Instruction
In questions 26 to 35, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3451.
There's a door at either end of the building
A
The building has two ends and two doors
B
The building has two ends, but only one door
C
The building has two ends, but I do not know which of the two has a door
D
The building has many ending each and for all
Correct Answer: A
"Either end" with a door at each — two doors total.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3452.
He could not have rewarded them more handsomely
A
He did not reward them very well
B
He rewarded them well, and he was also a good looking man
C
He rewarded them very well
D
He spoke to them in a very generous way
Correct Answer: C
"Could not have rewarded more handsomely" — he rewarded them very well indeed.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3453.
There should be a playing field for women entering politics
A
Women should not be allowed enter politics
B
Sports facilities should be provided for women who wants to hear politics
C
Special privileges should be given to women who wants to enter politics
D
Men and women should be able to compete in the political arena on an equal basis
Correct Answer: D
A level playing field = equal opportunity for men and women.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3454.
The next village is at least 30 kilometres away
A
The next village is 30 kilometres away, possibly less
B
The next village is approximately 30 kilometres away
C
The next village is only 30 kilometres away
D
The next village is 30 kilometres away, or possibly more
Correct Answer: D
"At least 30 km" — 30 or more.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3455.
We have to iron out our difference at once
A
We must clear up without delay our misunderstanding
B
We must ensure that our problems are emanated at all cost
C
We have to settle our disagreement once and for all
D
We have to solve some of our problems for now
Correct Answer: A
"Iron out" — settle differences. "At once" — immediately.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3456.
My advice to Tolu was: Look before you leap
A
Tolu was advised to consider her opinions before reaching any decisions
B
Tolu was advised to consider the possible consequences before taking action
C
Tolu was advised to weigh her decisions by looking and leaping
D
Tolu was advised to leap only after looking
Correct Answer: B
The proverb means consider consequences before acting.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3457.
Emeka hardly ever holds with my view on good governance
A
Emeka sometimes opposes my idea of good governance
B
My view on what good governance is conforms with that of Emeka
C
Emeka never really supports my opinion of good governance
D
Emeka may never hold a view which conflicts with mine on good governance
Correct Answer: C
"Hardly ever holds with" — almost never supports.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3458.
The country is holding its first free elections for five years
A
The last time the country held free elections was five years
B
The free elections in the country have now taken five years to conduct
C
The country held elections five years ago to but they were not free
D
There were elections in the country five years ago
Correct Answer: C
First free elections in five years means the last elections five years ago were not free.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3459.
The woman won't have lived through the night
A
The woman survived her ordeal but not without some help
B
The woman might not have lived if she hadn't gotten the right support
C
It was likely the woman died before noon
D
from all indications, the woman was taken much worse, though she overcame her ordeal
Correct Answer: B
"Won't have lived through the night" — she would have died without help.
Instruction
In questions 36 to 50, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3460.
The man advised his wife to steer a middle course in the argument between her and her employers
A
be recalcitrant
B
be compromising
C
be unrepentant
D
be relenting
Correct Answer: A
"Steer a middle course" = be compromising; the opposite is "be recalcitrant" (stubbornly resistant).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3461.
The man paid a large sum to redeem his mortgage property
A
ransom
B
acquire
C
pawn
D
recover
Correct Answer: C
"Redeem" means to buy back; the opposite is "pawn" (to pledge).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3462.
The stadium was seething with people when we entered
A
filled
B
crowded
C
empty
D
noisy
Correct Answer: C
"Seething" with people means very crowded; the opposite is "empty."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3463.
Otokpa took after his late father who was a teetotaler
A
a drunk
B
careless
C
a disciplinarian
D
sober
Correct Answer: A
"Teetotaler" — one who abstains from alcohol; the opposite is "a drunk."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3464.
The students were undeterred by the noisy lecture environment
A
frustrated
B
encouraged
C
discouraged
D
challenged
Correct Answer: C
"Undeterred" means not discouraged; the opposite is "discouraged."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3465.
The suggestions he made were very unobtrusive
A
forceful
B
helpful
C
sincere
D
reasonable
Correct Answer: A
"Unobtrusive" — not assertive; the opposite is "forceful."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3466.
The study he carried out of the problem was quite comprehensive
A
detailed
B
sketchy
C
inscrutable
D
complete
Correct Answer: B
"Comprehensive" means thorough; the opposite is "sketchy."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3467.
'Is it necessary for us to go?' she asked in her shrill voice
A
angry
B
quiet
C
indistinct
D
aggressive
Correct Answer: B
"Shrill" means high-pitched and loud; the opposite is "quiet."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3468.
The vice-Chancellor relinquished power at the end of his term
A
abandoned
B
welded
C
gave up
D
clung on to
Correct Answer: D
"Relinquished" means gave up; the opposite is "clung on to."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3469.
The refugees were received at the transit camp
A
passage
B
permanent
C
temporary
D
nearby
Correct Answer: B
"Transit" means temporary; the opposite is "permanent."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3470.
Lami and her husband are simply munificent
A
wealthy
B
angry
C
happy
D
niggardly
Correct Answer: D
"Munificent" means generous; the opposite is "niggardly" (stingy).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3471.
Mr. Adeyemo is quite a conceited young man
A
a resourceful
B
an experience
C
a practical
D
an unassuming
Correct Answer: D
"Conceited" means arrogant; the opposite is "unassuming."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3472.
Do not be discouraged by failure in life
A
overjoyed
B
dissuaded
C
actuated
D
disoriented
Correct Answer: A
"Discouraged" — disheartened; the opposite is "overjoyed."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3473.
For anything to do with academic work, he has a great aversion
A
conversion
B
attention
C
contempt
D
predilection
Correct Answer: D
"Aversion" — strong dislike; the opposite is "predilection" (liking).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3474.
The police demanded a factual account of the accident
A
a supportive
B
an uncorroborated
C
an admissible
D
an undisguised
Correct Answer: B
"Factual" — based on facts; the opposite is "uncorroborated."
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
2007
Q3475.
Beads of sweat ran down Ngozi's armpit
A
Pools
B
Spring
C
Ponds
D
Rivulets
Correct Answer: D
"Rivulets" — small streams; matches "beads" running down.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3476.
The best of the boys admire Olu's verve
A
intelligence
B
handsomeness
C
work
D
energy
Correct Answer: D
"Verve" — energy, enthusiasm.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3477.
The police are not happy with the growing number of depraved people around the politician
A
violet
B
immoral
C
indolent
D
loquacious
Correct Answer: B
"Depraved" — morally corrupt.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3478.
The debt the company incurred became rather intolerable
A
inevitable
B
unprecedented
C
insupportable
D
dangerous
Correct Answer: C
"Intolerable" — unbearable.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3479.
The astute businessman neatly fended off questions about his private life
A
asked
B
explained
C
welcomed
D
sidestepped
Correct Answer: D
"Fended off" — deflected/avoided.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3480.
Things may change soon, but at the moment our economic situation is precarious
A
redeemable
B
buoyant
C
uncertain
D
unattractive
Correct Answer: C
"Precarious" — unstable/uncertain.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3481.
He deprecated the attempts made to unseat him
A
challenged
B
resisted
C
despise
D
condemned
Correct Answer: D
"Deprecated" — expressed disapproval of.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3482.
The shortage of petrol was a perennial problem
A
a recurring
B
a seasonal
C
an annual
D
an incurable
Correct Answer: A
"Perennial" — happening repeatedly.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3483.
The noise across the road drowned the sound of the keyboard in my room
A
neutralized
B
overshadowed
C
balanced
D
equalized
Correct Answer: B
"Drowned" in this context — overwhelmed.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3484.
I visited Amina umpteen times in her college, but she never came to me
A
often
B
seldom
C
twice
D
occasionally
Correct Answer: A
"Umpteen" — many, numerous times.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3485.
The last criticism at the rally was made in ignorance
A
uniformed
B
unimpeachable
C
objective
D
impeccable
Correct Answer: A
"Ignorance" — without knowledge; "uninformed" is the closest.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3486.
He holds on firmly to his hackneyed view of life
A
wayward
B
principled
C
obsolete
D
positive
Correct Answer: C
"Hackneyed" — overused, out of date.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3487.
We were warned not to indulge in recriminations
A
counter-charges
B
accusations
C
indiscretions
D
frivolous allegations
Correct Answer: A
"Recriminations" — mutual accusations.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3488.
The tax rebate was a concession given to the civil servants
A
a donation
B
an allowance
C
an incentive
D
an emolument
Correct Answer: B
"Concession" — something granted.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3489.
The striking workers have vowed not to return to work until the decision is reversed
A
rescinded
B
dismissed
C
implemented
D
reverted
Correct Answer: A
"Reversed" — cancelled/revoked.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3490.
The girl cannot speak with a clear voice; she is always ....
A
blabbing
B
vociferating
C
stuttering
D
gesticulating
Correct Answer: C
"Stuttering" — speaking with difficulty and repeated sounds.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3491.
My father has been away on a journey but my mother says she .... he .... this Friday
A
expects / would arrive
B
expected / will arrive
C
expects / will arrive
D
expected / would arrive
Correct Answer: C
Present tense for current expectation and future "will arrive."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3492.
Yesterday in the hall, Ola said that .... his watch
A
he had mislaid
B
he had forgot
C
he has misplaced
D
he have lost
Correct Answer: A
Reported past — "had mislaid."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3493.
The idle steward could not see .... on the wall, and he lost his job
A
the writing
B
what will be written
C
the handwriting
D
what is written
Correct Answer: A
"The writing on the wall" — the warning sign idiom.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3494.
Our soldiers are starting to zero .... the enemy
A
at
B
in on
C
unto
D
on it
Correct Answer: B
"Zero in on" — the correct phrasal verb.
Instruction
In questions 71 to 85, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3495.
The team has benefited from the coach's .... of experience
A
minefield
B
reservoir
C
wealth
D
world
Correct Answer: C
"Wealth of experience" — the standard phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3496.
The politician .... the family of the deceased
A
greeted
B
condoled
C
wept over
D
commiserated with
Correct Answer: D
"Commiserated with" — the correct verb + preposition.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3497.
The rain fell for days ....
A
on ending
B
at ending
C
on end
D
at end
Correct Answer: C
"For days on end" — the standard idiom.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3498.
If he arrived late, everyone .... him
A
would have blamed
B
will blame
C
would blame
D
must blame
Correct Answer: C
Second conditional — "would blame."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3499.
Kola was fined; .... thieves were given a jail sentence
A
the rest of the
B
rest
C
the rest
D
rest of the
Correct Answer: A
"The rest of the thieves" — the standard phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2007
Q3500.
I look forward to .... you next week
A
seen
B
seeing
C
be seeing
D
see
Correct Answer: B
"Look forward to" takes a gerund — "seeing."