2009

JAMB Use of English 2009 past questions

76 questions from the 2009 JAMB UTME Use of English paper. Free, with answers where available.

Practice with CBT mock -> All Use of English years
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q1
The passage suggests that the greatest problem of mass education in Nigeria are
A
the absence of educational broadcasts and underutilization of urban teachers
B
the reluctance of most teachers to work in rural areas and the fact that Nigeria is an ornate society
C
the absence of immediate feedback in the teaching process and lack of teaching facilities
D
widespread penury and ever-increasing demand for formal education [PAGE 507]
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q2
Which of the following can be concluded from the passage?
A
the Nigerian government does not use radio and television for teaching
B
telephone and postal services are inimical to effective school broadcasting
C
the formal education system is more expensive than the non-school type
D
Nigerians reject teaching and learning through radio and television because of lack of immediate feedback
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q3
According to the passage, the major advantages of educational broadcasts may be summarized as
A
mass outreach, reduced costs and equal educational opportunities
B
mass education, reduced poverty level and qualitative education
C
mass access to qualitative education and reduction of the cripple economic crisis
D
increased number of schools, reduced cost of schooling and enhanced mass education
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q4
From the last sentence of the passage, it can be deduced that educational broadcasting is
A
unknown in Nigeria
B
rarely used in Nigeria
C
often used in Nigeria
D
randomly used in Nigeria
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q6
The reference to the National Policy on Education in the passage implies that
A
the government recognizes Nigerian pidgin
B
pidgin will continue to enjoy acceptance by many Nigerians
C
it is simple to understand
D
Nigerian pidgin is used at all levels
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q7
From the passage, which of the following is the most important reason why Nigerian pidgin is popular?
A
it is used in social occasions
B
it has no ethnic affiliation
C
it is extensively used along the coast
D
it is used ny many creative writers
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q8
The style of this passage could best be described as
A
narrative only
B
narrative and expository
C
persuasive and argumentative
D
descriptive only
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q9
According to the passage, the phrase 'lingua franca' means
A
Nigerian pidgin
B
common language
C
second language
D
mother tongue [PAGE 509]
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q11
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A
lack of sleep is caused by either a person's lifestyle or involuntary sleep and not by both
B
voluntary sleep deprived can be attributed to the way in which an individual life
C
some illness causes sleep disorder which can be both voluntary and in voluntary
D
healthful sleep is needed only for one's well-being
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q12
The -passage suggests that
A
medical doctors have found 17 distinct sleep disorder
B
inability to sleep was once considered to be chronic
C
insomnia and fever are medical conditions that are indicative of other problems
D
the U.S. Congress has recognized that insomnia is a symptom of other problems
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q13 OK Answer: C
The expression 'mocking the clock' as used in the passage, captures the
A
phenomenon of retailers making a lot of profit because they operate at night
B
fact that retail business is a waste of time
C
total disregard of time by retailers and services
D
fact that the time available to retailers and services is not enough to do good business
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q14 OK Answer: A
In the first sentence of the passage, the word 'debt' is quoted because
A
it has been used for a special effect
B
it has been used in the first sentence
C
of the seriousness of the matter it addresses
D
it is capable of destroying people
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q15 OK Answer: C
From the passage, doctors find it hard to convince their patients of the gravity of lack of sleep because
A
it is caused by a variety of reasons
B
the patients are often tired and cannot get enough sleep
C
people believe that it enhances one's personality
D
its impact on the patient is slow PASSAGE IV The passage below has gaps numbered 16 to 25. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap. Each question carries 2 marks. Business executives selling industrial and high price-tag customer goods have come to the……16…..[A. realization
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q26 OK Answer: C
It was our collective idea but Ado was doing everything to steal the show.
A
Ado was not part of the planning but he tried rub us of the benefit of it
B
We planned the show together but Ado was trying to abort it
C
It was a joint project but Ado is trying to attract the most attention
D
We collated the idea for the show but Ado was trying to steal the programme
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q27 OK Answer: D
As we watched, he just popped along to the shop for some b read?
A
He has walked slowly to the shop
B
He stole some bread from the shop but we could not stop him
C
H e broke into the bread shop before our very eyes
D
He went quickly to the shop for some bread
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q28
In all ramifications, Chief Adeyemi was a success principal of the school?
A
He was partly a failure and partly a success
B
Everyone admitted that he was largely successful during his tenure
C
He was not totally successful in the school
D
His tenure witnessed a huge success
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q29 OK Answer: B
I couldn't buy the biscuit because of the hold-up in the supermarket?
A
The shop had not opened
B
The attendant was slow
C
Armed robbers were there
D
There was nobody to attend to me
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q30 OK Answer: B
You could have heard sound, if you weren't asleep?
A
You were not asleep so you heard the sound [PAGE 512]
B
You were asleep so you did not heard the sound
C
You heard the sound though you were asleep
D
You did not hear the sound though you were not asleep
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q31 OK Answer: C
Musa will not do the job well because he has an itching palm?
A
He has rashes in his palm
B
He is always looking for something to touch
C
He is always ready to accept bribe
D
He is tapping people on the back
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q32 OK Answer: B
Emeka was always conspicuous by his absence when it came to attending lectures.
A
That Emeka always attended lectures at school
B
Emeka absence from lectures was all too glaring
C
It was obvious that Emeka was not present at lectures
D
What made Emeka conspicuous was is occasional absence from school
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q33 OK Answer: C
He was injured by a friendly fire?
A
He was wounded in a war by a friend of his who fired a shot mistakenly
B
He was injured by a gun shot that was fired by a friend
C
He was hit in a war by a war weapon fired by his own side
D
It was a war and he was hit by a bomb fired by an unknown soldier
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q34
Kola visits us on occasions, and I don't like that?
A
I do not like Kola because he visits us only when an event is being celebrated
B
I hate the fact that Kola only visits us when something is being celebrated
C
That Kola does not visit us often is something I object to
D
Kola seldom visits us and that is because he is a fair-weather friend
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q35 OK Answer: B
At the time I arrived, Olu was lying in third place?
A
Olu's third position coincided with my arrival
B
When I arrived, Olu was sleeping in the space reserved for him
C
It was a competition and Olu was in third position when I arrived
D
On my arrived at the competition, Olu went to sleep Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q36 OK Answer: B
We had difficulty eating the meat because it was leathery?
A
bitter
B
stringy
C
tough
D
tender
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q37 OK Answer: B
The boy is too indolent to do well at school? [PAGE 513]
A
intelligent
B
industrious
C
inactive
D
slothful
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q38 OK Answer: A
Salasi's tremendous effort has yield results?
A
absolute
B
insignficant
C
unimpressive
D
a gregarious
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q39 OK Answer: D
The computerized service of the new bank is heart-warming
A
absolute
B
insignificant
C
unimaginable
D
prohibitive
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q40 OK Answer: C
Life has become a misery for many owing to the harsh economic condition in the country?
A
drudgery
B
ridicule
C
ritual
D
comfort [PAGE 514]
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q41 OK Answer: D
The company director has a vivacious personality?
A
a positive
B
an unmanageable
C
an unimpressive
D
a gregarious
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q42 OK Answer: B
Young people have a penchant for fast cars?
A
likeness
B
passion
C
madness
D
dislike
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q43 OK Answer: A
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s). Most of the latest actions are militant in nature?
A
commanding
B
civil
C
zealous
D
passionate
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q45 OK Answer: D
The compulsory leave made her feel listless?
A
restful
B
great
C
fat
D
energetic
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q46 OK Answer: A
'A novel is an embellished falsehood', said the teacher?
A
enriched
B
exaggerate
C
adorned
D
obliterated
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q47 OK Answer: B
I have had enough of your impudence.
A
politeness
B
incivility
C
arrogance
D
boldness
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q48 OK Answer: C
We were collectively responsible for keeping the machine in good shape?
A
jointly
B
severally
C
dutifully
D
socially
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q49 OK Answer: B
His comment was not printable?
A
punishable
B
suitable
C
offensive
D
unfair
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q50
Curiously, he escape unhurt?
A
interestingly
B
unsurprisingly
C
annoyingly
D
unusually Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s).
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q51 OK Answer: B
Agwube's explanation of her poor performance at the examination only begged the question? [PAGE 515]
A
delayed her punishment
B
sounded quite convincing
C
did not address the issue
D
over flogged the matter
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q52 OK Answer: B
We have every need to preserve some of our national monuments for posterity?
A
prosperity
B
future
C
national pride
D
collective gain
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q53 OK Answer: C
He commands the confidence and respect of all his subordinates?
A
request
B
enjoins
C
enforces
D
conjures
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q54
The president has mapped out some many laudable projects to embark upon?
A
laughable
B
good
C
praise worthy
D
valuable
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q55 OK Answer: B
Adamu's father is a stem man?
A
wicked
B
strict
C
playful
D
conservation
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q56 OK Answer: B
Nobody knew the source of the altercation between the couple?
A
alter ego
B
quarrel
C
deep love
D
wealth
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q57 OK Answer: B
His poetry is said to be inscrutable?
A
ludicrous
B
unlearnable
C
inseparable
D
mysterious
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q58
Hers was a specious argument about the government of the day?
A
misleading
B
precious [PAGE 516]
C
spacious
D
true
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q59
The Lagos bus conductor wore his professional livery.
A
badge
B
shoe
C
uniform
D
cap
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q60 OK Answer: D
If joy hadn't been tripped up halfway through the race, she would have come first?
A
discouraged
B
disqualified
C
interrupted
D
exhausted
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q61 OK Answer: D
There must be something sinister about her late arrival?
A
reasonable
B
joyful
C
hopeful
D
ominous
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q62 OK Answer: C
The unification of the country has brought about great technological advancement?
A
restoration
B
agreement
C
cohesion
D
stability
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q63 OK Answer: C
His amnesia has affected his career?
A
loss of focus
B
loss of sight
C
loss of memory
D
loss of direction
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q64 OK Answer: B
Idris' forbearance endeared him to us?
A
hard work
B
patience
C
wisdom
D
good manners
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q65 OK Answer: A
They hated the police and, by implication, me?
A
extension
B
inference
C
examination
D
application [PAGE 517] Choose the option that best completes the gap(s).
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q66
He is really very mean. He ...... not lend me the money I wanted?
A
should
B
could
C
would
D
won't
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q67 OK Answer: B
When the cashier told him to join the queue, he considered it ....... his dignity?
A
a drawback to
B
an affront on
C
withdrawal from
D
a strain on
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q68 OK Answer: B
If anyone greets you, it is only polite to return...... greeting?
A
your
B
theine's
C
anyone's
D
one's
Use of English JAMB 2009 Q69 OK Answer: B