JAMB English Previous Year Questions: 2022 | English Language for JAMB PDF Download

Q1: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What did the author of the book study?
(a) B.Sc (Ed) Mathematics
(b) B.A English Language
(c) B.A Literary Studies
(d) BSc Political Science
Ans: (a)
The author of the book, Khadijat Abubakar Jalli, studied B.Sc (Ed) Mathematics.

Q2: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
The book described Talle as a?
(a) The precious child
(b) The quiet one
(c) The friendly child
(d) the holy child
Ans: (b)
In "The Life Changer," Talle is described as the quiet one.

Q3:  This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
Who was Omar's immediate sister?
(a) Ummi
(b) Omar
(c) Salma
(d) Teemah
Ans: (d)
Omar's immediate sister in the novel is Teemah.

Q4: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
Ummi's husband wanted to study law but the providence chose that he study _____
(a) commerce
(b) accounting
(c) law
(d) history
Ans: (b)
Ummi's husband in the novel wanted to study law, but providence chose that he study accounting.

Q5:  This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
The full meaning of IPO is ______
(a) Independent Police Officer
(b) International Police Officer
(c) Investigating Police Officer
(d) Investigative Police Officer
Ans: (c)
In "The Life Changer," the full meaning of IPO is Investigating Police Officer.

Q6:  This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What is Ummi's Occupation?
(a) Trader
(b) Teacher
(c) Business woman
(d) Nurse
Ans: (b)
Ummi's occupation in the novel is a teacher.

Q7: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What is Ummi Matric Number?
(a) UG0001
(b) UG00001
(c) UG001
(d) UG0011
Ans: (a)
Ummi's matric number in the novel is UG0001.

Q8: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What is full meaning of EMEC
(a) Examination Malpractice and Ethics Committee
(b) Examining Malpractice and Ethics Committee
(c) Examination Malpractice and Ethics Convention
(d) Examination Management and Ethics Committee
Ans: (a)
The full meaning of EMEC in "The Life Changer" is Examination Malpractice and Ethics Committee.

Q9: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What is the full name of Salma?
(a) Salma Mohammed
(b) Salma Johnson
(c) Salma Samuel
(d) Salma Ahmed
Ans: (a)
Salma's full name in the novel is Salma Mohammed.

Q10: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
Who was the narrator of the life changer?
(a) Salma
(b) Ummi
(c) Omar
(d) Bint
Ans: (b) 
The narrator of "The Life Changer" is Ummi.

Q11: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
How old is Bint ?
(a) 6 years old
(b) 4 years old
(c) 5 years old
(d) 7 years old
Ans: (c)
In the novel "The Life Changer," Bint's age is mentioned as 5 years old. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) 5 years old.

Q12: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What question did Bint ask her teacher?
(a) How to say good morning
(b) How to say what is your name
(c) How to say you're welcome
(d) How to say that's very good
Ans: (d)
Bint asked her teacher how to say "that's very good." This is mentioned in the novel. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) How to say that's very good.

Q13: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
Who were the people in the car?
(a) Lawal and Labaran
(b) Habib and Labaran
(c) Lawal and Kabir
(d) Labara and Zarki
Ans: (b)
The people in the car mentioned in the novel are Habib and Labaran. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Habib and Labaran.

Q14: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
How much did Habib give Tomiwa personally?
(a) Ten thousand naira
(b) Five Thousand Naira
(c) Thirty thousand naira
(d) Twenty Thousand naira
Ans: (d)
In the novel, Habib gives Tomiwa twenty thousand naira personally. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Twenty Thousand naira.

Q15: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
How much did Tomiwa give her roommates?
(a) Five thousand naira
(b) Ten thousand Naira
(c) Fifteen thousand Naira
(d) Twenty thousand naira
Ans: (b)
According to the novel, Tomiwa gives her roommates ten thousand naira. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Ten thousand Naira.

