Instruction
In questions 31 to 50, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2501.
Adama's father simply condoned her bad habits instead of punishing her appropriately
A
opposed
B
blamed
C
accepted
D
forbade
Correct Answer: D
"Condoned" means to allow or accept; the opposite is "forbade."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2502.
The undesirable elements who perpetuate these vices are never detected
A
aggravate
B
overlook
C
discontinue
D
encourage
Correct Answer: C
"Perpetuate" means to keep going; the opposite is "discontinue."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2503.
Some travelers unwittingly render themselves open prey to questionable characters
A
genuinely
B
wholesomely
C
knowingly
D
inadvertently
Correct Answer: C
"Unwittingly" means without knowing; the opposite is "knowingly."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2504.
His father is a shrewd businessman
A
gullible
B
orderly
C
reliable
D
resourceful
Correct Answer: A
"Shrewd" means clever at business; the opposite is "gullible" (easily deceived).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2505.
Many people have raised the issue about the need for an equitable distribution of our wealth
A
a fair
B
an unjust
C
an even
D
an undue
Correct Answer: B
"Equitable" means fair; the opposite is "unjust."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2506.
The pastor decided to exorcise the evil spirit as the afflicted member of his congregation cried for help
A
expel
B
drive
C
invite
D
charm
Correct Answer: C
"Exorcise" means to drive out; the opposite is "invite."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2507.
He mumbled a few words at the trial and then cried
A
shouted
B
murmured
C
whispered
D
announced
Correct Answer: A
"Mumbled" means spoke indistinctly and quietly; the opposite is "shouted."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2508.
There are many areas of convergence between male and female behavior
A
concomitance
B
concordance
C
incompatibility
D
incomparability
Correct Answer: C
"Convergence" means coming together; the opposite is "incompatibility."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2509.
The greenhouse effect is beginning to abate in intensity
A
extenuate
B
surface
C
ameliorate
D
increase
Correct Answer: D
"Abate" means to decrease; the opposite is "increase."
Instruction
In questions 51 to 70, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2510.
Adebayo's plans for the future are in the air
A
suspend
B
uncertain
C
empty
D
floating
Correct Answer: B
"In the air" means uncertain or undecided.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2511.
The group of performers thrilled the audience with its peculiar choreography
A
form of dancing
B
art of theatrics
C
type of costuming
D
mode of singing
Correct Answer: A
"Choreography" is the art of designing dance movements — form of dancing.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2512.
Our local paper is noted for its incisive editorials on local politics
A
sarcastic
B
penetrating
C
decisive
D
destructive
Correct Answer: B
"Incisive" means sharp and penetrating.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2513.
The criminal didn't bat an eyelid when the judge pronounced the sentence
A
displayed no understanding whatsoever
B
didn't shed a single tear
C
moved none of his eyelids
D
showed no emotion or surprise
Correct Answer: D
"Didn't bat an eyelid" means showed no reaction or emotion.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2514.
The rally was attended only by people who were apolitical
A
full of political fervour
B
antagonistic to politicians
C
new-bred politicians
D
not interested in politics
Correct Answer: D
"Apolitical" means not interested in politics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2515.
Smiling broadly, she explained why she always took exception to being referred to as his wife
A
objected to
B
preferred very much
C
felt specially honored by
D
liked nothing except
Correct Answer: A
"Took exception to" means objected to.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2516.
In those days, an ordinary school drop-out would come around putting on airs
A
trying to impress people
B
trying to oppress people
C
wearing flashy clothes
D
dressed in light materials
Correct Answer: A
"Putting on airs" means behaving in a superior manner — trying to impress.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2517.
Many Nigerians have inured themselves to hardship
A
subjected
B
submitted
C
accustomed
D
endeared
Correct Answer: C
"Inured" means accustomed to something unpleasant.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2518.
There are many venal judges in our law courts today
A
qualified
B
professional
C
corrupt
D
honest
Correct Answer: C
"Venal" means open to bribery — corrupt.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2519.
He is bound to expose himself by his nefarious activities
A
kind
B
disreputable
C
despicable
D
nocturnal
Correct Answer: B
"Nefarious" means wicked or criminal — disreputable.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2520.
In this house, children are supposed to be in bed by ten o'clock
A
just before
B
not before
C
about
D
not later than
Correct Answer: D
"By ten o'clock" means not later than ten.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2521.
You don't have to agree with our procedure
A
shouldn't disagree
B
must not agree
C
may disagree if you wish
D
may not disagree if you don't wish
Correct Answer: C
"Don't have to" means it is not compulsory — you may disagree if you wish.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2522.
The new Vice-Chancellor's immediate concern was to tide over the major difficulties of the moment
A
temporarily accommodate
B
permanently handle
C
decisively solve
D
pretend to solve
Correct Answer: A
"Tide over" means to temporarily cope with difficulties.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2523.
The minister's anger was aggravated by the news of the disaster
A
abated
B
magnified
C
intensified
D
impeded
Correct Answer: C
"Aggravated" means made worse or more intense.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2524.
The lawyer gave evasive answers to all the questions
A
unintelligent
B
ineffective
C
unreliable
D
equivocal
Correct Answer: D
"Evasive" means avoiding a direct answer — equivocal.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2525.
Their strength is their staggering capacity to reproduce
A
unstable multiplying power
B
unreliable attacking power
C
qualitative multiplying power
D
overwhelming multiplying power
Correct Answer: D
"Staggering" means astonishing or overwhelming.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2526.
The sales were lively: the upset price in each case was fair
A
price that was the highest in the sales
B
price that upset every other buyer
C
highest amount for a bidder to offer
D
lowest selling price of each item
Correct Answer: D
"Upset price" is the reserve or minimum price — lowest selling price.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2527.
The cleaner resigned from his job which he said had become a trivial round
A
unrewarding
B
too routine
C
rather degrading
D
unattractive
Correct Answer: B
"A trivial round" means a monotonous, routine task.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2528.
The island becomes more enchanting at night
A
attractive
B
delightful
C
accommodating
D
lively
Correct Answer: B
"Enchanting" means delightful or charming.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2529.
For a long time, the robber defied police warnings as if he was invulnerable
A
perfectly justifiable
B
difficult to catch
C
impossible to harm
D
indifferent to danger
Correct Answer: C
"Invulnerable" means impossible to harm.
Instruction
In questions 71 to 100, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2530.
He was .... by the trickster
A
assisted
B
duped
C
cajoled
D
encouraged
Correct Answer: B
"Duped" means deceived or tricked — the standard collocation with "trickster."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2531.
When the soldiers saw that resistance was .... they stopped fighting
A
inadequate
B
inefficient
C
futile
D
successful
Correct Answer: C
"Futile" means pointless — resistance was useless.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2532.
You should read all the .... carefully before you decide where to go on holiday
A
brochure
B
prospectuses
C
tickets
D
handouts
Correct Answer: B
"Prospectuses" — brochures giving details about holiday destinations.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2533.
The Emir and conqueror of the enemy territories .... next week
A
arrives
B
are to arrive
C
arrive
D
are arriving
Correct Answer: A
"The Emir" (singular subject) — "arrives."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2534.
We ought to have visited the Governor ....?
A
isn't it
B
oughtn't we
C
shouldn't we
D
haven't we
Correct Answer: B
The tag for "ought to" is "oughtn't we."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2535.
He didn't sense Obi's presence in the room, did he? ....
A
Yes, he did
B
No, he did
C
Yes, he didn't
D
No, he didn't
Correct Answer: D
Agreement with the negative question — "No, he didn't."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2536.
You can stay here, .... as you are quiet
A
as long
B
so long
C
in as much
D
for as long
Correct Answer: B
"So long as" is the standard expression meaning provided that.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2537.
Where .... buses ....?
A
does these / go
B
do this / goes
C
do these / go
D
does these / goes
Correct Answer: C
"Do these buses go" — plural subject.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2538.
Ours .... a resource-based venture
A
are resource
B
is a resource
C
are resources
D
is a resource
Correct Answer: D
"Ours is a resource-based venture" — singular "is."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2539.
Wale: Do you know where my chemistry book is? Tom: ....
A
Toyin is with it
B
it is with Toyin
C
Toyin has it
D
Toyin lent
Correct Answer: C
"Toyin has it" — the natural answer.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2540.
The incident occurred when the driver of the car .... the lorry
A
reversed towards
B
reversed into
C
reversed to
D
reversed back into
Correct Answer: B
"Reversed into" — the standard phrasal verb for colliding while reversing.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2541.
.... I would have helped
A
Has it been that you asked me
B
Had I been that you asked me
C
If you have asked me
D
If you had asked me
Correct Answer: D
Third conditional — "If you had asked me."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2542.
Those men helped Dupe and ....
Correct Answer: C
Object pronoun "me" — "Dupe and me."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2543.
The principal warned the students not to take the ....
A
law into their
B
laws into their
C
law into their own
D
laws into their own hands
Correct Answer: D
"Take the law into their own hands" — the full idiom.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2544.
I had hardly .... down to sleep when I heard the gunshot
A
lay
B
lied
C
lain
D
laid
Correct Answer: C
"Hardly lain down" — past participle of "lie" (recline).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2545.
My shoes are worn out, I must see my ....
A
grocer
B
tanner
C
cobbler
D
hosier
Correct Answer: C
"Cobbler" — a person who repairs shoes.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2546.
Kunle was annoyed for arriving late .... put him out of temper
A
also Kemi's rather insolent manner
B
also that Kemi's insolent manner
C
and Kemi's rather insolent manner also
D
and Kemi is also insolent which
Correct Answer: C
"And Kemi's rather insolent manner also" — the parallel structure.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2547.
A sterile range of mountains, broken at intervals by deep ravines .... almost the whole of this small state
A
enclosed
B
encloses
C
cover
D
covers
Correct Answer: D
"Range" is singular → "covers."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2548.
The protesters, unable to pull down the statue .... it from its fixtures
A
wrenched
B
pushed
C
towed
D
burnt
Correct Answer: A
"Wrenched" means pulled violently — the correct verb for forcing something loose.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2549.
.... been no official reaction to your request yet
A
There's
B
Theres'
C
Theirs'
D
Their's
Correct Answer: A
"There's" (There has) — the standard contraction.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
1997
Q2550.
His looks portend that .... would be unpleasant
A
some news
B
a news
C
news
D
the news
Correct Answer: C
"News" is uncountable — no article needed.