JAMB Use of English 2015

41 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 1

There are many different approaches to conflict management, each of which may have utility in particular circumstances. A great deal of scholarship has been devoted to analysing how and in what situations different approaches can be applied most effectively. Conflict management approaches can be classified into two broad categories: firstly, on the basis of the level of escalation at which the particular conflict is being managed. In this sense one can distinguish between the peaceful and the military approaches. The trademarks of the peaceful approach are negotiation, verbal persuasion, use of inducements, denial of privileges, and subtle manipulations short of the use of physical force, while those of the military approach relate to the use of physical coercion. The use of physical force could be by a party to the conflict or a third party, to promote one side’s interest, impose a settlement, or create a situation in which diplomatic negotiations can occur. Secondly, conflict management approaches can also be classified according to the status of the participants in the bargaining process. For example, a conflict could be managed through negotiation, that is, direct bargaining by the parties involved in the conflict; or through mediation, that is, with the help of a third party.

The expression “third party”, as used in the passage, means

  1. politician
  2. intruder
  3. conformist
  4. mediator
Answer and explanation

D: mediator

The final paragraph contrasts direct bargaining with mediation, in which an additional participant helps the conflicting parties. That assisting participant is a mediator. The passage does not define this person as a politician, an intruder or a conformist.

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Question 3

There are many different approaches to conflict management, each of which may have utility in particular circumstances. A great deal of scholarship has been devoted to analysing how and in what situations different approaches can be applied most effectively. Conflict management approaches can be classified into two broad categories: firstly, on the basis of the level of escalation at which the particular conflict is being managed. In this sense one can distinguish between the peaceful and the military approaches. The trademarks of the peaceful approach are negotiation, verbal persuasion, use of inducements, denial of privileges, and subtle manipulations short of the use of physical force, while those of the military approach relate to the use of physical coercion. The use of physical force could be by a party to the conflict or a third party, to promote one side’s interest, impose a settlement, or create a situation in which diplomatic negotiations can occur. Secondly, conflict management approaches can also be classified according to the status of the participants in the bargaining process. For example, a conflict could be managed through negotiation, that is, direct bargaining by the parties involved in the conflict; or through mediation, that is, with the help of a third party.

Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

  1. The approach to employ in conflict management depends on the state of affairs.
  2. Only one conflict management approach can be applied in all situations
  3. All conflict management approaches can be applied in all situations
  4. There is a general disagreement among scholars on conflict management.
Answer and explanation

A: The approach to employ in conflict management depends on the state of affairs.

The opening says that different approaches are useful in particular circumstances. A captures that dependence on the situation. B and C wrongly make approaches universal, while D asserts a disagreement among scholars that the passage does not mention.

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Question 5

There are many different approaches to conflict management, each of which may have utility in particular circumstances. A great deal of scholarship has been devoted to analysing how and in what situations different approaches can be applied most effectively. Conflict management approaches can be classified into two broad categories: firstly, on the basis of the level of escalation at which the particular conflict is being managed. In this sense one can distinguish between the peaceful and the military approaches. The trademarks of the peaceful approach are negotiation, verbal persuasion, use of inducements, denial of privileges, and subtle manipulations short of the use of physical force, while those of the military approach relate to the use of physical coercion. The use of physical force could be by a party to the conflict or a third party, to promote one side’s interest, impose a settlement, or create a situation in which diplomatic negotiations can occur. Secondly, conflict management approaches can also be classified according to the status of the participants in the bargaining process. For example, a conflict could be managed through negotiation, that is, direct bargaining by the parties involved in the conflict; or through mediation, that is, with the help of a third party.

The word utility, as used in the passage, means

  1. difficulty
  2. attitude
  3. usefulness
  4. management
Answer and explanation

C: usefulness

The passage says that each approach may have utility in particular circumstances. Utility means usefulness: how well an approach can serve a purpose. Difficulty, attitude and management do not express that meaning.

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Question 26

In A. H. Mohammed’s The Last Days at Forcados High School, the closeness between Jimi and Wole once heightened because they wanted to

  1. contend with Jimi's adversaries at Forcados High School
  2. unite against the bullying of the eldest brother
  3. present a common front in their quest to learn at school
  4. practise the act of dancing in the school choir
Answer and explanation

B: unite against the bullying of the eldest brother

Jimi remembers uniting with Wole against Femi, their oldest brother. Their shared response to his bullying explains the earlier closeness, making B correct.

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Question 36

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The workers tightened their hold on the capital

  1. They tightened a rope round their capital
  2. They controlled the capital more strictly
  3. They held onto other workers in the capital
  4. They stretched their hold on the capital and beyond
Answer and explanation

B: They controlled the capital more strictly

A hold on a place can mean control over it. Tightening that hold means making the control stronger or stricter. B preserves this figurative meaning; the other options introduce ropes, other workers or geographical expansion.

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Question 38

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: I haven't seen the movie and my brother hasn't either

  1. I have seen the movie but my brother has not.
  2. My brother and I haven't seen the movie.
  3. Only my brother has seen the movie.
  4. I was the only one who had seen the movie.
Answer and explanation

B: My brother and I haven't seen the movie.

Either at the end of the second negative clause extends the same negative statement to the brother. Neither person has seen the movie, which is exactly what B says. The other alternatives claim that at least one person has seen it.

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Question 39

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Sule would have been given the car if his father had not complained

  1. He wasn't given the car because his father complained
  2. He was given the car because his father complained
  3. His father complained about the car and he was given it.
  4. He was given the car even though his father didn't complain
Answer and explanation

A: He wasn't given the car because his father complained

The third conditional describes an unreal alternative to the past: without the complaint, Sule would have received the car. It therefore conveys that his father complained and Sule did not receive it. The other options reverse those events.

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Question 40

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Adayi cannot halt the march of time

  1. She is willing to march on
  2. She cannot change the way things happen.
  3. She halts the march on time
  4. She cannot alter the peace march.
Answer and explanation

B: She cannot change the way things happen.

The march of time is its continuing progress. Saying Adayi cannot halt it means she cannot stop the changes that time brings. B is the closest interpretation; the other options wrongly treat the phrase as a literal organised march.

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Question 41

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The lecture is Uye's road to Damascus

  1. The lecture is an opportunity to travel to Damascus.
  2. The lecture is an experience that changes the way she thinks.
  3. The lecture talks exclusively about Damascus
  4. The lecture is an experience that cannot be changed
Answer and explanation

B: The lecture is an experience that changes the way she thinks.

The road to Damascus is an experience that transforms a person’s attitudes or beliefs. The lecture changes Uye’s thinking, as B states. The expression does not refer to travel, the lecture’s geographical topic or an unchangeable experience.

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Question 43

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Bello said he would pitch his tent with the club

  1. He would support the club
  2. He would build a pitch in the club
  3. He would build a tent on the pitch
  4. He would distance himself from the club
Answer and explanation

A: He would support the club

To pitch one’s tent with a group means to align oneself with it. Bello is saying he will support the club. The sentence is figurative; it does not concern constructing a playing field or putting a literal tent on one.

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Question 44

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: 'Try not to lose heart', said the man

  1. Try not to be bold and weak
  2. Try not to become sad and hopeless
  3. Try not to be happy and feeble
  4. Try not to be timid and hopeful
Answer and explanation

B: Try not to become sad and hopeless

To lose heart means to become discouraged or lose hope. The man is urging someone not to become sad and hopeless. The other choices mix unrelated or contradictory qualities and do not convey this encouragement.

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Question 45

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Kasim would have attended the party if he had been invited

  1. He would not have attended even if he was invited
  2. He attended the party before he was invited
  3. He was not invited and so he did not attend
  4. He attended the party without invitation.
Answer and explanation

C: He was not invited and so he did not attend

The third conditional describes a past possibility that did not happen. Kasim was not invited, so he did not attend; with an invitation, he would have attended. C expresses both facts, while the other options contradict the condition or its result.

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Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “harrowing”: She said the experience was harrowing.

  1. educating
  2. frightening
  3. pleasant
  4. strange
Answer and explanation

C: pleasant

Harrowing describes something deeply distressing or disturbing. Pleasant is the opposite. Frightening is similar in meaning; educating and strange do not directly express a favourable experience.

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Question 48

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “invaded”: The house was invaded by the young officers

  1. set upon
  2. put down
  3. defended
  4. built
Answer and explanation

C: defended

Invaded means entered or attacked with force. Defended means protected against attack, so it is the opposite. Set upon means attacked, while put down and built do not express protection.

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Question 49

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “weird”: I like Adamu's weird attitude

  1. buoyant
  2. peculiar
  3. zestful
  4. normal
Answer and explanation

D: normal

Weird means strange or unusual. Normal is the opposite in this description of an attitude. Peculiar is similar to weird, while buoyant and zestful describe cheerfulness or enthusiasm.

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Question 50

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “obscure”: We travelled to an obscure little town

  1. rugged
  2. distinguished
  3. secluded
  4. inglorious
Answer and explanation

B: distinguished

An obscure town is little known. Distinguished suggests being notable or recognised, making it the best opposite here. Rugged concerns terrain, while secluded and inglorious do not convey prominence.

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Question 51

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “bizarre”: She is known for her bizarre dressing

  1. natural
  2. weird
  3. obsolete
  4. odious
Answer and explanation

A: natural

Bizarre means strikingly strange or unusual. Natural, in its sense of normal or ordinary, is the best opposite offered. Weird is a synonym; obsolete means outdated and odious means hateful.

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Question 52

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “scurries”: Lami normally scurries around town

  1. scampers
  2. dashes
  3. dawdles
  4. Scuttles
Answer and explanation

C: dawdles

Scurries means moves quickly and hurriedly. Dawdles means moves slowly or wastes time, so it is the opposite. Scampers, dashes and scuttles all suggest quick movement.

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Question 53

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “explicit”: Sule's poem is always explicit and compelling

  1. exciting
  2. clear
  3. ambiguous
  4. long
Answer and explanation

C: ambiguous

Explicit means clearly and directly expressed. Ambiguous means open to more than one interpretation, making it the opposite. Clear is a synonym, while exciting and long concern different qualities.

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Question 54

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “scornful”: Usman smiled in a scornful way

  1. respectful
  2. derisive
  3. sarcastic
  4. deluded
Answer and explanation

A: respectful

Scornful expresses contempt or disrespect. Respectful is the opposite. Derisive and sarcastic can describe mocking behaviour; deluded means mistaken in one’s beliefs and does not express respect.

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Question 55

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “erratic”: Alade is noted for his erratic behaviour

  1. fitful
  2. bizarre
  3. consistent
  4. euphoric
Answer and explanation

C: consistent

Erratic behaviour is irregular or unpredictable. Consistent behaviour follows a dependable pattern, so consistent is the opposite. Fitful is similar to erratic, bizarre means strange and euphoric means very happy.

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Question 57

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “caustic”: She gave a caustic remark on the occasion.

  1. tangible
  2. friendly
  3. insignificant
  4. sarcastic
Answer and explanation

D: sarcastic

A caustic remark is sharply critical or cutting. Sarcastic is the nearest choice in this context. Friendly points in the opposite direction, while tangible and insignificant do not describe this biting tone.

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Question 58

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “work out”: It was a good try but it did not quite work out.

  1. come to
  2. come off
  3. come from
  4. come for
Answer and explanation

B: come off

In this sentence, work out means succeed. Come off can carry the same meaning, so “it didn’t quite come off” preserves the idea of an unsuccessful attempt. Come to, come from and come for have different uses.

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Question 60

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “basic”: Just give me the basic facts, with needless details

  1. relevant
  2. extraneous
  3. essential
  4. critical
Answer and explanation

C: essential

Basic facts are the fundamental or essential facts. Essential is therefore the nearest meaning. Relevant means connected to the topic, extraneous means unnecessary, and critical can mean crucial but does not express the foundational sense as directly.

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Question 61

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “animated”: Usama likes toys made with bright and animated colours

  1. dull
  2. sparkling
  3. black
  4. deep
Answer and explanation

B: sparkling

Animated suggests liveliness and energy. Sparkling is the nearest description of these bright, lively colours. Dull opposes that effect, while black and deep describe colour or intensity without the same sense of liveliness.

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Question 62

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “distaste”: The man has strong distaste for alcohol

  1. love
  2. aversion
  3. desire
  4. excitement
Answer and explanation

B: aversion

Distaste means dislike or aversion. Aversion is therefore the nearest meaning in a sentence about disliking alcohol. Love, desire and excitement suggest attraction or enthusiasm instead.

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Question 63

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “schism”: The schism in the organization is on the increase.

  1. disagreement
  2. understanding
  3. opportunity
  4. rot
Answer and explanation

A: disagreement

A schism is a division or split within a group, commonly involving disagreement. Disagreement is the closest option here. Understanding suggests harmony, while opportunity and rot do not describe opposing factions.

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Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “unbending”: Sule admires people who have unbending character.

