HomeClassroomJAMB English Language Past Questions & Answers JAMB English Language Past Questions & Answers By Classgist May 29, 2025 Classroom 0 Comments JAMB JAMB English Past Questions and Answers 1 / 50 1. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; In the match against the uplanders team, the sub mariners turned out to be the dark horse B. played below their usual form A. played most brilliantly C. won unexpectedly D. lost as expected E. won as expected Correct Answer: Option C Explanation The term "dark horse" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a little-known or less-favoured contender in a competition who unexpectedly achieves success. In the context of the sentence, describing the sub mariners as "the dark horse" suggests that they were not widely expected to win, but they surprised everyone by emerging victorious in the match against the uplanders team. Therefore, option C, "won unexpectedly," accurately conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the sentence. 2 / 50 2. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence: Only the small fry gets punished for such social misdemeanours. A. small boys B. unimportant people C. frightened people D. frivolous people E. inexperienced people Correct Answer: Option B Explanation: The phrase "small fry" is a metaphor that means unimportant or insignificant people. In this sentence, it means that only people who don't matter much or have little power are punished for these types of social mistakes. Option B, "unimportant people," is the best choice because it clearly shows that the punishment is only for those who are not important or powerful. The term "small fry" is often used to talk about people who have little influence or importance in a situation. 3 / 50 3. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; He spoke with his heart in his mouth A. courageously B. with such unusual cowardice C. with a lot of confusion in his speech D. without being able to make up his mind E. with fright and agitation Correct Answer: Option E Explanation: The phrase "heart is in his/her mouth" means that someone is feeling very nervous, anxious, or worried. In simple words, it describes a situation where a person is so scared or nervous that it feels like their heart is beating very fast or has moved up to their throat. 4 / 50 4. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; The leader in today's issue of our popular newspaper focuses on inflation A. president B. headline C. editorial D. columnist E. proprietor Correct Answer: Option C Explanation A leader in a newspaper is a piece of writing that gives the editor's opinion on an important news item. 5 / 50 5. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; From the ways my friend talks, you can see he is such a bore A. rude B. brilliant C. uninteresting D. overbearing E. humorous Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: A bore is someone who is not interesting or who makes others feel bored. It means a person who talks or behaves in a way that makes others lose interest or feel tired of listening to them. 6 / 50 6. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; His jail terms were to run concurrently A. simultaneously B. uniformly C. laboriously D. consecutively E. judiciously Correct Answer: Option A Explanation: The word "concurrently" means happening at the same time. In this context, it means that the sentences are being served at the same time, not one after the other. 7 / 50 7. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; Being an optimist, our professor always sees the bright side of most things A. charming B. illumined C. brilliant D. pleasing E. cheerful Correct Answer: Option E Explanation If you ''see the bright side'', you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by thinking of some advantages that could result from it, or thinking that it is not as bad as it could have been. 8 / 50 8. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; The result of his experiment represents a break through in medical science A. an outstanding success B. catastrophe C. an end to such experiments D. breaking point E. a colossal failure Correct Answer: Option A Explanation Break through in this context means an instance of achieving success in a particular sphere or activity. It simply means overcoming something and having an achievement. Option A correctly conveys the message. 9 / 50 9. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; He was appointed specifically to put the recruits through A. assign them to work B. train them C. discipline them D. assist them at work E. supervise them at work Correct Answer: Option B Explanation: To put through in this context means to train, educate, or prepare someone to complete a test or evaluation. 10 / 50 10. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; The balance sheet at the end of the business year shows that we broke even A. lost heavily B. made profit C. neither lost nor gained D. had no money to continue business E. were heavily indebted to our bankers Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: Broke even is a common phrase in business. It means that after all the money is counted, there is no profit and no loss , you spent as much as you earned. 11 / 50 11. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; All his plans fell through A. failed B. were accomplished C. had to be reviewed D. were rejected E. fell Correct Answer: Option A Explanation: In this context, fell through means that something was planned or agreed on, but it did not happen in the end. It simply means that something failed to take place. 12 / 50 12. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; Before the operation, the dentist found that his patient's teeth.... A. have long decayed B. have long been decayed C. have long being decayed D. had long decayed E. had been decayed Correct Answer: Option D Explanation: The sentence should be: Before the operation, the dentist found that his patient’s teeth had long decayed. This means the teeth had gone bad a long time ago, even before the dentist started the operation. We use had decayed because it happened earlier than another past event (the operation). Please write in English language. 13 / 50 13. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; He did not like .... leaving the class early A. we B. us C. our D. ourselves E. our selves Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: The correct sentence is: He did not like our leaving the class early. Here’s why: Leaving is a gerund (a verb acting like a noun), and gerunds are usually preceded by a possessive form. Our is the possessive form of we, so it correctly shows that "we" are the ones leaving. The other options are incorrect because: We and us are subject and object pronouns, not possessive. Ourselves and our selves are reflexive or incorrect forms in this context. 14 / 50 14. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; When the beggar was tired he ..... down by the roadside A. lied B. laid C. layed D. lay E. lain Correct Answer: Option D Explanation: The correct past tense of lie (to recline) is lay. So, the sentence should be: When the beggar was tired, he lay down by the roadside. The other options are incorrect because: lied means to tell an untruth laid is the past tense of lay (to put something down) and needs an object layed is not a correct word lain is the past participle and needs a helping verb (has/had lain) 15 / 50 15. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in each of the following sentence; At the site of the ghastly accident the poor woman's hair stood on end A. the woman's hair became straight B. the wind blew her hair upwards C. the woman was unmoved D. the woman disarranged her hair E. the woman was frightened Correct Answer: Option E Explanation: The phrase "her hair stood on end" is an idiom that means the woman was very scared or frightened. It describes a physical reaction when someone feels extreme fear or shock. So, the option that best fits the meaning is "the woman was frightened." 16 / 50 16. Choose the option that best convey the meaning of the underlined portion in each of the following sentence; I have been able to observe him at close quarters A. in government house nearby B. within a short space of time C. in a small family house D. at close range E. at regular intervals Correct Answer: Option D Explanation The phrase "at close quarters" means very near or at close range. So, observe him at close quarters means watching him from a very short distance. Therefore, the option that best matches this meaning is "at close range." Please write in English language. 17 / 50 17. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence: When the man was caught by police, he presented a bold front. A. he attacked the policemen boldly B. he walked up to the policemen C. he faced the situation with apparent boldness D. he bravely attempted to give them a present E. he frowned at them in a defiant manner Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: The phrase "presented a bold front" is an idiom. It means a person is acting brave or confident during a difficult or scary situation, even if they are actually worried or afraid inside. They are hiding their true feelings to appear strong. 18 / 50 18. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; He stared at her A. glanced B. peeped C. looked D. gazed E. fixed Correct Answer: Option D Explanation: The word "stared" means to look at something for a long time and with intensity. Among the options, "gazed" is the best match because it also means to look steadily and for a long time, often with deep focus. The other options don’t fit as well: Glanced means a quick look. Peeped means a secret or brief look. Looked is too general. Fixed can mean steady, but it doesn’t fully show the intensity of "stared". So, "gazed" is the word that best matches the meaning of "stared". 19 / 50 19. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; The two sprinters were running neck and neck A. exact level B. very slowly C. very fast D. with their necks together E. together Correct Answer: Option A Explanation When two people or things are neck and neck, they are so close or similar that it's impossible to tell who's better or winning. It means they are on exact levels on the race 20 / 50 20. If my father had not arrived, I would have starved. This sentence means A. My father did arrive and I didn't starve B. I had to starve because my father didn't come C. my father didn't arrive and I didn't starve D. I should have starved but I didn't E. I had starved before my father arrived Correct Answer: Option A Explanation: It means that he did not starve because his father came. His father's arrival is the reason he was saved from hunger. 21 / 50 21. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; Mr. Jack could be a successful businessman if he paid more attention to the more intricate aspects of his account A. Mr Jack will undoubtedly succeed B. Mr Jack cannot succeed C. Jack will have a very good chance of succeeding D. Mr. Jack will find it difficult to succeed E. Mr Jack will succeed in spite of all odds Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: The sentence says Mr. Jack could be a successful businessman if he paid more attention... This means that success is possible for Mr. Jack, but it depends on his actions. It does not guarantee success, but shows he has a good chance if he makes the right effort. So, the option that best matches this meaning is "Jack will have a very good chance of succeeding." 