2008

JAMB Use of English 2008 past questions

52 questions from the 2008 JAMB UTME Use of English paper. Free, with answers where available.

Practice with CBT mock -> All Use of English years
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q1 OK Answer: B
Which type of this paper are you answering?
A
Type A
B
Type B
C
Type E
D
Type K
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q3 OK Answer: B
The expression success is a relative term suggests that it
A
has one meaning
B
has different meanings
C
is not comprehensible
D
can be defined materially.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q4 OK Answer: D
From the passage, a successful person is described as one who
A
believes in divine intervention
B
enjoys life alter retirement c. has a good family
D
is contented with life.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q6 OK Answer: B
According to the passage, which of the following describes the perception of speech sound? language,
A
Acoustic
B
Auditory
C
Articulatory
D
Forensic
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q7
From the passage, the purpose of describing a lan- guage as a system is to show that
A
all human languages are the same in every sense.
B
human languages are different at the phono- logical level
C
every human language has its own separate patterns of structure at all levels
D
human languages are too complex to under- stand at any level
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q8
What distinguishes a language from another, accor- ding to the passage, is
A
its finite number of sounds
B
the indefinite nature of its patterns
C
its communicative and other purposes
D
its linguistic description at all levels
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q11 OK Answer: B
One conclusion that can be drawn from the first para- graph is that
A
only children suffer schizophrenic disorder.
B
the time of occurrence in men and women differs.
C
women suffer the disorder in their early twenties.
D
men suffer the disorder in their early thirties.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q12
Which of the following is true according to the pas- sage?
A
Schizophrenic disorder affects only the menfolk.
B
Schizophrenic disorder develops only in the womenfolk.
C
Patients with schizophrenia like to keep to them- selves than stay with others.
D
Children develop the schizophrenic disorder after adolescence.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q13 OK Answer: D
Which of the following statements is true of the concept of delusions in the second paragraph?
A
The believe in distorted claims.
B
The expressions of personal beliefs.
C
The evidence of reasoning and contradictions.
D
The believe in unsubstantiated claims.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q14 OK Answer: D
From the passage, it can be inferred that
A
family members and friends avoid schizophrenic patients.
B
cocaine and marijuana are good stimulants for patients.
C
substance abuse may assist a patient's healing process. [PAGE 495]
D
Some drugs slow down a patient's healing pro- cess.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q27 OK Answer: C
The computer operator was sacked for incompetence
A
The computer operator was sacked for his foo lishness
B
The computer operator was sacked for his lazı- ness
C
The computer operator was sacked for lack of skill
D
The computer operator was sacked for lateness
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q28 OK Answer: B
He was a member of the think tank of the previous administration
A
As an expert, he criticized government
B
He was an expert who gave advice to govern- ment
C
He was an expert that government did not listen to
D
As an expert government must have taken to his advice 29 In spite of various criticisms, Bala sticks to his guns
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q31 OK Answer: C
He kept a stiff upper lip over the accident.
A
He sustained injury on his upper lip.
B
He endured the misfortune with courage.
C
He could not talk because of the accident.
D
His friends deserted him because of the acci- dent.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q32 OK Answer: B
He had travelled the length and breadth of Africa.
A
He must have travelled to some big cities of Africa
B
He had travelled to many parts of Africa.
C
He had travelled to all parts of Africa.
D
He had travelled to all the villages and towns of Africa. Her dress got torn because of the snake - like
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q33 OK Answer: D
She wriggled out of her wedding gown
A
She could not take off her gown herself so she was assisted.
B
her dress got torn because of the snake-like pattern
C
No one could have imagined that her dress was so tight
D
It took her some time to remove her close-fitting dress.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q34 OK Answer: A
Visitors who are observant do not outstay their wel- come.
A
All visitors must be alert so as to know when to leave a place.
B
Some visitors know when to leave a place so as to make their hosts happy.
C
Some visitors are unable to know when their hosts do not want them around.
D
All visitors except a few, know when to leave a place.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q35 OK Answer: D
The group had been made a scape goat during the event.
A
Members of the group had been punished for [PAGE 498] a sin that they did not commit.
B
Members of the group had been blamed for a sin that they committed.
C
The group had been punished so that no one would commit the sin again.
D
The group had been blamed merely to serve as a deterrent to others.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q36 OK Answer: B
Sola is apathetic about his work.
A
indifferent
B
enthusiastic
C
half-hearted
D
bored.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q37 OK Answer: B
The members of the family had a hasty breakfast before starting out on their journey.
A
hurried
B
leisurely
C
tasty
D
nasty.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q38 OK Answer: C
The poverty level among the masses is unbearable.
A
arrogance
B
saturation
C
affluence
D
influence.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q39 OK Answer: A
