JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2020 1

JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2020 1 – Introduction: Conquer JAMB English! Get Your Free 2020 Past Questions and Answers Now

Are you a JAMB UTME candidate in Nigeria struggling to master the Use of English section? You’re not alone! The English Language paper is a compulsory requirement for all candidates, making it a critical factor for securing university admission across Nigeria. To help you achieve a high JAMB score and ensure your exam success, Eduonwheels offers the best of JAMB exam success guide: our FREE 2020 JAMB UTME English Language Past Questions and Answers.

Stop wasting time searching for unreliable materials. Our comprehensive resource provides authentic 2020 JAMB past questions with detailed, easy-to-understand answers and explanations. Practicing with actual questions from the 2020 UTME is the most effective way to understand the exam’s format, identify your weak areas, and build the confidence you need to ace the test. Whether you’re in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, or anywhere else in Nigeria, access your free study guide today and take the definitive step towards securing your admission!

You can watch this video on JAMB CBT English 2019 Past Questions 1 – 24 for detailed explanations and solutions to the 2019 JAMB CBT Use of English Language Past Questions.

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JAMB UTME Use of English Past Questions and Answers Free – 2001

JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2020 1 – Question Key

Questions: Numbered 1 – 60

COMPREHENSION

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Passage I

Theatre in the recent past used to be a very popular art in traditional African society. It used to be a point of intersection where members of the community not only come to entertain themselves, ‘but join heads together’. In the traditional context of African drama, therefore, theatre was popular and respectable institution which preserved the people’s culture and tradition. Theatre was popular with the people because it emphasized community participation, peace and progress. The presentations focused on the people’s lives, their aspirations, fears, and hopes. But today, the situation is different. Theatre is becoming very unpopular.

Africa of the present age is pre-occupied with many problems yearning for immediate solutions. The continent is facing hydra-head challenges – challenges on the political, social, and economic scenes. In a world where Science and Technology are seen as the solutions to these problems, little attention is paid to the arts. Literature generally, and drama in particular is often rated very low on the utility-scale. Many Africa today look at drama and theatre as a mere thing of fun, a joke so to say.

Elitism is another barrier that militates against the appreciation of theatre as a communal art. Folk theatre is appreciated by a negligible number of people, contemporary focus is on literary theatre. Unfortunately, literary theatre only pretends to serve the interest of its society while in reality, it has a foreign audience in mind. The use of European and American theatrical conventions by our academic playwrights can bear witness to this anomaly.

The popularity of the literary African theatre is further marred by the medium of communication as most literary dramas in Africa are written in foreign languages which are not understood by many Africans. The question often asked is whether the artist should climb down to the level of his community of stay at his exalted height and wait for the community to gradually move up to him.

1. Theatre was popular in Africa because

A. was traditional and simple in nature

B. dealt with the political, social, and economic problems of the society

C. was a source of fun

D. was communal and reflected the common concerns of the people

2. One of the reasons why theatre is unpopular in modern Africa is that it

A. is regarded as not being of much use

B. only deals with culture and tradition

C. lacks scientific and academic bases

D. is always funny and looked down upon

3. In the passage, the term “theatre” and “drama” are used

A. differently

B. concurrently

C. interchangeably

D. sparingly

4. One of the arguments in the passage is that academic playwrights

A. express themselves only in foreign languages

B. serve as a catalyst in the society’s appreciation of theatre

C. work against the common man’s appreciation of theatre

D. make theatre popular in traditional societies

5. By the expression (climb down), the author implies that modern playwrights should

A. be simplistic in the use of language

B. not move up

C. use language that is most appreciated by the people

D. wait for the community to catch up with them

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Passage II

The financing of the university will always be a vexatious problem not only because of the need for it to maintain a level of independence that allows for the thriving of intellectual pursuit but also for the size of the funding that is required to maintain an acceptable level of infrastructure in a modern university. The experience of the Nigerian university in recent years has, in this regard, been almost alarming. The funding levels required constitute sufficient reasons for diversifying the sources. Even if the government was in a position on its own to meet all of the university’s financial requirements, I consider it desirable that every effort be made to reduce such contribution in the interest of university autonomy. I also hold the view that the university should seek to become dependent, in a substantial way, on funds generated from within. In other words, the sources of funding the university should be diversified as much as possible. Based on this principle, we can identify four sources – government, industry, students, and individual philanthropists. I must add quickly that each source has its own set of problems in its continuous interaction with the university, which ought to be addressed here.

