All 80 questions from the Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE) English Language 2022 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
COMPREHENSION
INSTRUCTION: Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct answer.
David and Sam were walking together in a forest. They made a pact to lookout for each other. They were halfway through the forest when they heard a frightening sound. They turned around and sure enough, there was a bear lumbering slowly towards them. They froze in their tracks. Bears normally leave people if they stay still.
However, the bear kept on coming. In panic, David simply ran off and climbed up a tree. Sam did not have time to do the same, so he just laid down on the ground and stayed still. The bear came to Sam. He went closer to Sam's head and sniffed him. Sam stayed still as a statue.
After a while, the bear lumbered off. David, who had been watching, climbed down when he was certain that the bear was gone. He went up to Sam, who was walking away. David asked "I saw the bear go near your ear. Did he say anything?" Without looking at David, Sam said, "Yes, he told me not to walk with friends who leave you when there's trouble.
The two boys promised to ____
A. help each otherCorrect B. walk together in the forestC. stay still in a forestD. fight with bearsExplanation They made a pact to look out for each other, i.e. to help each other.
The frightening sound they heard was the bear's ____
A. lumberingCorrect B. growlC. gruntD. cryExplanation They heard a frightening sound and turned to see the bear lumbering slowly towards them.
They 'froze in their tracks' means ____
A. the tracks were freezing coldB. they were frozen by the cold weatherC. they were too scared to moveCorrect D. they were walking on tracksExplanation 'Froze in their tracks' means they stopped moving because of fear.
The bear was too near Sam for him to ____
A. freeze on the tracksB. climb up a tree stay stillCorrect C. stay stillD. fight backExplanation The bear was already close, so there was no time to climb a tree.
Sam walked away because ____
A. he was going after the bearB. he believed what the bear told himC. he was in a hurry to leave the forestD. he was disappointed with David's behaviorCorrect Explanation Sam was disappointed that David ran off and left him in trouble.
There were different kinds of currencies. Cowries, brass, iron and copper objects were commonly used. Three varieties of currencies were however, widespread. The first was cloth currency. The use of cotton stripes was reported in Borno. The second was metal currency. Copper and iron rods were used in different parts of Nigeria. Manillas, Currencies made of brass and copper, were widely used in Niger Delta. The third variety of currency was cowrie shells. The use of cowries had a long antecedent and it probably spread at different times, from one area to another until it became popular throughout the country.
The cowrie had a number of advantages. It made exchange possible over a wide territory since it was used in many places. Its small size made it easy to carry, though it was bulky for large transactions. The cowrie served as an effective measure of value and a unit of account which made it convenient to know the value of one form of goods in relation to another and to fix prices to all kinds of products. Finally, the cowrie could not be forged.
(Culled from 'History of Nigeria' by T. Falola et al, page 145)
Dumb trade involves ____
A. the use of drums to tradeB. lack of spoken language in tradingCorrect C. the use of dumb people to sell thingsD. the use of three varieties of currenciesExplanation Dumb trade was exchange of goods without any verbal communication.
How many kinds of currency were commonly used?
A. FourCorrect B. FiveC. SixD. SevenExplanation Cowries, brass, iron and copper objects: four kinds.
The passage seems to suggest that the most widespread variety of currency was ____
A. metal currencyB. manilasC. cloth currencyD. cowrie shellsCorrect Explanation Cowries became popular throughout the country.
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of cowrie?
A. It was portableB. It was widely usedC. It could be forged only with difficultyCorrect D. Its value was easy to measureExplanation The passage says the cowrie could not be forged at all, so 'forged only with difficulty' is not what it says.
Which of the following is NOT supported by the passage?
A. Use of cowries did not allow commodities prices to be fixedCorrect B. The barter system was the best means of exchangeC. Cotton strips were used as a variety of moneyD. Use of cowries spread at different periodsExplanation The passage says cowries made it possible to fix prices, so A contradicts it.
INSTRUCTION: In the passage below, fill the numbered gaps with the appropriate options.
Exotic (11) are employed in cake (12) to increase the (13) and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the (14) and (15) of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps to improve (16) appeal of the cake. Natural (17) are also associated with peace and love, hence the (18) of the (19) flower in the (20) of cake decoration.
