JAMB Use of English 2017

23 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 3

Okoli bought his five-shilling postal order, registered his pools coupon and emerged from the post office feeling, as he had felt for the past ten years, that the world would be kind to him. But he was not happy. While waiting in the queue, another customer had told him of a friend who had invested one thousand naira (N1,000) and won thousands. “One hundred naira,” he said to himself. He smiled a smile of diffidence mixed with optimism. Some passers-by noted a smile, thinking it was for them, but Okoli, nicknamed “Time up” by his friends in the government department where he worked, did not notice. His thoughts were engaged in contemplating the vagaries of that mysterious god, football pools. He came to the bus stop and looked a little wistfully at a standing vehicle. He would have liked to go by it; his home was a mile away and the sun eagerly pricked his head, but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. He therefore walked home. Okoli took off his workday clothes and changed into a brown wrapper and singlet. Then he set about boiling water for his garri. “No, impossible,” he murmured to himself. To gamble on a grand scale? He unlocked a drawer set in the table and slipped out a bank account book. He opened it. His assets stood at exactly one thousand naira (N1,000). A coincidence? But it might be an omen. In the newspaper, his stars for the week had said, “Do not be afraid to take a chance.” Why should his credit stand at exactly the figure the other customer had mentioned? But one might fail even with one thousand naira. Suppose he failed? He had responsibilities: his father and mother struggling against a perverse land which yearly failed to yield them enough to eat. Memories of that land had haunted him, forcing him to place a barrier between himself and luxuries. Adapted from Fagbemi J. A. O. et al. (1998), Integrated English Book 3, Ibadan University Press Limited.

The word omen, as used in the passage, means

  1. indication
  2. end
  3. implication
  4. Oath
Answer and explanation

A: indication

An omen is a sign interpreted as indicating a future event. Okoli wonders whether the coincidence in his account balance is such a sign. Indication is therefore the nearest meaning; it does not mean an end, an oath or merely an implication.

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Question 4

Okoli bought his five-shilling postal order, registered his pools coupon and emerged from the post office feeling, as he had felt for the past ten years, that the world would be kind to him. But he was not happy. While waiting in the queue, another customer had told him of a friend who had invested one thousand naira (N1,000) and won thousands. “One hundred naira,” he said to himself. He smiled a smile of diffidence mixed with optimism. Some passers-by noted a smile, thinking it was for them, but Okoli, nicknamed “Time up” by his friends in the government department where he worked, did not notice. His thoughts were engaged in contemplating the vagaries of that mysterious god, football pools. He came to the bus stop and looked a little wistfully at a standing vehicle. He would have liked to go by it; his home was a mile away and the sun eagerly pricked his head, but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. He therefore walked home. Okoli took off his workday clothes and changed into a brown wrapper and singlet. Then he set about boiling water for his garri. “No, impossible,” he murmured to himself. To gamble on a grand scale? He unlocked a drawer set in the table and slipped out a bank account book. He opened it. His assets stood at exactly one thousand naira (N1,000). A coincidence? But it might be an omen. In the newspaper, his stars for the week had said, “Do not be afraid to take a chance.” Why should his credit stand at exactly the figure the other customer had mentioned? But one might fail even with one thousand naira. Suppose he failed? He had responsibilities: his father and mother struggling against a perverse land which yearly failed to yield them enough to eat. Memories of that land had haunted him, forcing him to place a barrier between himself and luxuries. Adapted from Fagbemi J. A. O. et al. (1998), Integrated English Book 3, Ibadan University Press Limited.

According to the passage, why did Okoli not travel by bus?

  1. he did not want to pay the bus fare
  2. his income could not allow it
  3. he lived close to the bus stop
  4. his body needed the rigorous walk
Answer and explanation

B: his income could not allow it

The passage states that Okoli would have liked to take the vehicle but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. B gives that financial reason. He did not walk because he was close to the stop, needed exercise or simply refused to pay despite being able to.