Of all the four major sources of financing university education mentioned above, contribution through fees from the students involves intricate issues of special concern If government gives as an expression of its obligation to promote the general welfare of society if industry gives in order to enhance its chances of procurement of needed human information and material resources, as well as enhance its social responsibility if the general public gives as an indication of voluntary support for a worthy social cause, students (and by inference, their parents) should give in order to purchase an economic good for meeting their own felt need in the expectation that they will be satisfied with the product purchased.

6. It is important for university to be independent so that they can

A. attract funds from industries

B. determine their goals

C. be left to expand without any hindrances

D. carry out effective research

7. The writer advocates for multiple sources of university funding in order to

A. enhance university autonomy

B. reduce dependence on the government

C. ensure that the numerous needs of the universities are met

D. maintain acceptable levels of infrastructural development

8. The expression (intricate issues of special concern) means

A. important policy statements

B. interwoven topics of significance

C. complex matters requiring careful thoughts

D. knotty problems that concern everybody

9. The word (diversified) as used in the passage means

A. differentiated

B. varied

C. diffused

D. widened

10. The source of the university funding emphasized in the passage is

A. government

B. industry

C. the general public

D. students

LITERATURE

This question is based on Bolaji Abdullahi’s Sweet Sixteen

11. __________ almost fainted when he heard that some students were caught on the school’s basketball court at night having sex.

A. Mr James

B. Aliya

C. Mr Bello

D. Bolaji

12. Adoringly, Aliya was referred to as

A. Journalist

B. Sex addict

C. Beautiful lady

D. First lady

13. KOTL means

A. Kiss on the lips

B. Kiss on the lab

C. kiss on-top the lips

D. Kiss on-top the legs

14. How old was Aliya in the Novel?

A. 16

B. 18

C. 17

D. 19

15. Mr Bello is a/an _______ by profession in the novel?

A. accountant

B. engineer

C. nurse

D. journalist

WORD STRESS PATTERN

In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern. Choose the one with the different stress pattern

16. A. commit

B. compare

C. complete

D. column

17. A. apparent

B. attractive

C. devastate

D. infections

18. A. physique

B. menace

C. challenge

D. reckless

In each of the following questions, the main or primary stress is indicated by writing the syllable on which it occurs in capital letters. From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress

19. Calculator

A. CAL-cu-la-tor

B. cal-CU-la-tor

C. cal-cu-LA-tor

D. cal-cu-la-TOR

20. Criticism

A. cri-ti-ci-SM

B. cri-ti-CI-sm

C. cri-TI-ci-sm

D. CRI-ti-ci-sm

21. Expenditure

A. EX-pen-di-ture

B. ex-PEN-di-ture

C. ex-pen-DI-ture

D. ex-pen-di-TURE

SENTENCE COMPLETION

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.

22. The man, as well as the woman ________ arrested

A. have been

B. has been

C. is been

D. are being

23. Many a ____________ to understand me

A. man fail

B. man fails

C. men fail

D. men fails

24. It is you that __________ to write the letter

A. is suppose

B. is supposed

C. are suppose

D. are supposed

25. My father _______ on the floor

A. has lied

B. have lied

C. have laid

D. has lain

26. This class __________students and teachers

A. comprise

B. comprises

C. comprise of

D. comprises of

27. Before I arrived, the choir _______ the hymn

A. have sing

B. has sing

C. had sung

D. have sang

28. The soldier _________ his gun on the wall after the armed robber______

A. hang/has been hung

B. hung/had been hanged

C. hanged/has been hanged

D. hung/ has been hunged

29. Thank you for the __________ of presenting my paper.

A. privelege

B. priviledge

C. privilege

D. preveledge

30. My brother graduated from university last year; he will soon_________

A. convocate

B. convoke

C. convoce

D. matriculate

31. You need to __________your points

A. expanciate

B. expaciate

C. expatiate

D. expantiate

32. All the people in the bus died in that _________ accident

A. serious

B. reckless

C. fatal

D. dangerous

33. All the ________ were stolen by the thieves

A. arm and ammunition

B. arms and ammunition

C. arm and ammunitions

D. arms and ammunitions

34. What a ________! the more you look, the less you see

A. wonder

B. miracle

C. challenge

D. paradox

35. The soldiers pledge their ________ loyalty to the new government

A. enduring

B. tireless

C. complete

D. questionable

36. After interrogation, the police ______ the information from the suspect.

A. exposed

B. wrung

C. received

D. obtained

37. Mr Cham will never tell you everything, he is very ________

A. secretive

B. quiet

C. reserved

D. realistic

38. Many countries no longer have _______ punishment as the penalty for murder

A. mortal

B. corporal

C. capital

D. fatal

39. __________ packages should always be handled with care

A. Insecure

B. Fragile

C. Weak

D. Boxed

40. Because of the hard times, workers live in ___________ poverty

A. repulsive

B. ridiculous

C. abject

D. unpardonable

SYNONYMS (NEAREST IN MEANING)

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the word or group of words in brackets and italics as it is used in the sentence

41. Our chief is very intelligent but he could be (parochial) in his judgements

A. deep

B. broad

C. narrow-minded

D. kind-hearted

42. I went through his work; it was (gibberish)

A. meaningless

B. meaningful

C. brutal

D. too simple

43. Coming late to work, according to Leonard, is (inimical) to the progress of the company

A. harmful

B. predominant

C. unavoidable

D. inevitable

44. If he (declines) the offer, it will be better for him.

A. ignores

B. denies

C. snubs

D. rejects

SENTENCE INTERPRETATION

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentences is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.

45. The appearance which the famous actor made last month was his swan song. This meant that

A. the actor sang beautifully during the play

B. the play was postponed because of the actor’s non-appearance

C. the play was the actor’s last appearance before he died

D. the last play was the actors best performance

46. Muiz does not let the grass grow under his feet. This means that Muiz

A. does not waste time in doing things

B. is a very wicked man

C. cuts the grass in his field regularly

D. cares about himself

ANTONYMS (OPPOSITE IN MEANING)

From the list of words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearest opposite in meaning to the word or group of words in brackets and italics and that will, at the same time correctly fill in the gap in the sentence.

47. The Major demanded an (unalloyed) and not a __________ loyalty from his soldiers

A. strict

B. wavering

C. clumsy

D. alterable

48. The economist argued that the apparently (inconsequential) rise in the price of petrol had a _________ effect on the cost of living

