65 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.
These adapted questions come from publisher-labelled 2025 collections. The original UTME sitting and question numbers are unconfirmed. Practice selection: full-paper coverage has not been confirmed.
Take up to 40 reviewed Use of English questions from publisher-labelled 2025 collections in a timed CBT session. See your raw score and explanations afterward. This is not a confirmed complete UTME paper.
Start 2025 Use of English CBT practiceMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Complete the familiar saying: 'What goes around ____ around.'
B: comes
The established saying is 'What goes around comes around.' The singular subject 'what' takes 'comes' in this fixed expression.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Each of the responses ____ correct.
C: is
Each is the singular subject; the plural noun after 'of' does not control the verb. Use 'is'.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Reports show that the ____ of theft has increased this year.
D: incidence
Incidence means the rate at which something happens. An incident is a single event, so 'incidence of theft' fits a statement about its increasing frequency.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Yesterday, the doctor ____ the patient to take the medicine regularly.
B: advised
Advised is the past tense of the verb advise. Advice is a noun, while 'adviced' is a misspelling; 'yesterday' calls for a past-tense verb here.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The volunteers were praised for their ____ effort.
B: laudable
Laudable is the correctly spelled adjective for an action deserving praise.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
If I had revised more, I ____ a higher mark.
C: would have scored
An unreal past condition uses 'had' plus a past participle, followed by 'would have' plus a past participle: 'would have scored'.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Scarcely ____ the visitor entered when the telephone rang.
D: had
When 'scarcely' starts the sentence, the subject and auxiliary invert: 'Scarcely had the visitor entered when ...'.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
He presented his report at the meeting, ____
D: didn't he?
The statement is affirmative past simple with no auxiliary, so the negative question tag uses 'didn't he?'.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The learners were reluctant to join the debate. Which word is nearest in meaning to 'reluctant'?
C: unwilling
Reluctant means unwilling or not wanting to do something; the other choices express eagerness or positive feeling.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The hike was arduous despite the fine weather. Which word is nearest in meaning to 'arduous'?
A: strenuous
Arduous work takes substantial effort and energy. Strenuous is the closest choice because it also describes demanding effort.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
People said that spooks haunted the empty house. Which word is nearest in meaning to 'spooks'?
A: ghosts
In a haunting context, a spook is a ghost. The other choices describe living people or animals.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The research team reported an astonishing discovery. Which word is nearest in meaning to 'astonishing'?
B: amazing
Astonishing means very surprising. 'Amazing' is the nearest choice; the others suggest something usual or expected.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The novelist's message remained enigmatic. Which word is nearest in meaning to 'enigmatic'?
C: inscrutable
Enigmatic describes something mysterious or difficult to understand. 'Inscrutable' has that meaning.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Against the light, she saw a silhouette in the doorway. Which word is nearest in meaning to 'silhouette'?
A: outline
A silhouette is a dark shape seen against light; its outline is the nearest choice among these options.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The editor made a meticulous check of the report. Which word is opposite in meaning to 'meticulous'?
A: careless
Meticulous means very careful about details. 'Careless' expresses the opposite; the other choices suggest attention to detail.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The coach chastised the team after the match. Which word is opposite in meaning to 'chastised'?
B: praised
To chastise someone is to criticise them severely. To praise them expresses approval instead; the other choices are forms of disapproval or punishment.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
In a play, which literary role opposes the protagonist?
B: antagonist
A protagonist is a central character. The antagonist is the opposing role in a story or play; 'enemy' and 'opponent' are broader terms, not the literary role.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Which word is opposite in meaning to 'porous' when describing a material that lets water through?
B: impermeable
Porous material lets liquid or air pass through. Impermeable material does not; 'pervious' has a similar meaning to porous.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
If an excuse does not hold water, what does that mean?
A: It is not convincing
An argument or excuse that does not hold water does not seem true or reasonable, so it is not convincing.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The captain told her teammates not to throw in the towel. What should they do?
B: Keep trying
To throw in the towel is to give up after difficulty. The captain is telling the team to keep trying.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
When household income fell, the family had to tighten its belt. What did it do?
B: Spent less money
To tighten your belt means to spend less money, especially when money is limited.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
A delay put a spoke in Ada's wheel. What did the delay do?
D: Made her plan harder to carry out
Putting a spoke in someone's wheel means obstructing something the person planned to do.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The staff call their supervisor a slave driver. What do they mean?
C: The supervisor makes them work very hard
In this informal, disapproving idiom, a slave driver is someone who makes others work very hard. It does not describe ownership or kindness.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The vowel sound represented by 'oo' in 'boot' is also heard in which word?