Exotic (11) are employed in cake decoration
A. herbsB. flowersCorrect C. leavesD. shrubsExplanation Cake decoration uses exotic flowers.
(12) - cake ____
A. bakingB. colouringC. mixingD. decorationCorrect Explanation 'Cake decoration' is the fixed phrase.
to increase the (13) and decorative appeal
A. flavourB. tasteC. aestheticCorrect D. artisticExplanation 'Aesthetic and decorative appeal' fits best.
improve the (14) and (15) of the cake
A. fragranceB. scentC. odourD. aromaCorrect Explanation Flowers improve the aroma of a cake.
improve the (14) and (15) of the cake
A. qualityB. structureC. textureCorrect D. appearanceExplanation 'Aroma and texture' of the cake.
helps to improve (16) appeal
A. noticeableB. visualCorrect C. concealedD. invisibleExplanation Flowers improve the visual appeal.
Natural (17) are also associated with peace and love
A. copiesB. subjectsC. issuesD. themesCorrect Explanation Natural themes are associated with peace and love.
the (18) of the (19) flower
A. admirableB. dislikedC. popularityCorrect D. pleasingExplanation 'The popularity of the rose flower.'
the (18) of the (19) flower
A. hibiscusB. RoseCorrect C. lavenderD. lilyExplanation The rose is the flower linked with love.
in the (20) of cake decoration
A. artCorrect B. craftC. jobD. taskExplanation 'The art of cake decoration.'
Choose from the words lettered A-D, the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in the sentence below.
Badmus is a proud man.
A. a stubbornB. an irresponsibleC. a humbleD. an arrogantCorrect Explanation Proud here means arrogant.
His foes united for once in his praise.
A. friendsB. relativesC. enemiesCorrect D. parentsExplanation Foes are enemies.
Bola regained his freedom after fifteen years in jail.
A. libertyCorrect B. strengthC. restrictionD. custodyExplanation Freedom means liberty.
After the king ruled for many years, his influence began to decline.
A. refuseB. flopC. slideD. waneCorrect Explanation Decline means wane.
Choose from the words lettered A-D, the one which is nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word in the sentence below.
Confidential information should not be made ____ except it is authorized.
A. PopularB. publicCorrect C. secretD. personalExplanation Confidential is the opposite of public.
Bidemi often wears transparent dresses
A. opaqueCorrect B. tightC. fineD. oldExplanation Transparent is the opposite of opaque.
The drive for more sales initiated by the former manager was ____ by the new manager.
A. startedB. resumedC. terminatedCorrect D. continuedExplanation Initiated (started) is the opposite of terminated.
Choose the option that correctly interprets the underlined expressions in the sentences below.
I tried to be above board in the business. This means,
A. To have no debtsB. To be honestCorrect C. To have good heightD. To be diligentExplanation 'Above board' means honest and open.
Mr. Akintola likes to pick holes when discussing administrative matters.
A. to cut some part of an itemB. to destroy somethingC. to find some reasons to quarrelD. to criticize someoneCorrect Explanation 'Pick holes' means to find faults and criticize.
On realizing his mistakes, John ate a humble pie. This means that he ____
A. fastedB. apologizedCorrect C. reframed his wordsD. retraced his stepsExplanation 'Eat humble pie' means to apologize humbly.
Fill in the gap with the most suitable word from the option provided below from each sentences
Yemi's mother ____ him a new bag yesterday.
A. buyB. buyingC. boughtCorrect D. buysExplanation 'Yesterday' needs the past tense: bought.
The principal, as well as two of his staff ____ travelling tonight.
A. areB. isCorrect C. wasD. wereExplanation 'As well as' does not make the subject plural; the subject is 'the principal', so 'is'.
My brother ____ work in that factory. But he no longer works there.
A. canB. have toC. couldD. used toCorrect Explanation 'Used to' shows a past habit that has stopped.
____ of the five girls has an handkerchief.
A. BothB. EitherC. NeitherD. EachCorrect Explanation 'Each' is used for one of several, with a singular verb.
Yours is to command ____ is to obey.
