2018 JAMB English Language Past Questions & Answers

Question 1

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. This card entitles you to attend the film show

Accepted Answer

A. disqualifies

Answer

B. discourages

Answer

C. disenchants

Answer

D. satisfies

Question 2

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined. chateau

Accepted Answer

C. champagne

Answer

A. chart

Answer

B. church

Answer

D. chemical

Question 3

choose the option that best completes the gap(s). The principal _________ our mobile phones.

Accepted Answer

A. Seized

Answer

B. Ceased

Answer

C. Siezed

Answer

D. Seased

Question 4

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.   Grandma told the boys a story that cheered them up.

Accepted Answer

C. The story made them delighted.

Answer

A. The story made them cry.

Answer

B. The story made them scared.

Answer

D. The story made them uninterested

Question 5

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The essay topic is nebulous

Accepted Answer

C. vague

Answer

A. distinct

Answer

B. incorrect

Answer

D. clear

Question 6

Choose the option that best completes the gap. Mrs. Okoro __________ in this school since 1975

Accepted Answer

B. has been teaching

Answer

A. taught

Answer

C. was teaching

Answer

D. is teaching

Question 7

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. The shipping company advertised for ____________ accountants

Accepted Answer

A. two young but highly competent Nigerian

Answer

B. young but highly competent two Nigerian

Answer

C. two Nigerian, young, but highly competent

Answer

D. highly competent, but young, two Nigerian

Question 8

choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.   The French classes were always funny because we considered French a strange tongue.

Accepted Answer

B. Foreign

Answer

A. Awkward

Answer

C. Funny

Answer

D. Uninteresting

Question 9

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. Ayodeji is an ardent supporter of education for the child

Accepted Answer

B. a passionate

Answer

A. cogent

Answer

C. an ignorant

Answer

D. an optimistic

Question 10

choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.   Father Francis thanked God for the abundance of blessings his family received

Accepted Answer

D. Paucity

Answer

A. Nature

Answer

B. Quantity

Answer

C. Quality

Question 11

choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.   The police later discovered that Audu feigned death.

Accepted Answer

D. Faked

Answer

A. Cheated

Answer

B. Assumed

Answer

C. Suggested

Question 12

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The new ruler is big-hearted in his dealing with the people

Accepted Answer

D. generous

Answer

A. proud

Answer

B. cruel

Answer

C. soft

Question 13

How does the author try to explain this ‘destructive stage'?

Accepted Answer

C. It grows out of the child's recent experiences of sudden falls

Answer

A. It is the last stage in child development

Answer

B. The child wants to displease his parents

Answer

D. The child is just going through a destructive stage

Question 14

Choose the option that best completes the gap, I'll find time for my _________ when I get _________with this difficult assignment.

Accepted Answer

D. pastime/through

Answer

A. past-time/over

Answer

B. pass-time/over

Answer

C. passtime/through

Question 15

choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.   The coach invited me to his office having found me mettlesome

Accepted Answer

A. Courageous

Answer

B. Hardworking

Answer

C. Hardhearted

Answer

D. Weak

Question 16

choose the option that best completes the gap(s). We look forward to _______ from you very soon.

Accepted Answer

C. Hearing

Answer

A. Have heard

Answer

B. Hear

Answer

D. Heard

Question 17

choose the option that best completes the gap(s).   I am not sure that all _____ well with John.

Accepted Answer

B. Is

Answer

A. Were

Answer

C. Are

Answer

D. Will

Question 18

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. Nwankwo was on the verge of signing a two-year contract with the club

Accepted Answer

A. brink

Answer

B. summit

Answer

C. height

Answer

D. shore

Question 19

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. He is loved for his altruism

Accepted Answer

C. selfishness

Answer

A. benevolence

Answer

B. sincerity

Answer

D. selflessness

Question 20

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. The Flying Eagles put up a plucky defence against their opponents

Accepted Answer

B. weak

Answer

A. strong

Answer

C. careless

Answer

D. tactful

Question 21

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) emboldened. Joint

Accepted Answer

B. advantage

Answer

A. dagger

Answer

C. guardian

Answer

D. mightier

Question 22

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. Our principal took exception to the ignoble role the teacher played in the matter

Accepted Answer

B. honourable

Answer

A. embarrassing

Answer

C. extraordinary

Answer

D. dishonourable

Question 23

Which of the following aptly describes the moral of the story?

Accepted Answer

B. if you have made up your mind to hang your dog, any rope will do for the purpose

Answer

A. the sins of the forefathers are visited upon the children no matter how long it takes

Answer

C. the law is weak in defence of the poor against the rich and mighty

Answer

D. no matter how highly placed he is in society, the unmindful lawbreaker will always meet his nemesis.

Question 24

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. The answers to the questions were discussed ____________ the students

Accepted Answer

B. by

Answer

A. between

Answer

C. for

Answer

D. to

Question 25

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The meeting was cancelled because of the convocation

Accepted Answer

B. called off

Answer

A. brought up

Answer

C. broke off

Answer

D. phased out

Question 26

Choose the option that best completes the gap. If you keep playing with this door handle, it will get __________

Accepted Answer

A. loose

Answer

B. lose

Answer

C. loosed

Answer

D. loosing

Question 27

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. The exhibition was an eye opener to all

Accepted Answer

D. display

Answer

A. style

Answer

B. examination

Answer

C. dispatch

Question 28

Choose the option that best completes the gap. The chairman refused to shake __________ with the secretary

Accepted Answer

C. hands

Answer

A. hand

Answer

B. his hand

Answer

D. his hands

Question 29

Choose the option that has a different stress pattern from the others.

Accepted Answer

B. registration

Answer

A. ability

Answer

C. quadruplicate

Answer

D. revivalist

Question 30

Choose the option that best completes the gap. While the worshippers closed their eyes in prayer, a thief made __________ with the collection

Accepted Answer

A. away

Answer

B. up

Answer

C. by

Answer

D. through

Question 31

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. By the time the plane reaches Harare, it __________in the air for twelve hours

Accepted Answer

C. would have been

Answer

A. has been

Answer

B. would be

Answer

D. should be

Question 32

choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).   The pastor asked the women to _________ their hearts to God in prayers.

Accepted Answer

A. Bare

Answer

B. Bear

Answer

C. Bar

Answer

D. Barrr

Question 33

The expression angry tone and terrible aspect refers to the wolf’s

Accepted Answer

A. sonorous voice and overbearing attitude

Answer

B. towering size and thunderous voice

Answer

C. loud voice and fretting movement

Answer

D. harsh voice and menacing posture

Question 34

choose the option that best completes the gap(s). You may now ___________ with your presentation.

Accepted Answer

D. Proceed

Answer

A. Precede

Answer

B. Preceed

Answer

C. Procede

Question 35

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. I would have been surprised if you ____________ the orange

Accepted Answer

C. had plucked

Answer

A. plucked

Answer

B. have plucked

Answer

D. did pluck

Question 36

The expression 'when this excuse failed him' suggests that the

Accepted Answer

A. wolf only made up the charges levelled against the lamb

Answer

B. lamb was more intelligent than the wolf

Answer

C. lamb was prepared for the charges levelled against him

Answer

D. wolf was uncertain of the charges levelled against the lamb

Question 37

Choose the option that best completes the gap. All God's prophets were given the great __________ to preach salvation to people

Accepted Answer

D. Commission

Answer

A. Commision

Answer

B. Commition

Answer

C. Comission

Question 38

choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.   It is customary to find young men and women in sports.

Accepted Answer

B. Unusual

Answer

A. Common

Answer

C. Unideal

Answer

D. Unnecessary

Question 39

choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.   The driver was discharged while the car owner was ___________ for fraud.

Accepted Answer

A. remanded

Answer

B. detained

Answer

C. acquitted

Answer

D. sued

Question 40

After so many trials, the experiment __________

Accepted Answer

D. paid off

Answer

A. paid up

Answer

B. paid for

Answer

C. paid out

Question 41

choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.   Everyone testifies to the unique taste of our flavor.

Accepted Answer

B. Common

Answer

A. Offensive

Answer

C. Uncommon

Answer

D. Sufficient

Question 42

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. We found a shady place for the display

Accepted Answer

A. an open

Answer

B. an unsafe

Answer

C. a stuffy

Answer

D. an enclosure

Question 43

Choose the option that best completes the gap. The young man looked carefully at the long document, but he couldn't make __________ what it meant

Accepted Answer

B. out

Answer

A. up

Answer

C. off

Answer

D. through

Question 44

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. Adawo is an Imp

Accepted Answer

D. Adawo behaves badly

Answer

A. Adawo behaves queenly

Answer

B. Adawo behaves differently

Answer

C. Adawo behaves decently

Question 45

Choose the option that best completes the gap.  I was seriously disappointed when the __________ between the two teams ended in a goalless draw

