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 31:

  In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:

  The lady acted courageously when thieves attacked her

  Options:
  A) shyly
  B) fearlessly
  C) indiscreetly
  D) timidly
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 32:

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

  If it had rained, we would have had to postpone the concert. It didn't rain, so ____________.

  Options:
  A) we won't have to
  B) we would have had to
  C) we wouldn't have to
  D) we didn't have to
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 33:

  In the question below, fill the gap with the most appropriate option:

  The policemen who were to keep watch connived _____ the robber's escape

  Options:
  A) with
  B) at
  C) to
  D) for
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 34: Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.The president said that he found himself between a rock and a hard place when the press said that he has resigned. Options:
  A) Hard places are dangerous for the president.
  B) He dreamt that he was abandoned.
  C) He thought that hard places were unsafe.
  D) He had a hard decision to make.
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is D .
• Question 35:

  The passage below has gaps. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

  PASSAGE IV

  With the most profound respect to the members of the Senate, I do not think that it is within the competence of that ...1... body to pass a motion to ...2... the executive action of the President. The Senate is ...3... of the National Assembly. But it is not by itself alone the National Assembly. One can imagine the confusion, which would be created if the ...4... were to take a view diametrically opposed to that reflected in the Senate resolution. The strongest objection to the action of the Senate in passing the resolution is the fact that it constituted itself the ...5... as well as the judge of the constitutionality of the action of the President. The function of the Senate is to ...6... laws. But the Senate has no authority or ...7... to control the President in the exercise of his ...8... powers. It cannot by a mere resolution or motion give any directive to the President regarding the exercise of his powers nor can it undo what the President has done in the exercise of those powers. The only way in which the exercise of the powers of the President can be ...9... is by ...10... of the National Assembly.
  Adapted from The Guardian of July 8, 1999, p. 8.

  ...4...

  Options:
  A) Judiciary
  B) Executive Council
  C) House of Representatives
  D) National Assembly
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is C .
• Question 36:

  The passage below has gaps numbered 11 to 20. Immediately following each gap, four options are provided. Choose the most appropriate option for each gap.

  A prepared speech is not easy to deliver, especially if it is not written by the presenter. -11- [A. Quantum B. document C. free D. manuscript] delivery is one in which the speech has been written out word from word and is read to -12- [A. an audience B. a congregation C. a conference D. a gathering]. this kind of delivery is usually reserved for very -13-[A. genuine B. impromptu C. guaranteed D. formal] occasions when exact wording is -14-[A. reportive B. conclusive C. speculative D. critical] such as the State of the Union Address or speeches before the United Nations General -15-[A. Assembly B. Audience C. Organisation D. Negotiation]. The primary advantage is that the speech may be highly-16-[A. advanced B. analogous C. discreet D. polished] in terms of word choice, turns of phrase, and development of ideals. The main disadvantage is that this type of delivery is difficult to do well. Reading aloud with meaningful -17-[A. vocal B. bifocal C. anticipatory D. profuse] inflection requires the speaker to be very familiar with the text. If not, the words will come out in a choppy, expressionless way. Such poor delivery could destroy any -18-[A. decisive B. positive C. interactive D. restrictive] effects created by the carefully chosen -19-[A. dialect B. rhetoric C. slang D. language] . Lack of familiarity with the -20-[A. text B. context C. exchange D. note] could also prevent the speaker from maintaining eye contact with the people being addressed.

  In question number 17 above, choose the best option from letters A - D that best completes the gap. Options:
  A) vocal
  B) bifocal
  C) anticipatory
  D) profuse
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 37:

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

  He is traveling tomorrow.

  Options:
  A) He may travel tomorrow
  B) He will travel tomorrow
  C) He has to travel tomorrow
  D) He should travel tomorrow
  E) He can travel tomorrow
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 38:

  In the question below, choose the expression or word which best completes each sentence:

  The head of Department is away to Murtala Mohammed Airport and has asked Dr. Haruna to stand _____ for him

  Options:
  A) out
  B) in
  C) on
  D) across
  E) about
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .
• Question 39:

  In the question below fill in the right word/phrase:

  The policeman was sent to _____ the allegation made by the man

  Options:
  A) investigate
  B) examine
  C) probe
  D) enquire
  E) observe
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is A .
• Question 40:

  Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics.

  The Flying Eagles put up a plucky defence against their opponents.

  Options:
  A) strong
  B) weak
  C) careless
  D) tactful
  Show Answer
  The correct answer is B .