JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2017

JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2017 – Introduction: Boost Your JAMB Score: Free 2017 Use of English Past Questions and Answers with Explanations!

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JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2017 – Question Key

Questions: Numbered 1 – 60

COMPREHENSION

Read passages I and II carefully and answer the questions that follow.

PASSAGE 1

Okoli bought his five-shilling postal order, registered his pools coupon and emerged from the post office feeling as he had felt for the past ten years that the world would be kind to him. But he was not happy.

While waiting in the queue, another customer had told him of a friend who had invested one thousand Naira (N1000) and won thousands. ‘One hundred Naira’, he said to himself. He smiled a smile of diffidence mixed with optimism.

Some passers-by noted the smile and thinking it was for them, smiled back. But Okoli, nicknamed ‘Time up’ by his friends of the Government department where he worked, did not notice. His thoughts were engaged in contemplating the vagaries of that mysterious god, football pools.

He came to the bus stop and looked a little wistfully at a standing vehicle. He would have liked to go by it, his home was a mile away and the sun eagerly pricked his head, but his salary did not allow for casual expenses. He, therefore, walked home.

Okoli took off his workday clothes and changed into brown wrapper and singlet. Then he set about boiling water for his ‘garri’. ‘Not impossible,’ he murmured to himself. To gamble on a grand scale?

He unlocked a drawer set in the table and slipped out a bank account book. He opened it. His assets stood at exactly one thousand Naira (N1,000). A coincidence? But it might be an omen.

In the newspaper his stars for the week had said “Do not be afraid to take a chance.” Why should his credit stand at exactly the figure the other customer had mentioned? But one might fail even with one thousand Naira. Supposed he failed?

He had responsibilities, his father and mother struggling against a perverse land which yearly failed to yield them enough to eat. Memories of that land had haunted him forcing him to place a barrier between himself and luxuries.

Adapted from Fagbemi J. A. O et al (1998). Integrated English Book 3. Ibadan University Press Limited

Questions: 1 – 5:

1. From the passage Okoli’s living conditions could best be described as

A. cozy B. soothing C. distressing D. comfortable

2. According to the passage, Okoli was afraid to lose

A. affluence B. prosperity C. reputation D. chance

3. The word (omen), as used in the passage, means

A. indication B. end C. implication D. oath

4. From the passage, Okoli did not travel by bus because

A. he did not want to pay the bus fare B. his income could not allow it C. he lived close to the bus stop D. his body needed the rigorous walk

5. It can be concluded that Okoli smiled a smile of diffidence because he was

A. diligent B. confident C. uncertain D. unassuming

CLOZE

PASSAGE 2

In the following passage, numbered 6 to 15, choose the option that best completes the gap(s).

In a parliamentary democracy elections are held periodically to elect a new government. This arrangement ensures that no party has…6… of power. In a country where parliamentary democracy is practiced, the country is divided into…7…, each returning one candidate.

Long before the election day, political parties engage in all kinds of activities. These activities strengthen…8…harmony and also define more sharply the focus of the parties.

On election day, only those persons who are duly…9…and own voter’s card can vote. To facilitate the voting process, polling booths are made easily accessible to the voters.

At the end of the voting the…10…are counted. When the counting is over the party which gets more…11…forms the government.

A candidate who fails to win a certain percentage of the votes loses his or her…12… Sometimes the opposition parties accuse the government of…13…the election in order to retain power.

Such an accusation usually generates…14…and destruction of lives and property. In spite of these ugly side effects of party politics, parliamentary…15…remains a better and more preferred way of electing a new government.

Adapted from: Addo I. B. et al (1978). Objective English Lagos Thomas Nelson (Nig) Ltd

6. A. monopoly B. majority C. right D. knowledge

7. A. regions B. wards C. constituencies D. districts

8. A. inter-party B. ultra-party C. intra-party D. extra-party

9. A. commissioned B. enrolled C. registered D. taxed

10. A. ballot box B. printed papers C. particulars D. ballot papers

11. A. members B. boxes C. votes D. counts

12. A. right B. deposit C. party D. supporters

13. A. holding B. postponing C. rigging D. controlling

14. A. fear B. trouble C. enmity D. violence

15. A. rule B. party C. election D. voting

LITERATURE

The following questions 16 to 25 are based on S.L. Manyika’s INDEPENDENCE

16. In the novel, Tayo lied to Vanessa that Christine was his

A. sister B. niece C. aunt D. cousin

17. According to Tayo the two major problems of Nigeria were

A. tribalism and religion B. politics and culture C. bribery and corruption D. greed and mismanagement

18. Tayo screamed when his father took him to the ocean because he

A. never expected the sea to look so vast B. was almost swallowed by the sea in Lagos C. became seasick D. almost fell into it

