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Free JAMB Past Question for english
Q.1The sentence, "I gave him the book," contains which of the following patterns?
(A) Subject + Verb + Direct Object
(B) Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
(C) Subject + Verb + Adverbial
(D) Subject + Verb
The sentence, "I gave him the book," contains which of the following patterns?
(A) Subject + Verb + Direct Object
(B) Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
(C) Subject + Verb + Adverbial
(D) Subject + Verb
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Sentence Patterns
Show explanation
"I" is the subject, "gave" is the verb, "him" is the indirect object, and "the book" is the direct object.
Q.2Which of the following words contains a consonant sound that is the same as the 'ch' in "church"?
(A) catch
(B) watch
(C) both A and B
(D) none of the above
Which of the following words contains a consonant sound that is the same as the 'ch' in "church"?
(A) catch
(B) watch
(C) both A and B
(D) none of the above
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Consonants
Show explanation
The sound /tʃ/ is an affricate and is present in both catch and watch.
Q.3Which word contains the vowel sound /ɑː/ as in "father"?
(A) cat
(B) car
(C) cup
(D) cut
Which word contains the vowel sound /ɑː/ as in "father"?
(A) cat
(B) car
(C) cup
(D) cut
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Vowels
Show explanation
The vowel sound in car is the long 'a' /ɑː/.
Q.4Which word contains a voiced consonant sound?
(A) face
(B) peace
(C) vase
(D) lace
Which word contains a voiced consonant sound?
(A) face
(B) peace
(C) vase
(D) lace
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Consonants
Show explanation
The 's' in vase is pronounced as the voiced sound /z/. The final consonants in the other words are voiceless.
Q.5In the word "development," where does the primary stress fall?
(A) de-VEL-op-ment
(B) DE-vel-op-ment
(C) de-vel-op-MENT
(D) de-vel-o-P-ment
In the word "development," where does the primary stress fall?
(A) de-VEL-op-ment
(B) DE-vel-op-ment
(C) de-vel-op-MENT
(D) de-vel-o-P-ment
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Word Stress
Show explanation
The primary stress is on the second syllable, vel.
Q.6Select the option that is the opposite in meaning to "benevolent":
(A) kind
(B) generous
(C) malicious
(D) helpful
Select the option that is the opposite in meaning to "benevolent":
(A) kind
(B) generous
(C) malicious
(D) helpful
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Antonyms
Show explanation
Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly. The opposite is malicious, which means intending or intending to do harm.
Q.7Which of the following words is a homonym of "there"?
Options:
(A) their
(B) here
(C) deer
(D) tear
Which of the following words is a homonym of "there"?
Options:
(A) their
(B) here
(C) deer
(D) tear
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Homonyms
Show explanation
There and their are pronounced the same but have different meanings and spellings.
Q.8Which of the following sentences is in the present continuous tense?
(A) She reads a book.
(B) She is reading a book.
(C) She read a book.
(D) She has read a book.
Which of the following sentences is in the present continuous tense?
(A) She reads a book.
(B) She is reading a book.
(C) She read a book.
(D) She has read a book.
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Mood, Tense, Aspect
Show explanation
The present continuous tense is formed with "to be" (am, is, are) + the present participle (-ing) and indicates an ongoing action.
Q.9The phrase "a leopard can't change its spots" is a proverb that means:
(A) A leopard's fur is unique.
(B) A person cannot change their fundamental nature or character.
(C) A leopard is a fast animal.
(D) A person can easily change.
The phrase "a leopard can't change its spots" is a proverb that means:
(A) A leopard's fur is unique.
(B) A person cannot change their fundamental nature or character.
(C) A leopard is a fast animal.
(D) A person can easily change.
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Figurative Usage
Show explanation
The proverb is a figurative way of saying that a person's core nature is fixed and unchangeable.
Q.10Complete the sentence with the correct question tag: "You can speak Hausa, _____?"
(A) can you
(B) can't you
(C) do you
(D) don't you
Complete the sentence with the correct question tag: "You can speak Hausa, _____?"
(A) can you
(B) can't you
(C) do you
(D) don't you
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Question Tags
Show explanation
The question tag should be negative because the main sentence is positive. It should also use the same auxiliary verb, "can."
