2001

JAMB Use of English 2001 past questions

55 questions from the 2001 JAMB UTME Use of English paper. Free, with answers where available.

Practice with CBT mock -> All Use of English years
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q1
Members of a language community control at least two dialects because [PAGE 85]
A
the convergence of people from disparate regions results in the pressure of communication.
B
there is little demand for the indigenous dialects.
C
they want a lingua franca which is produced by mutual intelligibility.
D
they are made up of both rural and urban dwellers.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q1
The expression we may well be asked as used in the passage means
A
it is quite likely that we will be asked
B
we cannot escape being asked
C
the listener is always justified to ask questions
D
it is inconceivable that we will be asked.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q2
According to the passage,
A
a foreign language produces the transference of the correct patterns of dialect features.
B
speech organs are shaped by indigenous languages.
C
a lingua franca is the consequence of a standard dialect.
D
mutual intelligibility is the consequence of the pressure of communication.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q3
An appropriate title for this passage is
A
The Emergence of a Standard Language
B
The Phenomenon of Accent
C
The Quest for a Lingua Franca
D
Members of a Language Community
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q4
The word those, as used in the passage, refers to
A
indigenous languages
B
forms of orthography and phonology
C
foreign languages
D
patterns of an indigenous language.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q6
The NDE man appears to be a spectator in the flurry of activities around him because
A
his new ‘body' would not allow him to participate.
B
he is moving rapidly through a long dark tunnel.
C
he can only watch as the events unfold
D
he is now a dead man.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q7
According to the passage, scientific evidence has made it possible
A
to make conjectures about what happens after death
B
to know a little about what happens in the world of the dead
C
for one to experience the sensation of dying and living again
D
for the dead to return and tell their experiences.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q8
The expression as he reaches the point of greatest physical distress, as used in the passage, means when
A
the man's system finally collapses
B
the sick man finally stops breathing
C
his doctor is ready to pronounce him dead
D
his condition seems to get worse.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q21
The writer seems to suggest that
A
the volume and speed of traffic on the roads increased with the advent of cars, motor cycles and lorries
B
there were no roads before the advent of cars and motorcycles and so people had to be mechanically minded
C
coachmen and grooms were not mechanically minded
D
the roads that existed were dormant.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q22
The writer uses the expression unless mechanically minded to refer to
A
town authorities laying down tramlines
B
coachmen and grooms who chose to become mechanics
C
coachmen and grooms adaptable to the new technology
D
those amenable to change and development.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q23
The statement By 1910, the motor car was plainly conquering the highway means that
A
highway codes for motor cars came into effect by
B
by 1910 motor cars became a common sight on the highways
C
the motor car was invented in 1910
D
by 1910 many people knew how to drive motorcars.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q24
From the passage, it is obvious that
A
the motorcar and the lorry came to displace the train traffic
B
motorcars were mere luxuries which many people tried desperately to acquire
C
the motorcar was invented before the express trains
D
the train was the fastest means of transport beforethe motorcar and the lorry.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q25
One of the following statements can be deducted from the passage.
A
Significant improvement occurred in road transport since the advent of motorcars, lorries and motorcycles.
B
People no longer used trains with the advent of cars and lorries.
C
Society would be better off without the chaotic volume and speed of motor cars, lorries and motorcycles.
D
Human society was static without the express speed of cars and motorcycles. LEXIS, STRUCTURE AND ORAL FORMS (Questions 26 to 80 carry 1 mark each.) In questions 26 and 27, identify the word that has a different stress pattern from the others.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q63
Amina's performance in the examination surpassed my expectations.
A
amazed everyone
B
lacked merit
C
was extraordinary good
D
was disappointing
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q64
As these boys never act in public, the police are now worried about their covert activities.
A
evil
B
open
C
cryptic
D
ignoble
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q65
The town was all agog at his unexpected return. [PAGE 88]
A
unexcited
B
excited
C
on fire
D
surprised
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q66
Some equatorial areas have a sultry climate.
A
a hot
B
an inclement
C
a temperate
D
a stable
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q67
The journalist's write-up contained a plethora of detail.
A
simplicity
B
shortage
C
complexity
D
spectrum
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q68
In the latter part of his life, the famous soldier showed signs of youthfulness.
A
bravery
B
vitality
C
energy
D
senility
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q69
It is inconceivable that the rat devoured the cat.
A
contestable
B
credible
C
incomprehensible
D
unimaginable
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q70
Ali wondered why the principal was ambivalent about the students' future.
A
inconsiderate
B
decisive
C
anxious
D
ambitious
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q71
The teacher taught the rudiments of Chemistry to the first grade.
A
elements
B
fundamentals
C
basics
D
stupidity
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q72
In his naivety, he believed all the stories his friend told him.
