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:

  Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

  I think she takes her guardian's support for granted?

  Options:
  A) Her guardian has been helping her for a long time, and she is very grateful to him
  B) She wants her guardian to grant her more support
  C) She thinks her guardian will nom longer support her as he has been doing
  D) Her guardian has been helping her for a long time, but she does not show enough gratitude
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 2:

  Fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate of options A-E:

  The students in my junior class seem to have performed _____ they did last year

  Options:
  A) as brilliant as
  B) more brilliant than
  C) as brilliantly
  D) brilliantly than
  E) same brilliantly as
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 3: Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s).I wonder what will be left of his essay when the extraneous material is deleted? Options:
  A) superfluous
  B) erroneous
  C) relevant
  D) main
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 4: Choose the option that best completes the gap(S).You, who _____ convicted, should appeal. Options:
  A) has been
  B) is
  C) was
  D) are
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 5:

  In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) underlined:

  He is credulous

  Options:
  A) credible
  B) creditable
  C) gullible
  D) fallible
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 6: Fill each gap with the most appropriate option from the lists provided. _____ any problems, I shall travel to London tomorrow on a business trip? Options:
  A) in spite
  B) given
  C) in case of
  D) barring
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 7:

  Gossip! Yes gossip is universal. In some language, it may have an outright negative connotation but in English, it basically means ‘idle talk’, chat about trivial things or matter. When moderated and kind, ‘casual talk’ may serve to exchange useful information as a means of updating one’s knowledge. The whole neighborhood may grow gossipy with who got married, pregnant, died, or it may just be a humorous chi-chat devoid of malicious intent.

  However, idle talk more often than not, degenerates beyond the bounds of property and good taste. Facts get embellish, exaggerated or deliberately distorted. Humiliation is made the source of humor. Privacy is violated, confidence betrayed and reputations injured or ruined. Condemnation takes the place of commendation, murmuring and fault finding are extolled. The end result is like the mud thrown on a clean piece of white cloth. It does not stick but it leaves a dirty and sometimes permanent stain behind.

  Gossip has been blamed for sleepless nights, headache and indigestion. Certainly, it must have caused you some personal anguish at one time or the other that is someone must at some times have tried getting a knife between your shoulder blades. Negative gossip is almost universally frowned upon. Among the Indians in the United States, gossiping about someone is classified with lying and stealing. Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, the tale bearer is detested and often avoided. Indeed, throughout history, measures have been taken to curb this ‘deadly’ disease. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the ducking stool was popularly used in England and Germany and later in the United States.

  The gossip was tied to a chair and repeatedly ducked in water. In modern times, the war against gossiping has also been fought. Rumor control centers have been established to even respond to rumors that were potentially harmful to government activities. Law have been passed to curb gossip. Nicknames have been given to those who peddle the trade. Ever heard of ‘Amebo’!

  Such efforts notwithstanding, gossip survives. It is alive and flourishing. Gossip is everywhere. There is neighborhood gossip, office gossip, party gossip, family gossip and funnily enough, religious gossip. Gossip transcends all cultures, race and civilizations, and it has flourished and it is still flourishing at every level of the society. Gossip is deeply a part of human nature. Yet gossip is not inherently evil. There is a positive side to casual talk. Knowing where to draw harmless and harmful gossip is the key to avoiding victimizing others and being victim yourself.

  In the passage, ‘such efforts notwithstanding’ refers to Options:
  A) Attempts at curbing gossip
  B) The establishment of ducking stool
  C) Rumor-control centers
  D) Law enacted against gossip
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 8:

  Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

  The secretary said that the postponement of the meeting was due to unforeseen circumstances.

  Options:
  A) The date of the meeting was shifted as a result of unexpected reasons
  B) The meeting's date was off for strange reasons
  C) The meeting was called as a result of obstacles hitherto unknown
  D) The meeting broke off as a bird's eye closely
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 9:

  Choose the word/expression which best completes each sentence :

  The teacher asked if she _____ seen her boyfriend recently

  Options:
  A) has
  B) have
  C) was
  D) had
  E) will have
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 10: Choose the most appropriate option nearest in meaning to the underlined word(s).If experience is anything to go by, this action will prove a political minefield? Options:
  A) a source of political benefits
  B) a way out of political trouble
  C) a cause for political joy
  D) an invitiation to political problems
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .