JAMB Use of English 1986 past questions

In this passage the expression 'Parent have had to swallow their own phlegm' means parents

'Mortuary stylistics' as used in the passage refers to the

The youth acquire clothes for

In this passage we learn that parents

Obituaries are very popular in Nigeria because

The brave officer ….the time bomb

Which of the following can be deduced from the passage?

The writer of the passage believes that delinquency laws are

The dominant subject of this passage is the

Status offences are those that can be committ

Status offences are those that can be committed by

According to the passage, the people of Umuaro and Okperi

In the view of the writer, drinking under age is an offence because

'There is no escape from the white man' in the passage means that the

If the world changed overnight

'Passes by your ears' in the passage means

When young people make and enforce laws

According to the passage, Ludo is

According to the passage Ludo is

The relationship between the manager and his secretary, as revealed in the passage could be said to be

It is implied in the passage, that in Ludo threes and fours are

it would appear that the manager feels that the secretary

According to the passage, a player with consistently high throws will

The secretary's attitude seems to be

In the passage, the possession of skill specifically enables a player to

Primitive man carried a firebrand during his journeys mainly for

Farming in many countries today is

According to the passage, the torch probably developed from a

Primitive man was least concerned with fire as a

In order to help improve the state of farming, the government should

One-way early man made a lamp was by putting a lighted reed in a

Museums are at artificial creation because [PAGE 21]

The author believes that electronic recording is

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT part of the main functions of museums?

According to the passage which of the following is NOT part of the main functions of museums?

The writer believes that the art of record keeping has

The evidence of material culture can best be sought in the

How many stages of development did the writer mention while discussing the art of record keeping?

Which of the following phrases in the passage does NOT express the artificial character of museums?

According to the author, human memory is unreliable because people

… no other institution or place so readily comes to mind as museums means that museum are

......no other institution of place so readily comes to mind as museums' means that museums are

From the passage, we gather that writings were almost

Mr. Jack was most flexible in his instructions.

Mr. Jack was most flexible in his instruction

The house-wife was hard up before the end of each month

The University has offered temporary accommodation to its staff.

The Universities has offered temporary accommodation for staff

The retired General became a hard- nosed officer after fighting the war

Mary complained that she slept on the coarse floor.

Mary complained that she slept on the coarse floor

The Lions lost the match because their goalkeeper was in a haze most of the time

Jim was one of the spectators at the concert.

Jim was one of the spectators as the concert

Unless we see the evils clearly, contending against them is like fighting the air

The Governor declined to give audience to the journalist

The Governor declined to give audience to the journalist.

The explosive growth of world population has not been caused by a sudden increase in human fertility

The debtor's husband is liable for his wife's debts

The debtor's husband is liable for his wife's debts

It is generally believed that misers are not loved by many

The lotion recommended by the doctor soothed Okon's aching tooth

The lotion recommended by the doctor soothed Okon's aching tooth

My brother's primary school foundation was solid and this influenced his secondary education

The sun cast its shadow on the wall.

The sun cast its shadow on the wall

is very difficult to know who is not entitled to essential commodities these days observed the mobbed NNSC officials

He was locked up for a fortnight

'This is a miniaturized version of your house' remarked the Architect.

The lady acted courageously when thieves attacked her

It is claimed that there is an extinct volcano near Pankshin

You are free to leave the hall.

You are free to leave the hall

Bola has a sonorous voice.

The culprit will surrender their loot to the Customs officials

Some workers went on rampage at a trade-fair.

The discussion became animated.

The discussion became animated

We have to identify the protagonists of the new movement

Rich citizens are often niggardly in their ways.

The rich citizens are often niggardly in their ways

My nephew came in stealthily through the back gate

The musician's popularity is beginning to decline

The musician's popularity is beginning to decline

The distance is not more than twenty kilometers as the crow flies

Olu promised to look out for her next time he is in town.

Your extreme patience sometimes infuriates me

Thompson was a prosecution witness at the court hearing.

Thompson was a prosecution witness at the court hearing

I cannot understand how he suddenly became audacious contrary to his nature

The beggar's takings snow-balled every hour

he beggar's takings snow-belled every hour.

