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Post-UTME English Language 2015 Objective Past Questions

All 55 questions from the Post-UTME Screening (Post-UTME) English Language 2015 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.

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English Language 2015 Objective — Question 1

My uncle is one of the ___ of the society.

  • A. elitiss
  • B. elitesCorrect
  • C. elite
  • D. elitist

Explanation

'Elites' (plural noun) correctly refers to the distinguished/influential members of society.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 3

[Passage: a poem on misfortunes, curses, and respect for parents/elders - 'All misfortunes have a root... they do not fall at random... When your uncle curses you, you piss in your bed, and you go on pissing in your bed until you have taken him a white cock!...No one wrestles with his father. No one looks down on his mother...You say Thank You and never answer back... Because he stands before you like the giant tido tree; you are but a climber plant.'] 'Like a giant tido tree' is an example of

  • A. a rhyme
  • B. an alliteration
  • C. a metaphor
  • D. a simileCorrect

Explanation

The comparison uses the word 'like', making it a simile (an explicit comparison), not a metaphor.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 4

[Passage: a poem on misfortunes, curses, and respect for parents/elders - 'All misfortunes have a root... they do not fall at random... When your uncle curses you, you piss in your bed, and you go on pissing in your bed until you have taken him a white cock!...No one wrestles with his father. No one looks down on his mother...You say Thank You and never answer back... Because he stands before you like the giant tido tree; you are but a climber plant.'] As used in the passage, 'Even if the world has boxed him,' means the father

  • A. has boxed with the world
  • B. is no longer active in lifeCorrect
  • C. lost to the world in a boxing match
  • D. has been imprisoned

Explanation

Figuratively, being 'boxed' by the world suggests having been worn down or weakened by life's struggles, i.e. no longer as active as before - yet still deserving of respect.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 5

[Passage: a poem on misfortunes, curses, and respect for parents/elders - 'All misfortunes have a root... they do not fall at random... When your uncle curses you, you piss in your bed, and you go on pissing in your bed until you have taken him a white cock!...No one wrestles with his father. No one looks down on his mother...You say Thank You and never answer back... Because he stands before you like the giant tido tree; you are but a climber plant.'] A curse from your mother's brother (uncle), according to the passage, will

  • A. make you have an accident
  • B. make you wet your bedCorrect
  • C. turn you to a climber plant
  • D. hew you out of the rock

Explanation

The passage explicitly states: 'When your uncle curses you, you piss in your bed.'

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 6

After independence, many expatriates departed. (opposite in meaning to 'departed')

  • A. died
  • B. remainedCorrect
  • C. were transferred
  • D. returned

Explanation

'Departed' means left; the opposite is 'remained' (stayed).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 7

The criminal was given a mild punishment. (opposite in meaning to 'mild')

  • A. severeCorrect
  • B. difficult
  • C. long
  • D. painful

Explanation

'Mild' means gentle/light; the opposite is 'severe' (harsh).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 8

The murder charge levelled against him is quite incredible. (opposite in meaning to 'incredible')

  • A. believableCorrect
  • B. possible
  • C. ridiculous
  • D. unfair

Explanation

'Incredible' means hard to believe; the opposite is 'believable'.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 9

Conditions in Nigeria have greatly improved. (opposite in meaning to 'improved')

  • A. ameliorated
  • B. deproved
  • C. deterioratedCorrect
  • D. harmonised

Explanation

'Improved' means got better; the opposite is 'deteriorated' (got worse).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 10

I want to eat food that is rich. (opposite in meaning to 'rich', in the sense of heavy/fatty food)

  • A. plainCorrect
  • B. poor
  • C. cheap
  • D. heavy

Explanation

In the context of food, 'rich' means heavy/fatty/highly flavoured; the opposite is 'plain' (light, simple).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 11

In writing, we must choose appropriate words to express our ideas.

  • A. close
  • B. Ineffective
  • C. apt
  • D. unsuitableCorrect

Explanation

Per the source key, option D is marked as the answer in this set (note: "apt" (C) is the more literal synonym).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 12

The Supreme Court quashed the judgement of the lower court.

  • A. criticized
  • B. Commended
  • C. annulled
  • D. upheldCorrect

Explanation

Per the source key, option D is marked as the answer in this set (note: "annulled" (C) is the more literal synonym of quashed).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 13

The girl was in ebullient mood.

  • A. joyous
  • B. Delightful
  • C. dullCorrect
  • D. stressful

Explanation

Per the source key, option C is marked as the answer in this set (note: "joyous" (A) is the more literal synonym of ebullient).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 14

The engineer had inadvertently pushed the wrong button.

  • A. consciouslyCorrect
  • B. Conscientiously
  • C. carelessly
  • D. rightly

Explanation

Per the source key, option A is marked as the answer in this set (note: "carelessly"/accidentally is the literal meaning of inadvertently).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 15

The recently released musical album considered obscene by many music fans.

  • A. polite
  • B. Pleasant
  • C. harmless
  • D. decentCorrect

Explanation

Per the source key, option D is marked as the answer in this set.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 17

Many citizens live in penury.

  • A. affluenceCorrect
  • B. Poverty
  • C. bondage
  • D. antiquity

Explanation

Per the source key, option A is marked as the answer in this set (note: "poverty" (B) is the literal synonym of penury).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 21

My mother was lost in thought so she toyed with her lunch.

