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 1421:

  In the question below select the option which best express the meaning of the phrase or word underlined:

  After a careful review of Adamu's last examination result, the principal concluded that his performance left much to be desired

  Options:
  A) was very unsatisfactory
  B) was very satisfactory
  C) was extremely desirable
  D) was very brilliant
  E) was extremely commendable
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 1422:

  In the question below, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phase in italics.
  The accident victim received a superficial wound from the crash.

  Options:
  A) a serious
  B) a painless
  C) an internal
  D) an external
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 1423:

  Choose the option that best completes the gap(s).

  Kanuri is a language _____ ?

  Options:
  A) I can't speak it well
  B) that I can't speak it well
  C) of which I can't speak it well
  D) I can'tspeak well
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 1424:

  Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of the underlined portion in the following sentence;

  The result of his experiment represents a break through in medical science

  Options:
  A) an outstanding success
  B) catastrophe
  C) an end to such experiments
  D) breaking point
  E) a colossal failure
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 1425:

  Choose the word/expression which best completes each sentence :

  It is time we _____

  Options:
  A) should be going
  B) ought to go
  C) are going
  D) went
  E) go
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 1426:

  In the question below choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fills the gap(s):

  My brother does not have a flair _____ mathematics.

  Options:
  A) for
  B) in
  C) at
  D) of
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 1427: Identify the word that has the stress on the first syllable. Options:
  A) dismiss
  B) comment
  C) intact
  D) confuse
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 1428:

  Manager: Mr.Mbu, I would not describe you as an inefficient worker; I therefore find it difficult to understand why the conference room is so untidy, in spite of the fact that I had reminded you of the meeting scheduled to take place there this afternoon.

  Secretary: Sir, I did instruct the cleaner to tidy up the place before meeting

  Manager: Are you trying to hold the cleaner responsible for the untidy condition of the room?

  Secretary: Partly, sir, I gave him an instruction which he failed to carry out. It is certainly my intention to make a formal complaint against him for dereliction of duty.

  Manager: And would you wash your hands off any blame after that? Do you think that just making a formal complaint against the cleaner absolves you of all blame? When do you consider an assignment as properly executed; when the execution is properly supervised or not? Was it sufficient for you to give instruction to the cleaner with out ensuring that he actually carried them out?

  Secretary: Sir, I do not see what else I could have done, short of doing the job myself. The cleaner Is a six-footer and I could not have intimidated him physically.

  Manager: I see, I await your complaints against the cleaner, but I shall not forget that you allowed a board meeting to take place in an untidy conference room.

  The secretary's attitude seems to be Options:
  A) manager sir, you empolyed this huge and recalcitrant cleaner and i am not to do his job for him
  B) it is not the duty of a secretary to enforce the instruction he gives to his junior workers
  C) i am a secretary by profession not a cleaner
  D) it is not terribly important how tidy the conference room is for the meeting
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 1429:

  This book consist of lectures given by me at Cambridge. Though they have been largely rewritten, I have kept a good deal of their original lecture-form, as being (I hope) rather less formal and less dogmatic. For to dogmatism, those who write on language seem, for some reason, particularly prone; and I should like to make clear at once that, if at times I have put my view strongly, I do not forget that such matters of taste must remain mere matters of opinion.

  In addition I have included a good many specimen passages from various authors. Perhaps I have quoted too much. But a book on style without abundant examples seems to me as ineffectual as a book on art, or biology without abundant illustrations. Many of these passages are in French. That may be Gallomanian on my part and I must apologize if they trouble some readers. But some ability to read French prose does seem to me most desirable for anyone who would write well in English. I have tried to choose pieces not too difficult in syntax or vocabulary. And in these days less than ever can we afford to be better insular.

  To write English well, the author says it is helpful to Options:
  A) to be able to write French farily well
  B) to be able to read Frecnch fairly well
  C) know French thoroughly
  D) must never be insular
  E) do all of the above
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 1430:

  Choose the most appropriate option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined.

  The climate of Nigeria is an enervating one

  Options:
  A) a weakening
  B) an energy sapping
  C) an invigorating
  D) a sluggish
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .