82 JAMB English Language 2014 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.
The minister considered the ministry's budget to be a drop in the ocean in view of the number of projects in the pipeline.
The phrase 'a drop in the ocean' is an idiom that means a very small and insignificant amount compared to what is needed. In the sentence, the minister believes the budget is far too small for all the planned projects ('projects in the pipeline'). This means the money available is inadequate to cover the expected costs, which is what option B states.
Common mistake: Students often make the mistake of choosing options A or D because they interpret the words 'ocean' and 'pipeline' literally, instead of understanding the idiomatic meaning of the entire phrase.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The police are looking for the woman who farmed her children out to her neighbours.
The question tests the understanding of the idiomatic expression 'to farm someone out'. This phrase means to arrange for someone else to take care of a person or animal. In the sentence, the woman arranged for her neighbours to take care of her children. Therefore, option C, which correctly interprets this action, is the best explanation of the information conveyed.
Common mistake: Students often make the mistake of choosing option A or B because they interpret the word 'farmed' literally, thinking it relates to agriculture, instead of understanding its idiomatic meaning.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Jummai's father remarked that pigs would fly before she passed.
The phrase 'pigs would fly' is an idiom, which is a common expression whose meaning is not literal. It is used to describe something that is completely impossible or will never happen. In the sentence, the father is saying that it is impossible for Jummai to pass, which is why option C is the correct interpretation.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because they interpret the father's harsh comment as a challenge for Jummai to work harder, rather than as a statement of complete impossibility.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The president said that he found himself between a rock and a hard place when the press said that he has resigned.
The phrase 'between a rock and a hard place' is an idiom, which is a figurative expression. It means to be in a very difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant options. Therefore, the sentence means the president had a hard or difficult decision to make, which is what option D states.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose options like A or C because they interpret the words 'rock' and 'hard place' literally, failing to recognize the phrase as an idiom with a figurative meaning.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Kunana is like a bear in the sore head.
The expression 'like a bear with a sore head' is an idiom, which is a phrase with a figurative, not literal, meaning. It is used to describe someone who is very irritable, bad-tempered, or grumpy. Therefore, the sentence means that Kunana is in a very bad mood and easily annoyed.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option C by interpreting the word 'bear' literally, thinking it refers to the animal's appearance, instead of understanding the idiomatic meaning of the whole phrase.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Olu gave his brother a bumpy ride.
The phrase 'a bumpy ride' is an idiomatic expression, meaning it has a figurative, not a literal, meaning. In English, to give someone 'a bumpy ride' means to cause them to have a difficult and unpleasant experience. Therefore, the sentence is best explained as Olu giving his brother a difficult time.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option B because they interpret the phrase 'a bumpy ride' literally, instead of recognizing it as an idiom for a difficult experience.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Adeola doesn't have to go to the farm today.
The phrase 'doesn't have to' indicates a lack of obligation or necessity, meaning it is not compulsory for Adeola to go. This implies he has a choice in the matter. Option A, 'Adeola may go... if he so wishes,' perfectly captures this meaning by showing that he has the freedom to decide.
Common mistake: Many students incorrectly choose option C, confusing 'doesn't have to' (which means something is not necessary) with 'must not' (which means something is forbidden).
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
My boss asked me to take my eyes off the ball.
The phrase 'to take one's eyes off the ball' is an idiom, which means to stop concentrating on what is most important. It is a figurative expression and is not about a literal ball or sport. The correct option, A, accurately explains this idiomatic meaning, which is to stop paying attention to the main task or goal.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose options B, C, or D because they interpret the word 'ball' literally, thinking the sentence is about the sport of football, instead of recognizing it as part of an idiom.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
The robber was hedged in by the people.
The expression 'hedged in' is an idiom which means to be surrounded or confined, much like how a hedge (a fence of bushes) encloses a garden. In the sentence, the people formed a barrier around the robber, preventing his escape. Therefore, the option that best explains this is that the robber was 'surrounded by the people'.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D, 'The robber was caught by the people,' because being surrounded often leads to being caught, but 'hedged in' specifically means surrounded, not the final act of capture.
Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.
Many workers are not happy because they live a hand-to-mouth life.
The phrase 'hand-to-mouth' is an idiom used to describe a situation where a person has just enough money to live on and nothing extra for savings. This means they are struggling financially and only just managing to get by. Therefore, the statement that they are 'barely surviving' is the best explanation of their condition.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A because it offers a literal interpretation of the word 'hand,' failing to recognize that 'hand-to-mouth' is an idiom with a figurative meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
Prolonged strike action debilitated the industry.
The word 'debilitated' means to make something very weak or to reduce its strength. The question requires the word that is opposite in meaning. 'Invigorated' means to give new energy or strength to something, which is the direct opposite of making it weak. Therefore, 'invigorated' is the correct antonym for 'debilitated'.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'Weakened' because it is a synonym (has a similar meaning) for 'debilitated', but the question specifically asks for the opposite in meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
One of the students bought a plagiarised copy of the book.
The word 'plagiarised' means to copy another person's work and present it as one's own, making it a fake or stolen version. The question requires the word that is opposite in meaning. An 'original' copy is the first, authentic version from which other copies are made, making it the direct opposite of a plagiarised one.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'revised', but a revised copy is simply an updated authentic version, not a fake or stolen one like a plagiarised copy.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
The young girl was taken aback by her father's gift of a car.
To be 'taken aback' means to be very surprised or shocked. The question asks for the option that is opposite in meaning. 'Unmoved' means not feeling any strong emotion or surprise, which is the direct opposite of being shocked or taken aback.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'Surprised' or 'Shocked' because they are synonyms for 'taken aback', forgetting that the question asks for the opposite meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
Musa is a gifted but erratic player.
The word 'erratic' means inconsistent, unpredictable, or not following a regular pattern. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning. 'Regular' means consistent and predictable, which is the direct opposite of being erratic, making it the correct answer.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'Unstable' or 'Unpredictable' because they are synonyms of 'erratic', forgetting that the question asks for the opposite meaning (antonym).
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
The lamp shades were translucent.
The instruction asks for the word opposite in meaning to 'translucent'. 'Translucent' means allowing some light to pass through, but not clearly enough to see distinct images. The correct option, 'opaque', means not allowing any light to pass through at all, making it the direct opposite.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'transparent' because it is also related to light passing through an object, but 'transparent' means you can see clearly through it, which is a different degree of light passage, not the opposite.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
My niece has an unquenchable thirst for adventure stories.
The word 'unquenchable' describes something that cannot be satisfied or stopped. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning. A 'reduced' thirst is one that has been made smaller or less intense, which is the direct opposite of a thirst that cannot be quenched. Therefore, 'reduced' is the correct antonym for 'unquenchable' in this context.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'inextinguishable' because it is a synonym for 'unquenchable', but the question asks for the opposite in meaning (an antonym).
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
Some of my neighbours have an antipathy to dogs.
The word 'antipathy' means a strong feeling of dislike or hostility. The question requires the opposite of this meaning. 'Affection' means a feeling of fondness or liking, which is the direct opposite of strong dislike. Therefore, 'affection for' is the correct antonym for 'antipathy to'.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'Enmity towards' because it is a synonym (similar in meaning) for antipathy, not an antonym (opposite in meaning) as the question asks.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
The dressmaker unpicked the seam of the shirt.
The word 'unpicked' means to carefully undo the stitches of a piece of sewing. The question asks for the word that is opposite in meaning. To 'sew up' means to join or close something using stitches, which is the direct opposite of taking stitches apart. Therefore, 'sewed up' is the correct antonym for 'unpicked'.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'Tore up' because it also means to take something apart, but it implies a violent or destructive action, unlike the careful process of 'unpicking'.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
The testimony of the witness was vague.
The word 'vague' means something is unclear, indefinite, or not specific. The question requires you to find the word that is opposite in meaning (an antonym). The direct opposite of something being unclear is for it to be clear and easy to understand, which makes 'clear' the correct option.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'ambiguous' because it is a synonym (similar in meaning) for 'vague', but the question specifically asks for the word opposite in meaning.
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
As a student, Isa tied communal living for a few years.
The word 'communal' means something is for common use or shared by all members of a community. The question requires the opposite of this word. 'Private' means something belongs to or is for the use of one particular person or group, which is the direct opposite of being shared by everyone. Therefore, 'private' is the correct antonym for 'communal'.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'Collective' or 'Shared' because they are synonyms (similar in meaning) for 'communal', but the instruction asks for the opposite meaning (antonym).
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
The chairman admires incessant meetings.
The word 'incessant' means something that continues without stopping or interruption. The option that is nearest in meaning to 'incessant' is 'constant', which also means happening all the time or very often. Therefore, if the chairman admires incessant meetings, it means he likes meetings that happen constantly.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'Irregular' because they confuse the meaning of 'incessant' with something that happens at odd times, when it actually means the opposite.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
Today's weather is favourable for a game of tennis.
The question asks for the word nearest in meaning to 'favourable'. 'Favourable' means something is advantageous, suitable, or good for a particular purpose. In the sentence, the weather is good for playing tennis, which means it encourages the game to be played. Therefore, 'encouraging' is the closest synonym in this context.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'Disapproving' if they confuse the instruction 'nearest in meaning' with 'opposite in meaning', as it is an antonym of favourable.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
All the candidates looked aghast at the reading of the questions.
The word 'aghast' means to be filled with horror, shock, or great surprise. In the sentence, the candidates were shocked and horrified when they read the exam questions. The word 'dismayed' means to be shocked, worried, or upset, which makes it the nearest in meaning to 'aghast' in this context.
Common mistake: A common mistake is choosing an opposite word like 'relaxed' or 'satisfied' if the student does not know the meaning of 'aghast' and has to guess.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
Joke gave Muhammad a jaunty smile.
The question requires you to find the word that is nearest in meaning to 'jaunty'. The word 'jaunty' means expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner. Therefore, a 'jaunty smile' is a smile that is full of life and happiness, making 'A cheerful' the correct option.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'An inviting' because a cheerful smile can also be inviting, but 'cheerful' is the direct meaning of 'jaunty,' while 'inviting' is only a possible effect of the smile.
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.
The first round of the tournament was a doddle .
The word 'doddle' is an informal expression used to describe something that is extremely easy to do or accomplish. In the context of the sentence, saying the first round of the tournament was a 'doddle' means it was not challenging at all. Therefore, 'Easy' is the correct option as it is the nearest in meaning.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'Dodgy' because it sounds similar to 'doddle', but the two words have completely different meanings.
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