10 questions from the JAMB 2017 English paper, with answers and explanations. Tap "Show answer" under each one when you are ready.
JAMB 2017Question 1 · Lexis and Structure
Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in the meaning to the underlined word or group of words that will fill in the sentence. At first, we found life in the town very exciting but soon it became rather _______
A.tiring
B.disturbing
C.burdensome
D.boring
Show answer
Answer: D. boring
'Exciting' is contrasted here with its opposite, 'boring'.
JAMB 2017Question 2 · Lexis and Structure
Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence. Now that Michael has become rich, Nancy has begun to make much of him. This means __________
A.now values Michael
B.now gets a lot of money from Michael
C.only recently married Michael
D.no longer wants to leave Michael
Show answer
Answer: A. now values Michael
'Make much of him' means to now value/give great attention to him.
JAMB 2017Question 3 · Lexis and Structure
Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word The delegates found it better to resort to consultation rather than __________
A.conflict
B.confrontation
C.reconciliation
D.consent
Show answer
Answer: B. confrontation
'Consultation' contrasts with 'confrontation' as the alternative approach the delegates avoided.
JAMB 2017Question 4 · Lexis and Structure
From the options, choose the word opposite in meaning to the underlined word He is quite an outspoken young man but his father is_____?
A.humorous
B.sober
C.taciturn
D.silent
Show answer
Answer: C. taciturn
'Outspoken' means expressing oneself freely; its opposite is 'taciturn' (reserved, saying little).
JAMB 2017Question 5 · Lexis and Structure
When you ____ an opponent's point in a debate, you must do so politely
A.refute
B.rebuke
C.reject
D.refuse
Show answer
Answer: A. refute
'Refute' means to disprove/counter an argument, fitting politely countering an opponent's point.
JAMB 2017Question 6 · Lexis and Structure
Select the option that best explain the information conveyed in the sentence The letter was being written by the principal
A.The letter had been written by the principal
B.The principal was writing the letter
C.The principal wanted to write the letter
D.The principal wrote the letter
Show answer
Answer: B. The principal was writing the letter
'The letter was being written by the principal' (passive continuous) is equivalent to 'The principal was writing the letter' (active continuous).
JAMB 2017Question 7 · Lexis and Structure
Fill in the Gap The press will no longer be free when the new government starts to ------— newspapers
A.censure
B.edit
C.publish
D.censor
Show answer
Answer: D. censor
'Censor' means to control/restrict published content, fitting a government suppressing press freedom.
JAMB 2017Question 8 · Lexis and Structure
The government has decided to freeze student's grants. This means that government intends to
A.reduce grants meant for students
B.resume paying grants to students
C.make students repay the grants
D.stop paying grants to students
Show answer
Answer: D. stop paying grants to students
'Freeze grants' means the government intends to stop paying grants to students.
JAMB 2017Question 9 · Oral English
Choose the option that has the same consonant as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined clash
A.sharp
B.cheap
C.leisure
D.school
Show answer
Answer: A. sharp
The 'sh' in 'clash' is pronounced /ʃ/, matching 'sharp'.
JAMB 2017Question 10 · Oral English
Choose the most appropriate stress pattern from the options. The stressed are written in capital letters Judiciary
A.judiCIAry
B.judiciaRY
C.JUdiciary
D.juDIciary
Show answer
Answer: D. juDIciary
'Judiciary' is correctly stressed on the second syllable: ju-DI-ciary.
Practise all 42 JAMB 2017 English questions free
Answer them on Acelume, timed like the CBT, see the answer straight away and get a list of the topics you need to work on.