Instruction
In questions 31 to 50, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2301.
In his quest for solidarity, the party leader undertook a nation-wide tour.
A
unity
B
resistance
C
mobilization
D
re-organization
Correct Answer: B
"Solidarity" means unity; the opposite is "resistance."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2302.
Our party is wielding potent political power
A
assuming
B
renouncing
C
restoring
D
reappraising
Correct Answer: B
"Wielding" means exercising power; the opposite is "renouncing" — giving up.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2303.
The ruler expects full allegiance from his subjects at all times
A
obedience
B
homage
C
disloyalty
D
disapproval
Correct Answer: C
"Allegiance" means loyalty; the opposite is "disloyalty."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2304.
In spite of many days of fasting, Musa is still fastidious about his food
A
particular
B
undecided
C
indifferent
D
unmindful
Correct Answer: C
"Fastidious" means very particular or fussy; the opposite is "indifferent."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2305.
The leader called for concerted efforts in order to get over the problems
A
combined
B
definite
C
disparate
D
isolated
Correct Answer: C
"Concerted" means combined or joint; the opposite is "disparate" (separate).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2306.
The video tape recorder was made obsolete by the introduction of the satellite dish
A
antiquated
B
useless
C
fashionable
D
functional
Correct Answer: C
"Obsolete" means out of date; the opposite is "fashionable" (current).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2307.
Segun is somebody who always follows his own inclinations
A
impulses
B
aversions
C
dispositions
D
deviations
Correct Answer: B
"Inclinations" means natural tendencies toward something; the opposite is "aversions" (dislikes).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2308.
The poor man is compelled to languish in his poverty-stricken situation.
A
luxuriate in
B
deteriorate in
C
suffer in
D
laugh at
Correct Answer: A
"Languish" means to suffer or be weak; the opposite is "luxuriate in" (to enjoy).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2309.
The engineers have been urged to make a prototype of the long-awaited Nigerian car
A
specimen
B
original
C
copy
D
drawing
Correct Answer: C
"Prototype" is the original model; the opposite is "copy."
Instruction
In questions 51 to 67, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2310.
The young man's behavior showed that he was at the top of the tree
A
At the highest position in his profession
B
confused
C
at a point of preparedness to show good example
D
arrogant
Correct Answer: A
"At the top of the tree" means at the peak of a profession or career.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2311.
The chairman's reaction was a storm in a tea cup.
A
suitable for the occasion
B
less serious than it appeared to be
C
more serious than necessary
D
greatly diminished in scope
Correct Answer: B
"A storm in a teacup" means a big fuss over a trivial matter.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2312.
Do this job while I am away, but take your time.
A
be careful
B
be thorough
C
be fast
D
don't be in a hurry
Correct Answer: D
"Take your time" means do it without rushing.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2313.
The judge took issue with the counsel who complained of double standards.
A
agreed with
B
argued with
C
supported
D
criticized
Correct Answer: B
"Took issue with" means to disagree or argue with.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2314.
I shuddered in revulsion as I watched the snake
A
was fascinated
B
was repelled
C
was interested
D
was distressed
Correct Answer: B
"Revulsion" means strong disgust — the writer was repelled.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2315.
At that point, the speaker went off at a tangent
A
started to run away like a mad person
B
took to lashing out at the audience
C
began to discuss unrelated matters
D
chose to recall previous decisions
Correct Answer: C
"Went off at a tangent" means to suddenly change to an unrelated topic.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2316.
The enemy interestingly proved a real bulwark on that memorable day
A
protecting force
B
source of trouble
C
trouble shooter
D
tribulation
Correct Answer: A
"Bulwark" means a protective barrier or defence.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2317.
It was evident to whoever listened to his speech that he also had an axe to grind.
A
An account to settle with someone
B
a tool or something to sharpen
C
a bone to pick with someone
D
a personal objective to achieve
Correct Answer: D
"An axe to grind" means a selfish personal motive.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2318.
He might be compelled to take a momentous decision
A
a voluntary
B
a spontaneous
C
an important
D
an involuntary
Correct Answer: C
"Momentous" means very important or significant.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2319.
The principal advised the students to bear with him in their present situation since every cloud has a silver lining
A
every school has its problem
B
every bad situation has something
C
good things always bring problems
D
difficulties often bring good things
Correct Answer: B
The proverb means every bad situation has a hopeful aspect — every bad situation has something good.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2320.
Oche's mother advised him to talk very little because still waters run deep
A
his enemies may be listening
B
there is no pride in talking too much
C
there is wisdom in silence
D
talking too much could lead him into trouble
Correct Answer: C
"Still waters run deep" means quiet people are often wise — there is wisdom in silence.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2321.
Akin made such a dog's breakfast of his homework
A
an excellent job
B
a brilliant attempt
C
a mess
D
a poor performance
Correct Answer: C
"Dog's breakfast" is an idiom meaning a complete mess.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2322.
The confused student found himself in a spot
A
in a particular space
B
in a normal situation
C
in a pleasant situation
D
in a difficult situation
Correct Answer: D
"In a spot" means in a difficult situation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2323.
The man who gave the closing remarks at the party spoke tongue in cheek
A
ironically
B
wisely
C
profusely
D
eloquently
Correct Answer: A
"Tongue in cheek" means saying something not meant seriously — ironically.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2324.
