Instruction
In questions 41 to 65, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2201.
She was taken aback by his altitude
A
delayed
B
dragged back
C
surprised
D
overwhelmed
Correct Answer: C
"Taken aback" means surprised or shocked.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2202.
Many would argue that the achievement is commensurate with the effort
A
unexpected in the light of
B
funny compared with
C
proportional to
D
the wrong excuse for
Correct Answer: C
"Commensurate with" means proportional to — matching in size or degree.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2203.
They show no fitness in dealing with strangers
A
boldness
B
kindness
C
tact
D
love
Correct Answer: C
"Fitness" here means suitability or tact — the right approach.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2204.
As a matter of fact, we have been trying to step up production
A
maximize
B
decrease
C
suspend
D
increase
Correct Answer: D
"Step up" means to increase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2205.
Ojo used to play tennis every day
A
is familiar with playing
B
has to play
C
was in the habit of playing
D
was made to play
Correct Answer: C
"Used to play" describes a past habit — "was in the habit of playing."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2206.
In his own story, he confirmed that they had been on his tail for quite some time
A
closely following and watching him
B
searching for him
C
giving him a tail
D
tagging him a talebearer
Correct Answer: A
"On his tail" means following him closely — tracking him.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2207.
I am surprised to learn that Badmus is an agnostic
A
someone that believes in God
B
someone who antagonizes God
C
someone who is nonchalant about the existence of God
D
someone who does not believe in the existence of God
Correct Answer: D
An agnostic believes the existence of God is unknown or unknowable — does not believe.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2208.
Although the manager is busy right now, he will be with you presently
A
immediately
B
soon
C
without delay
D
right away
Correct Answer: B
"Presently" means soon or after a short time.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2209.
The governor's wife, in characteristically simple attire, walked into the hall unnoticed
A
eccentrically
B
typically
C
consistently
D
intrinsically
Correct Answer: B
"Characteristically" = typically — describing her usual manner.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2210.
After my husband's popular election, we had to keep open house throughout the weekend
A
entertain every caller
B
keep all doors open
C
relax security
D
give a party
Correct Answer: A
"Keep open house" means to welcome any visitor — entertain every caller.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2211.
Our new Vice-Chancellor has stepped off the wrong foot
A
injured his foot while entering his office
B
started off badly
C
made a costly mistake
D
stepped on the wrong toes
Correct Answer: B
"Stepped off on the wrong foot" means made a bad start.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2212.
The corporate existence of any nation is in jeopardy if her leaders pay lip service to her unity
A
do not promptly pay their taxes
B
want to break up the country
C
do not dialogue regularly over her unity
D
are insincere about the problems of her unity
Correct Answer: D
"Pay lip service" means to express insincere support — leaders are not truly committed.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2213.
Much to her chagrin, the bridegroom did not turn up for the wedding
A
wonder
B
surprise
C
disappointment
D
depression
Correct Answer: C
"Chagrin" means distress or embarrassment caused by failure — disappointment.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2214.
Ngozi's countenance is less gloomy; it would appear as if she is relatively out of the woods
A
free from difficulties
B
just from the forest
C
in good condition of health
D
out of wants
Correct Answer: A
"Out of the woods" means free from danger or difficulty.
Instruction
In questions 56 to 100, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2215.
When I was in the secondary school, my parents were active members of the ....
A
Parents - Teachers Association
B
Parents - Teachers' Association
C
Parents - Teacher Association
D
Parents - Teacher's Association
Correct Answer: A
The standard name is "Parents-Teachers Association" — no apostrophe.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2216.
The pen which you have just picked up is ....
A
Charle's
B
Charles'
C
Charless'
D
Charles's
Correct Answer: D
Possessive of "Charles" is "Charles's" (adding 's even after -s in singular names).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2217.
It is clear to me that you won't visit Okoro this holiday, will you? ....
A
Yes, I wont
B
Yes, I will visit
C
No, I won't
D
No, I will not visit
Correct Answer: C
The tag is negative ("will you?") and the answer confirms — "No, I won't."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2218.
Sa'adatu as well as the maids ....
A
like Plantain chips
B
are liking Plantain chips
C
is liking plantain chips
D
likes plantain chips
Correct Answer: D
"As well as" does not change the singular subject "Sa'adatu" — verb is "likes."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2219.
Measles .... no longer impossible to manage these days
Correct Answer: A
"Measles" is treated as singular — "is."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2220.
People dislike Jobe because he is a .... young man
A
a tricky
B
tricking
C
trickful
D
tricky
Correct Answer: D
"Tricky" is the correct adjective for a deceptive person.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2221.
If the boys arrived early enough, the match ....
A
would have been played
B
will be played
C
will have to be played
D
would be played
Correct Answer: D
Second conditional with "arrived" (past) → main clause uses "would be played."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2222.
There are .... on spelling and pronunciation at the end of the book
A
appendixes
B
appendix
C
appendices
D
appendixes
Correct Answer: C
"Appendices" is the correct plural of "appendix" in academic contexts.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2223.
She usually works hard, but .... she could be very lazy
A
at times
B
atimes
C
attimes
D
at time
Correct Answer: A
"At times" is the standard phrase meaning occasionally.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2224.
The police .... happy about the dwindling crime rate.