Q16: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What was Omar's JAMB exam?
(a) 230
(b) 250
(c) 220
(d) 260
Ans: (a)
Omar's JAMB exam score is mentioned as 230 in the novel. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 230.

Q17: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
What is the full meaning of the acronym EMAL
(a) Examination Malpractice
(b) Examination misconduct
(c) Examination management
(d) Examination Manners
Ans: (a)
The full meaning of the acronym EMAL mentioned in the novel is "Examination Malpractice." Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Examination Malpractice.

Q18: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
Who introduced the snail delicacy?
(a) Salma
(b) Ngozi
(c) Ada
(d) Tomiwa
Ans: (d)
Tomiwa is the one who introduced the snail delicacy, as mentioned in the novel. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Tomiwa.

Q19: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
"Nothing happened, My friend didn't feel like giving you her number so she gave you mine instead"
Who is the friend?
(a) Salma
(b) Ada
(c) Tomiwa
(d) Ngozi
Ans: (a)
In the novel, Salma is the friend who didn't feel like giving her number, so she gave Tomiwa's number instead. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Salma.

Q20: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
It might be said that there is some kind of sibling rivalry between
(a) Teemah and Bint
(b) Teemah and Omar
(c) Jamila and Omar
(d) Jamila and Teemah
Ans: (b)
The sibling rivalry mentioned in the novel is between Teemah and Omar. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Teemah and Omar.

Q21: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
One reason the narrator had the habit of entering her children's room unannounced was because
(a) to monitor their hygiene and tidiness
(b) to monitor their prayer life
(c) to check on their welfare
(d) to keep them studying their books
Ans: (a)
The narrator in the novel had the habit of entering her children's room unannounced to monitor their hygiene and tidiness. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) to monitor their hygiene and tidiness.

Q22: This question is based on Khadijat Abubakar Jalli's novel, "The Life Changer"
According to the story, one of the following is true
(a) Tomiwa and Ngozi are neighbours
(b) Ada and Salma are course mates
(c) Salma and Tomiwa are rivals
(d) Salma and Tomiwa are roommates
Ans: (d)
According to the story, Salma and Tomiwa are roommates. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Salma and Tomiwa are roommates.

Directions (23-26): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it:-
May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month. The days are long and humid. The river shrinks and black crows gorge on bright mangoes in still, dust green trees. Red bananas ripen. Jackfruits burst. Dissolute blue bottles hum vacuously in the fruity air. Then they stun themselves against clear windowpanes and die, fatly baffled in the sun. The nights are clear but suffused with sloth and sullen expectations.

But by early June the southwest monsoon breaks and there are three months of wind and water with short spells of sharp, glittering sunshine that thrilled children snatch to play with. The countryside turns an immodest green. Boundaries blur as tapioca fences take root and bloom. Brick walls turn mossgreen. Pepper vines snake up electric poles. Wild creepers burst through laterite banks and spilt across the flooded roads. Boats ply in the bazaars. And small fish appear in the puddles that fill the PWD potholes on the highways. It was raining when Rahel came back to Ayemenem.

Slanting silver ropes slammed into loose earth, ploughing it up like gunfire. The old house on the hill wore its steep, gabled roof pulled over its ears like a low hat. The walls, streaked with moss, had grown soft and bulged a little with dampness that seeped up from the ground. The wild, overgrown garden was full of the whisper and scurry of small lives.In the undergrowth, a rat snake rubbed itself against a glistening stone. Hopeful yellow bullfrogs cruised the scummy pond for mates. A drenched mongoose flashed across the leaf-strewn driveway. The house itself looked empty. The doors and windows were locke(d) The front verandah bare. 

But the sky blue Plymouth with chrome tail fins was still parked outside, and inside, Baby Kochamma was still alive. She was Rahel's baby grand aunt, her grandfather's younger sister. Her name was really Navomi, Navomi Ipe, but everybody called her Baby. She became Baby Kochamma when she was old enough to be an aunt. Rahel hadn't come to see her, though.