A. capricious

B. frivolous

C. dangerous

D. bright

49. The exotic bird looked (resplendent); its bright plumage contrasted with the rather _________ undergrowth

A. immobile

B. foreign

C. bright

D. drab

50. I thought that the comments made by the Manager were quite (innocuous) but the chairman considered them __________

A. polite

B. inappropriate

C. antagonistic

D. harmful

51. My uncle is a (prosperous) businessman, my aunt, unfortunately, is quite ________

A. unskillful

B. domestic

C. unsuccessful

D. unqualified

52. The University has a large (intake), very few ________ take place

A. turnouts

B. rejections

C. expulsions

D. obstructions

53. Rather than make (derogatory) remarks about the host, a guest should make ________ ones

A. polite

B. complimentary

C. interesting

D. honest

54. Our (mechanised) services contrast sharply with the _________ operative we had before

A. electrical

B. controlled

C. original

D. manual

55. After Ade had listened to some advice, his (rigid) ideas became more ______________

A. friendly

B. compromising

C. flexible

D. democratic

56. The policies of this government favour the (elite) rather than the _______________

A. masses

B. oppressed

C. public

D. unemployed

57. God opposes the (proud) and rewards the _________

A. poor

B. honest

C. humble

D. faithful

58. The pilot says that it is easier to (take off) from the airport than to ___________ on the tarmac

A. land

B. come down

C. alight

D. drop

59. Although Chide’s manners are quite (refined), his colleagues are rather ___________

A. bold

B. crude

C. hostile

D. rash

60. I am quite (outspoken) but my brother is __________

A. dumb

B. indolent

C. taciturn

D. modest

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This featured image represents a group of focused Nigerian students reviewing their JAMB Use of English past questions booklet in preparation for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Free access guide for the JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2020 1. Our free resource is designed to help students master grammar, comprehension, lexis and structure, and common errors, ensuring they achieve a high score in the mandatory Use of English paper for university admission in Nigeria. Start your exam success journey now! Images: 2

You will find in our other Use of English Past Questions and Answers:

• JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers: Repeated Questions 2001 – 2025

• JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers: Topics, including New Topics

• JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers: Most Repeated Topics and Questions 2001 – 2025

• JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers PDF 2001 – 2025

• JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers: Likely Questions 2026 – 2030

• Preparatory Tests on JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers: MCQ

• JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers: Area of Concentration

JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2020 1 – Answer Key

Answers: Numbered 1 – 60

1. D
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. C
6. D
7. A
8. C
9. B
10. D
11. C
12. D
13. A
14. A
15. D
16. D
17. C
18. A
19. C
20. C
21. C
22. B
23. B
24. D
25. D
26. B
27. C
28. B
29. C
30. B
31. C
32. C
33. B
34. D
35. C
36. B
37. A
38. C
39. B
40. C
41. C
42. A
43. A
44. D
45. C
46. A
47. B
48. C
49. D
50. D
51. C
52. C
53. B
54. D
55. C
56. A
57. C
58. A
59. B
60. C

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JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2020 1 – Answer Explanation Key