New companies in the country always put up classified advertisements in the dailies
A
secret
B
small
C
outrageous
D
expensive
Correct Answer: B
"Classified advertisements" are small, categorized ads in newspapers.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2325.
The doctor insisted on giving all of us prophylactic drugs
A
curative
B
preventive
C
routine
D
special
Correct Answer: B
"Prophylactic" means preventive — taken to prevent disease.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2326.
The delegates to the Constitutional Conference have mooted that funding of universities be transferred to states where they are located
A
said
B
agreed
C
proposed
D
legislated
Correct Answer: C
"Mooted" means put forward for discussion — proposed.
Instruction
In questions 68 to 100, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2327.
The workers suffered a lot, toiling .... the sun
A
in
B
under
C
underneath
D
inside
Correct Answer: B
"Toiling under the sun" — the standard phrase for working in the heat.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2328.
Either Ekaete or you .... to go
Correct Answer: B
With "either... or", the verb agrees with the nearer subject — "you are."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2329.
She has the .... of being intelligent when in fact she is not.
A
elision
B
illusion
C
delusion
D
allusion
Correct Answer: B
"Illusion" means a false impression — she creates a false impression of intelligence.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2330.
.... woman was attacked by a group of bandits
A
A 90-years old
B
A 90-year-old
C
a 90 1 year-old
D
A. 90-year-old
Correct Answer: B
"A 90-year-old woman" — compound adjectives take no plural -s.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2331.
He was angry with me .... being treated nonchalantly
Correct Answer: B
"Angry with someone for doing something" — "for" is the correct preposition.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2332.
The teacher with his wife .... here
A
where
B
were
C
to be
D
was
Correct Answer: D
"The teacher with his wife" — the subject is singular (teacher) → "was."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2333.
.... he would have been convicted.
A
If he did this
B
If he could do this
C
If he were doing this
D
If he had done this
Correct Answer: D
Third conditional — "If he had done this, he would have been convicted."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2334.
What saved her was that she .... to the side of the boat
A
had clinged
B
clung
C
clinged
D
clang
Correct Answer: B
Past tense of "cling" is "clung."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2335.
She has been here .... the past three years.
A
since
B
for
C
from
D
in
Correct Answer: B
"For" is used with a duration of time; "since" is used with a specific starting point.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2336.
He was .... weak .... he could not climb the stairs
A
so/that
B
too/that
C
very/that
D
so/very
Correct Answer: A
"So... that" is the result construction — so weak that he could not climb.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2337.
The hospital can now boast of more ....
A
women doctor
B
woman doctors
C
women doctors
D
woman's doctors
Correct Answer: C
Plural of "woman doctor" is "women doctors" — both parts pluralize.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2338.
He is one of those who .... in my school.
A
teaches
B
is teaching
C
are teaching
D
teach
Correct Answer: D
"One of those who" is followed by a plural verb — "teach."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2339.
The director, no less than his workers .... to blame
A
is
B
are
C
were
D
ought
Correct Answer: A
"The director" is the subject — singular "is."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2340.
The principal asked me ....
A
what is my name
B
what was my name
C
what my name was
D
what my name should be
Correct Answer: C
Reported speech — indirect question with normal word order: "what my name was."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2341.
He did not explain what happened .... did she
A
either
B
never
C
neither
D
rather
Correct Answer: C
"Neither did she" — the negative addition after "did not explain."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2342.
Did the boys enjoy .... when they went on vacation?
A
each other
B
one another
C
themselves
D
theirselves
Correct Answer: C
"Enjoy themselves" — reflexive pronoun with the verb "enjoy."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2343.
It's time the room .... it looks awful.
A
is redecorated
B
was redecorated
C
is being redecorated
D
has been redecorated
Correct Answer: B
"It's time" takes the past subjunctive — "was redecorated."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2344.
Her mother said to her 'I .... the dinner now.'
A
would rather you cooked
B
would rather you cook
C
would rather you not cook
D
would rather you have cooked
Correct Answer: A
"Would rather" is followed by the past subjunctive — "you cooked."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2345.
The driver of the car admitted .... a license.
A
to not have
B
not having
C
to not having
D
not to have
Correct Answer: B
"Admitted not having" — admit + gerund.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2346.
The panel's .... was stretched to the limit by what they heard.
A
credit
B
credence
C
credibility
D
credulity
Correct Answer: C
"Credibility" means believability — the panel's credibility was stretched.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2347.
The poor man was pleased to find .... tyre
A
a rubber old discarded
B
an old discarded rubber
C
a discarded rubber old
D
an old rubber discarded
Correct Answer: B
Adjective order: age → condition → material — "an old discarded rubber tyre."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2348.
The minister can't come today because he has .... engagement.
A
a former
B
a preceding
C
a prior
D
an advance
Correct Answer: C
"A prior engagement" — a pre-arranged commitment.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2349.
The policeman pointed out a .... between Mr. Ogene's two accounts of the incident.
A
discrepancy
B
discord
C
distinction
D
disagreement
Correct Answer: A
"Discrepancy" means inconsistency — the standard term for differing accounts.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1995
Q2350.
The .... engineer was unhappy with the shoddy work done by the contractors.
A
cite
B
sight
C
site
D
side
Correct Answer: C
"Site engineer" — the engineer working on site.