English JAMB Past Questions and Answers 2017

1. PASSAGE I

Read the passage carefully and answer each question that follows.

Anthropologists tells us that for a society to remain stable, the roles of men and women must be properly diffeventiated and well defined. In primitive societies, the men were assigned the roles of going out to hunt, fish and fight off the hostile tribe next door while the women did the housekeeping and minded the children. The men were believed to be superior to the women in physical strenght and capability. There was a controversy in these societies as to what the roles of the sexes should be. Consequently, primitive societies enjoyed great stability. However, with the advancement of civilisation, many of the special privileges traditionally enjoyed by men began to be eroded one after another. There is hardly any sphere of human endeavour in which women have not gained a firm foothold: there are women doctors, engineers, pilots, prime ministers, judges, bankers and so on. Today, the women's spheres of operation are no longer restricted to the home; she is successfully competing with her counterpart in every area of human activity. But has this development been an unqualified blessing to the society?

To answer this question, let us examine some of the problems created in the process of achieving women's emancipation. First, a large number of women including the married ones and mothers now take up paid employment. The conditions attached to such employment make it extremely difficult if not impossible for them to take adequate care of their children at homes. Since no one serve two masters, the health and education of the children suffer tremendously.

Adapted from Ukwuegbe C., et al (2006) CATCH-UP English Language for SSCE/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) PLC.

Advantages usually enjoyed by men began to

2. PASSAGE I

Read the passage carefully and answer each question that follows.

Anthropologists tells us that for a society to remain stable, the roles of men and women must be properly diffeventiated and well defined. In primitive societies, the men were assigned the roles of going out to hunt, fish and fight off the hostile tribe next door while the women did the housekeeping and minded the children. The men were believed to be superior to the women in physical strenght and capability. There was a controversy in these societies as to what the roles of the sexes should be. Consequently, primitive societies enjoyed great stability. However, with the advancement of civilisation, many of the special privileges traditionally enjoyed by men began to be eroded one after another. There is hardly any sphere of human endeavour in which women have not gained a firm foothold: there are women doctors, engineers, pilots, prime ministers, judges, bankers and so on. Today, the women's spheres of operation are no longer restricted to the home; she is successfully competing with her counterpart in every area of human activity. But has this development been an unqualified blessing to the society?

To answer this question, let us examine some of the problems created in the process of achieving women's emancipation. First, a large number of women including the married ones and mothers now take up paid employment. The conditions attached to such employment make it extremely difficult if not impossible for them to take adequate care of their children at homes. Since no one serve two masters, the health and education of the children suffer tremendously.

Adapted from Ukwuegbe C., et al (2006) CATCH-UP English Language for SSCE/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) PLC.

According to the passage, what two masters are women struggling to serve?

3. PASSAGE I

Read the passage carefully and answer each question that follows.

Anthropologists tells us that for a society to remain stable, the roles of men and women must be properly diffeventiated and well defined. In primitive societies, the men were assigned the roles of going out to hunt, fish and fight off the hostile tribe next door while the women did the housekeeping and minded the children. The men were believed to be superior to the women in physical strenght and capability. There was a controversy in these societies as to what the roles of the sexes should be. Consequently, primitive societies enjoyed great stability. However, with the advancement of civilisation, many of the special privileges traditionally enjoyed by men began to be eroded one after another. There is hardly any sphere of human endeavour in which women have not gained a firm foothold: there are women doctors, engineers, pilots, prime ministers, judges, bankers and so on. Today, the women's spheres of operation are no longer restricted to the home; she is successfully competing with her counterpart in every area of human activity. But has this development been an unqualified blessing to the society?

To answer this question, let us examine some of the problems created in the process of achieving women's emancipation. First, a large number of women including the married ones and mothers now take up paid employment. The conditions attached to such employment make it extremely difficult if not impossible for them to take adequate care of their children at homes. Since no one serve two masters, the health and education of the children suffer tremendously.

Adapted from Ukwuegbe C., et al (2006) CATCH-UP English Language for SSCE/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) PLC.

According to the passage, ancient societies were secured because

4. PASSAGE I

Read the passage carefully and answer each question that follows.

Anthropologists tells us that for a society to remain stable, the roles of men and women must be properly diffeventiated and well defined. In primitive societies, the men were assigned the roles of going out to hunt, fish and fight off the hostile tribe next door while the women did the housekeeping and minded the children. The men were believed to be superior to the women in physical strenght and capability. There was a controversy in these societies as to what the roles of the sexes should be. Consequently, primitive societies enjoyed great stability. However, with the advancement of civilisation, many of the special privileges traditionally enjoyed by men began to be eroded one after another. There is hardly any sphere of human endeavour in which women have not gained a firm foothold: there are women doctors, engineers, pilots, prime ministers, judges, bankers and so on. Today, the women's spheres of operation are no longer restricted to the home; she is successfully competing with her counterpart in every area of human activity. But has this development been an unqualified blessing to the society?

To answer this question, let us examine some of the problems created in the process of achieving women's emancipation. First, a large number of women including the married ones and mothers now take up paid employment. The conditions attached to such employment make it extremely difficult if not impossible for them to take adequate care of their children at homes. Since no one serve two masters, the health and education of the children suffer tremendously.

Adapted from Ukwuegbe C., et al (2006) CATCH-UP English Language for SSCE/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) PLC.

