English-Language Exam Past Questions and Answers | JAMB, WAEC and NECO

English is the study of the English language. The goal is to improve communication skills by practicing listening, speaking, reading, writing, and understanding language rules like pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

• Question 1:

  In the past, famine, various types of diseases and natural disasters checked population growth in many countries. At that time, man had not learnt to till the soil sufficiently to improve and increase her yield. Man was unable to do much to conquer these diseases and natural disasters were regarded as a curse of the gods for which man had no answer. Thus famine, diseases and natural disasters remained a nightmare to mankind.

  With the present development in technology and modern agriculture, one would have thought that the problem of starvation should have been solved. But starvation still stares man in the face. The increase in population now accounts for the consequent scarcity of food experienced in many parts of the world. However, in some countries, man’s advancement in technology and medicine has rapidly increased the population while improved methods of agriculture and food preservation have caused steady rise in food production. Also, man can now effectively prevent and cure most diseases in the world.

  Unfortunately, the working population engaged in agriculture is so small that it cannot produce enough to satisfy the gaping mouths to be fed. In various parts of the world, man has engaged himself in various jobs in order to adjust the food production to match the growing population so his zone, but population growth continues to outstrip food production measures. Incidentally, the source of food and food preservation measures can be limited unlike population growth which may not be effectively checked. Perhaps the only effective checks to population explosion may be the drastic birth control measures. But many religious sects the world over are opposed to many to these birth control measures.

  In the passage 'nightmare' means Options:
  A) a terrifying or deeply distressing dream
  B) natural disasters
  C) all those hazards which made life hideous
  D) a curse
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 2:

  Choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap.

  Now, I am used ____________ bread without butter.

  Options:
  A) to eat
  B) in eating
  C) of eating
  D) to eating
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 3:

  Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

  The man would not withdraw what he had said?

  Options:
  A) take back
  B) take out
  C) take away
  D) take from
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 4:

  Choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letters underlined.

  Pleasure?

  Options:
  A) pliable
  B) pleat
  C) plenary
  D) jeopardy
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 5:

  Fill in the gap(s) with the most appropriate option from the list following the gap(s).

  The director, no less than his workers _____ to blame?

  Options:
  A) is
  B) are
  C) were
  D) ought
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 6:

  Pick out the option with a different rhyme

  Options:
  A) Roar
  B) Four
  C) Growl
  D) Bore
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 7:

  Choose the word or phrase from options A - E which has the nearest in meaning to the underlined word or words in each sentences:

  You can talk to her.

  Options:
  A) You are permitted to talk to her
  B) You must talk to her
  C) You might talk to her
  D) Nothing prevents you from talking to her
  E) A & D
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is E .
• Question 8:

  Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined words :

  The clerk refused to answer for the mistake made by the manager and his assistants

  Options:
  A) to reply to
  B) to give an answer
  C) to explain
  D) to accept responsibility
  E) to account for
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 9: Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase. Some of my neighbours have an antipathy to dogs. Options:
  A) Alarm for.
  B) Enmity towards.
  C) Affection for.
  D) Acronym for.
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 10:

  Choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s).

  The journalist's write-up contained a plethora of detail.

  Options:
  A) shortage
  B) simplicity
  C) complexity
  D) spectrum
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .