Instruction
In questions 31 to 50, choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4551.
In the opinion of most observers, it was a disinterested decision.
A
neutral
B
impartial
C
biased
D
candid
Correct Answer: C
"Disinterested" — impartial; the opposite is "biased."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4552.
We watched in wonder as she rattled away in the esoteric language.
A
inscrutable
B
familiar
C
secret
D
obscure
Correct Answer: B
"Esoteric" — understood by few; the opposite is "familiar."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4553.
She was asked to swallow her pride and get busy.
A
be more realistic
B
eat up her own pride
C
be more insistent
D
be less proud
Correct Answer: D
"Swallow her pride" — become humble.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4554.
Many species in creation have mutated over the years into new forms of life.
A
stabilized
B
manifested
C
transformed
D
standardized
Correct Answer: A
"Mutated" — changed; the opposite is "stabilized."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4555.
His textile business deals are in gross.
A
wholesale
B
imported
C
retailed
D
exported
Correct Answer: C
"In gross" — wholesale; the opposite is "retailed."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4556.
The government is initiating new effective programmes to boost production.
A
ending / enhance
B
reviewing / renew
C
rearranging / increase
D
terminating / reduce
Correct Answer: D
"Initiating" → "terminating"; "boost" → "reduce."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4557.
The culprit unwittingly subjected himself to great humiliation.
A
cunningly
B
curiously
C
foolishly
D
subtly
Correct Answer: A
"Unwittingly" — unintentionally; the opposite is "cunningly" (deliberately).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4558.
The masses are controlled by the whims and caprices of their rulers.
A
wish
B
parochialism
C
will power
D
level-headedness
Correct Answer: D
"Whims and caprices" — irrational impulses; the opposite is "level-headedness."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4559.
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" — unity; the opposite is "resistance."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4560.
Our party is wielding potent political power.
A
assuming
B
renouncing
C
restoring
D
reappraising
Correct Answer: B
"Wielding" — exercising; the opposite is "renouncing."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4561.
The ruler expects full allegiance from his subjects at all times.
A
obedience
B
homage
C
disloyalty
D
disapproval
Correct Answer: C
"Allegiance" — loyalty; the opposite is "disloyalty."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4562.
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" — fussy; the opposite is "indifferent."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4563.
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" — combined; the opposite is "disparate."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4564.
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" — out of date; the opposite is "fashionable."
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4565.
Segun is somebody who always follows his own inclinations.
A
impulses
B
aversions
C
dispositions
D
deviations
Correct Answer: B
"Inclinations" — tendencies toward; the opposite is "aversions" (dislikes).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4566.
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" — suffer; the opposite is "luxuriate in" (enjoy).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4567.
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" — original model; the opposite is "copy."
Instruction
In questions 51 to 65, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in italics.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4568.
The commander said that the battle would be sustained, total and relentless.
A
brutal
B
fierce
C
innocuous
D
continuous
Correct Answer: D
"Relentless" — never stopping.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4569.
His loss suddenly became redeemable.
A
repulsive
B
incurable
C
exclusive
D
recoverable
Correct Answer: D
"Redeemable" — recoverable.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4570.
The move to expel the chairman was sanctioned by members of the party.
A
opposed
B
supported
C
unleashed
D
initiated
Correct Answer: B
"Sanctioned" — approved/supported.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4571.
After the meeting, I read a leer on his face as he looked at the woman.
A
bad look
B
satisfying meaning
C
poor smile
D
pleasant disposition
Correct Answer: A
"Leer" — a sly, unpleasant look.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4572.
The plane has gone awry.
A
wrong
B
wild
C
well
D
wide
Correct Answer: A
"Gone awry" — gone wrong.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4573.
Because Jamiu is so easily offended, he was not considered for the post of head boy.
A
troublesome
B
stubborn
C
docile
D
irritable
Correct Answer: D
"Easily offended" — irritable.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4574.
The witness provided a monstrous account of the event.
A
shocking
B
verbatim
C
supportive
D
tragic
Correct Answer: A
"Monstrous" — shocking.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4575.
He is a prolific writer.
A
an influential
B
a very productive
C
a clever
D
a well-known
Correct Answer: B
"Prolific" — very productive.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4576.
The chairman advised the participants to follow convention in stating their points.
A
eloquence
B
prudence
C
tradition
D
advice
Correct Answer: C
"Convention" — tradition/accepted practice.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4577.
The recommended novel has a convoluted theme.
A
an attractive
B
a simple
C
a complicated
D
a disgusting
Correct Answer: C
"Convoluted" — complicated.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4578.
The government has announced its preparedness for the scheme.
A
determination
B
pleasure
C
readiness
D
regret
Correct Answer: C
"Preparedness" — readiness.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4579.
Some actions of the Nigerian youth have alienated them from those who were sympathetic to their cause.
A
endeared / kindly
B
separated / opposed
C
estranged / well disposed
D
confronted / ill disposed
Correct Answer: C
"Alienated" = estranged; "sympathetic" = well disposed.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4580.
The Principal told the teacher to stop browbeating the children.
A
pampering
B
caning
C
bullying
D
deceiving
Correct Answer: C
"Browbeating" — bullying.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4581.
The event reported in the newspaper did not happen years ago; they ....
A
are of recent
B
had happened recently
C
are recent
D
recently happened
Correct Answer: B
"Had happened recently" — the standard phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4582.
There is no point getting upset by problems; I take them ....
A
in my stride
B
on the spur of the moment
C
by the way
D
at a loss
Correct Answer: A
"Take them in my stride" — handle them calmly.
Instruction
In questions 66 to 85, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) that best fill(s) the gap(s).
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4583.
He was acquitted .... the charge of murder.
Correct Answer: B
"Acquitted of" — the standard legal collocation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4584.
The accused was convicted .... stealing.
Correct Answer: B
"Convicted of" — the standard legal phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4585.
She was .... in the leg during the fight.
A
wounded
B
injured
C
hurt
D
damaged
Correct Answer: B
"Injured in the leg" — the standard phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4586.
The doctor prescribed some drugs .... the pain.
A
to relieve
B
for relieving
C
relieving
D
relieve
Correct Answer: A
"To relieve the pain" — the infinitive of purpose.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4587.
My brother is very good .... mathematics.
Correct Answer: B
"Good at" — the standard collocation for skills.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4588.
The man was .... with murder.
A
charged
B
accused
C
blamed
D
tried
Correct Answer: A
"Charged with murder" — the standard legal phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4589.
Ade is always .... with his studies.
A
busy
B
engaged
C
occupied
D
involved
Correct Answer: A
"Busy with his studies" — the standard collocation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4590.
The meeting had to be .... because of the chairman's illness.
A
put off
B
put out
C
put up
D
put on
Correct Answer: A
"Put off" — postponed.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4591.
The car broke .... on the way to Lagos.
Correct Answer: B
"Broke down" — stopped working.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4592.
The new policy will .... into effect next month.
A
come
B
go
C
take
D
bring
Correct Answer: A
"Come into effect" — the standard phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4593.
He apologized .... his rudeness.
A
for
B
of
C
about
D
with
Correct Answer: A
"Apologized for" — the standard collocation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4594.
We congratulated him .... his success.
Correct Answer: B
"Congratulated on" — the standard collocation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4595.
She insisted .... paying for the meal.
Correct Answer: B
"Insisted on" — the standard collocation.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4596.
The project was .... by the government.
A
abandoned
B
left
C
quitted
D
stopped
Correct Answer: A
"Abandoned" — the standard verb for ending a project.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4597.
We are looking forward .... from you soon.
A
to hear
B
to hearing
C
hearing
D
hear
Correct Answer: B
"Look forward to" takes a gerund.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4598.
He was .... to have committed the crime.
A
said
B
alleged
C
reported
D
claimed
Correct Answer: B
"Alleged to have committed" — the standard phrase.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4599.
The students were .... for their poor performance.
A
reprimanded
B
rebuked
C
scolded
D
punished
Correct Answer: A
"Reprimanded" — the standard formal rebuke.
JAMB (UTME)
English Language
2018
Q4600.
The team .... the match by two goals.
A
won
B
defeated
C
beat
D
conquered
Correct Answer: A
"Won the match" — the standard phrase.