  1. mobile
  2. steady
  3. wavering
  4. unstable
Answer and explanation

B: steady

Unbending character is firm and unwilling to yield. Steady is the nearest available meaning. Wavering and unstable suggest the opposite, while mobile describes movement rather than firmness of character.

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Question 65

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “detests”: He detests honesty.

  1. likes
  2. hates
  3. encourages
  4. commands
Answer and explanation

B: hates

Detests means intensely dislikes or hates. Hates preserves the meaning even though the sentence expresses an unusual attitude towards honesty. Likes and encourages suggest approval, while commands means orders.

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Question 66

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The number of stores will be increased_____twenty to thirty

  1. from
  2. on
  3. at
  4. into
Answer and explanation

A: from

The construction from one number to another identifies a starting amount and an ending amount. The increase is from twenty to thirty. On, at and into do not pair correctly with the stated endpoint.

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Question 70

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Had Aisha realized what marriage entails she_____

  1. could have not rush into it
  2. would have rushes into it
  3. would not have rushes into it
  4. would not have rushed into it
Answer and explanation

D: would not have rushed into it

Had Aisha realized means if Aisha had realized. The unreal past result takes would not have plus the past participle rushed. D has all of these forms; the others use rush or rushes incorrectly after have.

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Question 73

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: There is no logic_____any of their claims

  1. with
  2. in
  3. from
  4. up
Answer and explanation

B: in

We speak of logic in a claim or argument: reasoning contained within it. In is the appropriate preposition. With, from and up do not form the required expression in this sentence.

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Question 74

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ the house was an easy task for the demolition squad.

  1. Bringing forth
  2. Tearing down
  3. Bringing up
  4. Tearing with
Answer and explanation

B: Tearing down

To tear down a house is to demolish it. Tearing down fits the demolition squad’s task and functions as the subject of the sentence. Bringing forth and bringing up have different meanings, while tearing with is incomplete.

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Question 76

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He ran out when he saw the teacher,_____?

  1. didn't he
  2. isn't he
  3. does he
  4. is he
Answer and explanation

A: didn't he

The main clause is affirmative past simple: he ran out. Its negative tag is didn’t he? The present-tense alternatives do not match.

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Question 77

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Parents should be good examples_____their children

  1. to
  2. at
  3. from
  4. by
Answer and explanation

A: to

Someone can be an example to another person: a model for that person to follow. To correctly connects the parents with their children in this expression. At, from and by do not fit.

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Question 78

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He travelled_____ last week

  1. somewhat
  2. some where
  3. some what
  4. somewhere
Answer and explanation

D: somewhere

Somewhere identifies an unspecified place and fits naturally after travelled. Somewhat means to a degree, not a destination. Some where and some what incorrectly divide these words.

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Question 79

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: He was present at the party_____?

  1. wasn't he
  2. did he
  3. could he
  4. didn't he
Answer and explanation

A: wasn't he

He was is affirmative, so the matching negative tag is wasn’t he? The other options introduce did or could instead of was.

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Question 80

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The prisoners had been_____from all contacts.

  1. kept upon
  2. kept apart
  3. kept for
  4. kept on
Answer and explanation

B: kept apart

Kept apart from means kept separated from. It expresses the prisoners’ isolation from their contacts. Kept upon, kept for and kept on do not combine with from to convey that meaning.

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Question 85

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Audu overbalanced and_____the water.

  1. fell into
  2. fell from
  3. fell for
  4. fell at
Answer and explanation

A: fell into

Fell into describes movement from outside to inside the water after losing balance. Fell from gives a point of origin, fell for has other meanings, and fell at does not express entry into the water.

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Question 98

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: Bukola's UNCLE is a strict teacher.

  1. Is Bukola's uncle a strict cook?
  2. Is Tunde's uncle a strict teacher?
  3. Is Bukola's aunt a strict teacher?
  4. Is Bukola's uncle an easy-going teacher?
Answer and explanation

C: Is Bukola's aunt a strict teacher?

UNCLE identifies the relative, contrasting with aunt. C asks about that contrast; the other questions change the owner, occupation or strictness instead.

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Question 99

Choose the question to which the sentence with the capitalised emphasis relates: She put the spoon on the CHAIR.

  1. Did she put the fork on the chair?
  2. Did she put the spoon on the table?
  3. Who put the spoon on the chair?
  4. Who took the spoon on the chair?
Answer and explanation

B: Did she put the spoon on the table?

CHAIR contrasts the location with another surface. B asks about the table, which the stressed answer corrects. The other choices change an object or person.

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