A
says they are
B
say it is
C
say they are
D
says it is
Correct Answer: B
"Police" is plural — "say it is" (referring to the force as singular "it").
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2225.
The keepers themselves are sometimes .... by the bees
A
stinged
B
stang
C
stung
D
sting
Correct Answer: C
Past participle of "sting" is "stung."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2226.
I now realize I .... you before
A
had met
B
have met
C
met
D
meet
Correct Answer: A
"I realize I had met you before" — past perfect for action before another past.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2227.
The patient was .... by a group of surgeons last week
A
operated on
B
operated
C
operated for
D
operated with
Correct Answer: A
"Operated on" is the standard phrase for surgery.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2228.
The old man couldn't help .... at his grandson's babbling
A
to laugh
B
that he laughed
C
laughing
D
in laughing
Correct Answer: C
"Couldn't help" takes a gerund — "laughing."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2229.
A range of options .... available to the political parties during the recently concluded elections
A
were made
B
is made
C
are made
D
was made
Correct Answer: D
"A range" is singular — "was made." The election is past.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2230.
He claimed that Mr. Okoli's utterance was tantamount to defamation of character, so he sued for ....
A
damage
B
some damage
C
a damage
D
damages
Correct Answer: D
In legal context, "damages" (plural) means monetary compensation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2231.
I don't think he can ....?
A
can't he
B
isn't it
C
can he
D
don't I
Correct Answer: C
Main clause is "I don't think he can" — the tag refers to "he can" → "can he?" (positive tag).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2232.
The handset was faulty and so it was impossible to .... them on phone
A
get at
B
get over
C
get through to
D
get on to
Correct Answer: C
"Get through to" means to reach by phone.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2233.
The president of the union .... for the airport by the time the riot started
A
would have left
B
is about leaving
C
was leaving
D
has left
Correct Answer: A
"By the time" + past → main clause uses "would have left."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2234.
To be extravagant is to be ....
A
rich
B
luxurious
C
careless
D
wasteful
Correct Answer: D
"Extravagant" means wasteful with money.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2235.
Until his recent experience, Onimisi used to pride himself .... his fearlessness
Correct Answer: A
"Pride oneself on" is the standard collocation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2236.
The trader .... his wares at the trade fair
A
exhibited
B
displayed
C
spread
D
demonstrated
Correct Answer: B
"Displayed his wares" — the standard phrase for showing goods for sale.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2237.
Based on the facts before me, I have no alternative .... to terminate your appointment
Correct Answer: A
"No alternative but to" is the standard construction.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2238.
Despite the pressure of work during the week I shall endeavor to .... at your wedding
A
put up an appearance
B
put an appearance
C
put in an appearance
D
put on an appearance
Correct Answer: C
"Put in an appearance" is the idiom for attending briefly.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2239.
The expected guest eventually arrived .... his wife
A
in company with
B
in company of
C
by company of
D
accompanied with
Correct Answer: A
"In company with" is the standard phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2240.
When we visited him, he offered us a variety of .... drinks such as whisky and brandy
A
hot
B
local
C
hard
D
soft
Correct Answer: C
"Hard drinks" is the standard term for strong alcoholic beverages.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2241.
The exercise will be easily accomplished by the team if members .... their ....
A
pull/resources together
B
pool/resources together
C
pull/resources
D
pool/resources
Correct Answer: B
"Pool resources together" is the standard idiom — combine efforts.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2242.
I have decided to .... drinking alcohol for health reasons
A
abandon
B
give up
C
discard
D
jettison
Correct Answer: B
"Give up" is the correct phrasal verb for quitting a habit.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2243.
I would like to .... my father to Kaduna
A
accompany
B
follow
C
escort
D
join
Correct Answer: A
"Accompany" means to go with — the standard verb for travelling with someone.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2244.
One .... be too careful these days; times are uncertain and walls have ears
A
can't
B
shouldn't
C
need not
D
dares not
Correct Answer: A
"One can't be too careful" is the standard idiom — being careful is never excessive.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2245.
I shall never be so tired .... to write to you
A
as not to be able
B
that I shan't be able
C
and so be unable
D
such that I will be unable
Correct Answer: A
"So tired as not to be able" — the "so... as" comparative construction.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2246.
As you have been here before .... lead the way
A
it were better you
B
it is you who will
C
you'd better
D
you would better
Correct Answer: C
"You'd better" is the standard contraction of "you had better."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2247.
My friend .... me for many years when I met him last week
A
never saw
B
did not see
C
had not seen
D
had never seen
Correct Answer: C
"Had not seen" — past perfect for the long period before meeting.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2248.
School buildings that .... in 1950 .... now uninhabitable
A
were build / are
B
were built / are
C
were built / is
D
are built / are
Correct Answer: B
"Were built" (passive past) and "are" (plural verb for "buildings").
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2249.
Sixty percent of the unskilled workers .... yearly by the company
A
are retain
B
is retained
C
were retained
D
are retained
Correct Answer: D
"Sixty percent of workers" is plural — "are retained" (plural passive).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1994
Q2250.
Defects like .... in government's development plans .... for extra vigilance
A
this / calls
B
these / calls
C
this / call
D
these / call
Correct Answer: D
"Defects" is plural → "these" and "call."