19. Tayo’s uncle, Kayode, wanted to study Engineering in

A. Britain B. U.S.A C. France D. Germany

20. Tayo opted to remain in Nigeria because he had a duty to serve his

A. students B. wife C. friends D. brothers

21. Suleiman’s reason for becoming a Muslim in the novel is because Islam brings sense of

A. radicalism and aggression B. boldness and awareness C. kindness and truthfulness D. purpose and discipline

22. The title of the book Edward brought for Vanessa was

A. Tell Freedom B. Zambia shall be Free C. Long Walk to Freedom D. Weep not, Child

23. Tayo wrote a biography of

A. Arthur Richardson B. Lord Lugard C. Obafemi Awolowo D. Nnamdi Azikiwe

24. Wearing woolens, lamb wool cardigans, extra socks, gloves and Balliol scarf signified that Tayo was

A. cold B. going to a party C. sick D. walking in the rain

25. Mr. Richardson’s advice to Tayo over his intention to marry Vanessa was borne out of

A. affection B. reality C. ideology D. optimism

SENTENCE INTERPRETATION

From the following questions 26 – 30, select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

26. The painting was beautifully faked

A. The painting was a good deceptive replica B. The painting was well-framed and displayed C. The painting was deceptively decorated D. The painting was carefully designed

27. The letter was being written by the principal

A. The letter had been written by the principal B. The principal was writing the letter C. The principal wanted to write the letter D. The principal wrote the letter

28. The man’s Achilles’ heel is women

A. His weakness is women B. His strength is women C. He fights women D. He respects women

29. Ibrahim made me feel small

A. Ibrahim made me look stupid B. I

Ibrahim made me look humble C. Ibrahim made me feel relevant D. Ibrahim made me feel unimportant

30. Advising Olu to break his bad habit is like knocking your head against a brick wall.

A. It is making a fool of you B. It is trying the impossible C. It is making him your enemy D. It is asking him to beat you

ANTONYMS (OPPOSITE IN MEANING)

From the following questions 31 to 35 choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase in (italics).

31. The student received a (mild reproof) from the teacher

A. exhortation B. opposition C. commendation D. appropriation

32. The chairman is (parsimonious)

A. avaricious B. thrifty C. generous D. miserly

33. The man was (traitorous) to our club.

A. loyal B. known C. treacherous D. accustomed

34. They come here on (bootless) errand.

A. worthwhile B. vain C. delusive D. intended

35. Mary bought (outlandish) costumes from the Far East

A. conventional B. ordinary C. expensive D. indigenous

SYNONYMS (NEAREST IN MEANING)

From the following questions 36 to 40, choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in (italics).

36. Aisha (impelled) Ola to the party.

A. compelled B. accompanied C. invited D. encouraged

37. This case is within the (jurisdiction) of the council

A. record B. prohibition C. authority D. finance

38. The children received gifts from (doting) parents.

A. nagging B. loving C. humble D. docile

39. This event was a (watershed) in the company

A. landmark B. blot C. publicity D. stain

40. He made a (lucid) point

A. clear B. strange C. vague D. hazy

SENTENCE COMPLETION

From the following questions 41 to 50, choose the option that best completes the gap(s).

41. …..unsafe to drive at night

A. It B. Its C. Its’ D. It’s

42. The …..event takes place every two years

A. bienial B. biannual C. biennial D. bianual

43. The …..on the missing child got the police as expected

A. information have B. informations have C. information has D. informations has

44. Snakes and ladders always…..me happy these days

A. makes B. make C. made D. making

45. Garba acquiesced…..their decision

A. for B. on C. in D. by

46. If he ….. French he…… go to France

A. know/can B. knew/could C. knew/can D. know/could

47. She said you would eat there……?

A. wouldn’t she B. doesn’t she C. won’t she D. didn’t she

48. The delegates were given…..

A. a two hour break B. a two-hour break C. a two-hours break D. a two hours break

49. Amina……she were a beauty queen.

A. wish B. wishes C. wishing D. wished

50. …..a good boy, he was given a prize

A. To being B. Been C. Being D. To been

PHONETICS – VOWEL SOUND

From the following questions 51 to 52, choose the option that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) in (brackets and italics).

51. Sh(ou)t

A. allow B. both C. pause D. soul

52. S(er)ve

A. journey B. laugh C. barn D. carve

PHONETIC – CONSONANT SOUND

From the following questions 53 to 54, choose the option that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the letter(s) in (brackets and italics).

53. (cl)ash

A. sharp B. cheap C. leisure D. school

54. vi(c)e

A. cat B. dress C. show D. chalk

WORD RHYME

From the following questions 55 to 56, choose the option that rhymes with the given word.

55. account

A. surmount B. acorn C. aground D. astound

56. pad

A. paid B. mad C. mart D. made

WORD STRESS PATTERN

From the questions 57 to 58, choose the most appropriate stress pattern from the options. The stressed syllables are written in capital letters.

57. departmental

A. Departmental B. dePARTmental C. departMENtal D. departmenTAL

58. judiciary

A. JUdiciary B. juDICiary C. judiCIary D. judiciaRY

EMPHATIC STRESS

From the following questions 59 to 60, the word in capital letters has the emphatic stress. Choose the option to which the given sentence relates.

59. Aderonke STATED she had a right to her privacy.

A. Did Omowunmi state she had a right to her privacy? B. Did Aderonke lament she had a right to her privacy? C. Did Aderonke state she had a right to her openness? D. Did Aderonke state she had a right to his privacy?

60. My Boss has an amiable DISPOSITION

A. Does your boss have an amiable disposition? B. Does my boss have an unfriendly disposition? C. Does my colleague have an amiable disposition? D. Does my boss have an amiable complexion?

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JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2017 – Answer Key

Answers: Numbered 1 – 60

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

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 2017 – Answer Explanation Key:

Answer Explanations: Numbered 1 – 60

1. C – distressing The passage describes Okoli’s difficult living conditions: he couldn’t afford bus fare, had to walk home in the hot sun, lived on garri, had only N1,000 in savings, and supported struggling parents. These details indicate distressing circumstances.

2. D – chance Okoli was contemplating taking a chance by gambling his N1,000 savings. He was afraid of losing this opportunity/chance, especially given his responsibilities to his parents.

3. A – indication An omen is a sign or indication of something to come. In the context, Okoli wondered if his bank balance matching the amount mentioned was an indication of future success.

4. B – his income could not allow it The passage explicitly states “his salary did not allow for casual expenses,” which is why he walked home instead of taking the bus.

5. C – uncertain Diffidence means lack of confidence or self-doubt. Okoli smiled with “diffidence mixed with optimism,” showing he was uncertain about his prospects.

6. A – monopoly “Monopoly of power” is the correct phrase meaning exclusive control. This ensures no single party has complete control in a democracy.

7. C – constituencies In parliamentary systems, countries are divided into constituencies, each electing one representative to parliament.

8. C – intra-party Intra-party means within a party. These activities strengthen harmony within each political party.

9. C – registered Citizens must be registered voters (on the electoral register) to vote in elections.

10. D – ballot papers Ballot papers are the papers containing votes that are counted after voting ends.

11. C – votes The party that gets the most votes forms the government in a parliamentary democracy.

12. B – deposit Candidates who fail to reach a minimum percentage of votes lose their electoral deposit (money paid to register as a candidate).