B: food
'Boot' and 'food' contain the long /uː/ sound. 'Book' has /ʊ/, despite its similar spelling.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The vowel sound represented by 'o' in 'money' is also heard in which word?
A: love
'Money' begins with /mʌn/ and 'love' has /lʌv/, so both use the /ʌ/ vowel sound.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
In standard British English, the vowel sound represented by 'ee' in 'beer' is also heard near the start of which word?
D: serious
Cambridge transcribes British 'beer' as /bɪə/ and 'serious' as /ˈsɪə.ri.əs/, so both contain /ɪə/. 'Bare', 'their' and 'swear' use /eə/.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The 'ch' at the start of 'chess' makes the same consonant sound as the start of which word?
D: chain
'Chess' and 'chain' both begin with /tʃ/. The other words begin with different consonant sounds.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The first consonant sound in 'house' is also heard at the start of which word?
A: happy
'House' and 'happy' begin with /h/. In 'honour' the written h is silent; the other choices start with different sounds.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The 'sh' at the start of 'shadow' makes the same consonant sound as the start of which word?
A: sure
'Shadow' and 'sure' both begin with /ʃ/. 'Match' ends in /tʃ/, while 'chemistry' and 'scheme' begin with /k/ and /s/.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The word 'knot' begins with the same consonant sound as which word?
B: norm
The k in 'knot' is silent, so the word begins with /n/. 'Norm' also begins with /n/; the other choices begin with /tʃ/, /k/ and /s/.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Which word rhymes with 'home' in standard British English?
C: comb
'Home' /həʊm/ and 'comb' /kəʊm/ share the ending /əʊm/. 'Come', 'groan' and 'horn' have different final sounds.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Which word rhymes with 'cat'?
B: bat
'Cat' /kæt/ and 'bat' /bæt/ share the stressed vowel and final /t/. The other words end differently or have another vowel.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
In the word 'similarly', which syllable carries the main stress?
C: the first syllable
Cambridge marks the primary stress before the first syllable in /ˈsɪm.ɪ.lə.li/, so the word begins SIM-i-lar-ly.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
In 'convalescent', which syllable carries the main stress?
D: the third syllable
The main stress is on the 'les' syllable: /ˌkɒn.vəˈles.ənt/. The first syllable may carry secondary stress, but the primary stress is on the third.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
In 'grammarian', which syllable carries the main stress?
B: the second syllable
Cambridge transcribes 'grammarian' as /ɡrəˈmeə.ri.ən/. The stress mark precedes the second syllable.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
In 'hospitality', which syllable carries the main stress?
C: the third syllable
The main stress falls on 'tal', the third syllable: /ˌhɒs.pɪˈtæl.ə.ti/. The first syllable has secondary stress.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
They came with me to the LIBRARY. Which question would the stressed word most directly correct?
A: Did they come with you to the market?
Stress on 'LIBRARY' corrects a mistaken place. The answer says where they went, while the other questions ask about the companion, time or people.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Mariam gave birth to a BOY. Which question would the stressed word most directly correct?
A: Did Mariam have a girl?
The stressed word 'BOY' corrects the baby's sex. 'Did Mariam have a girl?' is the only choice asking about that contrast.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
A HAWKER showed Ada the way to the park. Which question would the stressed word most directly correct?
A: Did a police officer show Ada the way to the park?
Stress on 'HAWKER' identifies who gave the directions. The first question proposes a different person; the others change the destination, recipient or time.
AI-reviewed · source checkedMyschool 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The doctor examined the patient with a STETHOSCOPE. Which question would the stressed word most directly correct?
A: Did the doctor use a thermometer to examine the patient?
Stress on 'STETHOSCOPE' corrects which instrument the doctor used. Only the first question suggests a different instrument.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The report concealed a shortage of books. Which verb is opposite in meaning to 'concealed'?
C: exposed
To conceal is to keep something from being seen or known. To expose a shortage is to make it known; the other three verbs all suggest hiding it.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
After weeks of publicity, the school play was nothing to write home about. What does the idiom mean here?
A: ordinary rather than special
'Nothing to write home about' describes something that is not especially good, exciting or remarkable. The comment says the play was ordinary despite the publicity.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'stutter' when it describes someone's speech?
B: stammer
Someone who stutters repeats sounds or pauses involuntarily while speaking. 'Stammer' describes the same kind of speech difficulty; the other words describe volume or unclear speech.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Amina sat quietly by the window, looking pensive. Which description fits her mood?
