JAMB English Language 2016 Past Questions & Answers

This question tests your detailed understanding of the events and characters in the recommended literature text. In the novel 'The Last Days at Forcados High School', Nene, as the Head Girl, was given the specific responsibility of organizing the school's carol night. This was a major task she handled towards the end of the term.

Common mistake: Students who do not remember the specific details of the plot might guess other plausible school duties, like arranging the hall, but the novel explicitly states her role was organizing the carol night.

This question tests your detailed knowledge of the recommended literature text. In the novel, Efua's admission directly into the final year (SS3) was highly unusual for Forcados High School. This break from tradition and normal procedure made some teachers view her with suspicion and dislike from the beginning.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option B because they remember Efua was expelled from her previous school, but this was the source of student gossip, not the direct reason for the teachers' initial negative attitude.

This question tests your understanding of the characters and their relationships in the novel. In this part of the story, Jimi, being very sociable, gets caught up with other people and forgets about his shy friend, Ansa. Ansa feels left out and ignored by his best friend, which is why he becomes sad or 'glum'.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because they remember Ansa is a shy character, but the question specifically links his mood to Jimi's actions, making neglect the direct cause.

This question tests your detailed knowledge of the recommended literature, 'The Last Days at Forcados High School'. The book serves as the comprehension passage. In the story, Mama Shilifat, the food seller, consistently showed her special liking for Jimi by always giving him the biggest pieces of puff-puff whenever he bought from her.

Common mistake: A student who has not read the book carefully might guess option B, as giving advice is a general way an older person shows care, but the novel specifically mentions the puff-puff as the sign of her affection.

This question tests your detailed understanding of the plot and character interactions in the recommended literature text. In the novel, this specific conversation occurs when Efua and Nene visit Ansa's house, worried about Jimi's recent withdrawal and absence from school. Ansa reluctantly reveals the secret about Jimi's brother, Wole, to explain Jimi's behaviour, making Efua and Nene the correct audience.

Common mistake: A common mistake is choosing Caro, as she is a prominent female character linked to Jimi, but students must remember this conversation happened after their breakup and Ansa was speaking to Jimi's concerned friends, not his ex-girlfriend.

In the novel 'The Last Days at Forcados High School,' Jimi and Efua become very close friends after she arrives. Because they spent a lot of time together, studying and talking, other students started a rumour that they were dating. This gossip was a significant part of the story's plot.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose Joke because she was Jimi's actual girlfriend for a long time, but the question asks about the *speculation* which was about his new and close relationship with Efua.

In the novel, Mr. Solade was deeply worried about the negative influence Jimi's cousin, Wole, had on him, especially concerning Wole's rebellious and dangerous lifestyle. To protect his son and remove him from this bad company during the holidays, Mr. Solade made the decision to send Jimi to stay with his brother in Ibadan. This action was primarily a protective measure against Wole's bad influence.

Common mistake: Students might choose option C because spending time with friends seems like a positive reason for a holiday, but it ignores the central conflict in the story which was Mr. Solade's fear of Wole's negative impact on Jimi.

In the novel, Efua was often seen as proud and standoffish by her classmates, which made them dislike her. Because of this perception, they did not feel sorry for her when the drink spilled on her during the party. They saw the incident as a deserved moment of embarrassment for someone they considered arrogant.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option B, confusing the general envy over her relationship with Jimi for the specific reason they disliked her character, which was her perceived arrogance.

This question tests your detailed understanding of the characters in the recommended novel. In 'The Last Days at Forcados High School', the guidance counsellor, Mr. Mallum, is consistently portrayed as a small and thin (wiry) man. His manner of speaking is also noted to be different, which is described as an odd accent, making option D the correct answer.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C, confusing the patient and kind Mr. Mallum with the impatient and harsh teacher, Mr. Solade.

The correct answer is B because the novel clearly states that Efua gained admission into Forcados High School due to a very positive recommendation from her former principal. This recommendation highlighted her good character and intelligence, which persuaded the school to accept her despite her past. The other reasons mentioned were not the basis for her admission according to the story.

Common mistake: Students might wrongly choose option D because Aunt Moni was very supportive of Efua, but her support and gifts came after Efua was already admitted, not as the reason for her admission.

The expression 'something fishy' is an idiom used to describe a situation that seems suspicious or not quite right. In the novel, Nene says this because she observes Jimi and Efua's interactions and suspects they are secretly developing a romantic relationship behind her back. Therefore, the phrase directly refers to Nene's suspicion about them.

Common mistake: Students might wrongly choose option C because Nene was indeed annoyed, but the idiom 'something fishy' specifically points to the suspicion she felt, not her resulting annoyance.

This question tests your detailed knowledge of the characters from the recommended literature text, 'The Last Days at Forcados High School'. Throughout the novel, Seyi Lawal is consistently portrayed as a diligent and responsible head boy who took his duties very seriously. This dedication and commitment to his role clearly indicate that he loved his job.

Common mistake: Students might be tempted to choose option C because Seyi's interactions with girls like Efua and Nene are a major part of the plot, but his primary character description relates to his responsibility as head boy.

This question tests your understanding of the major themes in the recommended literature text. The novel 'The Last Days at Forcados High School' explores various issues like family conflict, peer pressure, and the stigma of HIV/AIDS. These are all examples of problems that exist in society, making 'societal problems' the best description of what the author portrays.

Common mistake: A student might choose option A or C because the book does mention NGOs and teachers' feelings, but the word 'only' makes those options too restrictive and therefore incorrect.

This question tests your understanding of character motivation in the recommended literature text. In the novel, Efua's backstory reveals that she was sexually abused by her stepfather. This traumatic event is the direct cause of her deep-seated distrust and hostility towards boys and men.

Common mistake: Students might confuse the source of her trauma with the role of other characters, but the novel makes it very clear that the abuse by her stepfather was the defining negative experience of her past.

This question tests your understanding of the characters in the recommended literature text. In the novel 'The Last Days at Forcados High School,' Jimi Solade was a senior student and a school prefect. This position of leadership made him a well-known and respected figure among the students, which is why he was considered prominent.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D because they confuse Jimi with his brother, Wole, who was the talented artist known for his paintings.

The phrase 'to bear the brunt' is an idiom which means to suffer the main force or the worst part of an unpleasant situation. In the context of an examination, this means experiencing the worst possible outcome. Therefore, the sentence correctly means that Mr. Rufus failed the examination woefully.

Common mistake: Students unfamiliar with the idiom might misinterpret the word 'bore' as carrying something successfully, leading them to wrongly select the opposite meaning in option B.

The phrase 'well off' is an idiomatic expression that means to be wealthy or have a lot of money. It does not literally mean someone is 'well' in health. Therefore, the sentence 'My friend is well off nowadays' means that the friend is now financially comfortable or sound, making option A the correct explanation.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option C by interpreting the word 'well' literally as being in good health, without understanding that 'well off' is a fixed idiomatic phrase with a different meaning.

The phrase 'did a yeoman's service' is an idiom which means to perform excellent, difficult, and loyal work over a long period. The sentence is saying that the retired officer served his country very well and with great loyalty. Therefore, the option that best explains this is that he was very loyal to the nation.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option C because it contains the word 'yeoman', leading them to a literal interpretation rather than understanding the idiomatic meaning of the entire phrase.

The phrase 'in the thick of the situation' is an idiom, which is a common expression with a figurative meaning. It means to be in the most active or central part of a situation, especially one that is difficult or busy. Therefore, finding himself 'in the thick of the situation' means he found himself deeply involved in it, making option D the correct explanation.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C because they associate being 'in the thick of' a problem with needing to escape it, but the idiom actually means being deeply involved, not getting out.

The phrase 'to come to blows' is an idiom which means to start a physical fight after a serious disagreement. The question states that Olu and Ado are 'about to' do this, meaning they are very close to fighting. Therefore, the option that best explains this is that they are about to hit each other.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D because a disagreement often comes before a fight, but the idiom 'come to blows' specifically refers to the physical fight itself, not just the argument.

The phrase 'to cut one's own throat' is an idiom, which means to do something that causes your own failure or ruin. It is a figurative expression, not a literal action with a knife. By refusing the offer, the person acted against their own interest, which is best explained as making a big mistake.

Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose option D because they interpret the idiom 'cut down his own throat' literally, instead of understanding its figurative meaning of causing one's own failure.

The question tests your understanding of the idiom 'the thin end of the wedge'. This expression refers to a small, initial action that is expected to lead to a much larger and more unpleasant situation in the future. In this context, the job cuts are not the main problem, but rather the beginning of more serious problems to come, which makes option C the correct answer.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A, confusing the idea of a 'small start' with something that is already widespread or 'rampant'.

The question tests your understanding of an idiomatic expression. The phrase 'a fair crack of the whip' is an idiom that means a fair chance or an equal opportunity to do something. Therefore, the sentence means that Jumai will do well if she is given an equal opportunity, which directly matches the meaning of option C.

Common mistake: Students often make the mistake of choosing option A because they interpret the idiom 'a fair crack of the whip' literally, thinking it refers to an actual physical whip.

The expression 'a bolt from the blue' is an idiom that means something happened suddenly and was completely unexpected. Imagine a lightning bolt coming from a clear blue sky; it would be a total surprise. In the sentence, this means that her death was a sudden and shocking event that no one was prepared for, making 'unexpected' the correct meaning.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B, 'Her death caused confusion,' because while an unexpected event can cause confusion, the direct meaning of the idiom itself is 'unexpected', not 'confusing'.

The phrase 'to nose around' is an idiomatic expression that means to search for information or try to find out about something, usually in a curious or secret manner. The sentence means the students were trying to discover something by looking around. Therefore, the option that best explains this is 'They were searching for information'.

Common mistake: Students may wrongly choose option A, 'They were roaming about,' because it involves movement, but this choice misses the key idea of searching for information which is central to the idiom 'nosing around'.