74 JAMB English Language 2009 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.
It was our collective idea but Ado was doing every thing to steal the snow
The phrase 'to steal the show' is an idiom, which means to get all the attention and praise, often unexpectedly. In the sentence, although the idea belonged to the group, Ado was trying to make himself the most noticeable person. Therefore, option C, which says he is trying to 'attract the most attention', is the correct interpretation.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D because it interprets the word 'steal' literally, but 'steal the show' is a fixed expression with a figurative, not literal, meaning.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
As we watched, he just popped along to the shop for some bread
The correct answer is D because the phrase 'popped along' is an informal expression that means to go somewhere quickly and for a brief period. Option D, 'He went quickly to the shop', accurately explains this meaning. The other options are wrong because they introduce ideas like walking slowly or stealing, which are not suggested by the sentence.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option A, thinking 'popped along' implies a casual or slow movement, when it actually means to move quickly.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
In all ramifications, Chief Adeyemi was a successful principal of the school
The phrase 'in all ramifications' means in every aspect or in every way, without exception. The sentence is saying that Chief Adeyemi was completely and totally successful as a principal. Option D, which states that his tenure saw a 'huge success', is the best choice because it conveys this sense of comprehensive and total achievement.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because 'largely successful' seems close in meaning, but 'largely' implies 'mostly' and not 'completely', which is what 'in all ramifications' means.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
I couldn't buy the biscuit because of the hold-up in the supermarket.
This question requires you to find the sentence that best explains the original one. The phrase 'hold-up' in this context means a delay or an obstruction that prevented an action. The best explanation for being unable to buy something in a supermarket is that there was no one available to sell it, which is a type of hold-up.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option C because 'hold-up' can also mean armed robbery, but the more general and common meaning of 'delay' is the intended one in this simple context.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
You could have heard the sound, if you weren't asleep.
The sentence 'You could have heard the sound, if you weren't asleep' is a conditional sentence describing a past situation that was not real. The phrase 'if you weren't asleep' implies that the person was, in fact, asleep. Because this condition was not met, the result 'you could have heard the sound' also did not happen, meaning the person did not hear it. Therefore, the correct explanation is that you were asleep and as a result, you did not hear the sound.
Common mistake: Students often get confused by the negative 'weren't' and mistakenly think the sentence means the person was not asleep, leading them to choose the opposite option, A.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Musa will not well because he has an itching palm.
The phrase 'an itching palm' is an idiom, which means its meaning is not literal. It is used to describe someone who is greedy for money and is always ready to accept bribes. Therefore, the sentence means that Musa is corrupt and will not do well because he is always looking for bribes, as stated in option C.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option A because they interpret the phrase 'itching palm' literally as a skin problem, instead of understanding its figurative, idiomatic meaning.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Emeka was always conspicuous by his absence when it came to attending lecturers.
The question tests your understanding of the idiom 'conspicuous by his absence', which means someone's absence is very noticeable or obvious. The sentence is saying that it was very easy to notice that Emeka was not attending lectures. Option B best captures this meaning by stating that his absence was 'all too glaring', which means it was extremely obvious and stood out.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C because 'obvious' is a correct synonym, but 'glaring' in option B is a stronger and more precise word that better captures the emphasis of the idiom.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
He was injured by friend fire.
The phrase 'friend fire' is an idiom, which means its meaning is not literal. It is a military term that means being accidentally hit by a weapon fired by someone from your own army or side, not a personal friend. Option C correctly explains this by stating the weapon was fired by 'his own side'.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option B because they interpret the phrase 'friend fire' literally, thinking it means being shot by a personal friend.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Kola visits us on occasions, and I don't like that.
The question requires you to find the option that best explains the original sentence. The phrase 'on occasions' means that Kola visits only during special events or celebrations. The speaker expresses their dislike for this specific behaviour by saying 'I don't like that'. Option B correctly captures both the reason for the visit (celebrations) and the speaker's negative feeling about it.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C, interpreting 'on occasions' to simply mean 'not often', without understanding the more specific meaning of visiting only during special events.
select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
At the time I arrived, Olu was lying in third place.
The phrase 'lying in third place' is a figurative expression, common in the context of sports or competitions. It means to be occupying or holding the third position, not physically lying down to sleep. The sentence states this was happening 'at the time I arrived', so the two events occurred simultaneously. Option A correctly explains this by stating Olu's position 'coincided' with the speaker's arrival.
Common mistake: Students often choose option B because they interpret the word 'lying' literally to mean sleeping, instead of understanding its figurative meaning of 'occupying a position' in a competition.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
We had difficulty eating the meat because was leathery.
The instruction asks for the word opposite in meaning to the italicized word. 'Leathery' describes meat that is very tough and difficult to chew. The opposite of tough meat is meat that is soft and easy to chew, which is what 'tender' means.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'tough' because it is a synonym for 'leathery', but the question asks for the opposite in meaning (an antonym).
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The boy is indolent to do well at school?