B: deep in thought
'Pensive' describes a quiet, serious thinking mood. It does not by itself mean anger, excitement or careless distraction.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The committee's apathy toward the broken desks surprised the pupils. What does 'apathy' mean?
A: lack of interest
Apathy is a lack of interest or concern. The sentence says the committee showed little willingness to act, not that it opposed or planned a repair.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Before displaying an old letter, the museum must establish its authenticity. Which noun has the nearest meaning?
B: genuineness
Authenticity is the quality of being real or genuine. Checking it asks whether the letter is what it claims to be, not how old or readable it is.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The charity will launch a reading campaign next week. What does 'launch' mean in this sentence?
A: begin
To launch a campaign is to begin it. The sentence says when the campaign will start, not whether it will be paid for, judged or stopped.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Tola agreed to give the speech, but got cold feet just before walking onstage. What happened?
A: She lost courage
To get cold feet is to become nervous and lose the courage to do something already planned. The phrase does not refer to temperature or illness.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Although Kemi earned little, she shared food with her neighbours. They called her big-hearted. What does 'big-hearted' mean?
A: kind and generous
A big-hearted person shows kindness and generosity. Kemi's willingness to share food illustrates that character trait; it says nothing about physical strength.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Nneka has an aversion to very loud music. Which phrase explains 'aversion'?
A: a strong dislike
An aversion is a strong dislike or an unwillingness to be around or do something. It is the opposite of keen interest.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
While sketching alone, Idris hit on a simple way to reuse the cardboard. What does 'hit on' mean here?
A: thought of unexpectedly
To hit on an idea is to think of it unexpectedly, often as a solution. Idris came up with a way to reuse the cardboard; he did not copy or select an existing plan.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The officious monitor kept telling classmates how to do every small task. Which description best fits the monitor?
A: meddlesome and bossy
An officious person is too eager to tell others what to do or interfere. 'Meddlesome and bossy' fits the behaviour described; the other choices do not.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Several useful suggestions arose in the ____ of the discussion.
A: course
The fixed expression 'in the course of' means 'during'. 'Coarse' sounds the same but means rough, while 'cause' and 'curse' do not complete the expression.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The new library is on the ____ of the city, beyond the main streets.
A: outskirts
'Outskirts' is a plural noun for the areas at a town or city's edge. The standard phrase is 'on the outskirts of the city'.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The depot reported a shortage of ____ after the exercise.
A: ammunition
'Ammunition' is normally an uncountable noun in English. A shortage of ammunition is grammatical; the other options incorrectly treat it as a countable item.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Which phrase follows the usual neutral order of age, colour and material adjectives?
B: a new white cotton shirt
In neutral adjective order, age comes before colour, and colour comes before material. 'New white cotton' follows that sequence.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The projector failed, so the class had to ____ with a printed chart.
B: make do
'Make do with' means use what is available when the preferred item is missing. The printed chart replaced the projector for this lesson.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
Which phrase follows the usual neutral order of size, colour and purpose before a noun?
C: a small blue sleeping bag
In the usual neutral order, size comes before colour and purpose comes nearest the noun. 'Small blue sleeping bag' follows that sequence.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
You had better ____ the instructions before beginning the exercise.
A: read
'Had better' is followed by the base form of the verb without 'to'. Therefore 'read' completes the sentence; the inflected or to-infinitive forms do not.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The library issued new borrowing ____ for the term.
A: guidelines
'Guidelines' is the standard plural spelling for advice or instructions on how to do something. The other choices split or misspell that noun.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The mentor invited Chidi and ____ to the workshop.
C: me
The invitation is made to Chidi and the speaker, so the verb needs the object form 'me'. Removing 'Chidi and' leaves 'invited me', which is an easy way to check.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The clerk kept meticulous records of every returned book. Which word is opposite in meaning to 'meticulous'?
A: careless
'Meticulous' means very careful about details. 'Careless' is its opposite; thorough, precise and methodical all point toward careful work.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
It was an audacious proposal to rebuild the bridge in only two weeks. Which word is closest in meaning to 'audacious'?
C: daring
'Audacious' describes a willingness to take a bold risk. A daring proposal fits that meaning; routine, timid and cautious describe the opposite approach.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The principal demanded that every candidate ____ the form before Monday.
A: sign
After 'demanded that' expresses a requirement, the verb can take the subjunctive base form. 'Every candidate sign' is that form; the other endings do not fit this construction.
AI-reviewed · source checkedVantelum 2025 collection · Original sitting and question number unconfirmed.
The treasurer was accused ____ hiding receipts.
B: of
The standard pattern is 'accuse someone of doing something'. Here the allegation concerns hiding receipts, so 'of' completes the sentence.
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