Answer Explanations: Numbered 1 – 60

1. D – The passage states that theatre was popular because “it emphasized community participation, peace and progress” and “presentations focused on the people’s lives, their aspirations, fears, and hopes,” making it communal and reflective of common concerns.
2. A – The passage indicates that “drama in particular is often rated very low on the utility-scale” and “Many Africa today look at drama and theatre as a mere thing of fun,” showing it is regarded as not being of much use.
3. C – Throughout the passage, “theatre” and “drama” are used to refer to the same concept without distinction, meaning they are used interchangeably.
4. C – The passage states that “literary theatre only pretends to serve the interest of its society while in reality, it has a foreign audience in mind” and uses “European and American theatrical conventions,” which works against common people’s appreciation.
5. C – “Climb down” in context means playwrights should make their work more accessible to their community by using language the people appreciate and understand, rather than foreign languages.
6. D – The passage mentions “the need for it to maintain a level of independence that allows for the thriving of intellectual pursuit,” which relates to carrying out effective research.
7. A – The writer explicitly states: “I consider it desirable that every effort be made to reduce such contribution in the interest of university autonomy.”
8. C – “Intricate issues of special concern” refers to complex, complicated matters that require careful thought and consideration.
9. B – “Diversified” means varied, referring to having multiple different sources rather than relying on just one.
10. D – The second paragraph focuses extensively on students’ contribution through fees, describing it as involving “intricate issues of special concern,” showing it receives the most emphasis.
11. C – In the novel “Sweet Sixteen,” Mr Bello (Aliya’s father) almost fainted upon hearing about students caught having sex on the basketball court.
12. D – Aliya was adoringly called “First lady” in the novel.
13. A – KOTL is an acronym that stands for “Kiss on the lips.”
14. A – The title “Sweet Sixteen” refers to Aliya’s age, which is 16 years old.
15. D – Mr Bello is a journalist by profession in the novel.
16. D – “Column” has stress on the first syllable (COL-umn), while “commit,” “compare,” and “complete” all have stress on the second syllable.
17. C – “Devastate” has stress on the first syllable (DEV-as-tate), while the others have stress on the second syllable.
18. A – “Physique” has stress on the second syllable (phy-SIQUE), while “menace,” “challenge,” and “reckless” have stress on the first syllable.
19. C – “Calculator” is correctly stressed on the third syllable: cal-cu-LA-tor.
20. C – “Criticism” is correctly stressed on the second syllable: cri-TI-ci-sm.
21. C – “Expenditure” is correctly stressed on the third syllable: ex-pen-DI-ture.
22. B – With “as well as” constructions, the verb agrees with the first subject “the man” (singular), requiring “has been.”
23. B – “Many a” is followed by a singular noun and singular verb, so “man fails” is correct.
24. D – The subject is “you” (plural/second person), which requires “are,” and the correct form is “supposed” (past participle).
25. D – “Lie” (to recline) becomes “has lain” in present perfect; “lay” (to place) would be “has laid.”
26. B – “Comprise” means “consist of” and should not be followed by “of”; the singular subject “class” requires “comprises.”
27. C – Past perfect tense is needed for the action that occurred before another past action; “had sung” is correct.
28. B – “Hung” is used for objects (gun on wall); “hanged” is used for execution by hanging (armed robber); “had been hanged” shows past perfect passive.
29. C – The correct spelling is “privilege.”
30. B – “Convoke” means to attend a convocation ceremony; “matriculate” refers to enrollment, not graduation ceremonies.
31. C – “Expatiate” means to elaborate or expand on points; it is the correct spelling.
32. C – “Fatal” means causing death, which fits the context that “all the people in the bus died.”
33. B – The phrase “arms and ammunition” is an idiom where both words are plural without “s” on ammunition.
34. D – A “paradox” is something that seems contradictory or absurd but may be true, fitting “the more you look, the less you see.”
35. C – “Complete loyalty” means total, absolute loyalty, which makes sense for soldiers pledging to government.
36. B – “Wrung” means to extract or obtain with difficulty, fitting the context of getting information through interrogation.
37. A – “Secretive” means tending to keep things secret, fitting someone who “will never tell you everything.”
38. C – “Capital punishment” is the death penalty; “corporal” refers to physical punishment, “mortal” means deadly, “fatal” means causing death.
39. B – “Fragile” means easily broken, requiring careful handling.
40. C – “Abject poverty” is extreme, miserable poverty; “abject” means extremely bad or severe.
41. C – “Parochial” means having a narrow or limited outlook, so “narrow-minded” is the nearest synonym.
42. A – “Gibberish” means nonsense or meaningless talk/writing.
43. A – “Inimical” means harmful or adverse to something.
44. D – “Declines” means refuses or rejects an offer.
45. C – “Swan song” is an idiom referring to someone’s final performance or work before death or retirement.
46. A – “Not letting the grass grow under one’s feet” means acting quickly without wasting time.
47. B – “Unalloyed” means complete or pure; the opposite in this context is “wavering” (unstable, not complete).
48. C – “Inconsequential” means unimportant; the passage suggests it actually had a significant effect, so “dangerous” (significant/serious) is the opposite that fits.
49. D – “Resplendent” means attractive and impressive; “drab” (dull, lacking brightness) is the opposite that contrasts with bright plumage.
50. D – “Innocuous” means harmless; “harmful” is the direct opposite.
51. C – “Prosperous” means successful; “unsuccessful” is the direct opposite fitting a businessperson.
52. C – “Intake” means admissions; “expulsions” (removals) is the opposite action.
53. B – “Derogatory” means insulting/critical; “complimentary” (praising) is the opposite.
54. D – “Mechanised” means automated; “manual” (done by hand) is the opposite.
55. C – “Rigid” means inflexible; “flexible” is the direct opposite.
56. A – “Elite” refers to the privileged few; “masses” (the common people) is the opposite.
57. C – “Proud” (arrogant) is opposed by “humble” (modest).
58. A – “Take off” (leave the ground) is opposed by “land” (touch down on the ground).
59. B – “Refined” means cultured/polished; “crude” (rough, unpolished) is the opposite.
60. C – “Outspoken” means frank and direct; “taciturn” (reserved, saying little) is the opposite.