JAMB English Previous Year Questions: 2020 | English Language for JAMB PDF Download

Direction: Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions as follows (1 to 5)
Theatre in the recent past used to be a very popular art in traditional African society. It used to be a point of intersection where members of the community not only come to entertain themselves, 'but join heads together'. In the traditional context of African drama, therefore, theatre was popular and respectable institution which preserved the people's culture and tradition. Theatre was popular with the people because it emphasized community participation, peace and progress. The presentations focused on the people's lives, their aspirations, fears, and hopes. But today, the situation is different. Theatre is becoming very unpopular.

Africa of the present age is pre-occupied with many problems yearning for immediate solutions. The continent is facing hydra-head challenges - challenges on the political, social, and economic scenes. In a world where Science and Technology are seen as the solutions to these problems, little attention is paid to the arts. Literature generally, and drama in particular is often rated very low on the utility-scale. Many Africa today look at drama and theatre as a mere thing of fun, a joke so to say.

Elitism is another barrier that militates against the appreciation of theatre as a communal art. Folk theatre is appreciated by a negligible number of people, contemporary focus is on literary theatre. Unfortunately, literary theatre only pretends to serve the interest of its society while in reality, it has a foreign audience in mind. The use of European and American theatrical conventions by our academic playwrights can bear witness to this anomaly.

The popularity of the literary African theatre is further marred by the medium of communication as most literary dramas in Africa are written in foreign languages which are not understood by many Africans. The question often asked is whether the artist should climb down to the level of his community of stay at his exalted height and wait for the community to gradually move up to him.

Q1: Theatre was popular in Africa because__________
(a) was traditional and simple in nature
(b) dealt with the political, social, and economic problems of the society
(c) was a source of fun
(d) was communal and reflected the common concerns of the people
Ans: (d)
Theatre helps to improve communal living and progress. By providing room for entertainments and interaction for the community.

Q2: Use the passage in question 1 to answer this question.
One of the reasons why theatre is unpopular in modern Africa is that it_________
(a) is regarded as not being of much use
(b) only deals with culture and tradition
(c) lacks scientific and academic bases
(d) is always funny and looked down upon
Ans: (a)
Theatre is becoming unpopular in modern Africa because it is believed to have very little use because Africa has more pressing problems than what theatre can solve.

Q3: Use the passage in question 1 to answer this question.
In the passage, the term "theatre" and "drama" are used _______
(a) differently
(b) concurrently
(c) interchangeably
(d) sparingly
Ans: (c)
Theatre and drama are used interchangeably on the passage.

Q4:  Use the passage in question 1 to answer this question.
One of the arguments in the passage is that academic playwrights_______
(a) express themselves only in foreign languages
(b) serve as a catalyst in the society's appreciation of theatre
(c) work against the common man's appreciation of theatre
(d) make theatre popular in traditional societies
Ans: (a)
Paragraphs 3 and 4 tell us about the use of European and American theatrical convention as well as the use of foreign languages by African academic playwright.

Q5: Use the passage in question 1 to answer this question.
By the expression "climb down", the author implies that modern playwrights should _______
(a) be simplistic in the use of language
(b) not move up
(c) use language that is most appreciated by the people
(d) wait for the community to catch up with them
Ans: (a)
'climb down' as used in the passage implies to descend in the use of language to be understandable by the common man'

Direction: Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions as follows (6 to 10)
The financing of the university will always be a vexatious problem not only because of the need for it to maintain a level of independence that allows for the thriving of intellectual pursuit but also for the size of the funding that is required to maintain an acceptable level of infrastructure in a modern university. The experience of the Nigerian university in recent years has, in this regard, been almost alarming. The funding levels requited constitute sufficient reasons for diversifying the sources. Even if the government was in a position on its own to meet all of the university's financial requirements, I consider it desirable that every effort be made to reduce such contribution in the interest of university autonomy. I also hold the view that the university should seek to become dependent, in a substantial way, on funds generated from within. In other words, the sources of funding the university should be diversified as much as possible. Based on this principle, ·we can identify four sources - government, industry, students, and individual philanthropists. I must add quickly that each source has its own set of problems in its continuous interaction with the university, which ought to be addressed here.

Of all the four major sources of financing university education mentioned above, contribution through fees from the students involves intricate issues of special concern If government gives as an expression of its obligation to promote the general welfare of society if industry gives in order to enhance its chances of procurement of needed human information and material resources, as well as enhance its social responsibility if the general public gives as an indication of voluntary support for a worthy social cause, students (and by inference, their parents) should give in order to purchase an economic good for meeting their own felt need in the expectation that they will be satisfied with the product purchased.
[Adapted from Onosode, GO: 'The politics of Managing People, Prospects and Poverty: The Role of the University, 1990 OAU Convocation}
Q6: It is important for university to be independent so that they can________
(a) attract funds from industries
(b) determine their goals
(c) be left to expand without any hindrances
(d) carry out effective research
Ans: (c)
Paragraph one of the passage talks about the need for universities to maintain a level of independence that enables them to thrive for intellectual pursuit. The passage also emphasizes the need for University autonomy, that is, the need to expand and function independently.

