Jamb practice questions - English

 Here’s a set of 50 JAMB English practice questions for the Edwin Ogie Library blog. These questions cover various aspects such as Lexis and Structure, Sentence Completion, Error Identification, Comprehension, Sentence Transformation, and Idiomatic Expressions:

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1. Lexis and Structure

1. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
   The teacher explained that the student had been absent ________ a week.
   a) for
   b) since
   c) by
   d) during

2. Choose the word that is closest in meaning to "arduous":
   a) Easy
   b) Difficult
   c) Pleasant
   d) Simple

3. Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to "benevolent":
   a) Kind
   b) Malicious
   c) Generous
   d) Charitable

4. Fill in the blank with the correct word:
   He has always been very ________ in his approach to work.
   a) methodical
   b) random
   c) chaotic
   d) careless

5. Choose the correct word for the sentence:
   The manager was ________ to accept the proposal.
   a) eager
   b) reluctant
   c) unwilling
   d) happy

2. Sentence Completion

6. Complete the sentence:
   The new policy was designed to reduce the number of accidents ________ the factory.
   a) at
   b) by
   c) in
   d) on

7. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
   She was ________ to see the progress her team had made.
   a) pleased
   b) pleasing
   c) please
   d) pleased with

8. Complete the sentence:
   It is important to ________ your homework before the exam.
   a) finish
   b) finishes
   c) finished
   d) finishing

9. Fill in the blank:
   By the time the train arrives, the passengers ________ already.
   a) will have left
   b) will leave
   c) have left
   d) leave

10. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
    We are ________ waiting for the delivery of the goods.
    a) hardly
    b) almost
    c) usually
    d) already

3. Error Identification

11. Choose the part of the sentence that contains the error:
    The committee has decided to conduct a survey to know if the students were happy with the new regulations.
    a) The committee
    b) has decided
    c) to know
    d) with the new regulations

12. Choose the part of the sentence that contains the error:
    I will meet you at the park if it does not rains tomorrow.
    a) I will meet
    b) you at the park
    c) if it does not
    d) rains tomorrow

13. Choose the part of the sentence that contains the error:
    The children plays outside every evening after school.
    a) The children
    b) plays
    c) outside every evening
    d) after school

14. Choose the part of the sentence that contains the error:
    Despite of his efforts, he failed to win the race.
    a) Despite of
    b) his efforts
    c) he failed
    d) to win the race

15. Choose the part of the sentence that contains the error:
    She has been working here since five years.
    a) She has
    b) been working
    c) here since
    d) five years

4. Comprehension

16. Choose the correct answer:
    If a word is described as 'scintillating,' it most likely means:
    a) Dull
    b) Sparkling
    c) Ordinary
    d) Unimportant

17. Which of the following is NOT a synonym of the word 'serene'?
    a) Calm
    b) Peaceful
    c) Agitated
    d) Tranquil

18. What is the opposite of the word 'obvious'?
    a) Clear
    b) Uncertain
    c) Confused
    d) Blatant

19. Which of the following words means 'to change direction suddenly'?
    a) Veer
    b) Stall
    c) Swerve
    d) Glide

20. Which of the following words means 'to support or advocate something'?
    a) Denounce
    b) Endorse
    c) Resist
    d) Oppose

5. Sentence Transformation

21. Choose the sentence that best expresses the same idea as the given sentence:
    He was so tired that he could not walk.
    a) He was tired to walk.
    b) He was too tired to walk.
    c) He could walk because he was tired.
    d) He was tired but walked.

22. Choose the sentence that best expresses the same idea as the given sentence:
    Although she tried hard, she could not win the competition.
    a) Despite trying hard, she won the competition.
    b) She did not win the competition even though she tried hard.
    c) She tried hard to win the competition.
    d) She could win the competition by trying hard.

23. Choose the sentence that best expresses the same idea as the given sentence:
    The child ran so fast that he won the race.
    a) The child ran so fast but did not win the race.
    b) The child ran very fast and won the race.
    c) The child ran fast because he won the race.
    d) The child ran but did not win the race.

24. Choose the correct transformation of the sentence:
    If he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam.
    a) He did not study hard enough to pass the exam.
    b) He studied hard but did not pass the exam.
    c) He would pass the exam if he studied harder.
    d) He passed the exam because he studied hard.

25. Choose the correct transformation of the sentence:
    It is necessary to follow the instructions carefully.
    a) Following the instructions is not necessary.
    b) It is not necessary to follow the instructions.
    c) Following the instructions carefully is necessary.
    d) Instructions are necessary to follow carefully.

6. Use of Idiomatic Expressions

26. Choose the correct meaning of the expression "break the ice":
    a) To do something awkward
    b) To start a conversation in an uncomfortable situation
    c) To finish a task
    d) To repair something broken

27. What does the expression "a fish out of water" mean?
    a) Someone who is comfortable in their environment
    b) Someone who feels out of place
    c) Someone who is learning to swim
    d) Someone who enjoys water activities

28. Choose the meaning of the expression "hit the nail on the head":
    a) To criticize someone
    b) To do something incorrectly
    c) To explain something exactly right
    d) To start a project

29. What does the expression "burning the midnight oil" mean?
    a) To rest early at night
    b) To work late into the night
    c) To waste time
    d) To attend a party

30. Choose the meaning of the idiom "beat around the bush":
    a) To avoid giving a direct answer
    b) To express yourself clearly
    c) To be very specific
    d) To take the wrong path

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Additional Practice

31. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
    The team members were divided ________ the decision to change the strategy.
    a) about
    b) on
    c) with
    d) for

32. Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to "insipid":
    a) Flavorful
    b) Dull
    c) Tasteless
    d) Bland

33. Fill in the blank:
    The movie was so ________ that we all left the cinema before it ended.
    a) exciting
    b) boring
    c) thrilling
    d) engaging

34. Choose the correct word for the sentence:
    The manager asked the staff to work ________ on the project.
    a) hardly
    b) hard
    c) harder
    d) hardest

35. Choose the correct word to fill the gap:
    The children ________ playing in the yard when it started to rain.
    a) was
    b) are
    c) were
    d) will be

36. Choose the word that is closest in meaning to "incompetent":
    a) Skilled
    b) Inefficient
    c) Capable
    d) Proficient

37. Choose the opposite of the word "explicit":
    a) Clear
    b) Vague
    c) Direct
    d) Unambiguous

38. Fill in the blank with the correct word:
    The students were excited ________ the results of the competition.
    a) for
    b) about
    c) with
    d) to

39. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
    The company plans to ________ the new product next month.
    a) launch
    b) launched
    c) launching
    d) launches

40. Choose the correct option for the sentence:
    I will not go to the party unless you ________ me an invitation.
    a) send
    b) sends
    c) sent
    d) sending

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More Advanced Practice

41. Choose the correct sentence:
    a) The report is due next week and has been completed.
    b) The report is due next week and it completed.
    c) The report is due next week, it has been completed.
    d) The report is due next week, and it has been completed.

42. Choose the most appropriate phrase:
    The concert was cancelled ________ the heavy rain.
    a) because
    b) because of
    c) due
    d) despite

43. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
    She sings so well that she ________ win the competition.
    a) could
    b) will
    c) might
    d) may

44. Complete the sentence correctly:
    Neither the teacher ________ the students were happy with the decision.
    a) or
    b) nor
    c) and
    d) but

45. Choose the correct transformation of the sentence:
    "They didn’t arrive on time because of the traffic."
    a) They arrived on time but there was traffic.
    b) Due to the traffic, they didn’t arrive on time.
    c) They arrived late but due to traffic.
    d) They arrived on time despite the traffic.

46. Fill in the blank:
    He has been working in this office ________ 2010.
    a) since
    b) for
    c) by
    d) during

47. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
    The new software will make the process more ________.
    a) efficiency
    b) efficient
    c) efficientness
    d) efficiently

48. Which of the following expressions means to quickly adapt to a situation?
    a) Jump on the bandwagon
    b) Get the ball rolling
    c) Hit the ground running
    d) Cross that bridge when you get to it

49. What does "to call it a day" mean?
    a) To finish work for the day
    b) To organize the day’s schedule
    c) To rest after work
    d) To spend the whole day working

50. Which of the following is an example of an idiom?
    a) He took it with a grain of salt.
    b) He spoke with confidence.
    c) She walked to the door.
    d) He stared at the sky.

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These 50 questions will be valuable for students preparing for the JAMB exam