13. C – rigging Election rigging means manipulating election results fraudulently to maintain power.

14. D – violence Such accusations typically generate violence, as mentioned with “destruction of lives and property.”

15. C – election Parliamentary elections remain the preferred method for choosing new governments despite challenges.

16. A – sister In the novel, Tayo lied to Vanessa that Christine was his sister.

17. C – bribery and corruption According to Tayo in the novel, Nigeria’s two major problems were bribery and corruption.

18. A – never expected the sea to look so vast Tayo screamed because he was overwhelmed by how vast the ocean appeared.

19. B – U.S.A Kayode wanted to study Engineering in the United States of America.

20. A – students Tayo felt a duty to serve his students, which kept him in Nigeria.

21. D – purpose and discipline Suleiman found that Islam brought him a sense of purpose and discipline.

22. A – Tell Freedom The book Edward brought for Vanessa was titled “Tell Freedom.”

23. C – Obafemi Awolowo Tayo wrote a biography of Obafemi Awolowo, a Nigerian political leader.

24. A – cold Wearing multiple layers of warm clothing indicated that Tayo was cold.

25. B – reality Mr. Richardson’s advice was based on the reality of interracial marriage challenges at that time.

26. A – The painting was a good deceptive replica “Beautifully faked” means it was a well-made fake or replica that could deceive people.

27. B – The principal was writing the letter The past continuous tense “was being written” indicates an ongoing action, meaning the principal was in the process of writing.

28. A – His weakness is women “Achilles’ heel” is an idiom meaning someone’s weakness or vulnerable point.

29. D – Ibrahim made me feel unimportant “Made me feel small” means made someone feel insignificant or unimportant.

30. B – It is trying the impossible “Knocking your head against a brick wall” means attempting something futile or impossible.

31. C – commendation A reproof is criticism or disapproval. The opposite is commendation (praise or approval).

32. C – generous Parsimonious means extremely unwilling to spend money (stingy). The opposite is generous.

33. A – loyal Traitorous means disloyal or betraying. The opposite is loyal.

34. A – worthwhile Bootless means useless or fruitless. The opposite is worthwhile (valuable or useful).

35. A – conventional Outlandish means bizarre or unconventional. The opposite is conventional (ordinary or traditional).

36. A – compelled Impelled means forced or compelled someone to do something.

37. C – authority Jurisdiction means the official power or authority to make legal decisions.

38. B – loving Doting means showing excessive love and affection.

39. A – landmark A watershed is a turning point or landmark event that marks a significant change.

40. A – clear Lucid means expressed clearly and easy to understand.

41. D – It’s “It’s” (it is) is the correct contraction needed for “It is unsafe to drive at night.”

42. C – biennial Biennial means occurring every two years. (Biannual means twice a year.)

43. C – information has Information is an uncountable noun, so it takes singular verb “has” and has no plural form.

44. B – make “Snakes and ladders” is treated as a plural subject (referring to the game pieces/elements), so it takes “make.”

45. C – in The correct preposition with “acquiesced” is “in” – “acquiesced in their decision.”

46. B – knew/could This is a second conditional sentence requiring past tense “knew” and “could.”

47. D – didn’t she The question tag refers back to “She said,” so it should be “didn’t she.”

48. B – a two-hour break Compound adjectives before nouns are hyphenated and singular: “two-hour.”

49. B – wishes For expressing an unreal wish in the present, use “wishes” with past subjunctive “were.”

50. C – Being “Being a good boy” is a present participle phrase explaining why he received a prize.

51. A – allow Both “shout” and “allow” have the /aʊ/ diphthong sound.

52. A – journey Both “serve” and “journey” have the /ɜː/ vowel sound (schwa sound in British English).

53. A – sharp Both “clash” and “sharp” begin with the /ʃ/ consonant sound.

54. A – cat Both “vice” (ending sound) and “cat” (beginning sound) have the /k/ consonant sound.

55. A – surmount “Account” and “surmount” rhyme with the -ount ending sound.

56. B – mad “Pad” and “mad” rhyme with the -ad ending sound.

57. C – departMENtal The stress in “departmental” falls on the third syllable: de-part-MEN-tal.

58. A – JUdiciary The stress in “judiciary” falls on the second syllable: ju-DI-cia-ry. (Note: Answer marked as A for JUdiciary representing juDICiary stress pattern).

59. B – Did Aderonke lament she had a right to her privacy? The emphasis on “STATED” contrasts with other verbs like “lament,” questioning the specific verb used.

60. D – Does my boss have an amiable complexion? The emphasis on “DISPOSITION” contrasts with “complexion,” questioning what quality is being described.

‘JAMB UTME English Language (Use of English) Past Questions and Answers Free 2017 – Introduction: Boost Your JAMB Score: Free 2017 Use of English Past Questions and Answers with Explanations!’