A
artlessness
B
friendliness
C
incredulity
D
stupidity
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q73
Updating the Board's brochure is an arduous task.
A
a regular
B
an annual
C
a difficult
D
an easy
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q74
The lecture seemed interminable.
A
brief
B
interesting
C
boring
D
unending
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q75
Had I known about their plan much earlier, I would have nipped it in the bud.
A
promoted it
B
squashed it
C
initiated it
D
stopped it
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q76
What a harmless thought he has!
A
pleasant
B
perfect
C
pernicious
D
pertinent
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q77
There is much apathy towards reading among students nowadays.
A
indecision
B
enthusiasm
C
indifference
D
disinclination In each of questions 78 to 80, the word in capital letters has an emphatic stress. Choose the option that best fits the expression in the sentence.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q78
YOUR sister should come with us tomorrow.
A
Should your brother come with us tomorrow?
B
Should our brother come with us tomorrow?
C
Should Ado's sister come with us tomorrow?
D
Should my sister come with us tomorrow?
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q79
They FLEW to Abuja.
A
Where did they fly to?
B
Did they go to Abuja by road?
C
How will they get to Abuja?
D
Did they fly to Jos?
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q80
My neighbour BRUISED his thigh while playing football.
A
Did your neighbour fracture his thigh while playing football?
B
Did your neighbour break his leg while playing tennis?
C
Did your neighbour play football yesterday?
D
Was your neighbour involved in an accident? In each of questions 81 to 85, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. Each question carries 2 marks.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q81
Adawo is an imp.
A
Adawo behaves badly.
B
Adawo behaves decently.
C
Adawo behaves differently.
D
Adawo behaves queerly.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q82
The solution lies in choosing between various negative alternatives.
A
The solution lies in choosing between the positive and the negative.
B
The solutions are many.
C
The solution can be found in one of the negativeoptions.
D
The solution is a negative one.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q83
You must not attend the end-of-year party.
A
You do not have to decide whether to attend the party or not.
B
You have to decide whether to attend the party or not.
C
It is necessary that you do not attend the party.
D
It is necessary that you attend the party.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q84
The man reasoned that there ought to be a limit to sycophancy.
A
Sycophants need not talk all the time.
B
There can be no favour beyond a reasonable point.
C
Sycophants should know when to grant people's request.
D
People should know when not to use flattery.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q85
Oche's chief idiosyncrasy is a passion for pounded yam.
A
Oche hates pounded yam.
B
Oche's chief hates pounded yam.
C
Oche's chief likes pounded yam.
D
Oche has a penchant for pounded yam. (Questions 86 to 100 carry 1 mark each.) In each of questions 86 to 100, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q86
The professor discussed a number of abstruse topics.
A
irrelevant
B
useful
C
esoteric
D
relevant.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q87
Tade became timorous when she was asked to give the valedictory speech.
A
excited
B
aggressive
C
nervous
D
happy
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q88
The men were tardy in offering help. [PAGE 89]
A
generous
B
quick
C
brave
D
slow
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q89
Ugo has often been described as belligerent.
A
attractive
B
combative
C
innocent
D
patient
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q90
The coalescence of the groups created additional problems.
A
union
B
fighting
C
proscription
D
disbandment
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q91
Funmi is just being facetious about her marrying a soldier.
A
unfaithful
B
serious
C
crazy
D
unserious
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q92
The village girl wore sumptuous clothes.
A
loose-fitting
B
cheap
C
faded-looking
D
expensive
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q93
Any chief executive of an organization would find radical changes blocked at every turn.
A
ideas
B
innovations
C
developments
D
suggestions
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q94
I'm not interested in buying that shirt. I think it is overpriced.
A
too expensive
B
overrated
C
priceless
D
cheap
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q94
I cannot understand why Ali should serve in that moribund administration.
A
crumbling
B
purposeless
C
prodigal
D
oppressive
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q95
Despite his laxity in other matters, Ojo's father drew the line at truancy.
A
favoured
B
rejected.
C
Emphasized
D
Ignored.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q95
Bose was angry because her friend called her a pilferer.
A
liar
B
hypocrite
C
criminal
D
thief
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q96
The string was taut.
A
loose
B
firm
C
stretched
D
tight
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q96
While the hooligans exchanged blows, we looked on complacently.
A
questioningly
B
sorrowfully
C
dejectedly
D
contentedly.
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q97
Hypertension is a debilitating disease that everyone should prevent.
A
a mortal
B
an enervating
C
an energizing
D
a horrible
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q98
The Permanent Secretary left his job under a cloud.
A
on a cloudy day
B
with a clear record
C
in disgrace
D
on a sunny day
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q98
Art lies in cherishing the initiative and creative power of each person.
A
gift
B
strength
C
potential
D
mind
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q99
We intend to make the reception a diurnal event.
A
a nightly
B
a weekly
C
a short
D
an annual
Use of English JAMB 2001 Q99
As the triumphant rebels were returning to their base, they met with a serious reverse.
A
an enemy
B
an army
C
a victory
D
a defeat