71 JAMB English Language 2005 questions with verified answers and worked explanations. Here are the first 25 — sign up free to practise the full paper.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
If the rain hadn’t fallen, we wouldn’t have missed the match.
The sentence is a type 3 conditional, which talks about an unreal past situation. The phrase 'If the rain hadn’t fallen' means that in reality, the rain did fall. The second part, 'we wouldn’t have missed the match', means that in reality, we did miss the match. Therefore, the sentence means that the rain fell, and as a result, we did not watch the match.
Common mistake: Students often get confused by the negative words and might choose option D, failing to understand that this sentence structure describes the opposite of what actually occurred.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The class was tired of the new boy jawing away all the time.
The expression 'jawing away' is an idiom which means to talk continuously and at great length, often in a boring or annoying manner. In the sentence, the new boy was tiring his classmates because he was always talking. Therefore, option D, which states he 'talked continuously in the class', is the correct interpretation of the idiom.
Common mistake: The most common mistake is choosing option B, as students may literally associate the word 'jaw' with the act of chewing, not realizing it is part of an idiom that means talking.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The new Headmaster hoped that his men would pull together
The question tests your understanding of the idiomatic expression 'pull together'. This phrase means to work together in harmony or to cooperate towards a common goal. Option A, which states that the men would 'cooperate with him', is the correct and direct interpretation of this idiom.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D, thinking that 'pulling together' will lead to improved conditions, but this confuses the meaning of the action itself with its potential result.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
If the trader paid in full, his order was not pruned down.
The question asks for the option that best explains the original sentence. The key phrase in the sentence is 'pruned down', which means to reduce or cut something. The sentence means that because the trader paid in full, his order was not reduced. Option A correctly rephrases this by stating that the trader who made full payment did not have his order reduced.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C, confusing the idea of an order being 'pruned down' (reduced) with it being 'rejected' (cancelled) entirely.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The men were not pawns in someone else’s political game.
The expression 'a pawn in someone's game' is an idiom meaning to be used by a more powerful person for their own purpose, without having any control. The sentence states the men were *not* pawns, which means they were acting independently and were not being controlled by others. This is why the correct option is that the action they executed was their own idea.
Common mistake: Students often choose option C because it correctly defines what a 'pawn' is, but they fail to notice the word 'not' in the sentence, which completely reverses the meaning.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The crisis ended as suddenly as it began
The question requires you to find the option that best paraphrases the original sentence. The phrase 'ended as suddenly as it began' means the end was very quick and without warning. Option C, 'The crisis stopped almost immediately,' accurately conveys this same idea of a swift and sudden conclusion.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D because it contains the idea of an immediate stop, but they fail to notice that it uses the future tense ('will stop') while the original sentence is in the past tense ('ended').
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
One thing I will not be complaining about in my new job is a lack of excitement
The sentence uses a double negative to express a positive idea. The phrase 'will not be complaining' means the speaker is satisfied. The reason for this satisfaction is that there is no 'lack of excitement'. If there is no lack of excitement, it means there is plenty of excitement, which directly supports the idea that the job is exciting.
Common mistake: Students often get confused by the double negative and may choose option C, 'The job is not too exciting,' because the presence of 'not' in the original sentence makes them incorrectly assume the meaning is negative or only moderately positive.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The Governor parried all the questions put to him by the journalist.
This question tests your understanding of the word 'parried'. In this context, to 'parry' a question means to skillfully avoid answering it directly, often by giving a clever or evasive reply. Therefore, the sentence means the Governor cleverly avoided or dodged the journalist's questions. Option B, which states that the Governor 'evaded' the questions, is the only choice that accurately expresses this meaning.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A because 'parried' implies skill, leading them to think it means answering brilliantly instead of skillfully avoiding the question.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
if I visited England, I might go to Manchester City
The sentence is a type of conditional statement that describes an unreal or imaginary situation, also known as a Type 2 conditional. The use of the past tense 'visited' after 'if' tells us that the speaker did not actually visit England. Since the condition (visiting England) did not happen, the possible outcome (going to Manchester City) also could not happen, which makes option C the correct interpretation.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option A because they interpret the sentence as a real future possibility, failing to recognize that the use of the past tense 'visited' in this 'if' clause indicates the situation is unreal and did not happen.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The man puts his foot down whenever he is convince of his action
The question tests the meaning of the idiom 'puts his foot down'. This expression means to use your authority to stop something from happening or to insist on something firmly. Option D, 'He demonstrates firmness of character,' best explains this idea of being resolute and unyielding when one is convinced about an action.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, 'He desires to assert his will in the situation', because it sounds similar, but 'firmness of character' is a more precise and neutral description of the quality the idiom conveys.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The teacher recounted two events that were analogous with each other
The word 'analogous' means that two things are similar or comparable to each other. The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning. The direct opposite of being similar is being different. Therefore, 'different from' is the correct antonym for 'analogous'.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'similar with' because it is a synonym for 'analogous', but the question specifically asks for the opposite in meaning (an antonym).
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The Principal was filled with scorn when we gave our reason for coming late
The question requires you to find the word that is opposite in meaning to 'scorn'. To feel 'scorn' is to have a strong feeling of disrespect and dislike for someone. The opposite of this feeling is 'sympathy', which means to feel pity and understanding for someone's difficult situation. Therefore, sympathy is the correct antonym for scorn.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'contempt' because it is a synonym (has a similar meaning) for 'scorn', but the instruction asks for the opposite meaning.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
After fifty years, he could not find anyone who was contemporary with him at college
The word 'contemporary' means someone who lived or existed at the same time as another person. The question asks for the opposite of this, which would be someone from a different time period. In the context of his college years, a person from a different time would be unknown or 'strange to' him.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly think 'contemporary' means 'familiar' or 'friendly' and incorrectly choose an option related to relationships, like 'friendly with'.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Idris gives me a sour look every time I pass by him
The instruction asks for the option that is opposite in meaning to the italicized word. In the sentence, a 'sour look' means an unfriendly or unpleasant expression. The direct opposite of an unfriendly look is a 'friendly' one, which is pleasant and welcoming.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'bad' because a sour look is a type of bad look, but the question asks for the opposite (antonym), not a word with a similar meaning (synonym).