The word 'indolent' means lazy and wanting to avoid activity or effort. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning. The word 'industrious' means hard-working and diligent, which is the direct opposite of being lazy. Therefore, 'industrious' is the correct antonym for 'indolent'.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'inactive' or 'stothful' (a misspelling of slothful) because they are synonyms for 'indolent', not understanding that the question asks for the opposite meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Salasi's tremendous effort has yielded results.
The word 'tremendous' means very great in size, amount, or intensity. The question requires you to find the word that is opposite in meaning. 'Insignificant' means something is too small or unimportant to be worth consideration, making it the correct antonym for 'tremendous'.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'unimaginable' because a tremendous effort can be hard to imagine, but this describes a possible quality of the effort, not its opposite.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The computerised service of the new banks is heart warming.
The question requires you to find the word that is opposite in meaning to 'computerised'. 'Computerised' means something is done or controlled by a computer. The direct opposite of a process done by a computer is one done by hand, which is what 'manual' means.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'electrical' because computers are electrical devices, but this word describes a related feature, not the opposite meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Life has become a misery for many owing to the harsh economic condition in the country
The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning to 'misery'. Misery means a state of great suffering and unhappiness. The correct option, 'comfort', means a state of physical ease and freedom from pain, which is the direct opposite of misery.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'drudgery' because both it and 'misery' describe negative situations, but 'drudgery' refers to hard, boring work and is not the opposite of suffering.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The company director has a vivacious personality.
The word 'vivacious' means to be lively, spirited, and full of energy, describing an attractive and animated personality. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning. An 'unimpressive' personality is one that is dull, boring, or not exciting, which is the direct opposite of a vivacious one.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'gregarious' because it is similar in meaning (a synonym) to 'vivacious', but the question asks for the opposite in meaning (an antonym).
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Young people have a penchant for fast cats
The word 'penchant' means a strong liking or fondness for something. The question requires you to find the word that is opposite in meaning, which is an antonym. 'Dislike' means a feeling of aversion or not liking something, making it the correct opposite of 'penchant'.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'passion' or 'likeness' because these words are similar in meaning to 'penchant', but the question asks for the opposite meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Most of his latest actions are militant in nature
The word 'militant' describes someone who is aggressive and willing to use force to achieve their goals, often in a confrontational way. The question asks for the word opposite in meaning. 'Civil' means polite, orderly, and relating to ordinary citizens in a peaceful manner, which is the direct opposite of being aggressive and forceful.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'zealous' or 'passionate' because these words can also describe a militant person's character, but they are closer to being synonyms, not the required opposite.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
His ideas sounded quite palatable yet they were jettisoned by the group,
The word 'jettisoned' means to abandon, discard, or reject something that is no longer wanted. The question asks for the opposite of this word. The direct opposite of rejecting or abandoning an idea is to 'accepted' it, making option A the correct answer.
Common mistake: A common mistake is choosing 'criticized' because an idea that is jettisoned is often criticized first, but criticizing (finding fault) is not the direct opposite of abandoning an idea.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
The compulsory leave made her feel listless
The word 'listless' describes a state of having no energy or enthusiasm. The question asks for the opposite meaning, which is an antonym. The correct option is 'energetic', which means showing or involving great activity or vitality. Therefore, 'energetic' is the direct opposite of 'listless'.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'restful' because a listless person might need rest, but 'restful' means calm and peaceful, which is not the direct opposite of lacking energy.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
A novel is an embellished ' falsehood', said the teacher
The word 'embellished' means to make something more attractive by adding extra, often decorative, details. The question asks for the opposite meaning. To 'obliterate' means to destroy or wipe out something completely, which is the direct opposite of adding to or building up something.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'enriched' or 'adorned' because they are synonyms (words with similar meaning) for 'embellished', forgetting the instruction asks for an antonym.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
I have had enough of your impudence
The word 'impudence' means being rude and disrespectful. The question requires you to find the word that is opposite in meaning. 'Politeness' means showing good manners and respect, which is the direct opposite of being rude and disrespectful.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'arrogance' because it is a synonym for 'impudence', but the question asks for the opposite meaning (antonym).
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
We were collectively responsible for keeping the machine in good shape.
The word 'collectively' means done by people acting as a group. The question asks for the opposite meaning. The word 'severally' means separately or individually. Therefore, being responsible 'severally' (as individuals) is the direct opposite of being responsible 'collectively' (as a group).
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'jointly' because it is a synonym (has a similar meaning) for 'collectively', but the question specifically asks for the opposite meaning (antonym).
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
His comment was not printable
The word 'printable' in this context means something is decent and suitable enough to be published, for example, in a newspaper. The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning. A comment that is the opposite of being suitable for printing is one that is rude, indecent, or 'offensive'.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'suitable' because it is a synonym for 'printable', but the instruction clearly asks for the opposite in meaning, not the nearest in meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.
Curiously, he escaped unhurt
The instruction asks for the word opposite in meaning. In the sentence, 'curiously' means the event was strange and sparked interest or wonder. The opposite of this feeling of interest is a feeling of irritation or being bothered, which is what 'annoyingly' means.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'unsurprisingly' because it is a logical opposite to 'unexpectedly', but the question contrasts the emotional reaction of interest (curiosity) with that of irritation (annoyance).
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