10 questions from the JAMB 2021 English paper, with answers and explanations. Tap "Show answer" under each one when you are ready.
JAMB 2021Question 1 · Lexis and Structure
choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) underlined. He maintained that Nigerians need a leader with an iron fist
A.fist made of iron
B.severe in treatment
C.difiicult to please
D.strong as iron
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Answer: B. severe in treatment
'An iron fist' describes strict, severe leadership.
JAMB 2021Question 2 · Lexis and Structure
choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) underlined. He was underrated at the preliminary stage of the competition
A.advance
B.initial
C.selection
D.crucial
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Answer: B. initial
'The preliminary stage' is nearest in meaning to 'initial'.
JAMB 2021Question 3 · Lexis and Structure
choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) underlined. Barely six months after his father's demise, he has nothing left again of his patrimony
A.inheritance
B.property
C.reputation
D.valuables
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Answer: A. inheritance
'Patrimony' means an inheritance, nearest in meaning to 'inheritance'.
JAMB 2021Question 4 · Lexis and Structure
choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the word(s) underlined. The governor was incoherent in his speech
A.uncoordinated
B.talkative
C.confused
D.eloquent
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Answer: C. confused
'Incoherent' means unclear/disorganized in speech, nearest in meaning to 'confused'.
JAMB 2021Question 5 · Lexis and Structure
choose the option nearly opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined The annual festival attracts dignitaries from both home and abroad.
A.spectators
B.celebrities
C.chieftains
D.nonentities
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Answer: D. nonentities
'Dignitaries' means esteemed/notable people; its opposite is 'nonentities'.
JAMB 2021Question 6 · Lexis and Structure
choose the option nearly opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined The lawmakers are perceived to be the greediest set of politicians.
A.selfless
B.unwanted
C.popular
D.corrupt
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Answer: A. selfless
'Greediest' means most self-interested; its opposite is 'selfless'.
JAMB 2021Question 7 · Lexis and Structure
choose the option nearly opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined The incumbent president conceded defeat before the final result was announced.
A.accepted
B.rejected
C.opposed
D.challenged
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Answer: B. rejected
'Conceded' means admitted/accepted; its opposite is 'rejected'.
JAMB 2021Question 8 · Lexis and Structure
complete the statement from the options lettered A-D The meeting was organised at _______ instance ?
A.whom
B.whose's
C.whose
D.whom's
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Answer: C. whose
The possessive relative pronoun 'whose' correctly fits 'at whose instance'.
JAMB 2021Question 9 · Oral English
choose the option with the correct emphatic stress indicated in capital letters from the options lettered A-D Biography
A.bioGRAphy
B.BIography
C.biograPHY
D.biOgraphy
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Answer: D. biOgraphy
'Biography' is correctly stressed on the second syllable: bi-O-gra-phy.
JAMB 2021Question 10 · Oral English
choose the option with the correct emphatic stress indicated in capital letters from the options lettered A-D Conventional
A.conVENtional
B.CONventional
C.convenTIOnal
D.conventioNAL
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Answer: A. conVENtional
'Conventional' is correctly stressed on the second syllable: con-VEN-tion-al.
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