A. theirsCorrect B. their'sC. theirD. theirs'Explanation Possessive pronoun: theirs.
Patients ____ special problems are referred to teaching hospital.
A. ofB. inC. withCorrect D. onExplanation 'Patients with special problems.'
She insisted ____ going back to school.
A. onCorrect B. toC. atD. byYou love your parents, ____ ?
A. do youB. aren't youC. will youD. don't youCorrect Explanation Positive statement takes a negative tag: don't you.
Adeola is ____ than her brother.
A. most brilliantB. more brilliantCorrect C. brilliantD. so brilliantExplanation Comparative with 'than': more brilliant.
The ____ man helped me when I was lost in London.
A. Nigerian kind oldB. Nigerian old kindC. kind old NigerianCorrect D. old kind NigerianExplanation Adjective order: opinion (kind), age (old), origin (Nigerian).
There are some delicate items in that bag so handle it ____ .
A. carefullyCorrect B. patientlyC. bravelyD. quicklyExplanation Delicate items need careful handling.
My ____ , the son of my sister, is coming home for Christmas.
A. brotherB. nieceC. nephewCorrect D. uncleExplanation The son of one's sister is a nephew.
No sooner had the robbers left ____ the police arrived.
A. afterB. beforeC. thanCorrect D. whenExplanation 'No sooner ... than.'
The generous rich man ____ gives aims.
A. franklyB. grudginglyC. hardlyD. willinglyCorrect Explanation A generous man gives willingly.
The ____ was blue in colour.
A. man's coatCorrect B. mans coatC. Man coat'sD. mans coatsExplanation Correct possessive: man's coat.
Choose from the options lettered A-D, the one that contains the given underlined phonetic symbol.
Spoiled
A. loyalB. oarC. pointCorrect D. dustExplanation 'oi' in spoiled has the same sound /ɔɪ/ as in point.
Leg
A. BeadB. BreadCorrect C. breakD. beerExplanation The vowel /e/ in leg is the same as in bread.
Knife
A. kiteB. kilogramC. charityD. knightCorrect Explanation The silent k in knife is the same as in knight.
Shirt
A. HerbCorrect B. breadC. breedD. legExplanation The vowel /ɜː/ in shirt is the same as in herb.
Thomas
A. thanksB. wrestleC. tailorCorrect D. apostleExplanation 'Th' in Thomas is sounded /t/, as the 't' in tailor.
Shop
A. rangeB. oceanCorrect C. usualD. decisionExplanation 'Sh' /ʃ/ is the sound of 'c' in ocean.
Bat
A. lambB. plumberC. wombD. abortCorrect Explanation The 'b' is sounded in bat and abort; it is silent in the others.
Cages
A. freightCorrect B. yearnC. shirtD. debtExplanation The vowel /eɪ/ in cages is the same as in freight.
From the alternatives numbered A to D, pick the words which rhyme with the word given.
Read rhymes with
A. breadB. slipC. feedCorrect D. laidExplanation Read (present tense, /riːd/) rhymes with feed.
Case rhymes with
A. vaseB. raceCorrect C. carsD. ratsExplanation Case /keɪs/ rhymes with race /reɪs/.
A literary work that tells us a story through action is
A. proseB. comedyC. poetryD. dramaCorrect Explanation Drama tells a story through action on stage.
A poem of five lines is known as
A. quintetCorrect B. tripletC. coupletD. quatrainExplanation A five-line stanza is a quintet (quatrain=4, triplet=3, couplet=2).
Poetry is fully realized when
A. WrittenB. actedC. recitedCorrect D. readExplanation Poetry is fully realized when it is recited.
A clown evokes
A. regretB. amusementCorrect C. angerD. joyExplanation A clown makes people laugh, so he evokes amusement.
A writer of a novel is called a/an
A. novelistCorrect B. actressC. novellaD. playwrightExplanation A writer of novels is a novelist.
IYALOJA by Omotayo Mathew Aderinola: In the text 'Iyaloja', Razor is a ____
A. RapistB. kidnapperC. armed robberCorrect D. philanthropistExplanation Razor is an armed robber in the play.
THE WOMAN WAILS by Doris Fred: In the text, "The woman wails", what is the name of the king of Atu?
A. IkedinaezeCorrect B. ChibuzorC. EzeD. IkediyaExplanation From the text.
THE SELFLESS LEADER by Stephen Ekiugbo: the meeting between Mr. Bright and Mr. Greg took place at ____
A. the road sideB. the king's palaceC. Madam Joyce's restaurantCorrect D. Mr. Bright's farmExplanation From the text.
CAMPUS STORMS by Emmanuel Olusegun Iluromi: One of the lessons learnt from the text 'Campus Storms' is ____
A. always be friendly with old peopleB. be determined to succeedCorrect C. humility is an important aspect of lifeD. be playful when in schoolExplanation From the text.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN by Bola Alamu: What made it difficult for Folake to live with Deborah?
A. She loved playing with Deborah's friendsB. She liked travelling to her villageC. She hated DeborahCorrect D. She was very lazyExplanation From the text.
POLITICRISIS by Funmilayo Braithwaite: The statement, 'But darling we already decided on this before now' was made by ____
A. EmekaCorrect B. NkechiC. AdaobiD. Adaobi's motherExplanation From the text.
TOUGH WAY TO GREATNESS by Okeke Chika Jerry: According to the writer, which University did Chukwuka attend?
A. University of LagosB. Lagos State UniversityC. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, AkwaCorrect D. University of NzukaExplanation From the text.
In the poem 'I cheat on me' by O'Ben. Mention two (2) things provided by the government.
A. Ball pen and pencilsB. Schools and payment of teachers' salariesCorrect C. Textbooks and notebooksD. White marker boardsExplanation The poet says the government provides schools and pays teachers' salaries.
What is the opinion of the poet in the poem 'I cheat on me'?
A. Schooling is expensiveCorrect B. Farming is better than schoolingC. School is not meant for girlsD. Girls should be old enough to attend schoolsExplanation From the poem.
In the poem 'Leader Tomorrow' the extract 'That roam all the streets like breeze' is an example of ____
A. SimileCorrect B. MetaphorC. ironyD. apostropheExplanation 'Like breeze' uses 'like' to compare, so it is a simile.
In the poem 'Leader Tomorrow' the extract 'can you be king in a goat's name' is an example of ____
A. rhetorical questionCorrect B. idiomatic expressionC. personificationD. literary appreciationExplanation A question asked for effect, not for an answer.
The poem 'Don't forget': what is important according to the poet is
A. PrayerCorrect B. moneyC. spoolingD. TravellingExplanation From the poem.
In the poem 'Money' the extract 'you are rectangle' is an example of ____
A. SimileB. ExaggerationC. MetaphorCorrect D. idiomatic expressionExplanation A direct comparison without 'like' or 'as' is a metaphor.
In the poem 'Money' one of the themes portrays in the poem is ____
A. ProstitutionB. vanityC. corruptionCorrect D. securityExplanation From the poem.
In the poem 'Follow Follow' who are the People referred to as 'they'?
A. ExaminersB. PoliticianCorrect C. SailorsD. TeachersExplanation From the poem.
In the poem 'Life', determine the rhyme scheme of the extract below.
'I feel sad
knowing the things I've done bad
for I have no deplore
cause life is to explore'
A. ab cdB. ababC. abacD. aa bbCorrect Explanation sad/bad rhyme and deplore/explore rhyme, so aabb.
How many stanzas has the poem "Life"?
Explanation From the poem.
In the poem 'Soldier' all the following except one are the qualities of a Soldier.
A. CowardnessCorrect B. LoyaltyC. ReliabilityD. SelflessnessExplanation Cowardice is not a quality of a soldier.
According to the poem 'The virtue of family', family comes from ____
A. earthB. communityC. societyD. heavenCorrect Explanation From the poem.
In the poem 'Sleep and Dream' the extract 'Man dies and wakes a million times' is an example of which figure of speech?
A. SimileB. HyperboleCorrect C. MetaphorD. PersonificationExplanation 'A million times' is an obvious exaggeration, so it is hyperbole.
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