Neither niece nor baby grandaunt laboured under any illusions on that account. Rahel had come to see her brother, Estha. They were two-egg twins. "Dizygotic' doctors called them. Born from separate but simultaneously fertilized eggs. Estha Esthappen-was the older by 18 minutes.
Q. 23: Early in which month did the southwest moonsoon break?
(a) August
(b) May
(c) July
(d) June
Ans: (d)
The southwest monsoon in India typically breaks in the month of June, marking the onset of the rainy season.

Q24: What rubbed itself against a glistening stone?
(a) plymouth
(b) wild creepers
(c) bull frogs
(d) rat snakes
Ans: (d)
Rat snakes are known to rub themselves against glistening stones to shed their skin.

Q25: Rachel had come to see_______.
(a) Estha
(b) Kochamma
(c) Navomi Ipe
(d) no one
Ans: (a)
Rachel had come to see Estha in the given context.

Q26: What was Baby's real name?
(a) Navomi Ipe
(b) Estha
(c) Rachel
(d) Kochamma
Ans: (a)
Baby's real name is Navomi Ipe.

Q27: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that rhymes with the given word.
Prison
(a) rising
(b) risen
(c) potion
(d) motion
Ans: (b)
"Prison" and "risen" rhyme with each other.

Q28: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that rhymes with the given word.
Crate
(a) Great
(b) Mint
(c) Creek
(d) Treat
Ans: (a)
The word that rhymes with "crate" is (a) Great. Both "crate" and "great" have the same vowel sound /eɪt/, making them rhyme.

Q29: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that rhymes with the given word.
Phone
(a) frown
(b) grown
(c) gown
(d) brown
Ans: (b)
The word that rhymes with "phone" is (b) grown. Both "phone" and "grown" have the same vowel sound /oʊn/, making them rhyme.

Q30: Choose the word that has a different stress pattern
(a) embrace
(b) suspect(V)
(c) member
(d) project(V)
Ans: (c)
In (a) embrace, the stress falls on the second syllable: em-BRACE.
In (b) suspect(V), the stress falls on the first syllable: sus-PECT.
In (c) member, the stress falls on the first syllable: MEM-ber.
In (d) project(V), the stress can vary depending on its usage. As a noun, the stress falls on the first syllable: PRO-ject. However, as a verb, the stress shifts to the second syllable: pro-JECT.
Therefore, the word "member" has a different stress pattern compared to the other options, making it the correct answer.

Q31: Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.
Watched
(a) lived
(b) address
(c) letter
(d) match
Ans: (c)
Both have the /t/ sound.

Q32: In the following sentences, the word that receives the emphatic stress is written in capital letters. From the options lettered A to D, choose the appropriate answer.
John's watch is made of GOLD.
(a) Whose watch is made of gold?
(b) What is made of gold?
(c) Is John's watch made of silver?
(d) Is John's necklace made of gold?
Ans: (c)
When answering emphatic stress questions, the option that does not have the "stressed word" becomes the correct answer.

Q33: In the following sentences, the word that receives the emphatic stress is written in capital letters . From the options lettered A to D, choose the one which the sentence is the appropriate answer.
She WORKS at the hospital.
(a) Who works at the hospital?
(b) Where does she work?
(c) Does she work at the hospital?
(d) What does she do at the hospital?
Ans: (d)
When answering emphatic stress questions, the option that does not have the "stressed word" becomes the correct answer.

Q34: In each of the following sentences, the word that receives the emphatic stress is written in capital letters . From the options lettered A to D, choose the one which the sentence is the appropriate answer.
Aderonke STATED she had a right to her privacy.
(a) Did Aderonke lament she had a right to her privacy?
(b) Did Omowunmi state she had a right to her privacy?
(c) Did Aderonke state she had a right to his privacy?
(d) Did Aderonke state she had a right to her openness?
Ans: (a)
When answering emphatic stress questions, the option that does not have the "stressed word" becomes the correct answer.

Q35: Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.
National
(a) sugar
(b) raise
(c) glass
(d) tree
Ans: (a)
Both have the /ʃ/ sound.

Q36: Identify the word that has the stress on the first syllable
(a) Hotel
(b) Esteem
(c) Police
(d) Table
Ans: (d)
Only table is stressed on the first syllable.

Q37: From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
Twice, he was repulsed with heavy losses
(a) repelled
(b) gratified
(c) irated
(d) shocked
Ans: (b)
Repulsed means to be filled with disgust. The most nearly opposite option is gratified.

Q38: I only visited Chidi. This means that
(a) I didn't do anything asides visiting Chidi
(b) I didn't go with anyone to visit Chidi
(c) I visited Chidi and his friends
(d) None of the above
Ans: (a)
The general rule is adverbs should be placed next to the thing they modify. Here, the adverb is modifying visited.

Q39: From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
My father is parsimonious
(a) thrifty
(b) ungenerous
(c) frugal
(d) generous
Ans: (d)
Parsimonious means to be very unwilling to spend money or use resources. The nearly opposite word is generous.

Q40: From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined wor(d)
Last Easter was an austere period.
(a) harsh
(b) severe
(c) prosperous
(d) sour
Ans: (c)
Austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial. The most nearest in meaning is prosperous.

Q41: Choose the word that has a different stress pattern
(a) Project(V)
(b) Basic
(c) Suspect(V)
(d) Neglect
Ans: (b)
All other options are stressed on the second syllable except basic that is stressed on the first syllable.

Q42: Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.
foot
(a) live
(b) vegetable
(c) traffic
(d) of
Ans: (c)
Both words have the /f/ soun(d) Others have the /v/ sound.

Q43: Choose the option that has a different vowel sound from the others
(a) here
(b) beer
(c) idea
(d) head
Ans: (d)
All options have /ɪə/ except head that has the /e/ sound.

Q44: Choose the option that has a different vowel sound from the others
(a) beach
(b) ski
(c) be
(d) been
Ans: (c)
Only been has the /ɪ/ soun(d) Others have the /i:/ sound.

Direction (Q. 45 - 47): Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Christopher Marlowe, the son of Marlowe who is described as the clerk of St Mary's in the city of Canterbury, was born in 1564. He received his early education at The King's School in that city. He took the degrees of B.A. and M.A. in 1583 and 1587 respectively from Cambridge University. He started writing poems and became a renowned dramatist in the Admiral's Company.

Marlowe is known as one of the university wits, a group of dramatists along with Robert Greene, Thomas Nash, and George Peele. Marlowe is considered the greatest precursor to Shakespeare. When Marlowe came upon the English stage, the nature of drama was undeveloped. The verses in the dramas were lifeless. But Marlowe gave English drama an appropriate meter, diction, and method. It is really a matter of speculation what kind of greatness he would have achieved if his life had not been terminated (C++) in a duel after a brawl in a tavern (inn).

The literary life of Marlowe had a short span, from 1587 to 1593. During this period, he wrote five plays which were all tragedies as he had no comic vein. His tragedies like Dr Faustus, The Jew of Malta, and Edward Il are rated as some of the best works of the Elizabethan age. He also wrote an unfinished poem Hero and Leander and translated some parts of Ovid's (a Roman Poet) elegies.

Marlowe's subjects are mostly heroic which appeals to the imagination of the play-goers. His heroes epitomize the spirit of the Renaissance. Each of them embodies a passion and tries to achieve lies in his development of the blank verse. He put it at any cost. But Marlowe's chief contribution aside from the old rhyming lines then employed in the plays and used blank verse. Thus, the language of drama was brought closer to real life and drama was made ready for Shakespeare (1564-1616) to improve upon it. It is rightly said, "No Marlowe, no Shakespeare".
Q45: When did Christopher Marlowe get his first degree?
(a) 1587
(b) 1583
(c) 1593
(d) 1564
Ans: (b)
Christopher Marlowe received his first degree in 1583. He attended the University of Cambridge and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Q46: How long was Christopher Marlowe's literary life?
(a) 6 years
(b) 60 years
(c) 10 years
(d) 5 years
Ans: (a)
Christopher Marlowe's literary life lasted for approximately 6 years. He was a prominent playwright and poet during the Elizabethan era, active from around 1587 until his death in 1593 at the age of 29.

Q47: My account with the bank is in the red. This means that my account is
(a) heavy
(b) in danger
(c) overdrawn
(d) written in red ink
Ans: (c)
When someone's account with the bank is "in the red," it means that the account is overdrawn or has a negative balance. The term "in the red" is often used to indicate financial debt or a deficit. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) overdrawn.

Q48: Fill in the gap with the option that best completes the sentence.
Between you and _____, he is a liar.
(a) all of the above
(b) me
(c) i
(d) none of the above
Ans: (b)
Use the pronoun "me" when the person speaking is receiving the action of the verb in some way, either directly or indirectly.

Q49: Fill in the gap with the option that best completes the sentence.
The secretary and treasurer did not do ____ job.
(a) their
(b) his
(c) all of the above
(d) none of the above
Ans: (b)
When two subjects are joined together by "and" but the two subjects refer to only one person or thing, a singular verb should be use.)

Q50: Fill in the gap with the option that best completes the sentence.
If James fails his examination, his teachers, his parents, his friends, or I ______ to be blame.
(a) are
(b) is
(c) am
(d) not
Ans: (c)
When there is a list of nouns or pronouns at the level of the subject, it is the nearest noun or pronoun to the position of the verb that will determine the choice of the verb.

Q51: Fill in the gap with the option that best completes the sentence.
I have always found that it is helpful to have a few wise and trusted people to ________ you can turn for information and advice.
(a) whom
(b) who
(c) whose
(d) that
Ans: (a)
Whom should be used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition.

Q52: Fill in the gap with the option that best completes the sentence.
We ought to stay away ______ the robbers come back
(a) provided
(b) should in case
(c) although
(d) in case
Ans: (a)
When you go to a meeting, or to your workplace you are on business, similarly if you go on an overseas trip for work you are on business.

Q53: Fill in the gap with the option that best completes the sentence.
It was _____ who killed the goat.
(a) his
(b) him
(c) he
(d) us
Ans: (c)
He is used to replace the male subject(performer of action) of the sentence: it functions as a subject pronoun.

Q54: From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined wor(d)
Bankole is upset as his wife does not understand his predicament.
(a) sadness
(b) dilemma
(c) deadlock
(d) happiness
Ans: (b)
Both words mean a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two different things you could do.

Q55: From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined wor(d)
It is wise not to depend on mundane things.
(a) imported
(b) material
(c) attractive
(d) expensive
Ans: (b)
Both means things that are of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one.

Q56: From the options lettered A-D, choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined wor(d)
Now that the company is insolvent , it will shut down.
(a) overworked
(b) unstable
(c) bankrupt
(d) affluent
Ans: (c)
Both mean to be unable to pay what you owe because you do not have enough money.

Q57: Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underline(d)
mother
(a) think
(b) teacher
(c) breathe
(d) watched
Ans: (c)
Both words have the /ð/ soun(d)

Q58: Pick out the option with a different rhyme
(a) Roar
(b) Four
(c) Growl
(d) Bore
Ans: (c)
Only Growl has a different rhyme

Q59: Choose the word that has the same rhyme
Watch
(a) botch
(b) catch
(c) match
(d) none of the above
Ans: (a)
Both words have the same rhyme.

Q60: Choose the option that has the same stress pattern as the given wor(d)
Student
(a) Refuse(N)
(b) Propose
(c) Rebel(V)
(d) Superb
Ans: (a)
Refuse(N) and student are both stressed on the first syllable unlike other options stressed on the second syllable.