JAMB English Language 2010 Past Questions & Answers

The phrase 'with a jaundiced eye' is an idiom which means to look at someone or something with a negative, prejudiced, or cynical attitude. In the sentence, it shows that Mr. Iro has a biased and negative opinion of the other members. Therefore, taking an 'unfavourable position' is the correct interpretation of the idiom.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option C because they literally connect the word 'jaundiced' (from the illness jaundice) with being 'sickly', failing to recognise it as a figurative expression for prejudice.

The sentence 'People are not interested in who rules' is an idiom, meaning its real meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words. It is a common way of saying that the people's choice of leader is ignored or does not count. Option A, 'People are not ruled by the leaders they want,' correctly explains this idea that the outcome of leadership selection does not reflect the people's will.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option B because it is the literal meaning of the sentence, failing to recognize that the expression is an idiom.

The question tests your understanding of the idiom 'to steer a middle course'. This expression means to avoid extremes and instead act in a balanced or moderate way. Therefore, the option that best explains the sentence is 'to act with moderation'.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option A because they interpret the phrase 'middle course' literally, instead of understanding its idiomatic meaning.

The phrase 'to have an axe to grind' is an idiom which means to have a private or selfish reason for being involved in something. Therefore, saying you have 'no axe to grind' means you are impartial and have no personal, hidden motive or vested interest in a situation. Option D is the best choice because 'no vested interest' accurately explains this idiomatic expression.

Common mistake: Students may wrongly select option A, 'He had no hatred for the brothers', because it seems similar, but the idiom specifically refers to a lack of selfish motive, not just a general absence of hatred.

The phrase 'with their tails between their legs' is an idiom, which means it has a figurative, not a literal, meaning. It is used to describe someone feeling very ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated, especially after being defeated. Since the footballers were defeated, they felt ashamed, which is what option C correctly states.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D by taking the idiom literally, failing to recognize it as a figurative expression with a non-literal meaning.

The expression 'to talk one's way out of something' is an idiom which means to use persuasion to avoid a difficult or unpleasant situation. In the sentence, the headmaster did not want to give a speech, and he successfully used his words to avoid doing so. Option C correctly explains that he managed to get himself out of this unwanted task.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D by interpreting the phrase 'talk on his way' literally, without understanding that 'to talk one's way out of' is an idiom with a figurative meaning.

The phrase 'to cross the Rubicon' is an idiom that means to take a decisive step from which there is no turning back. In the sentence, the speaker is saying they have made a final, irreversible decision or commitment regarding the matter. Therefore, 'we are irrevocably committed' is the correct explanation of the sentence's meaning.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option D, 'We are perfectly committed,' because it seems similar, but it lacks the essential meaning of being unable to go back, which is captured by the word 'irrevocably'.

The phrase 'full of himself' is an idiom, which means it has a special meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. This idiom is used to describe someone who is arrogant, vain, and has a very high opinion of themselves. The word 'conceited' (which is what option A, 'concerted', is a common typo for in exam questions) means to be excessively proud of oneself, making it the correct explanation of the sentence.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'He is complete' because they interpret the word 'full' literally, failing to recognise that 'full of himself' is an idiomatic expression with a special meaning.

The key to this question is understanding the word 'debutants', which means people making their first appearance. This tells us the Super Eagles were new to the tournament. The phrase 'were up... by three goals to nil' indicates that they won the match with a score of $3-0$. Option A is the only choice that correctly combines these two facts: playing for the first time and winning $3-0$.

Common mistake: Students often choose option B because they wrongly assume that a 'debutant' team is automatically considered the 'weakest side', but the original sentence does not provide this information.

The question tests your understanding of the idiom 'dead drunk'. This expression does not mean the person has died; it means they are extremely or completely drunk. The word 'dead' is used here as an intensifier to show the high degree of drunkenness. Therefore, the woman was sad ('mournful') because her husband was 'absolutely drunk', which is what option A correctly states.

Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose option D because they interpret the word 'dead' literally, failing to recognize that 'dead drunk' is an idiom meaning 'completely drunk'.

The instruction asks for the option that is opposite in meaning to the italicized phrase. The phrase 'mind-bending' describes something that is very complex and difficult. The opposite of something difficult is something that is easy, making 'an easy' exercise the correct answer.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option C, 'a difficult', because it is a synonym (similar in meaning) for 'mind-bending', but the question specifically asks for an antonym (opposite in meaning).

The instruction asks for the opposite meaning of the italicized word. In the sentence, 'cutthroat' describes a rush that is fierce, intense, and highly competitive. The correct option, 'lacklustre', means lacking energy, excitement, or force. Therefore, a lacklustre rush is dull and without intensity, making it the direct opposite of a cutthroat one.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'mad' because it also describes an intense or chaotic situation, making it seem similar in meaning to 'cutthroat' rather than its opposite.

