JAMB UTME - Use of English - 2018

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.

Knowledge of figures of speech as well as of idiom and lexical items ____________ in this section.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.

The manager commended the players for the narrow victory.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.

High mortality rate is becoming increasingly predominant.

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 expression 'must kick it and make it collapse' in this context means

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

Nwankwo was on the verge of signing a two-year contract with the club.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.

The coach invited me to his office having found me mettlesome.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

The witness averred that she had seen Dosun at the scene of the crime.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

We found a shady place for the display.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The organization is constantly in a state of flux.

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)

Which of the following aptly describes the moral of the story?

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

The Governor told the chief that he was only on a routine tour.

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).

Now, I am used ________ bread without butter.

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!'

According to this passage, it gives the child great pleasure

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

chateau

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)

From the way the story ended, it can be concluded that the

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.

Now, I am used ____________ bread without butter.

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).

For fear of being caught, the thief shouted and cursed the slow bank manager in a language ________much for words.

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

Wherever the leader went people struggled to catch a __________ of him.

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.

The sea waves continue to ____________ the cliff on the west coast constantly.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phase in italics.

The witness averred that she had seen Dosun at the scene of the crime.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phase in italics.

The journalist said he was working freelance.

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s).

You may now ___________ with your presentation.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

The meeting was cancelled because of the convocation.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

Nwankwo was on the verge of signing a two-year contract with the club.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

The exhibition was an eye opener to all.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.

Father Francis thanked God for the abundance of blessings his family received.

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s).

We saw you earlier but we could not stop you because we did not know __________.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

If he were here, it would be more fun.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The events of last Friday show that there is no love lost between the Principal and the Vice-principal.

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

The chairman refused to shake __________ with the secretary.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.

The rapist claimed that the woman’s voluptuous hips attracted him.

Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

The man reasoned that there ought to be a limit to sycophancy.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.

It is customary to find young men and women in sports.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) in italics.

The driver was discharged while the car owner was ___________ for fraud.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

For all he cared, the game was as good as lost.

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

If you keep playing with this door handle, it will get __________.

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

Wherever the leader went people struggled to catch a _______ of him.

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 charges levelled against the lamb are

Choose the option that best completes the gap(s).

The principal _________ our mobile phones.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

The severity of the harmattan helped me to complete my writing assignment in record time because I had no choice but to lock myself indoors.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

The essay topic is nebulous.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.

The French classes were always funny because we considered French a strange tongue.

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.

The patient is suffering from ____________.

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

I'll find time for my _________ when I get _________with this difficult assignment.

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!'

How does the author try to explain this ‘destructive stage'?

Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.

By the time the plane reaches Harare, it __________in the air for twelve hours.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

The Flying Eagles put up a plucky defence against their opponents.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the italicized words or expressions.

The police later discovered that Audu feigned death.

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

Grandma told the boys a story that cheered them up.

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

While the worshippers closed their eyes in prayer, a thief made __________ with the collection.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

As a Journalist, Bola has always had a nose for stories.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

He is notorious for his drunkenness.

Choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

thatch

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

Mrs. Okoro __________ in this school since 1975.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

Our principal took exception to the ignoble role the teacher played in the matter.

Choose the option that best completes the gap.

I was seriously disappointed when the __________ between the two teams ended in a goalless draw.

Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

The governor's visit is an unprecedented event in the history of the social club.

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.

The new ruler is big-hearted in his dealing with the people.