22 / 50 22. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; Mrs. Dada has been deserted by her husband because he feels she has a heart of stone A. she has a heavy heart B. she has little warmth of feeling C. she has a hard heart D. she is hard hearted E. she has a strong heart Correct Answer: Option D Explanation: Heart of stone means someone who is unkind, cruel, or does not show any feelings. Option D, hard-hearted, has the same meaning , a person who is not moved by pity and shows no kindness or sympathy. 23 / 50 23. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence: The traffic situation in Lagos can lead to disastrous consequences; a man lost a very lucrative job because he was held up by it. A. confused B. delayed C. annoyed D. intrigued E. obstructed Correct Answer: Option B Explanation: In the sentence, the phrase "held up" means the man was delayed or stopped because of heavy traffic in Lagos. This delay caused him to lose his well-paying job. So, the word that best matches "held up" in this context is "delayed." 24 / 50 24. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; The state government appointed a commission of inquiry to go into the community's complaints carefully and without prejudice A. investigate B. search C. look for D. account for E. ascertain Correct Answer: Option A Explanation: In this sentence, go into means to examine or study something carefully. The state government set up a commission to investigate the community's complaints in detail and fairly. So, the word that best fits this meaning is "investigate". 25 / 50 25. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; The bill has to wait as we are now insolvent A. overworked B. bankrupt C. unsettled D. insoluble E. affluent Correct Answer: Option B Explanation: The sentence says "The bill has to wait as we are now insolvent." The word insolvent means not having enough money to pay what you owe — in other words, bankrupt. So, the word that best matches the meaning of "insolvent" is "bankrupt". 26 / 50 26. Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence; There is some obvious symmetry in the whole presentation A. confusion B. hesitation C. excitement D. orderliness E. dissatisfaction Correct Answer: Option D Explanation: The sentence shows that the presentation feels balanced, neat, and well-organized. The word "symmetry" fits this idea, so "orderliness" is the best match. 27 / 50 27. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; He went abroad with a view .... a business partner A. to find B. to be finding C. to have found D. to finding E. he will find The correct answer is actually Option D: "to finding." In the phrase "with a view to," the word "to" is a preposition, not part of the infinitive. Prepositions are followed by nouns or gerunds (verbs ending in -ing). Therefore, after "with a view to," you must use a gerund — "finding." Example: He went abroad with a view to finding a business partner. If you say: He went abroad to find a business partner, Here, "to" is part of the infinitive verb "to find," which is different from "with a view to." So, Option D is grammatically correct for this sentence. 28 / 50 28. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; Remember this matter is strictly ..... A. between you and I B. among you and me C. among you and me D. between you and me E. between you and myself Correct Answer: Option D Remember this matter is strictly between you and me. Explanation: Use "between" for two people (you and me). Use "me" (not "I" or "myself") as the object of the preposition "between." "Among" is used when referring to more than two people. "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun and is not correct here. So, "between you and me" is the proper phrase. 29 / 50 29. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; In order to carry out necessary examination the dead body was .... A. extracted B. extradited C. exiled D. expelled E. exhumed Correct Answer: Option E In order to carry out necessary examination the dead body was exhumed. Explanation: Exhumed means to dig up a dead body from the ground, usually for examination. Extracted means removed but is more general and not typically used for bodies. Extradited means handed over a person to another country for legal reasons. Exiled means forced to live away from one’s country. Expelled means forced to leave a place or organization. Exhumed is the correct term for this context. 30 / 50 30. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; The green snake which lives in the green grass is using a perfect .... A. ambush B. under cover C. camouflage D. shelter E. subterfuge Correct Answer: Option C The green snake which lives in the green grass is using a perfect camouflage. Explanation: Camouflage means blending in with the surroundings to avoid being seen, which fits the snake in green grass. Ambush means a surprise attack. Under cover is not grammatically correct here and is vague. Shelter means a place for protection, not hiding by blending in. Subterfuge means deception or trickery, which doesn’t fit well in this context. Camouflage is the most suitable and accurate choice. 31 / 50 31. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; Tennyson and Browning lived about the same time and therefore .... poets A. contrary B. contractual C. contemporaneous D. contemporary E. contemptible Correct Answer: Option D Tennyson and Browning lived about the same time and therefore contemporary poets. Explanation: "Contemporary" means living or happening at the same time. "Contemporaneous" is also correct in meaning, but it's more formal and less commonly used for people. The other options are incorrect in this context: Contrary means opposite. Contractual relates to a contract. Contemptible means deserving hatred or scorn. So, "contemporary" fits best and is the most natural choice. Correct Answer: Option B If you travel by air you will be given an allowance to cover luggage. Explanation: "Luggage" is an uncountable noun, so it does not take "a" or become plural like "luggages." The same rule applies to "baggage." Therefore, "luggage" (without "a" or "s") is the correct and most natural choice in this sentence. 32 / 50 32. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; If you travel by air you will be given an allowance to cover .... A. a luggage B. luggage C. luggages D. a baggage E. baggages 33 / 50 33. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space: Last week, the .... at the theatre was the largest I had ever seen. A. assembly B. congregation C. convention D. audience E. crowd Correct Answer: Option D Last week, the audience at the theatre was the largest I had ever seen. Explanation: "Audience" is the correct word for a group of people watching a performance, especially in a theatre. "Assembly," "congregation," and "convention" refer to gatherings, but not usually for a theatre performance. "Crowd" is general, but "audience" is more specific and appropriate in this context. 34 / 50 34. As he was still owing me two naira, i was careful not to .... him any more money A. lend B. loan C. borrow D. extend E. credit Correct Answer: Option A As he was still owing me two naira, I was careful not to lend him any more money. 35 / 50 35. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; The boy was born before his parents actually got married and so the court has declared him .... A. illegal B. illegitimate C. illicit D. unlawful E. untenable The correct answer is: B. illegitimate Explanation: "Illegitimate" is the correct legal term historically used to describe a child born to parents who were not married to each other at the time of the child’s birth. "Illegal," "illicit," and "unlawful" usually refer to actions or things that break the law, not a person. "Untenable" means something that cannot be defended or maintained, and is unrelated to this context. Completed sentence: The boy was born before his parents actually got married and so the court has declared him illegitimate. 36 / 50 36. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; The employer, not the salesman and his representative .... responsible for the loss A. are B. are being C. are never D. have been E. is Correct Answer: Option EExplanation: The sentence is:The employer, not the salesman and his representative, is responsible for the loss. ✅ Why? The main subject of the sentence is "The employer" (singular). The phrase "not the salesman and his representative" is extra information and does not affect the verb. Since the subject is singular, the correct verb is also singular — "is". ❌ Options A–D are incorrect because they use plural verbs, which don’t agree with the singular subject. ✅ So, the correct answer is Option E: is. 37 / 50 37. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; The employer, not the salesman and his representative .... responsible for the loss A. are B. are being C. are never D. have been E. is Correct Answer: Option E Explanation: The sentence is: The employer, not the salesman and his representative, is responsible for the loss. Here’s why: The subject of the sentence is "The employer", not the salesman or his representative. The phrase "not the salesman and his representative" is just extra information and does not change the subject. Since "employer" is singular, we use "is" (singular verb). So, the correct option is E: is. 38 / 50 38. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; He had just entered the office .... the telephone rang A. as B. before C. since D. when E. until Correct Answer: Option A Complete Sentence:He had just entered the office when the telephone rang. Explanation: "When" is the correct conjunction here because it links two actions that happened almost at the same time. The other options don’t fit grammatically or logically in this context. 39 / 50 39. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; They .... receive visitors on short notice. A. use to B. are used to C. used to D. are always E. are use to Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: "Used to" is the correct phrase when talking about something that happened regularly in the past but doesn’t happen now. In this sentence, it means they received visitors on short notice before, but not anymore. 40 / 50 40. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; His suggestion are completely .... the point and cannot be accepted A. to B. about C. beside D. on E. under The correct option is: C. Explanation: The phrase "beside the point" means irrelevant or not related to the main topic. This fits the context of the sentence, which suggests that the suggestions cannot be accepted because they are not relevant. Other options: to the point means relevant (opposite meaning) about the point is incorrect usage on the point could suggest relevance, but it's not idiomatic here under the point doesn't make sense in this context 41 / 50 41. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; For .... he is a secretary we shall not have correct minutes A. because B. as long as C. so long D. in as much E. although Correct Answer: Option B Explanation The sentence means that the correctness of the minutes depends on the condition that he is a secretary. The phrase "as long as" fits because it expresses a condition or requirement for something to happen (in this case, the accuracy of the minutes). 42 / 50 42. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; He went up quickly and returned .... A. fastest B. fastly C. as fastly D. as fast E. in fastness Correct Answer: Option D Explanation: The correct sentence is:He went up quickly and returned as fast. ✅ Why? The phrase "as fast" is used for comparison, meaning he returned at the same speed as he went up. "Fast" is both an adjective and an adverb, so we don't need to add -ly. ❌ Incorrect options: A. fastest – superlative form, used when comparing more than two things. B. fastly – not a correct word in English. C. as fastly – wrong; "fastly" is incorrect. E. in fastness – awkward and incorrect in modern English. ✅ So, the correct answer is Option D: as fast. 43 / 50 43. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; Invariably, he ends his letters .... amicably A. you B. your's C. yours' D. yours E. your own Correct Answer: Option D Explanation: The correct sentence is:Invariably, he ends his letters yours amicably. ✅ Why? "Yours" is the correct possessive pronoun used to close a letter politely (e.g., Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully). It is not followed by an apostrophe, because it's already a complete possessive form. 44 / 50 44. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; If i went to the cinema I .... early. A. shall return B. am returning C. would return D. had return E. may return Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: The sentence "If I went to the cinema, I .... early" is an example of a second conditional. This type of sentence talks about something that is not real right now, but imagined or possible. The structure is:If + past tense, ... would + verb So:"If I went" (past tense) → should be followed by "would return" (would + verb). ✅ That’s why the correct answer is: "would return". 45 / 50 45. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space The traditional folktales form an .... to the book. A. index B. insertion C. information D. overview E. appendix Correct Answer: Option E Explanation:The correct sentence is:The traditional folktales form an appendix to the book. An appendix is extra material added at the end of a book to give more details, examples, or information. In this case, the folktales are included as additional content at the end. Other options are not correct: Index is a list of topics and page numbers. Insertion means something added, but it's not the right word here. Information is too general. Overview means a summary, not a section with full stories. ✅ So, "appendix" is the best word. 46 / 50 46. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; the frightening explosion in the factory .... whole wing A. washed out B. wiped out C. rooted out D. flushed out E. cleared out Correct Answer: Option B Explanation: The complete sentence is:"The frightening explosion in the factory wiped out the whole wing." The phrase "wiped out" means completely destroyed or removed. Since the explosion was strong and frightening, the most suitable word to describe the damage is "wiped out", which shows that the entire wing was destroyed. 47 / 50 47. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; My father cannot bear the .... of the concoction that emanates from my mothers soup pot A. sweet B. savouring C. aroma D. smell E. scent Correct Answer: Option C Explanation: The word "aroma" means a distinctive and usually pleasant smell. It is often used to describe nice scents, like the smell of food, flowers, or coffee. 48 / 50 48. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; Before we left the airport, each passenger was made to .... certain form A. fill in B. write in C. enter in D. go through E. read out Correct Answer: Option A Explanation: "Before we left the airport, each passenger was made to fill in a certain form." "Fill in" means to complete a form by writing the necessary information. This is the correct phrase used when completing forms. 49 / 50 49. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; As luck would have it, the weather brightened almost immediately and after six hours flight we .... at Heathrow Airport A. touched down B. dropped C. came down D. flew down E. stopped Correct Answer: Option A Explanation: "As luck would have it, the weather brightened almost immediately and after six hours flight we touched down at Heathrow Airport." "Touched down" means the plane landed safely on the runway. This is the correct phrase used for a plane arriving on the ground. Correct Answer: Option B Explanation:The sentence is:"Our plane was scheduled to take off at 10.00 hrs but it was delayed because of the bad weather." "Take off" means the plane leaves the ground to begin flying. This is the correct term used for planes starting their flight. 50 / 50 50. Complete each of the following sentences by choosing the option that most suitably fills the space; Our plane was scheduled to .... at 10.00 hrs but it was delayed because of the bad weather A. fly out B. take off C. start out D. shoot off E. lift off Your score isThe average score is 48% 0% Restart quiz Related Posts 100 Likely Questions & Answers From Lekki Headmaster About Author Classgist Add a Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment:*Name:* Email Address:* Website: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