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Question 5

Okoli bought his five-shilling postal order, registered his pools coupon and emerged from the post office feeling, as he had felt for the past ten years, that the world would be kind to him. But he was not happy. While waiting in the queue, another customer had told him of a friend who had invested one thousand naira (N1,000) and won thousands. “One hundred naira,” he said to himself. He smiled a smile of diffidence mixed with optimism. Some passers-by noted a smile, thinking it was for them, but Okoli, nicknamed “Time up” by his friends in the government department where he worked, did not notice. His thoughts were engaged in contemplating the vagaries of that mysterious god, football pools. He came to the bus stop and looked a little wistfully at a standing vehicle. He would have liked to go by it; his home was a mile away and the sun eagerly pricked his head, but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. He therefore walked home. Okoli took off his workday clothes and changed into a brown wrapper and singlet. Then he set about boiling water for his garri. “No, impossible,” he murmured to himself. To gamble on a grand scale? He unlocked a drawer set in the table and slipped out a bank account book. He opened it. His assets stood at exactly one thousand naira (N1,000). A coincidence? But it might be an omen. In the newspaper, his stars for the week had said, “Do not be afraid to take a chance.” Why should his credit stand at exactly the figure the other customer had mentioned? But one might fail even with one thousand naira. Suppose he failed? He had responsibilities: his father and mother struggling against a perverse land which yearly failed to yield them enough to eat. Memories of that land had haunted him, forcing him to place a barrier between himself and luxuries. Adapted from Fagbemi J. A. O. et al. (1998), Integrated English Book 3, Ibadan University Press Limited.

It can be concluded that Okoli smiled a smile of diffidence because he was

  1. diligent
  2. confident
  3. uncertain
  4. unassuming
Answer and explanation

C: uncertain

Diffidence expresses uncertainty or lack of confidence. Although Okoli also feels optimistic, his doubts about risking his savings explain the diffident part of his smile. Uncertain is the closest option; confident describes the contrasting hopeful element.

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Question 26

Choose the option that best explains this sentence: “The painting was beautifully faked.”

  1. The painting was a good deceptive replica
  2. The painting was well-framed and displayed
  3. The painting was deceptively decorated
  4. The painting was carefully designed
Answer and explanation

A: The painting was a good deceptive replica

To fake a painting is to make an imitation appear genuine. “Beautifully” suggests that the deception was skilfully done, so A is the closest explanation. Framing, decorating or designing alone does not establish that a work is counterfeit.

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Question 27

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The letter was being written by the principal

  1. The letter had been written by the principal
  2. The principal was writing the letter.
  3. The principal wanted to write the letter
  4. The principal wrote the letter.
Answer and explanation

B: The principal was writing the letter.

The passive form “was being written” describes an action in progress in the past. Its active equivalent is “was writing”, with the principal as subject. The other options change the tense, completion or intention.

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Question 28

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: The man's Achilles' heel is women.

  1. His weakness is women
  2. His strength is women
  3. He fights women
  4. He respects women.
Answer and explanation

A: His weakness is women

An Achilles heel is a weakness or vulnerable point. The sentence identifies women as this man’s weakness. It does not describe his strength, fighting behaviour or respect.

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Question 30

Choose the option that best explains the sentence: Advising Olu to break his bad habit is like knocking your head against a brick wall.

  1. It is making a fool of you
  2. It is trying the impossible
  3. It is making him your enemy
  4. It is asking him to beat you.
Answer and explanation

B: It is trying the impossible

Knocking your head against a brick wall describes futile effort towards something that cannot be achieved. B captures the point that advising Olu is considered useless; no actual attack or new enemy is implied.

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Question 31

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “reproof”: The student received a mild reproof from the teacher.

  1. exhortation
  2. opposition
  3. Commendation
  4. appropriation
Answer and explanation

C: Commendation

Reproof expresses criticism or disapproval. Commendation expresses praise, so it is the opposite. Exhortation is urging someone to act, opposition is resistance, and appropriation is taking something for use.

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Question 32

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “parsimonious”: The chairman is parsimonious.

  1. avaricious
  2. thrifty
  3. generous
  4. Miserly
Answer and explanation

C: generous

A parsimonious person is reluctant to spend or give money. Generous has the opposite meaning. Avaricious and miserly both concern excessive attachment to money, while thrifty means economical.

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Question 33

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “traitorous”: The man was traitorous to our club.

  1. loyal
  2. known
  3. treacherous
  4. accustomed
Answer and explanation

A: loyal

Traitorous means betraying a person or group to which one owes loyalty. Loyal is therefore the opposite. Treacherous is similar in meaning, while known and accustomed do not describe faithfulness.