  • A. flirted with
  • B. talked with
  • C. fiddled withCorrect
  • D. neglected

Explanation

"Toyed with" (in the context of food) means to fiddle with/play with absentmindedly.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 27

The man gave me a baleful look when the pot fell off my head.

  • A. remorseful
  • B. Sinister
  • C. cheerful
  • D. curiousCorrect

Explanation

Per the source key, option D is marked as the answer in this set (note: "sinister"/menacing (B) is the literal synonym of baleful).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 29

Jummai was so engrossed in her knitting that she forgot her visitor.

  • A. impressed by
  • B. concerned with
  • C. absorbed inCorrect
  • D. attracted to

Explanation

"Engrossed" means completely absorbed/occupied in something.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 30

It is clear that he has more aptitude for academics than his mates

  • A. ability
  • B. Fitness
  • C. inclinationCorrect
  • D. potentials

Explanation

Per the source key, option C is marked as the answer in this set (note: "ability"/potential (A/D) are close synonyms of aptitude).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 31

These days traders are notorious for their extortionate prices.

  • A. expensive
  • B. Obnoxious
  • C. exorbitantCorrect
  • D. erratic

Explanation

"Extortionate" prices are excessively/unfairly high, i.e. exorbitant.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 32

The computer which is an integral part of occidental culture had dominated the world.

  • A. eastern
  • B. European
  • C. WesternCorrect
  • D. universal

Explanation

"Occidental" means Western (as opposed to Oriental/Eastern).

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 34

There was a commemoration of Nigeria's independence.

  • A. re-enactment
  • B. Remembrance
  • C. celebrationCorrect
  • D. documentation

Explanation

"Commemoration" means a ceremony/celebration in honour of an event.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 35

Tade was making passes at the beautiful girl.

  • A. propositions to
  • B. advances atCorrect
  • C. faces at
  • D. plans for

Explanation

"Making passes at" someone means making romantic/flirtatious advances.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 36

My daughter has never seen Bar Beach, ...' have my sons.

  • A. either
  • B. not so
  • C. but neitherCorrect
  • D. yet

Explanation

"...but neither have my sons" correctly continues the negative parallel structure.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 37

Inside that letter, there ... good news about your application for employment.

  • A. are some
  • B. is a
  • C. are
  • D. is someCorrect

Explanation

"There is some good news" - "news" is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 38

I have been thinking of... places there are to visit.

  • A. the many other all interesting
  • B. all the other interesting many
  • C. all the many other interestingCorrect
  • D. all the interesting many other

Explanation

"All the many other interesting places" follows correct determiner-adjective order.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 39

More often than not, the law... individual freedom.

  • A. impedes
  • B. encroaches onCorrect
  • C. tramples on
  • D. steps on

Explanation

"Encroaches on" is the idiomatic collocation for a law gradually intruding on freedoms.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 42

The public offer is for both existing and ... shareholders.

  • A. possible
  • B. PotentialCorrect
  • C. acceptable
  • D. Qualified

Explanation

"Existing and potential shareholders" is the correct standard phrase.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 43

It is high time the government ... the problem of petroleum scarcity in the country.

  • A. addressedCorrect
  • B. minded
  • C. highlighted
  • D. mentioned

Explanation

"Addressed the problem" is the correct idiomatic collocation.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 44

Obi could.... what was going to happen next.

  • A. only see too clearlyCorrect
  • B. see only too clearly
  • C. see only very clearly
  • D. only see very clearly

Explanation

"Could only see too clearly" is the correct word order for this idiomatic expression.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 45

The employer, not the salesman and his representative, ... responsible for the loss.

  • A. are
  • B. have been
  • C. isCorrect
  • D. are being

Explanation

The subject "the employer" (singular) governs the verb, giving "is".

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 49

The ... will make quite a boost on the nation's education.

  • A. inaugurated recently educational programme
  • B. recently inaugurated educational programmeCorrect
  • C. educational programme recently
  • D. programme inaugurated recently educational

Explanation

"Recently inaugurated educational programme" follows correct adverb-participle-adjective-noun order.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 51

The athlete has all it takes to ... all his opponents at the race.

  • A. outwit
  • B. outlaw
  • C. OutflankCorrect
  • D. outbound

Explanation

"Outflank" fits the context of surpassing opponents in a competitive race, per the source key.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 52

Mr. Kura actually did the job, although he ... that he wouldn't

  • A. told previously
  • B. says previously
  • C. previously saidCorrect
  • D. previously says

Explanation

"He previously said" is correct standard word order and tense.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 53

Ugbesia never ... sight of Osagiede whenever he passes.

  • A. looses
  • B. LosesCorrect
  • C. loss
  • D. lost

Explanation

"Loses sight of" is the correct present-tense spelling and idiom ("loses", not "looses").

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 54

He is going to apply, and I sincerely hope [ ] be able to impress the interviewer

  • A. wouldCorrect
  • B. will
  • C. Shall
  • D. should

Explanation

"I hope... would be able" fits the conditional/hopeful register of the sentence per the source key.

English Language 2015 Objective — Question 55

One of the boys who… at Yaba … in ha[nds]

  • A. live/believe
  • B. Tries/believes
  • C. live/believesCorrect
  • D. lives/believe

Explanation

"One of the boys who live at Yaba... believes" - "who" refers back to "boys" (plural, "live"), while the main subject "one" is singular ("believes").

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