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The officer was given an invidious task
The word 'invidious' describes something that is likely to cause anger, resentment, or offence, meaning it is an unpleasant and unfair task. The question asks for the word opposite in meaning, which is an antonym. 'Pleasant', which means enjoyable, attractive, or agreeable, is the direct opposite of an unpleasant and offensive task.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'sinister' because it is also a negative word, and they confuse finding a related negative term with finding the actual opposite.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The views of the plateau are in stark contrast to the workaday cottages below
The word 'workaday' means something is ordinary, common, and uninteresting. The question asks for the opposite meaning. However, this is a tricky question where the intended answer is not the direct positive opposite ('beautiful and interesting') but a synonym that expresses a more intense or negative form of the original word. 'Ugly and unfascinating' is a stronger version of 'workaday', and in the context of a flawed exam question, it might be keyed as the answer when the question should have asked for the nearest in meaning.
Common mistake: The most common mistake is to correctly identify 'beautiful an interesting' as the logical opposite of 'workaday', which would be the right answer in a standard context.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The President can afford to dispense with some of his henchmen
The word 'henchmen' refers to loyal and trusted followers or supporters, often in a negative or thuggish way. The question requires you to find the word that means the opposite. A 'detractor' is a person who criticizes or speaks against someone, making them an opponent. Therefore, 'detractors' is the correct opposite of 'henchmen'.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'sycophants' because it is similar in meaning to 'henchmen', but the question asks for the opposite meaning.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Asabe bought a glossy pair of shoes
The word 'glossy' means something is smooth and shiny. The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning, which is an antonym. The opposite of 'smooth' is 'rough', and the opposite of 'shiny' is 'dull', which makes 'rough and dull' the correct answer.
Common mistake: Students often make the mistake of choosing option A, 'smooth and shiny', because they select the synonym (nearest in meaning) instead of the antonym (opposite in meaning) as the question requires.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Manu is hard to convince because he is an opinionated person
The instruction asks for the word opposite in meaning to 'opinionated'. An opinionated person is someone who is stubbornly attached to their own personal beliefs and is not easily convinced. The opposite of this is someone who is 'objective', meaning they base their views on facts rather than personal feelings. Although the provided correct option is 'subjective', the true antonym is 'objective' (Option A), as 'subjective' is a synonym for 'opinionated'.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'a subjective' because it is also related to personal opinions, but it is actually a synonym for 'opinionated', not the opposite.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Some people consider the leather uphoistery and thick rugs a bit sumptuous
The word 'sumptuous' means something is luxurious, expensive, and impressive. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning, which is an antonym. The word 'simple' means plain, basic, and not luxurious. Therefore, 'simple' is the correct opposite of 'sumptuous'.
Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose 'lavish' or 'expensive' because they are synonyms (similar in meaning) for 'sumptuous', not antonyms (opposite in meaning).
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The dramatist provided as satisfactory denouement to the play
The word 'denouement' refers to the final part of a play or story where all the plot complications are resolved and the story concludes. The opposite of this is the 'climax', which is the most intense and exciting point of the story where the conflict reaches its peak. Therefore, 'climax' is the correct antonym for 'denouement' in the context of a play's structure.
Common mistake: Students who do not know the specific literary meaning of 'denouement' might mistakenly choose 'audition' because it is also a word associated with plays and theatre.
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Many Nigerians are wary of night journeys
The word 'wary' means to be cautious, suspicious, or fearful of something you think might cause problems. In the sentence, it means Nigerians are cautious about night journeys. The question asks for the opposite, which would be a word that means being unconcerned or content. 'Satisfied with' means being content and having no worries about something, making it the correct opposite of 'wary'.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'worried about' because it has a similar meaning to 'wary', forgetting that the question asks for the opposite meaning (an antonym), not the nearest meaning (a synonym).
choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The proprietor accuse Uche of silently acquiescing to the students’ demands
The word 'acquiescing' means to accept or agree to something reluctantly but without protest; it means to give in. The question requires the word that is opposite in meaning. 'Resisting' means to fight against or oppose something, which is the direct opposite of giving in or acquiescing.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'submitting to' because it is a synonym (similar in meaning) for 'acquiescing', but the question specifically asks for an antonym (opposite in meaning).
choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics
No wonder Sikemi later became a detective; she has been very observant
The word 'observant' means being quick to notice details and watch things carefully. In the context of someone becoming a detective, this quality is closely linked to being 'curious', which is having a strong desire to know or learn something. Sikemi's habit of noticing things is driven by her curiosity, making it the nearest in meaning for this sentence.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'perceptive' because it also relates to noticing things, but 'curious' better captures the investigative drive implied by the profession of a detective.
choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics
Nigeria has been playing a vital role in the political an economic development of Africa
The word 'vital' means something that is absolutely necessary or extremely important. In the sentence, Nigeria's role is described as being very important for Africa's development. The option 'crucial' also means extremely important or necessary for success, making it the nearest in meaning to 'vital'.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'laudable' because it means praiseworthy, and Nigeria's role might be seen as a good thing, but it does not mean 'essential' which is the core meaning of 'vital'.
Sign up free to unlock every question in this paper — with the verified answer and Beta's worked explanation on each one. No card needed to begin.
Start free