He has been a life of make-belief

His attempts were nipped in the bud.

His attempts were nipped in the bud

Our teacher seldom comes late to school

The preacher has made good his promise to visit some of his converts today

At the age of 80, Musa wished he could put the clock back.

What it! You could be followed said the robber.

'Watch it! You could be followed said the robber

The Director left his secret file to the Secretary in good faith

Look at the tell-tale signs of battering on her

The Chief approached the issue with convincing disinterestedness.

The armed robbers who raided passengers on the Expressway came to grief when they had a shootout with the police today

Nothing irritates the clerk more, than being assigned miscellaneous duties [PAGE 176]

Many of the workers hired for firing the furnace had themselves fired as a result of the unfortunate accident

The new educational system look off this school year.

The new educational system took off this school year

I know you've been eaves-dropping all along.

We will surely buy this idea of introducing an entirely new product

She showed an affected interest in the game.

This year's harvest is surplus.

This year's harvest is surplus

I would not like you to do the work piecemeal

Many candidates new apply to read Law because it is a lucrative profession.

Many candidates now apply to read Law because it is a lucrative profession.

I think I'll like to reiterate the points earlier made.

The pressman said that his interview with the President was off the record.

The pressman said that his interview with the Presidents was off the record.

The sudden death of the king put paid to the ambition of the Minister

She realised that she was up against stiff competition when a new large departmental store was opened next to her small provisions shop.

She realized that she was up against stiff competition when a new large department store was opened next to her small provision store

The man insisted on having no strings attached to the agreements

Finally, I assured him that I would not go back on my word

Finally, I assured him that I would not go back on my word.

I was .... hearing distance of the speaker.

Everybody respects the team leader.

Peter was such a skillful boxer that he was not afraid to take ...... anybody.

The driver, on seeing the traffic warden, was hesitant to start the engine.

Owing to the constant harassment of the populace by armed robbers, all night guards have been instructed to shoot .... every moving thing

He likes to call attention to unimportant matters.

He likes to call attention to unimportant matters

My wife and I were to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary last Sunday. Unfortunately, on that .... day, my father-in-law died mysteriously

The speaker took his audience down memory lane before he went to the topic of his lecture

The first graduation ceremony of the university was attended by men from all .... of life

The new religious leader hands out an olive branch.

The new religious leader hands out an olives branch.

...... guests enjoyed joy's birthday party

Though a brilliant student, Binta lost her tongue when she was asked to give the vote of thanks at the end of the Governor's visit to her school.

The accounts clerk was jailed because he cooked the books.

The accounts clerk was jailed because he cooked the books

The ceremony was rounded .... very late.

The task was Herculean.

The task was herculean

My ...... brother intends to get married in December.

The story is rather hard to believe.

The story is rather hard to believe

The ...... Affairs Officers is expecting all of us in the dining room

It is advisable to administer the test in the morning when students are fresh

Many candidates ...... to realize the difference between written and spoken English

He broke his mallet ostensibly trying to maintain order although he was actually enjoying the commotion.

Chinyere has not really described the Cabinet as irresponsible; she only ...... it in her speech.

Jibril found that thieves had entered his house in his absence. He went to the police to report the ....

'.... at 9:30 for more news', said the announcer.

After the accused was found guilty by the court, his counsel .... before sentence was passed.

The way that big boy bullied his sister with relish make me think he could be a ....

Four persons accused of currency… are being held by the security agents

Four persons accused of currency ...... are being held by the security agents

All .... well with Peter

You had to stand in the corridor all the way? Poor you I don't suppose you enjoyed the journey…?

You had to stand in the corridor all the way? Poor you! I don't suppose you enjoyed the journey ...?

Ore .... so, if she had thought it necessary

‘I m sorry I can't give you any of the oranges, I have … Left',

I'm sorry I can't give you any of the oranges; I have .... left'.

We have done three quarters of the journey already; we .... as well see the end of it

No wonder those plants are dying. They… any water for ages!

No wonder those plants are dying. They .... any water for ages!

My little daughter has .... sights; hence she now wears glasses

Darling, do send the children to bed. I can't … their noise any longer', he said to his wife.

'Darling, do send the children to bed. I can't .... their noise any longer' he said to his wife

Bassey's evidence led .... Okon being imprisoned for life

My wife and I met… on a shop going to Liberia.

My wife and I met .... on a ship going to Liberia.

My boss is usually a charming man but ... he can be very irritable.

… yet about the Principal?

.... yet about the principal?

We surely ought to have an .... arrangement in case somebody discovers the presents strategy

I am… to another week's holiday this year after such a tedious job.

I am .... to another week's holiday this year after such a tedious job.

The nurse kept apologizing to mothers as she stuck her needle .... every baby at the clinic

I can quickly recite the National Anthem… Now

One of the ladies who .... in the premises .... been asked to withdraw.

The committee was frustrated because the Chief withheld his ....

Gone are the days when the … Enjoy patronage.

Gone are the days when he ... enjoy patronage.

We must not take with us the feelings of inadequacy .... experienced during preparations for the debate

He did not attend the final burial…

He did not attend the final burial ....

Omogbai reported that the examinations .... before he arrived in the hall

The officer was compelled to… the suspect's car.

The officers was compelled to .... the suspects' car

In my opinion, neither the player nor the coach .... praise for the result of the match.

He missed the point because he took the statement …

He missed the point because he took the statement ....

no one has said anything yet, but I think I .... be getting a salary increase next month

Their high … was an advantage

Their high .... was an advantage

Student: Excuse me sir, must we complete the assignment before lunch? Teacher: No, you ....

The brave officer .... the time bomb.

During demonstration, the mobile police were instructed to break .... the students defense line

Roli failed because the examination was .... difficult for her

If you want peace, you … Prepared for war.

If you want peace, you .... prepared for war

My brother does not have a flair .... mathematics.

If only we… We could have overcome the difficulty.

If only we .... we could have overcome the difficulty

The poor little kid has been down .... fever these few days

We are gradually … to the end of the programme this afternoon, remarked the chairman of the wedding reception.

'We are gradually .... to the end of the programme this afternoon', remarked the chairman of the wedding reception

He did not stop to ask himself why .... such thing.

We saw him… Over a wall as the police approached COMPREHENSION Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow PASSAGE I There are one or two things this country can teach others, one of which is the art of writing obituaries. One suspects that the reason why some of our newspapers still manage to break even is because of the great amount of revenue they derive from obituaries. It is not unusual for about one quarter of the volume of an average daily to be constituted of obituaries and in memoriam alone. One possible explanation for this, it has been argued, is that Nigerians value their dead greatly. And there is a saying amongst us that you do not say evil things against the dead. This is obviously the philosophy behind the large dose of encomiums with which our dead are bestowed.

We saw him ... over a wall as the police approached

The quarrel has got to a stage where someone has to ....

The villages looked ...... their leader for good examples.

The only set of loud speakers available… To be connected according to the instruction.

The hunter brought home ...... antelope.

We later on discovered that some members… another meeting before the one advertised.

We later on discovered that some members .... another meeting before the one advertised.

Do not take my books out of this office unless you .... my permission to do so

He decided to wait for the bus because he had

The man insisted on giving unsolicited ....

Thank you for the party, we really….

Thank you for the party, we really ....

Culture patterns are modified as they are .... from one generation to the next

We were trying to study for the examinations lastnight when the lights…

We are trying to study for the examinations last night when the light ......

We discovered at the end of last term that we had to read .... books before we could confidently go for our final examination

When he had arranged the furniture, he… the picture on the wall.

When he had arranged the furniture, he .... the picture on the wall

Chinedu took his umbrella with him in case it ....

I forgot to bring a pen with me. Would you please…me yours?

I forgot to bring a pen with me. Would you, please ... me yours

The train was to slow so I decided to .... at the next stop

If you are going to the market, may I…please?

If you are going to the market, may I .... please?

Dapo has made good use of some useful .... on the chemical composition of chalk

Wada said that two of his chickens .... eggs yesterday morning