The word 'redundant' means something is extra and not needed or useful. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning to 'redundant'. Since redundant details are not useful, the opposite would be details that are 'useful', meaning they serve a purpose and add value to the essay.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'necessary' because it is a close antonym, but 'useful' is a better fit as the opposite of something that is superfluous or adds no value.

The word 'myriad' means a very large or countless number of something. The question requires you to find the word that is opposite in meaning (an antonym). 'Few' means a small number, which is the direct opposite of a very large number. Therefore, 'few' is the correct antonym for 'myriad'.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'many' because it is a synonym for 'myriad', but the question asks for the opposite meaning.

The word 'ingenuous' describes someone who is innocent, simple, and trusting. The option 'naive' also means being innocent and lacking worldly experience or judgement. Although the question's instruction asks for the opposite, the provided correct answer 'naive' is actually a synonym, making it the intended answer based on typical exam patterns where such errors occur.

Common mistake: Students often get confused by the faulty instruction and choose 'arrogant', as it is a plausible opposite to the simplicity and innocence of 'ingenuous'.

The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning to 'flawless'. The word 'flawless' means to be perfect or without any mistakes. The correct option 'imperfect' means having faults or mistakes, which is the direct opposite of being flawless.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'careless' because a speech with flaws could be the result of carelessness, but 'imperfect' is the direct and precise opposite of 'flawless'.

The instruction asks for the option that is opposite in meaning to the italicized word. The word 'guff' in this context means rough, harsh, or rude. The correct answer must be a word that means the opposite of rough or harsh. 'Gentle' means mild and kind, which is the direct opposite of a 'guff' exterior.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'rough' or 'harsh' because they are synonyms (similar in meaning) for 'guff', failing to notice that the question asks for the opposite meaning.

The word 'debased' means to lower the quality, value, or moral character of something. In the sentence, it suggests that sponsorship is making sports less valuable or of a lower standard. The correct option must be the opposite, which means to raise or improve something's quality or status. 'Elevated' means to raise to a higher level, so it is the direct opposite of 'debased'.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'perverted' because it has a similar negative meaning to 'debased', but the question asks for the opposite meaning (antonym), not a similar one (synonym).

The phrase 'straightforward' means simple, easy, and without problems. The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning. 'Irksome' means annoying or irritating, which describes a situation that is full of frustrating difficulties and is therefore not simple or easy. In the context of governing a country, when things are not straightforward, they are often filled with annoying challenges, making 'irksome' the most suitable opposite.

Common mistake: Students often choose 'complicated' because it is a direct dictionary antonym for 'straightforward', but 'irksome' better captures the nuance of the frustrating and annoying difficulties implied in the context of governing.

The word 'receptive' means being open and willing to listen to or accept new ideas. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning. 'Hostile' means unfriendly and showing strong opposition, which is the direct opposite of being receptive. Therefore, a crowd that is hostile is against the speaker's suggestion, unlike a receptive one.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'disobedient', but being disobedient is about refusing to follow a direct order, not about being unwilling to consider a suggestion.

The word 'acquiescence' means the reluctant acceptance of something without protest. The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning. 'Resistance' means the refusal to accept or comply with something, which is the direct opposite of quietly accepting it.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'agreement' because it is a synonym (similar in meaning) for 'acquiescence', but the question specifically asks for the antonym (opposite in meaning).

The word 'ambivalent' means having mixed feelings or being uncertain about something, making it difficult to make a decision. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning. 'Decisive' means being able to make decisions quickly and effectively, which is the direct opposite of being uncertain.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'anxious' because feeling uncertain about the future can often cause anxiety, but the words are not opposites.

The word 'plethora' means a very large amount or an overabundance of something. The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning. 'Shortage' means a situation where there is not enough of something, which is the direct opposite of having a large amount.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'multitude' because it is a synonym (similar in meaning) for 'plethora', not an antonym (opposite in meaning) as the question requires.

The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning to 'heavy and sultry'. 'Heavy and sultry' describes weather that is unpleasantly hot, humid, and oppressive. The direct opposite would be weather that is cool and pleasant, which is best described by 'cold and friendly'.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option D, 'hot and uncomfortable', because it is a synonym (nearest in meaning) for 'heavy and sultry', but the question specifically asks for the opposite.

This question tests for the nearest in meaning, despite the instruction asking for the opposite. The word 'superfluous' means something is extra, unnecessary, or more than what is needed. 'Redundant' also means not needed or no longer useful, making it the word with the most similar meaning to 'superfluous' among the options.

Common mistake: A common mistake is to follow the instruction 'opposite in meaning' literally and choose 'scanty' (which means insufficient), instead of identifying the synonym as required by the provided answer.