English Language 2014 JAMB Past Questions

English Language 2014 JAMB Past Questions

 

 

1. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The minister considered the ministry's budget to be a drop in the ocean in view of the number of projects in the pipeline.

• A. The pipeline project across the ocean will be abandoned unless budgetary allocation improves
• B. The amount available may be inadequate for projected expenditure
• C. The minister may be dropped for failing to complete a number of projects
• D. The money approved cannont complete the pipeline project acorss the ocean

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

A drop in the ocean; a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected.

2. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The police are looking for the woman who farmed her children out to her neighbours.

• A. The police wanted the woman for allowing her children to destroy her neighbour's crops.
• B. The woman and her children are in the habit of working in neighbour's farms and the police are not well disposed to this
• C. The police may arrest the woman for allowing her neighbours to take care of her children.
• D. The woman may be arrested for allowing her children to be a nuisance to her neighbours

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

farm out;  to give work to other people to do.  To place one's child in someone else's care

3. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Jummai's father remarked that pigs would fly before she passed.

• A. She would have to cheat in order to pass.
• B. It would be possible to pass only if she worked harder.
• C. It would never be possible for her to pass.
• D. He would have to bribe her teachers to enable her to pass.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

When pigs fly" is an adynaton, a way of saying that something will never happen.

4. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The president said that he found himself between a rock and a hard place when the press said that he has resigned.

• A. Hard places are dangerous for the president.
• B. He dreamt that he was abandoned.
• C. He thought that hard places were unsafe.
• D. He had a hard decision to make.

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action.

5. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Kunana is like a bear in the sore head.

• A. He is a bully.
• B. He is grumpy.
• C. He is ugly.
• D. He is quiet.

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

If someone is like a bear with a sore head, they are being very bad-tempered and irritable.
grumpy; bad-tempered and irritable

6. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Olu gave his brother a
bumpy ride.

• A. Olu's brother rode on Olu's back to success.
• B. Olu took his brother on a bumpy road.
• C. Olu gave his brother a difficult time.
• D. Olu gave his brother a ride on his car.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Bumpy ride; to have a difficult time

7. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Adeola doesn't have to go to the farm today.

• A. Adeola may go to the farm today if he so wishes.
• B. Adeola ought not to have gone to the farm today.
• C. Adeola must not go to the farm today.
• D. Adeola should not go to the farm today.

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

If Adeola wishes to go to the farm, he is free to

8. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

My boss asked me to take my eyes off the ball.

• A. I should stop paying attention to what is most important.
• B. I should be focused when i am about to stay off football.
• C. I should stay off football after sustaining an injuiry.
• D. I should be focused when playing football.

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

Take (one's) eye off the ball. To fail to remain focused on or motivated about some goal, objective, or matter at hand.

9. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The robber was
hedged inby the people.

• A. The robber was surrounded by the people.
• B. The robber was killed by the people.
• C. The robber was exposed by the people.
• D. The robber was caught by the people.

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

Hedge in;  to form a boundary around (something).  to surround or restrict (someone) in a way that prevents free movement or action

10. Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Many workers are not happy because they live a
hand-to-mouthlife.

• A. They work hard with their hands.
• B. They are voracious and avaricious.
• C. They are barely surviving.
• D. They have rejected the use of spoons.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

(from) hand to mouth; satisfying only one's immediate needs because of lack of money for future plans and investments.

11. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

Prolonged strike action
debilitated the industry.

• A. Stroyed.
• B. Invigorated.
• C. Isolated.
• D. Weakened.

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

debilitated; in a very weakened and infirm state.
invigorate; give strength or energy to

12. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

One of the students bought a
plagiarised copy of the book.

• A. An annotated.
• B. A used.
• C. An original.
• D. A revised.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

plagiarize; take (the work or an idea of someone else) and pass it off as one's own.

13. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

The young girl was taken
aback by her father's gift of a car.

• A. Nonplussed.
• B. Shocked.
• C. Unmoved.
• D. Surprised. 

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

 If you are taken aback by something, you are surprised or shocked by it and you cannot respond at once.

14. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

Musa is a gifted but
erratic player.

• A. Unstable.
• B. Strong.
• C. Regular.
• D. Unpredictable.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

erratic; not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.

15. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

The lamp shades were
translucent.

• A. Transparent.
• B. Opaque.
• C. Intersected.
• D. Luminous.

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

translucent; (of a substance) allowing light, but not detailed shapes, to pass through; semi-transparent.
Opaque; not able to be seen through; not transparent.

16. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

My niece has an
unquenchablethirst for adventure stories.

• A. An inextinguishable.
• B. A spurious.
• C. An illegitimate.
• D. A reduced.

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

unquenchable; not able to be quenched, excessive excitement

17. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

Some of my neighbours have an
antipathy to dogs.

• A. Alarm for.
• B. Enmity towards.
• C. Affection for.
• D. Acronym for.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

antipathy; a deep-seated feeling of aversion/ dislike.

18.Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

The dressmaker
unpicked the seam of the shirt.

• A. Tore up.
• B. Threaded.
• C. Sewed up.
• D. Picked up.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

unpicked ; not sewed.

19. Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

The testimony of the witness was
vague.

• A. Clear.
• B. Disturbing.
• C. True.
• D. Ambiguous.

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

vague; of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.

20.Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

As a student, Isa tied
communalliving for a few years.

• A. Private.
• B. Collective.
• C. General.
• D. Shared. 

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

communal; shared by all members of a community; for common use.

21. Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

The chairman admires
incessant meetings.

• A. Irregular.
• B. Unusual.
• C. Planned.
• D. Constant.

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

Incessant; (of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption.

22. Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

Today's weather is
favourable for a game of tennis.

• A. Disapproving.
• B. Impartial.
• C. Abnormal.
• D. Encouraging.

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

favourable; expressing approval.

23. Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

All the candidates looked
aghast at the reading of the questions.

• A. Relaxed.
• B. Fulfilled.
• C. Dismayed.
• D. Satisfied.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Aghast; filled with horror or shock.

24. Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

Joke gave Muhammad a
jaunty smile.

• A. A cheerful.
• B. A discouraging.
• C. An inviting.
• D. A frightful.

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

jaunty; having or expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner.

25. Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

The first round of the tournament was a
doddle.

• A. Exasperating.
• B. Easy.
• C. Balanced.
• D. Dodgy.

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

Doddle; a very easy task.