Accepted Answer

C. match

Answer

A. march

Answer

B. marsh

Answer

D. martch

Question 46

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. He is notorious for his drunkenness

Accepted Answer

D. renowned

Answer

A. popular

Answer

B. known

Answer

C. well known

Question 47

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. He is notorious for his drunkenness

A.popular
B.known
C.well known
D.renowned

Show answer

Answer: D. renowned

Get a step-by-step AI explanation in the app Get a step-by-step AI explanation in the app

Accepted Answer

B. mildness

Answer

A. warmth

Answer

C. moderation

Answer

D. leniency

Question 48

choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.   The rapist claimed that the woman’s voluptuous hips attracted him

Accepted Answer

D. Sexy

Answer

A. Strong

Answer

B. Generous

Answer

C. Round

Question 49

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. If it had rained, we would have had to postpone the concert. It didn't rain, so ____________

Accepted Answer

D. we didn't have to

Answer

A. we won't have to

Answer

B. we would have had to

Answer

C. we wouldn't have to

Question 50

choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s). For fear of being caught, the thief shouted and cursed the slow bank manager in a language ________much for words.

Accepted Answer

B. Too

Answer

A. Way

Answer

C. Very

Answer

D. So

Question 51

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. For all he cared: the game was as good as lost

Accepted Answer

B. He could not care less if the game was lost

Answer

A. He did not care if the game as lost

Answer

C. He was almost certain that the game would be lost

Answer

D. He was afraid the game would be lost

Question 52

Choose the option that best completes the gap. Wherever the leader went people struggled to catch a __________ of him

Accepted Answer

A. glimpse

Answer

B. look

Answer

C. view

Answer

D. picture

Question 53

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. The man reasoned that there ought to be a limit to sycophancy

Accepted Answer

C. people should know when not to use flattery

Answer

A. there can be no favour beyond a reasonable point

Answer

B. sycophants need not talk all the time

Answer

D. sycophants should know when to grant people requests

Question 54

select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.   The team adapted to the new tactic as clean as a whistle.

Accepted Answer

A. They adapted to the pattern perfectly

Answer

B. They needed a whistle to be able to adapt to the pattern.

Answer

C. They adapted to the tactic with little errors

Answer

D. They found it difficult to adapt to the new tactic.

Question 55

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. Knowledge of figures of speech as well as of idiom and lexical items ____________ in this section

Accepted Answer

A. is tested

Answer

B. have been tested

Answer

C. are tested

Answer

D. were tested

Question 56

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. If he were here, it could be more fun

Accepted Answer

A. He did not show up and so the occasion lacked much fun

Answer

B. He was being expected to supply more fun

Answer

C. There was no fun because he was not present

Answer

D. He was expected but did not show up to liven up the occasion

Question 57

The expression 'must kick it and make it collapse' in this context means

Accepted Answer

D. ought to kick it and make it collapse

Answer

A. is forced to kick it and demolish it

Answer

B. is obliged to kick it and make it collapse

Answer

C. cannot resist the urge to demolish it

Question 58

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap. The sea wave continue to ____________ the cliff on the west coast constantly

Accepted Answer

D. erode

Answer

A. impair

Answer

B. rub

Answer

C. knock

Question 59

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence. The events of last Friday show that there is no love lost between the Principal and the Vice-principal

Accepted Answer

D. They dislike each other

Answer

A. They like each other

Answer

B. They work independently

Answer

C. They couldn't part company

Question 60

choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics. The manager commended the players for the narrow victory.

Accepted Answer

C. Easy

Answer

A. Difficult

Answer

B. Unexpected

Answer

D. Expected

Question 61

choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).   We saw you earlier but we could not stop you because we did not know __________.

Accepted Answer

A. Where you were going.

Answer

B. Where you are going

Answer

C. Where are you going.

Answer

D. Where were you going.

Question 62

From the way the story ended, it can be concluded that the

Accepted Answer

A. lamb did not survive the encounter

Answer

B. wolf and the lamb parted amicably

Answer

C. wolf had encountered the lamb's parents

Answer

D. lamb offended the wolf quite seriously

Question 63

choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.   High mortality rate is becoming increasingly predominant.

Accepted Answer

B. Rampant

Answer

A. Controlled

Answer

C. Unchecked

Answer

D. Dangerous

Question 64

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined. As a Journalist, Bola has always had a nose for stories

Accepted Answer

A. an instinct

Answer

B. a command

Answer

C. soft comment

Answer

D. cynical statement

2018 JAMB English Language Past Questions

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