Q7: Use the passage in question 6 above to answer this question.
The writer advocates for multiple sources of university funding in order to ______
(a) enhance university autonomy
(b) reduce dependence on the government
(c) ensure that the numerous needs of the universities are met
(d) maintain acceptable levels of infrastructural development
Ans: (a)
Paragraph one of the passage tells us the writer considers it desirable that effort be made to reduce the government contributions in the interest of University autonomy irrespective of whether or not the government was in a position to meet all of the university's financial requirements.

Q8: Use the passage in question 6 above to answer this question.
The expression "intricate issues of special concern" means________
(a) important policy statements
(b) interwoven topics of significance
(c) interwoven topics of significance
(d) knotty problems that concern everybody
Ans: (c)
Another word(synonym) for Intricate means 'complex'

Q9: Use the passage in question 6 above to answer this question.
The word "diversified" as used in the passage means_________
(a) differentiated
(b) varied
(c) diffused
(d) widened
Ans: (d)
Based on the passage, diversified suggests the need for the sources of university funding to broaden and not be limited to a particular source. 

Q10: Use the passage in question 6 above to answer this question.
The source of the university funding emphasized in the passage is________
(a) government
(b) industry
(c) the general public
(d) students
Ans: (a)
According to the passage, the government is an exemplary source for university funding.

Q11: This question is based on Bolaji Abdullahi's Sweet Sixteen
_________almost fainted when he heard that some students were caught on the school's basketball court at night having sex.
(a) Mr James
(b) Aliya
(c) Mr Bello
(d) Bolaji
Ans: (d)
According to the provided information, Mr Bello is the receiver of this information. The passage states, "Page 39: Mr Bello is the receiver of this information.

Q12: This question is based on Bolaji Abdullahi's Sweet Sixteen
Adoringly, Aliya was referred to as ________
(a) Journalist
(b) Sex addict
(c) Beautiful lady
(d) First lady
Ans: (d)
Based on the given details, Mr Bello calls his daughter, Aliya, 'First lady.' The passage mentions, "Page 2: Mr Bello calls his daughter, Aliya, 'First lady.

Q13: This question is based on Bolaji Abdullahi's Sweet Sixteen
KOTL means __________
(a) Kiss on the lips
(b) Kiss on the lips
(c) kiss on-top the lips
(d) kiss on-top the lips
Ans: (a)
According to the information provided, KOTL means 'Kiss On The Lips.' The passage states, "Page 31: KOTL means 'Kiss On The Lips.'"

Q14: This question is based on Bolaji Abdullahi's Sweet Sixteen
How old was Aliya in the Novel?
(a) 16
(b) 18
(c) 17
(d) 19
Ans: (a)
Page 1: The text made references to years before Aliya turned 16, however, Aliya is sixteen (16).

Q15: This question is based on Bolaji Abdullahi's Sweet Sixteen
Mr Bello is a/an _______ by profession in the novel?
(a) accountant
(b) engineer
(c) nurse
(d) journalist
Ans: (d)
Page 1: Mr Bello is a Journalist.

Q16: In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern.
Choose the one with the different stress pattern
(a) commit
(b) compare
(c) complete
(d) column
Ans: (d)
In the given options (a) commit, (b) compare, (c) complete, and (d) column, the word with a different stress pattern is (d) column.

Q17: In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern.
Choose the one with the different stress pattern
(a) apparent
(b) attractive
(c) devastate
(d) infections
Ans: (c)
The other options have their stress on the second syllable.

Q18: In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern.
Choose the one with the different stress pattern
(a) physique
(b) menace
(c) challenge
(d) reckless
Ans: (a)
Physique has its stress on the second syllable

Q19: In each of the following questions, the main or primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress
"Calculator"
(a) CAL-cu-la-tor
(b) cal-CU-la-tor
(c) cal-cu-LA-tor
(d) cal-cu-la-TOR
Ans: (a)
Calculator has its stress on its first syllable

Q20: In each of the following questions, the main or primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress
"Criticism"
(a) cri-ti-ci-SM
(b) cri-ti-CI-sm
(c) cri-TI-ci-sm
(d) CRI-ti-ci-sm
Ans: (d)
Criticism has it stress on the first syllable

Q21: In each of the following questions, the main or primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress
"Expenditure"
(a) EX-pen-di-ture
(b) ex-PEN-di-ture
(c) ex-pen-DI-ture
(d) ex-pen-di-TURE
Ans: (b)
Expenditure has its stress on the second syllable

Q22: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
The man, as well as the woman ________, arrested
(a) have been
(b) has been
(c) is been
(d) are being
Ans: (b)
Based on the rule of concord, 'when words such as, alongside, together with, no less than, etc. are used, the verb that follows would be the same with the subject of the phrase or clause, that is, the noun or the pronoun that comes before the marker of accompaniment.

Q23: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
Many a ____________ to understand me
(a) man fail
(b) man fails
(c) men fail
(d) men fails
Ans: (b)
Based on the rule of Concord, when many-a is used, the verb and the noun that follows must be singular

Q24: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
It is you that __________ to write the letter
(a) is suppose
(b) is supposed
(c) are suppose
(d) are supposed
Ans: (d)
When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity. Example: The student or the committee members write every day

Q25: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
My father _______ on the floor
(a) has lied
(b) have lied
(c) have laid
(d) has lain
Ans: (d)
'My Father' as the subject is in the third person should be followed by the auxiliary verb 'has'

Q26: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
This class __________students and teachers
(a) comprise
(b) comprises
(c) comprise of
(d) comprises of
Ans: (b)
Comprise means 'made up of'. Hence, to say 'Comprises of or Comprise of ' is a tautology.

Q27: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
Before I arrived, the choir _______ the hymn
(a) have sing
(b) has sing
(c) had sung
(d) have sang
Ans: (c)
In the structuring of tenses, 'when the main clause is in past or past perfect tense, the subordinate clause must be in the past or past perfect tense'. 'had' as used expresses a past perfect tense as opposed to 'has' and 'have' that are used to express a present perfect tense.

Q28: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
The soldier _________ his gun on the wall after the armed robber______
(a) hang/has been hung
(b) hung/had been hanged
(c) hanged/has been hanged
(d) hung/ has been hunged
Ans: (b)
In the structuring of tenses, 'when the main clause is in past or past perfect tense, the subordinate clause must be in the past or past perfect tense'.

Q29: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
Thank you for the __________ of presenting my paper.
(a) privelege
(b) priviledge
(c) privilege
(d) preveledge
Ans: (c)
'Privilege' is the appropriate spelling

Q30: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
My brother graduated from university last year; he will soon_________
(a) convocate
(b) convoke
(c) convoce
(d) matriculate
Ans: (b)
Convoke is the appropriate verb to be used in this context

Q31: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
You need to _______ your points
(a) expanciate
(b) expaciate
(c) expatiate
(d) expantiate
Ans: (c)
"Expatiate" is the appropriate spelling

Q32: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
All the people in the bus died in that _________  accident
(a) serious
(b) reckless
(c) fatal
(d) dangerous
Ans: (c)
Fatal best qualifies the noun 'accident'.

Q33: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
All the ________ were stolen by the thieves
(a) arm and ammunition
(b) arms and ammunition
(c) arm and ammunitions
(d) arms and ammunitions
Ans: (b)
"Arms and ammunition" is the appropriate spelling.

Q34: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
What a ______! the more you look, the less you see
(a) wonder
(b) miracle
(c) challenge
(d) paradox
Ans: (d)
"The more you look, the less you see" is contradictory; a paradox.

Q35: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
The soldiers pledge their ________ loyalty to the new government
(a) enduring
(b) tireless
(c) complete
(d) questionable
Ans: (d)
"Complete" is best completes the sentence above. 'Complete' suggests 'entire or total'

Q36: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
After interrogation, the police ______ the information from the suspect.
(a) exposed
(b) wrung
(c) received
(d) obtained
Ans: (d)
'Obtained' is another word for to gain or to acquire

Q37: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
Mr Cham will never tell you everything, he is very ________
(a) secretive
(b) quiet
(c) reserved
(d) realistic
Ans: (a)
'Secrecy' best completes the given sentence.

Q38: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
Many countries no longer have _______ punishment as the penalty for murder
(a) mortal
(b) corporal
(c) capital
(d) fatal
Ans: (c)
Capital punishment is another phrase for the 'death penalty'.

Q39: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
__________ packages should always be handled with care
(a) Insecure
(b) Fragile
(c) Weak
(d) Boxed
Ans: (b)
'Fragile' is an adjective and best option to qualify an item to be handled with care.

Q40: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.
Because of the hard times, workers live in ___________ poverty
(a) repulsive
(b) ridiculous
(c) abject
(d) unpardonable
Ans: (c)
"Abject"  best describes the state of poverty

Q41: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.
Our chief is very intelligent but he could be parochial in his judgements
(a) deep
(b) broad
(c) narrow-minded
(d) kind-hearted
Ans: (c)
Parochial means having a limited or narrow scope.

