JAMB English Language 2019 Objective Past Questions
All 60 questions from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) English Language 2019 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
B. decided that she did not want to live permanently in Eatonville, Florida
C. felt that her teachers prevented her from studying what she wanted
D. became disenchanted with anthropology and understood her own culture in new and different ways.
Explanation
The passage traces how the author's college years, especially her anthropology studies, changed the way she saw her own upbringing — she came to see Eatonville with new understanding rather than simply choosing a career or rejecting her hometown, which is why (E) is the best fit; the other options describe narrower or unsupported outcomes.
Based on information in the third paragraph, which of the following statements about the interactions on the porch can be most reasonably inferred?
A. The adults encouraged the author (as a child) to stay and tell stories.
B. Men were more frequent participants than were women.Correct
C. Most of the storytellers had not grown up in Eatonville.
D. The author's parents sent her to the porch to hear the stories.
Explanation
The third paragraph's description of adults gathering the author into the storytelling on the porch supports the inference that she was welcomed and encouraged to stay and listen, rather than excluded — the other options introduce details (gender ratios, storytellers' origins, parental involvement) not supported by that part of the passage.
In the last paragraph, the author writes that folklore collecting _____
A. is less difficult than it appears
B. is easiest to accomplish in isolated places because people there freely reveal their innermost thoughts
C. can be difficult in isolated places, even though the people there are the best sourcesCorrect
D. is more difficult than publishing what has been collected
Explanation
In the closing paragraph, the author contrasts the apparent ease of storytelling in small, close-knit communities with how guarded people can actually be with outsiders, so folklore collecting is described as harder than it looks even where sources are richest — matching (C) rather than the other choices, which overstate ease or shift the difficulty to publishing.
Which of the following is NOT among the reasons the author gives for her decision to collect folklore in Eatonville?
A. The people of Eatonville would be grateful that she published their stories.Correct
B. The people of Eatonville would have many stories for her collection.
C. Eatonville and its people are familiar to her.
D. She believes that she can collect stories without doing harm in her project.
Explanation
The author's stated motivations for collecting folklore in Eatonville are her familiarity with the place and its people, the richness of material available, and her belief she could do so without causing harm — gratitude from the townspeople for being 'published' is not one of the reasons she gives, making (A) the exception.
The expression 'which the soul lives by' as used in the passage is _____
A. Nominal Clause
B. Adjectival phrase
C. Relative clauseCorrect
D. Adverbial clause
Explanation
'Which the soul lives by' modifies the noun it follows and adds essential descriptive information about it, which is the defining feature of a relative clause (introduced by 'which,' referring back to a noun) — not a nominal, adjectival phrase, or adverbial clause.
_____ market for organic food in Canada. [consumer/retail/original/farmers']
A. consumer
B. retailCorrect
C. original
D. farmers'
Explanation
Context calls for the market participants who buy the goods, i.e. the 'consumer' market for organic food, since the passage is discussing demand/buyers rather than sellers, retailers, or producers ('farmers').
_____ increasing at a rate of. [probably/proportionately/Ratio/approximately]
A. probably
B. proportionately
C. Ratio
D. approximatelyCorrect
Explanation
'Approximately' fits because the sentence is giving an estimated rate of increase; 'probably' expresses doubt about occurrence, 'proportionately' compares two changing quantities, and 'ratio' is a noun, not an adverb of degree.
'Produce' is the general term for farm output (fruits and vegetables) being discussed, whereas 'substance,' 'chemical,' and 'crop' either don't fit the collocation or are too narrow/broad for the context.
In contrast to food _____ by large commercial farm operations. [plantation/harvest/sales/production]
A. plantation
B. harvest
C. sales
D. productionCorrect
Explanation
'Production' is the correct noun to contrast large commercial farming methods with organic farming methods, since the sentence is comparing how food is produced, not harvested, sold, or where it is planted.
With _____ [enormous/exorbitant/ridiculous/eponym]
A. enormousCorrect
B. exorbitant
C. ridiculous
D. eponym
Explanation
'Enormous' collocates naturally with a following noun (e.g. enormous cost/scale) to show large magnitude, while 'exorbitant' is normally reserved for prices/charges, 'ridiculous' implies absurdity, and 'eponym' is unrelated (a word derived from a name).
Produced through _____ [extensive/close/intensive/modern]
A. extensive
B. close
C. intensiveCorrect
D. modern
Explanation
'Intensive' describes farming that uses concentrated inputs (fertilizer, machinery, chemicals) to maximize yield per unit area, which is the contrast being drawn with organic methods — 'extensive,' 'close,' and 'modern' do not carry this specific technical meaning.
'Fertilizers' are the chemical inputs typically associated with intensive commercial farming discussed in the passage, unlike 'herbicide' (weed-killer specifically), 'therapy,' or 'solution,' which don't fit the agricultural collocation being used.
The residues that such _____ can live in food. [chemicals A/Waste C/mesh D/bait]
A. chemicalsCorrect
B. Waste
C. mesh
D. bait
Explanation
'Chemicals' is the noun that logically leaves 'residues' in food, tying back to the passage's concern about agrochemical inputs — 'waste,' 'mesh,' and 'bait' do not fit this context.
When produce is picked before it is _____ [ripe/sour C/lively D]
A. ripeCorrect
B. sour C
C. lively
D. D
Explanation
'Ripe' correctly describes the state of produce before which it is picked early for transport, contrasting the practice with allowing fruit to ripen naturally on the plant; the other listed options don't describe a stage of ripening.
To ensure that crops arrive their destination, they are often gassed, waxed or _____ [irradiated/concentrated/stereotyped/symbolized]
A. irradiatedCorrect
B. concentrated
C. stereotyped
D. symbolized
Explanation
'Irradiated' names one of the actual post-harvest treatments (alongside gassing and waxing) used to preserve produce during transport, unlike 'concentrated,' 'stereotyped,' or 'symbolized,' which are unrelated to food preservation.
Happy birthday, my first lady…' — 'my first lady' refers to _____
A. Miss Salako
B. Aliyah
C. Aliyah's motherCorrect
D. Grace
Explanation
In context, 'my first lady' is a term of endearment addressed to the young woman receiving the letter, and the surrounding narrative identifies her as Aliyah's mother — the addressee's own mother figure — rather than one of the other named characters.
Grace was considered to be a(n) _____ by the students in the senior class.
A. extrovert
B. introvertCorrect
C. snob
D. jerk
Explanation
Based on how Grace is portrayed interacting with her classmates in the passage — reserved and withdrawn rather than outgoing — the description fits an introvert, not an extrovert, snob, or 'jerk.'
The surname of the boy who gave a red teddy bear with the inscription 'I love you' is _____
A. Alake
B. Alade
C. AkinlabiCorrect
D. Alabi
Explanation
The passage names the boy who gave the teddy bear with that inscription with the surname Akinlabi, distinguishing him from the other characters listed as options.
The spiral bound document 'letter to my daughter' was written by _____
A. Maya Angelou
B. Maya Angela
C. Mr BelloCorrect
D. Tokunbo
Explanation
The bound document titled 'Letter to My Daughter' is attributed in the passage to Mr Bello, the character writing to his daughter, rather than to Maya Angelou (a real author referenced by allusion) or the other named characters.
The letter that was sent to Aliyah is an allusion to the story of Sage _____
A. Khalifah
B. LukmanCorrect
C. Amazon
D. Bello
Explanation
The letter draws a parallel with a well-known story of guidance from an elder to a younger person, which the passage links to a character named Lukman, making the allusion point to him rather than the other names listed.
Barakat had been a fashion designer for years. But then, she suddenly resigned and broke new ground as a teacher.
A. trained many teacher
B. failed woefully after he stopped working as a fashion designer
C. achieve good result in his new fieldCorrect
D. was the first teacher
Explanation
'Achieve good results in her new field' captures the positive turn described — she broke new ground successfully as a teacher after leaving fashion design — rather than training others, failing, or being the very first teacher, which the sentence does not state.
When Halimah saw that Wisdom was bent on a duel, she accepted the gauntlet.
A. kept quiet despite the insults
B. decided to fight CCorrect
C. persuaded Wisdom not to fight
D. fought back with insulting words
Explanation
To 'accept the gauntlet' (from the old custom of throwing down a glove to issue a challenge) means to accept a challenge to fight, matching (B); the other options describe avoiding or verbally resisting the duel, which is the opposite sense.
Since the students were not trained to operate a tractor, the one bought for them by the federal government turned out to be a white elephant.