Q.11The patient was advised to _____ his medication regularly for a quick recovery.
(A) neglect
(B) omit
(C) take
(D) abandon
The patient was advised to _____ his medication regularly for a quick recovery.
(A) neglect
(B) omit
(C) take
(D) abandon
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Sentence Completion
Show explanation
The verb take is the standard term for consuming medication.
Q.12Which pair of words are homophones?
(A) bear, bare
(B) bear, beer
(C) pear, dear
(D) hair, her
Which pair of words are homophones?
(A) bear, bare
(B) bear, beer
(C) pear, dear
(D) hair, her
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Homophones
Show explanation
Bear and bare are pronounced the same but have different meanings.
Q.13The patient's condition was ____ after the surgery, so he was discharged.
(A) deteriorating
(B) worsening
(C) stabilized
(D) deteriorating
The patient's condition was ____ after the surgery, so he was discharged.
(A) deteriorating
(B) worsening
(C) stabilized
(D) deteriorating
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Sentence Completion
Show explanation
The word stabilized means to become constant or not subject to change. It is the only option that fits the context of being discharged from a hospital.
Q.14Choose the correct sentence that demonstrates proper subject-verb agreement.
(A) The committee has decided on the new policy.
(B) The committee have decided on the new policy.
(C) The committee are deciding on the new policy.
(D) The committee is deciding on the new policy.
Choose the correct sentence that demonstrates proper subject-verb agreement.
(A) The committee has decided on the new policy.
(B) The committee have decided on the new policy.
(C) The committee are deciding on the new policy.
(D) The committee is deciding on the new policy.
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Tense, Aspect, and Agreement
Show explanation
When a collective noun like "committee" acts as a single unit, a singular verb is used.
Q.15In the word "policeman," where is the primary stress located?
(A) po-lice-man
(B) po-lice-man
(C) po-lice-man
(D) po-li-ce-man
In the word "policeman," where is the primary stress located?
(A) po-lice-man
(B) po-lice-man
(C) po-lice-man
(D) po-li-ce-man
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Word Stress
Show explanation
The primary stress is on the second syllable, lice.
Q.16In the sentence, "He came to the party late," what word class does "late" belong to?
(A) Noun
(B) Adjective
(C) Adverb
(D) Verb
In the sentence, "He came to the party late," what word class does "late" belong to?
(A) Noun
(B) Adjective
(C) Adverb
(D) Verb
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Word Classes
Show explanation
Late modifies the verb "came," describing when the action took place.
Q.17The sentence, "I do not know what he wants," contains a:
(A) Main clause
(B) Adjective clause
(C) Noun clause
(D) Adverbial clause
The sentence, "I do not know what he wants," contains a:
(A) Main clause
(B) Adjective clause
(C) Noun clause
(D) Adverbial clause
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Clause and Sentence Patterns
Show explanation
The phrase "what he wants" functions as the direct object of the verb "know," making it a noun clause.
Q.18In the sentence, "Running is a great form of exercise," what is the grammatical function of the word "running"?
(A) Verb
(B) Adjective
(C) Adverb
(D) Noun
In the sentence, "Running is a great form of exercise," what is the grammatical function of the word "running"?
(A) Verb
(B) Adjective
(C) Adverb
(D) Noun
Correct Answer: option d
Further reading: Word Classes
Show explanation
In this sentence, running functions as a gerund, which is a verb form that acts as a noun.
Q.19In the word "transport," where is the stress when it is a noun?
(A) trans-port
(B) trans-port
(C) tran-sport
(D) trans-p-ort
In the word "transport," where is the stress when it is a noun?
(A) trans-port
(B) trans-port
(C) tran-sport
(D) trans-p-ort
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Word Stress
Show explanation
When "transport" is a noun (e.g., public transport), the stress is on the first syllable.
Q.20Which pair of words are homophones?
(A) meat, meet
(B) tea, see
(C) buy, bee
(D) rain, run
Which pair of words are homophones?
(A) meat, meet
(B) tea, see
(C) buy, bee
(D) rain, run
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Rhymes (including homophones)
Show explanation
Meat and meet are pronounced the same but have different meanings and spellings.