Q42: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.
I went through his work; it was gibberish
(a) meaningless
(b) meaningful
(c) brutal
(d) too simple
Ans: (a)
Gibberish is a meaningless speech or writing.

Q43: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.
Coming late to work, according to Leonard, is inimical to the progress of the company
(a) harmful
(b) predominat
(c) unavoidable
(d) inevitable
Ans: (a)
Inimical means harmful.

Q44: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.
If he declines the offer, it will be better for him.
(a) ignores
(b) denies
(c) snubs
(d) rejects
Ans: (d)
Declines means to reject

Q45: After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentences is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
The appearance which the famous actor made last month was his swan song. This meant that_________
(a) the actor sang beautifully during the play
(b) the play was postponed because of the actor's non-appearance
(c) the play was the actor's last appearance before he died
(d) the last play was the actors best performance
Ans: (c)
The swan song is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement.

Q46: After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentences is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Muiz does not let the grass grow under his feet. This means that Muiz _________
(a) does not waste time in doing things
(b) is a very wicked man
(c) cuts the grass in his field regularly
(d) cares about himself
Ans: (a)
This expression means not to hesitate to take action immediately.

Q47: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
The Major demanded an unalloyed and not a __________ loyalty from his soldiers
(a) strict
(b) wavering
(c) clumsy
(d) alterable
Ans: (b)
Unalloyed means not mixed, pure, complete or unadulterated.

Q48: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
The economist argued that the apparently inconsequential rise in the price of petrol had a _________ effect on the cost of living
(a) capricious
(b) frivolous
(c) dangerous
(d) bright
Ans: (c)
Inconsequential means having no consequence whereas, dangerous means the ability to cause harm.

Q49: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
The exotic bird looked resplendent; its bright plumage contrasted with the rather _________ undergrowth
(a) immobile
(b) foreign
(c) bright
(d) drab
Ans: (d)
Resplendent means shiny and colourful whereas to drab which means 'dull'

Q50: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
I thought that the comments made by the Manager were quite innocuous but the chairman considered them __________
(a) polite
(b) inappropriate
(c) antagonistic
(d) harmful
Ans: (d)
Innocuous means harmless.

Q51: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
My uncle is a prosperous businessman, my aunt, unfortunately, is quite ________
(a) unskillful
(b) domestic
(c) unsuccessful
(d) unqualified
Ans: (c)
Unsuccessful implies 'not successful'. An opposite of Prosperous.

Q52: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
The University has a large intake, very few ________ take place.
(a) turnouts
(b) rejections
(c) explusions
(d) obstructions
Ans: (b)
intake means the people taken into an organisation. Rejection is directly opposite in meaning to the word underlined.

Q53: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
Rather than make derogatory remarks about the host, a guest should make ________ ones
(a) polite
(b) complimentary
(c) interesting
(d) honest
Ans: (b)
Derogatory implies 'to lessen one's value'. However, complimentary is an expression of praise.

Q54: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
Our mechanised services contrast sharply with the _________ operative we had before
(a) electrical
(b) controlled
(c) original
(d) manual
Ans: (d)
'Mechanised' expresses 'the use of machines'. Manual implies 'the application of hand'

Q55: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
After Ade had listened to some advice, his rigid ideas became more ______________
(a) friendly
(b) compromising
(c) flexible
(d) democratic
Ans: (c)
'Rigid' is the opposite of the word ''Flexible'. Rigid implies unbending as opposed to Flexible which means 'capable of being bent'

Q56: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
The policies of this government favour the elite rather than the _________
(a) masses
(b) oppressed
(c) public
(d) unemployed
Ans: (a)
Elite implies a special class of people or a selected group with superior status. Public means 'the people in general', however, masses gives a more defined group which implies 'the lower classes of persons'.

Q57: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
God opposes the proud and rewards the _________
(a) poor
(b) honest
(c) humble
(d) faithful
Ans: (c)
Humble is the opposite of the adjective 'Proud'

Q58: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
The pilot says that it is easier to take off from the airport than to ___________ on the tarmac.
(a) land
(b) come down
(c) alight
(d) drop
Ans: (a)
'Land' in this context simply means ' to descend to a surface' This is an antonym of 'Take off' which means 'to leave the ground'

Q59: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
Although Chide's manners are quite refined , his colleagues are rather ___________
(a) bold
(b) crude
(c) hostile
(d) rash
Ans: (b)
Refined implies to purify or to be free from impurities. Option B; crude, is a direct opposite to the word 'refine'' which means being in a natural state.

Q60: From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.
I am quite outspoken but my brother is __________
(a) dumb
(b) indolent
(c) taciturn
(d) modest
Ans: (c)
Outspoken means speaking freely or openly. However, Taciturn means reserved in speech.