A. quickly broke down
B. had to be made automatic
C. ran the students into debt
D. was quite uselessCorrect
Explanation
A 'white elephant' idiomatically refers to a costly possession that turns out to be useless or more trouble than it is worth — exactly the sense of the tractor no one was trained to operate — rather than something that merely broke down or caused debt.
You could have heard the voice if you weren't asleep.
A. you were not asleep so you heard the voice
B. you were asleep so you did not hear the voiceCorrect
C. you heard the voice though you were asleep
D. you did not hear the voice though you were not asleep
Explanation
The sentence is a second conditional expressing an unreal past condition: since the listener was in fact asleep, they did not hear the voice, which is the logical meaning of 'You could have heard the voice if you weren't asleep' when read as a counterfactual.
The Teacher stood his ground because other members of staff would not be persuaded to arrive at a compromise on the issue being debated.
A. yielded his position
B. shifted his position
C. maintained his positionCorrect
D. resisted his position
Explanation
'Stood his ground' is an idiom meaning to maintain one's position or refuse to give way, matching (C) 'maintained his position,' the opposite of yielding or shifting.
Aishah was agitated when the sad news of her mother's death was broken to her.
A. excited
B. calm
C. uncontrollableCorrect
D. unreasonable
Explanation
'Agitated' in this context means emotionally disturbed or upset, best captured by 'uncontrollable' (i.e., overwhelmed with emotion) among the choices, rather than excited, calm, or unreasonable.
Moyosola is very indolent, but her sister Mayowa is one of the most _____ girls in the school.
A. trustworthy
B. perfect
C. diligentCorrect
D. devoted
Explanation
'Diligent' (hardworking, careful) is the direct opposite of 'indolent' (lazy), which is the contrast the sentence is drawing between the two sisters — trustworthy, perfect, and devoted do not capture this specific opposite.
In any group, there are people who display apathy and others who show a lot of _____
A. enthusiasmCorrect
B. patience
C. rest
D. tolerance
Explanation
'Enthusiasm' (keen interest and energy) is the natural opposite of 'apathy' (lack of interest), the contrast the sentence sets up, rather than patience, rest, or tolerance.
The testimony of the witness was so vague that it was difficult to learn the _____ details of the case.
A. specificCorrect
B. minute
C. transparent
D. hidden
Explanation
'Specific' details are the opposite of 'vague' testimony, matching the sense that vague evidence makes it hard to establish exact facts — 'minute' (tiny), 'transparent,' and 'hidden' do not fit as precisely.
Instead of telling him to prolong the speech, let him _____ it.
A. placate
B. abridgeCorrect
C. remain
D. detain
Explanation
'Abridge' means to shorten a piece of writing or speech, which is the opposite of prolonging the speech as instructed, unlike 'placate' (calm someone down), 'remain,' or 'detain.'
'Lugubrious' means mournful or gloomy, the fitting opposite of 'cheerful,' whereas 'salubrious' means healthy/beneficial, and 'quick' and 'dry' do not relate to mood.
Victor broke his mallet ostensibly trying to maintain order, although he was actually enjoying the commotion.
A. apparentlyCorrect
B. carelessly
C. accidentally
D. angrily
Explanation
'Ostensibly' means seemingly or on the surface (as opposed to what is actually true), matching 'apparently,' since the sentence contrasts his stated reason with his real enjoyment of the chaos.
'Niggardly' means stingy or miserly with money, matching (C) 'miserly'; it is unrelated in meaning to 'beggarly' (poor), 'sordidly,' or 'pompously,' despite superficial resemblance to an unrelated offensive word.
Many candidates now apply to read medicine and surgery because it is a lucrative profession.
A. brings high prestige
B. bring plenty of profitCorrect
C. bring quick money
D. brings plenty of knowledge
Explanation
'Lucrative' means profitable, so a lucrative profession is one that brings plenty of profit/financial reward, matching (B) rather than prestige or knowledge, which are different concepts from profitability.
'Herculean' (from the mythical hero Hercules) describes a task requiring immense strength or effort, i.e. very demanding, rather than merely being irregular, literally related to the myth, or simply stimulating.
'Nipped in the bud' is an idiom meaning stopped at an early stage before it can develop, matching (B) 'cut short,' rather than simply being unsuccessful, frustrated, or disqualified.
The commissioner for Education with his secretary _____ expected yesterday.
A. areCorrect
B. B. were
C. C. is
D. D. is
Explanation
The subject of the sentence is 'the commissioner' (singular), with 'his secretary' as an accompanying phrase (not a joint subject joined by 'and'), so the singular verb form is required, agreeing with 'the commissioner' alone.
The principal has already summoned all the _____ on the matter.
A. heads of departments
B. B. head of department
C. C. heads of departmentCorrect
D. D. head of department
Explanation
'Heads of department' is the conventional plural form used when referring to several people who each head one department, so the noun 'department' stays singular while 'heads' is pluralised.
_____ Science and Technology, many African countries have not made significant progress.
A. A. with regards to
B. B. in respect to
C. C. as far as
D. D. with regard toCorrect
Explanation
'With regard to' (singular 'regard') is the standard idiomatic preposition phrase meaning 'concerning/about,' unlike the non-standard 'with regards to' or 'in respect to,' and unlike 'as far as,' which requires a following clause structure ('as far as X is concerned').
This is a second conditional (hypothetical present) sentence, which conventionally uses 'were' for all persons in the if-clause ('If I were...'), rather than 'have been,' 'am,' or 'will be.'
One of the victims _____ rushed to the nearest hospital.
A. wasCorrect
B. B. have been
C. C. were
D. D. being
Explanation
'One of the victims' has 'one' as its true (singular) subject, so despite the plural-looking 'victims,' the verb must agree with 'one' and take the singular form.
Pleasure A. pleat B. plenary C. pliable D. jeopardy — same vowel sound
A. Pleasure
B. pleat
C. plenary
D. pliableCorrect
Explanation
'Jeopardy' shares the same vowel sound as 'pleasure' (the short 'e' sound, /ɛ/), while 'pleat,' 'plenary,' and 'pliable' contain different vowel sounds.
information A. inforMAtion B. informaTION C. inFORmation D. InFORMation — stress
A. inforMAtion
B. informaTION
C. inFORmation
D. InFORMationCorrect
Explanation
The word 'information' carries its main stress on the fourth syllable, i.e. 'infor-MA-tion,' matching option (D)'s stress pattern (shown here as InFORMation representing stress on -FOR-MA-), unlike the other incorrect stress placements listed.
encouragement A. ENcouragement B. enCOUragement C. encouRAGement D. encourageMENT — stress
A. ENcouragement
B. enCOUragementCorrect
C. encouRAGement
D. encourageMENT
Explanation
'Encouragement' is stressed on its second syllable — en-COU-ragement — matching (B), not on the first, third, or fourth syllable as the other options suggest.
Placing emphatic stress on 'WON' highlights the fact/result of winning as the new or contested information, so the natural question this answers is whether the Eagles won the tournament/match, matching (B) — (A), (C) and (D) would correspond to stress on different words (Eagles, Match) instead.
A. Isn't your sister able to cook the meal?Correct
B. what can your sister do?
C. Can my sister cook the meal?
D. who will cook the meal?
Explanation
Emphatic stress on 'CAN' asserts ability despite an implied doubt, which corresponds to a question challenging that ability — 'Isn't your sister able to cook the meal?' — matching (A), rather than questions about what she can do or who will cook.
Emphatic stress on 'MY' asserts ownership in contrast to an assumption otherwise, matching a question that specifically doubts whose pen is wanted — 'Does the teacher want my pen?' — option (C), rather than questions about a different item or an open 'what' question.
Ade was diagnosed to have _____ when he went to visit the medical doctor.
A. diarheoa
B. diarrhoeaCorrect
C. diarhoea
D. diarrhea
Explanation
'Diarrhoea' is the standard (British) spelling of the medical term, unlike the misspelled variants 'diarheoa,' 'diarhoea,' and 'diarrhea' (the last being the American spelling, listed here as an incorrect option relative to the intended answer key).
The president was suspended on the premise that he committed constitutional _____
A. Abberation
B. Abberration
C. AberrationCorrect
D. Abberretion
Explanation
'Aberration' (one 'b', two 'r's) is the correct spelling of the word meaning a departure from what is normal or expected, unlike the misspelled variants 'Abberation,' 'Abberration,' and 'Abberretion.'
The office of the Principal was _____ from that of other staff.
A. seperated
B. separatedCorrect
C. sepereted
D. seprated
Explanation
'Separated' (with an 'a' in the middle, from 'separate') is the correct spelling, unlike the common misspellings 'seperated,' 'sepereted,' and 'seprated.'
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