From the passage, it can be inferred that women emancipation results in

5. PASSAGE I

Read the passage carefully and answer each question that follows.

Anthropologists tells us that for a society to remain stable, the roles of men and women must be properly diffeventiated and well defined. In primitive societies, the men were assigned the roles of going out to hunt, fish and fight off the hostile tribe next door while the women did the housekeeping and minded the children. The men were believed to be superior to the women in physical strenght and capability. There was a controversy in these societies as to what the roles of the sexes should be. Consequently, primitive societies enjoyed great stability. However, with the advancement of civilisation, many of the special privileges traditionally enjoyed by men began to be eroded one after another. There is hardly any sphere of human endeavour in which women have not gained a firm foothold: there are women doctors, engineers, pilots, prime ministers, judges, bankers and so on. Today, the women's spheres of operation are no longer restricted to the home; she is successfully competing with her counterpart in every area of human activity. But has this development been an unqualified blessing to the society?

To answer this question, let us examine some of the problems created in the process of achieving women's emancipation. First, a large number of women including the married ones and mothers now take up paid employment. The conditions attached to such employment make it extremely difficult if not impossible for them to take adequate care of their children at homes. Since no one serve two masters, the health and education of the children suffer tremendously.

Adapted from Ukwuegbe C., et al (2006) CATCH-UP English Language for SSCE/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) PLC.

The phrase suffer tremendously, as used in the passage, means

6. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisions are made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… (A. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. A nation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

7. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisions are made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… (A. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. A nation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

8. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisionsare made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… (A. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. A nation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

9. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisions are made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted D. Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… (A. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. A nation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

10. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisions are made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted D. Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… (A. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. A nation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

11. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisionsare made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… (A. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. A nation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

12. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisionsare made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… K. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. A nation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

13. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisionsare made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… K. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. Anation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

14. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisionsare made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… K. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. Anation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage ] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

15. PASSAGE II

The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap

In truth, realistic planning efforts go with infrastructural…… [A. development B. projected C. arrangement D. tenet]. It makes the planning ……[A. holistic B. partial C. abnormal D. curative]. When …… [A. planning B. budgetary C. projected D. national] provisionsare made, infrastructural ……[A. estimates B. prompt C. prompt D. processes] should be embedded. Where these are glaringly ……[A. shortened B. cleared C. omitted Paltered], then national development and integration can be greatly…… K. impaired B. degraded C. reduced D. denied]. However, the case with most developing countries is to place other …… [A. sectional B. sectorial C. selectional D. palliative] interests for above the development of infrastructure. Anation inclined to this erroneous position may continue to experience …… [ A. economic stagnation B. recession C. social decay D. mismanagement]. This implies that infrastructural development should be made to take ……[A antecedent B. precedure C. control D. advantage] over other sectors. This is because of the immense importance of infrastructure to national ……[A. awareness B. orientation C. policy, D. growth]

16. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

The college food was described as dreadful by

17. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

According to novel, Vanessa fell sick after the party at Charlie's place because

18. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

In the novel, it was that Vanessa's father was in the

19. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

From the novel, the Nigerian film shown created mixed reactions in

20. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

The mention of Negritude, in the novel, is an example of

21. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

Who among the following emphasized the importance of cross-cultural breeding?

22. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

Mr Richardson's daughter bothered about Lumumba and ths wanted to go to

23. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

The first time Tayo met Vanessa was at

24. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

The article published in Students' paper criticized women for

25. This question is based S.L. Manyika's INDEPENDENCE.

In the novel, Francis pointed out to Ike that Nigerians

26. For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences

The government didn't mind my mentioning his name

27. For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences

The leader said he was not unaware of the plight of the people

28. For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences

But for the expense, I'd buy bigger car

29. For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences

No sooner had he got into the pool than the telephone rang

30. For this question, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentences

My father said I might just as well stay at home for another year

31. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

The King's security men relegated to the east

32. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

The minister averred his commitment

33. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

The company was on the brink of a financial abyss.

34. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

Nosa is indisposed

35. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

A conscientious student should not receive a reward

36. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

The poem appealed to my sixth sense

37. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

Sophie anticipated the celebration of her tenth birthday

38. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

Mr Bola is an irascible young man

39. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

She became neurotic as a result of her performance

40. For this question, choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in italics.

Malam Aliyu lived in lack

41. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

You have to … how to make the whole week a memorable one

42. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

Last week I … your friend in the salon

43. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

We might wait a little longer, but he would not … soon

44. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

His … are tied, so he could not do anything to help her

45. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

If you want to be part of the conference, you have to … a form online

46. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

The flight … has been postponed

47. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

My wife should not worry about this trial, I will always … her

48. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

I can tell from the way he talks that he … his mentor

49. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

We have time to … before the gallery opens

50. For this question, choose the option that best competes the gap(s).

50. The time has now come … policy change in Nigeria

51. For this question, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

tolerated

52. For this question, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

gearbox

53. For this question, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

confusion

54. For this question, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

tertiary

55. For this question, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

poster

56. For this question, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined

cowed

57. For these questions, choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options, the stress syllables are written in capital letter(s)

distribution

58. For these questions, choose the appropriate stress pattern from the options, the stress syllables are written in capital letter(s)

irrevocable

59. For this question, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

My house is ACROSS the road.

60. For this question, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

The shop closes AT 4pm