The chairman was accused of implementing policies that favoured the elite.
A
oppressed
B
executives
C
jobless
D
citizens.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q40 OK Answer: D
The manager was impressed by the man's eagemess.
A
impatience
B
indifference
C
negligence
D
calmness.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q41 OK Answer: A
He is known for making threadbare arguments as a scholar.
A
justify
B
baseless
C
empty
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q42 OK Answer: A
The lecturer's obscure publications counted against him during the promotion exercise.
A
widespread
B
closed
C
circulate
D
restricted.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q43 OK Answer: A
The man found his wife physically repellant.
A
attractive
B
fatuous
C
unpleasant
D
flamboyant.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q44 OK Answer: D
As an absolute ruler, Adayi brooks no opposition from his subordinates.
A
a despotic dictator
B
a shameless king
C
a benevolent leader
D
a magnanimous democrat.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q45 OK Answer: C
The response to the advertisement has been phenomenal.
A
spiritual
B
frightening
C
unimpressive
D
catastrophic.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q46 OK Answer: C
My father lived a spartan life before his death.
A
extravagant
B
peaceful
C
'quiet
D
luxurious.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q47
Bola's parents went through an acrimonious divorce.
A
a bitter
B
an acrid
C
a sour
D
a peaceful.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q48 OK Answer: B
lliya's account of the incident is appalling.
A
tasking
B
fascinating
C
horrifying
D
ridiculous.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q49 OK Answer: C
She encapsulated her view of the nature of life in a poem.
A
summed up
B
explained
C
expatiated on
D
reflected. [PAGE 500]
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q50 OK Answer: C
We were held spellbound by his eloquence.
A
Unimpressed
B
freed
C
deceived
D
unenlightened.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q51 OK Answer: C
We were at a loss to understand why Oli should retract his statement before the Judge.
A
assert.
B
repeat
C
withdraw
D
reiterate.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q52 OK Answer: D
The workers hope to appear before the arbitration panel to resolve the lingering dispute.
A
trial
B
legislative
C
investigative
D
reconciliatory.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q53 OK Answer: B
He went to the polls in defiance of sound advice and recorded an abysmal performance.
A
surprisingly good
B
disappointingly bad
C
mediocre
D
landslide.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q54 OK Answer: C
He was not able to withstand the attack from his immediate family.
A
survive
B
overcome
C
match
D
resist
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q55 OK Answer: C
Your effort to bring peace between us is futile because you are biased.
A
convinced
B
clever d.
C
prejudiced
D
worried.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q56 OK Answer: C
Our front door is always kept ajar...
A
locked
B
sealed
C
half-closed
D
permanently open.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q57 OK Answer: C
His embroidery was an exacting task for the tailor
A
an unwarranted
B
an exciting
C
a demanding
D
a disturbing.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q58 OK Answer: A
The students' remontrances were rebuffed by the authority
A
protests
B
suggestions
C
complaints
D
regrets. In each of questions 51 to 65, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics. [PAGE 501]
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q59 OK Answer: B
I had to make my way through the throng of people in the church.
A
group
B
crowd
C
gathering
D
theme
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q60 OK Answer: B
The man's wife has her misgivings about him.
A
fears for
B
distrust of
C
hatred for
D
love for
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q61 OK Answer: B
Violent crime is only one of the maladies afflicting modern society
A
damages
B
illnesses C wounds
D
crises.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q62 OK Answer: C
Ade has an aquiline nose.
A
a large and curved nose
B
a wide and straight nose
C
a big and pointed nose D a small and attractive nose.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q63 OK Answer: A
Everyone was talking about the camaraderie in the club
A
companionship
B
quarrelsomeness
C
commissioning
D
disunity
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q64 OK Answer: A
'You're impossible,' she said to me.
A
unreasonable
B
unforgiving
C
daft
D
strong
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q65 OK Answer: C
I was being directed by my sixth sense all through the ordeal.
A
intelligence
B
judgement
C
intuition
D
imagination. In each of questions 66 to 85, choose the option that best completes the gap(s).
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q70 OK Answer: C
I will pay my debt......
A
Instalmentaily
B
by instalmentally
C
in instalments
D
in instalmen- tally)
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q90 OK Answer: A
bouquet In each of questions 86 to 88, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. In each of questions 89 to 91, choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. [PAGE 504]
A
bucket
B
banquet
C
liquid
D
squeeze.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q96 OK Answer: B
incapacitate
A
inCApacitate
B
incaPAcitate
C
INcapacitate
D
incapaciTATE.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q97
encouragement
A
ENcouragement
B
encouragement
C
encouRAgement
D
encourageMENT.
Use of English JAMB 2008 Q98 OK Answer: D
THEIR children speak better French than English.
A
Do their husbands speak better French than In each of questions 98 to 100, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates. [PAGE 505] English?
B
What language do their children speak better than English?
C
Do their children speak better French than English?
D
Whose children speak better French than English? 99 They RAN to the playground,