diet.
A
Palatable
B
Mixed
C
Hygienic
D
Delicious
E
Health - giving Choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence:
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q98 OK Answer: C
The doctor was very gentle with his patients in the examining room.
A
Harsh
B
Rude
C
Rough
D
Unkind
E
Callous
Use of English JAMB 1981 Q99 OK Answer: E
James is a disco-addict. He takes his studies rather lightly.
A
Humorously
B
Gloomily
C
Tediously
D
Carefully [PAGE 76]
E
Seriously