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Question 34

Choose the option opposite in meaning to “bootless”: They come here on a bootless errand.

  1. worthwhile
  2. vain
  3. delusive
  4. intended
Answer and explanation

A: worthwhile

A bootless errand is fruitless or useless. A worthwhile errand has value, making worthwhile the opposite. Vain is similar to bootless; delusive and intended do not supply the opposite meaning.

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Question 36

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “impelled”: Aisha impelled Ola to the party.

  1. compelled
  2. accompanied
  3. invited
  4. encouraged
Answer and explanation

A: compelled

Impel means to drive or urge someone into action. Compelled is the nearest available meaning. Accompanied means went with, invited means asked to attend, and encouraged is weaker than the driving force conveyed here.

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Question 37

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “jurisdiction”: This case is within the jurisdiction of the council.

  1. record
  2. prohibition
  3. authority
  4. finance
Answer and explanation

C: authority

Jurisdiction is the power or authority to deal with a matter. The sentence says the council has authority over this case. Records, prohibition and finance do not express that decision-making power.

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Question 39

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “watershed”: This event was a watershed in the company.

  1. landmark
  2. blot
  3. publicity
  4. stain
Answer and explanation

A: landmark

A watershed is a significant turning point that separates stages in development. Landmark is the nearest choice for such an important event. A blot or stain suggests damage to reputation; publicity merely means public attention.

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Question 40

Choose the option nearest in meaning to “lucid”: He made a lucid point.

  1. clear
  2. strange
  3. vague
  4. hazy
Answer and explanation

A: clear

A lucid point is clear and easy to understand. Clear is therefore the nearest meaning. Vague and hazy suggest uncertainty or lack of clarity, while strange means unusual.

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Question 41

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ unsafe to drive at night.

  1. It
  2. Its
  3. Its'
  4. It's
Answer and explanation

D: It's

The sentence needs “It is unsafe to drive at night.” It’s is the contraction of it is. It alone leaves out the verb, its is possessive, and its’ is not the required standard form.

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Question 42

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The _____ event takes place every two years.

  1. bienial
  2. biannual
  3. biennial
  4. bianual
Answer and explanation

C: biennial

Biennial means happening once every two years. Biannual means twice a year. Bienial and bianual are misspellings, so only biennial supplies the required word and meaning.

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Question 44

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Snakes and Ladders always _____ me happy these days.

  1. makes
  2. make
  3. made
  4. making
Answer and explanation

A: makes

Snakes and Ladders names one board game, so it takes a singular verb: makes. The present-time wording “always” and “these days” fits the present simple. Make is plural, made is past, and making lacks a finite verb.

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Question 45

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Garba acquiesced _____ their decision.

  1. for
  2. on
  3. in
  4. by
Answer and explanation

C: in

The established construction is acquiesce in a decision, meaning to accept it without protest. In supplies the required preposition. For, on and by do not form this construction.

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Question 46

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: If he _____ French, he _____ go to France.

  1. know/can
  2. knew/could
  3. knew/can
  4. know/could
Answer and explanation

B: knew/could

The hypothetical condition uses the past form knew, followed by could in the result clause. Knew/could forms a consistent second conditional. Know does not agree with he, and knew/can mixes the hypothetical forms used here.

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Question 47

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: She said you would eat there, _____?

  1. wouldn't she
  2. doesn't she
  3. won't she
  4. didn't she
Answer and explanation

D: didn't she

The tag checks the main statement “She said”, which is affirmative and in the past simple. Its negative tag is “didn’t she?” The embedded phrase “you would eat” does not change the tense or subject of that main-clause tag.

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Question 48

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The delegates were given _____.

  1. a two hour break
  2. a two-hour break
  3. a two-hours break
  4. a two hours break
Answer and explanation

B: a two-hour break

Two-hour works as a single adjective before break and is joined with a hyphen. The unit hour stays singular inside this compound. A two-hour break is therefore the correct form; the other choices omit the hyphen or wrongly pluralise hour.

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Question 50

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: _____ a good boy, he was given a prize.

  1. To being
  2. Been
  3. Being
  4. To been
Answer and explanation

C: Being

Being starts a participle clause giving the reason he received the prize: because he was a good boy. The clause and the main sentence have the same subject. Been cannot stand alone here, and to being and to been are incorrect forms.

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