JAMB English Language 2018 Past Questions & Answers

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her little son is in a 'destructive stage' or even has a 'destructive personality' because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labour has puzzled many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder, must destroy it himself. This game, I should think, arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower 'stand up' enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previously passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker ---- and towers, unlike little sister, can't cry and call, 'Mummy!'

The question asks what gives the child great pleasure according to the passage. The passage explicitly states that the child gets 'almost manic pleasure' from watching the tower collapse. It further clarifies this by saying, 'He, the builder, must destroy it himself', which directly supports option B.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A because it seems logical for a child to want to show their work to a parent, but the passage directly states the child refuses to do this.

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her little son is in a 'destructive stage' or even has a 'destructive personality' because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labour has puzzled many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder, must destroy it himself. This game, I should think, arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower 'stand up' enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previously passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker ---- and towers, unlike little sister, can't cry and call, 'Mummy!'

The question asks for the other feeling the child gets from destroying the tower, apart from pleasure. The last sentence of the passage directly states that this action 'makes one feel stronger'. This feeling comes from having active control and power over the tower, which is described as being 'weaker' and unable to cry for help.

Common mistake: Students may wrongly select 'Anxiety' because it is the first major concept mentioned in the passage, but the text presents the play as a way to overcome anxiety, not as a source of it during the act of destruction.

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her little son is in a 'destructive stage' or even has a 'destructive personality' because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labour has puzzled many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder, must destroy it himself. This game, I should think, arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower 'stand up' enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previously passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker ---- and towers, unlike little sister, can't cry and call, 'Mummy!'

The question requires you to find the author's explanation for a child's 'destructive stage' from the passage. The passage explicitly states that this behaviour 'arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls'. This directly supports option C, as the author links the act of destroying the tower to the child's own recent experiences with falling while learning to stand.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D because the passage mentions a 'destructive stage', but they fail to see that the author's main point is to provide a deeper explanation for this behavior, not just label it.

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her little son is in a 'destructive stage' or even has a 'destructive personality' because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labour has puzzled many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder, must destroy it himself. This game, I should think, arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower 'stand up' enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previously passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker ---- and towers, unlike little sister, can't cry and call, 'Mummy!'

The question asks for the meaning of a phrase within the context of the passage. The passage describes the child's 'almost manic pleasure' in destroying the tower, indicating the action comes from a strong internal feeling. The word 'must' here expresses an irresistible impulse or compulsion, not an external force or duty, which is why 'cannot resist the urge to demolish it' is the correct meaning.

Common mistake: Students might wrongly choose option B, 'is obliged to kick it', because they interpret 'must' as an external obligation, but the passage's context clearly points to the child's own internal desire.

In order to approach the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the problem of anxiety in play, let us consider the activity of building and destroying a tower. Many a mother thinks that her little son is in a 'destructive stage' or even has a 'destructive personality' because after building a big, big tower, the boy cannot follow her advice to leave the tower for Daddy to see, but instead must kick it and make it collapse. The almost manic pleasure with which children watch the collapse in a second of the product of long play-labour has puzzled many, especially since the child does not appreciate it at all if his tower falls by accident or by a helpful uncle’s hand. He, the builder, must destroy it himself. This game, I should think, arises from the not so distant experience of sudden falls at the very time when standing upright on wobbly legs afforded a new and fascinating perspective on existence. The child who consequently learns to make a tower 'stand up' enjoys causing the same tower to waver and collapse; in addition to the active mastery over a previously passive event, it makes one feel stronger to know that there is somebody weaker ---- and towers, unlike little sister, can't cry and call, 'Mummy!'

The question asks for the meaning of the phrase 'manic pleasure' as used in the passage. The word 'manic' refers to a state of wild, excessive, or uncontrollable excitement. Therefore, 'manic pleasure' means a pleasure that is extreme and without limits, making 'unlimited pleasure' the correct answer.

Common mistake: Students may wrongly choose 'childish pleasure' because the passage is about a child, but the word 'manic' specifically describes the intensity of the pleasure, not the age of the person experiencing it.

A wolf, seeing a lamb drinking from a river, wanted to find a pretext for devouring him, He stood higher up the stream and accused the lamb of muddying the water so that he could not drink. The lamb said that he drank only the tip of his tongue and that in any case he was standing lower down the river, and could not possible disturb the water higher When this excuse failed him, the wolf said: 'Well, last year you insulted my father.' "I wasn't even born then replied the lamb.’You are good at finding answer' said the wolf, 'but what do you mean by taking up so much of the path where I am walking?' The lamb, frightened at the wolf's angry tone and terrible aspect, told him, with all due submission, that he could not conceive how his walking on such a wide path could occasion him any inconvenience. 'What!' exclaimed the wolf, seemingly in great anger and indignation.

'You are as impudent as your father who seized me by the throat last year and caused me to be kept in a cage for three months'. 'If you will believe me,' said the lamb, 'my parents are poor simple creatures who live entirely by green stuff, we are none of us hunters of your species.' Ah! I see it's no use talking to you,' said the wolf, drawing up close to him. 'it runs in the blood of your family to hate us wolves, and therefore, as we have come so conveniently together, I'll just pay off a few of your forefathers scores before we part.' So saying, he leapt at the lamb from behind and garotted him. Adapted from Bennet. C.H(1978)

The question asks for a conclusion based on how the story ended. The final sentence states that the wolf 'leapt at the lamb from behind and garotted him.' The word 'garotted' means to kill someone by strangling. This action directly leads to the conclusion that the lamb was killed and did not survive the encounter.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option D because the wolf acted very angry, but the passage clearly states from the beginning that the wolf was only looking for a 'pretext' or an excuse to eat the lamb.

A wolf, seeing a lamb drinking from a river, wanted to find a pretext for devouring him, He stood higher up the stream and accused the lamb of muddying the water so that he could not drink. The lamb said that he drank only the tip of his tongue and that in any case he was standing lower down the river, and could not possible disturb the water higher When this excuse failed him, the wolf said: 'Well, last year you insulted my father.' "I wasn't even born then replied the lamb.’You are good at finding answer' said the wolf, 'but what do you mean by taking up so much of the path where I am walking?' The lamb, frightened at the wolf's angry tone and terrible aspect, told him, with all due submission, that he could not conceive how his walking on such a wide path could occasion him any inconvenience. 'What!' exclaimed the wolf, seemingly in great anger and indignation.

'You are as impudent as your father who seized me by the throat last year and caused me to be kept in a cage for three months'. 'If you will believe me,' said the lamb, 'my parents are poor simple creatures who live entirely by green stuff, we are none of us hunters of your species.' Ah! I see it's no use talking to you,' said the wolf, drawing up close to him. 'it runs in the blood of your family to hate us wolves, and therefore, as we have come so conveniently together, I'll just pay off a few of your forefathers scores before we part.' So saying, he leapt at the lamb from behind and garotted him. Adapted from Bennet. C.H(1978)

The passage begins by stating the wolf wanted a 'pretext,' which is a fake reason, to eat the lamb. The phrase 'when this excuse failed him' shows that the wolf's accusation was not a real problem but just a made-up excuse. Because his first excuse did not work, he immediately tried another one, proving that the charges were not genuine but were invented on the spot.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B because the lamb's clever answers make the wolf's excuse fail, but the question focuses on what the phrase reveals about the wolf's intentions, not the lamb's intelligence.

A wolf, seeing a lamb drinking from a river, wanted to find a pretext for devouring him, He stood higher up the stream and accused the lamb of muddying the water so that he could not drink. The lamb said that he drank only the tip of his tongue and that in any case he was standing lower down the river, and could not possible disturb the water higher When this excuse failed him, the wolf said: 'Well, last year you insulted my father.' "I wasn't even born then replied the lamb.’You are good at finding answer' said the wolf, 'but what do you mean by taking up so much of the path where I am walking?' The lamb, frightened at the wolf's angry tone and terrible aspect, told him, with all due submission, that he could not conceive how his walking on such a wide path could occasion him any inconvenience. 'What!' exclaimed the wolf, seemingly in great anger and indignation.

'You are as impudent as your father who seized me by the throat last year and caused me to be kept in a cage for three months'. 'If you will believe me,' said the lamb, 'my parents are poor simple creatures who live entirely by green stuff, we are none of us hunters of your species.' Ah! I see it's no use talking to you,' said the wolf, drawing up close to him. 'it runs in the blood of your family to hate us wolves, and therefore, as we have come so conveniently together, I'll just pay off a few of your forefathers scores before we part.' So saying, he leapt at the lamb from behind and garotted him. Adapted from Bennet. C.H(1978)

The question requires you to identify the specific accusations the wolf made against the lamb in the story. Option D is correct because it lists the charges mentioned in the passage: 'muddying the water' (pollution), being 'impudent' (insolence), 'taking up so much of the path' (obstruction), and the father's supposed attack (aggression).

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option A because it correctly identifies 'insolence', but it is incomplete as it misses the other key charges of pollution and obstruction mentioned in the passage.

A wolf, seeing a lamb drinking from a river, wanted to find a pretext for devouring him, He stood higher up the stream and accused the lamb of muddying the water so that he could not drink. The lamb said that he drank only the tip of his tongue and that in any case he was standing lower down the river, and could not possible disturb the water higher When this excuse failed him, the wolf said: 'Well, last year you insulted my father.' "I wasn't even born then replied the lamb.’You are good at finding answer' said the wolf, 'but what do you mean by taking up so much of the path where I am walking?' The lamb, frightened at the wolf's angry tone and terrible aspect, told him, with all due submission, that he could not conceive how his walking on such a wide path could occasion him any inconvenience. 'What!' exclaimed the wolf, seemingly in great anger and indignation.

'You are as impudent as your father who seized me by the throat last year and caused me to be kept in a cage for three months'. 'If you will believe me,' said the lamb, 'my parents are poor simple creatures who live entirely by green stuff, we are none of us hunters of your species.' Ah! I see it's no use talking to you,' said the wolf, drawing up close to him. 'it runs in the blood of your family to hate us wolves, and therefore, as we have come so conveniently together, I'll just pay off a few of your forefathers scores before we part.' So saying, he leapt at the lamb from behind and garotted him. Adapted from Bennet. C.H(1978)

The question asks for the meaning of the phrase 'angry tone and terrible aspect' as used in the passage. 'Angry tone' describes the sound of the wolf's voice, which would be harsh. 'Terrible aspect' refers to the wolf's frightening appearance or look. Option D, 'harsh voice and menacing posture', correctly interprets both parts of the phrase.

Common mistake: Students might choose option B, assuming 'terrible' must mean 'towering' or 'thunderous', but 'aspect' specifically refers to appearance or posture, not size or volume.

A wolf, seeing a lamb drinking from a river, wanted to find a pretext for devouring him, He stood higher up the stream and accused the lamb of muddying the water so that he could not drink. The lamb said that he drank only the tip of his tongue and that in any case he was standing lower down the river, and could not possible disturb the water higher When this excuse failed him, the wolf said: 'Well, last year you insulted my father.' "I wasn't even born then replied the lamb.’You are good at finding answer' said the wolf, 'but what do you mean by taking up so much of the path where I am walking?' The lamb, frightened at the wolf's angry tone and terrible aspect, told him, with all due submission, that he could not conceive how his walking on such a wide path could occasion him any inconvenience. 'What!' exclaimed the wolf, seemingly in great anger and indignation.

'You are as impudent as your father who seized me by the throat last year and caused me to be kept in a cage for three months'. 'If you will believe me,' said the lamb, 'my parents are poor simple creatures who live entirely by green stuff, we are none of us hunters of your species.' Ah! I see it's no use talking to you,' said the wolf, drawing up close to him. 'it runs in the blood of your family to hate us wolves, and therefore, as we have come so conveniently together, I'll just pay off a few of your forefathers scores before we part.' So saying, he leapt at the lamb from behind and garotted him. Adapted from Bennet. C.H(1978)

The question asks for the moral of the story, which requires understanding the central message of the entire passage. The wolf was already determined to eat the lamb and kept inventing different excuses, even when they were proven false. This perfectly illustrates the proverb 'if you have made up your mind to hang your dog, any rope will do,' meaning that if someone is set on harming you, they will use any pretext to justify it.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option C because the story shows a powerful character oppressing a weak one, but the core moral is about the nature of the wolf's flimsy excuses, not just the power imbalance itself.

The correct option is D because 'pastime' is the right word for a hobby or an activity done for enjoyment. Also, the phrasal verb 'get through' correctly means to finish or complete a difficult task, like the assignment mentioned. Therefore, the complete sentence is 'I'll find time for my pastime when I get through with this difficult assignment.'

Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose option C, thinking 'passtime' is the correct spelling, because they correctly identify 'get through' as the right phrasal verb for finishing a task.

The correct option uses the phrasal verb 'paid off', which is an idiomatic expression meaning to be successful or yield a good result after a period of effort. The sentence mentions 'so many trials', indicating a lot of effort was put into the experiment. Therefore, 'paid off' correctly conveys that the experiment was eventually successful.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'paid for' because it is a common phrase, but it means to give money in exchange for something, which does not make sense in the context of an experiment's success.

The phrase 'to shake hands' is a fixed idiom used when two people greet each other, make an agreement, or part ways. Even though each person uses one hand, the action involves two hands coming together, so the plural form 'hands' is always used in this expression. Therefore, the correct option to complete the sentence is 'hands'.

Common mistake: Students often choose 'hand' because they logically think the chairman is only using one of his hands, but they fail to recognise that 'shake hands' is a fixed idiomatic expression that does not change.

The correct answer is 'glimpse' because the phrase 'to catch a glimpse of someone' is a standard English expression, also known as a collocation. It means to see someone or something for only a very brief moment. The context of people 'struggling' to see the leader fits perfectly with the idea of getting only a quick, momentary view.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'look' because it seems to fit the general meaning, but the correct English expression is 'catch a glimpse of', not 'catch a look of'.

The sentence uses the time marker 'since 1975,' which indicates an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present. The correct verb tense for an action that began in the past and continues to the present is the Present Perfect Continuous tense. This tense is formed with 'has been' + the '-ing' form of the verb, making 'has been teaching' the correct answer.

Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose 'taught' because they see the past date '1975,' but this is incorrect as the word 'since' shows that the action is still ongoing and not completed in the past.

The correct word to complete the sentence is 'match'. A 'match' refers to a sports game or contest between two teams or players. Since the sentence talks about two teams and a 'goalless draw', which are terms used in sports, 'match' is the only suitable option.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'march' because it sounds similar to 'match', but 'march' means to walk in an organized or military manner.

The correct option is 'out' because it completes the phrasal verb 'make out', which means to understand or discern something with difficulty. In the context of the sentence, the young man was struggling to understand the meaning of the document. Therefore, 'couldn't make out' is the correct idiomatic expression to convey this meaning.

Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose 'up' because 'make up' is a common phrasal verb, but it means to invent a story or to reconcile, which does not fit the context of understanding a document.

This question tests your knowledge of phrasal verbs, which are a type of idiomatic expression. The correct phrase is 'to make away with something', which means to steal something and escape with it. Since the sentence describes a thief taking the collection, 'made away' is the only option that correctly completes the meaning.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'up' because 'made up' is a common phrasal verb, but it means to invent or reconcile and does not fit the context of stealing.

This question tests your ability to distinguish between commonly confused words like 'loose' and 'lose'. The correct option is 'loosed', which is the past participle of the verb 'to loose' (meaning to untighten or set free). The phrase 'will get loosed' is a passive construction, indicating that the continuous playing will cause an action to be performed on the handle, making it become untightened.

Common mistake: Many students mistakenly choose 'lose' because of the similar sound, but 'lose' means to misplace something, which is the wrong meaning for this context.

The expression 'as good as lost' is an idiom which means that something is virtually or almost certainly lost. Therefore, the sentence means the speaker was almost certain that the game would be lost. Option C correctly captures this meaning of near certainty.

Common mistake: Students often get distracted by the first part of the sentence, 'For all he cared', and wrongly choose options A or B which focus on his lack of concern, instead of interpreting the main idiom 'as good as lost'.

This question tests your understanding of phrasal verbs. The underlined word is 'cancelled,' which means to stop an event that was previously arranged. The correct option, 'called off,' is a phrasal verb that specifically means to cancel a planned event like a meeting, making it the nearest in meaning.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'broke off,' confusing the idea of stopping a meeting with ending a relationship or conversation, which is the more common meaning of that phrasal verb.

The question asks for the word nearest in meaning to 'ardent'. The word 'ardent' means to have or show very strong feelings, enthusiasm, or passion for something. The option 'a passionate' directly matches this meaning, as someone who is passionate also has intense feelings and strong beliefs. Therefore, a passionate supporter is the nearest in meaning to an ardent supporter.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'optimistic' because a supporter is often hopeful, but 'ardent' specifically describes the intensity and passion of the support, not just a positive outlook.

The question asks for the word that is nearest in meaning to 'exhibition'. An exhibition is an event where objects, like artworks or goods, are shown to the public for people to see. The word 'display' also means a public showing of items. Therefore, 'display' is the correct synonym and the option nearest in meaning.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'examination' because both exhibitions and examinations can be formal events held in large halls, but an examination is a test, not a public showing of items.

The expression 'to have a nose for something' is an idiom, which means it has a figurative, not a literal, meaning. It means to have a natural talent or special ability to find something. Therefore, Bola having a 'nose for stories' means she has a natural instinct for finding them, making 'an instinct' the correct option.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly think the phrase means having expertise or 'a command' of the subject, but the idiom specifically refers to the natural ability to find or discover something, which is an instinct.

The phrase 'on the verge of' means to be at the point where something is about to happen. We are looking for a word that has a similar meaning. 'Brink' also means the edge or point of beginning, so to be 'on the brink of' something means you are very close to it happening. Therefore, 'brink' is the nearest in meaning to 'verge' in this context.

Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'summit' or 'height', thinking that being close to signing a contract is a high point, but 'verge' means you are at the edge or about to start, not at the peak of an achievement.