Tuesday, 7 March 2017

1983 JAMB ENGLISH QUESTIONS



UME 1983 QUESTIONS

Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it.

Passage A
The approach to the University is being restructured to ease the flow of traffic, give better security and provide an appropriate introduction to a seat of higher learning. The works and Services Complex is also under construction, and we intend to move into the completed (major) part of it within the next few weeks. All these projects are being executed with an eye to aesthetics, for we recognize the important influence of a beautiful and healthy environment on its inhabitants and feel that a cluster of buildings on a small space such as we have should be so well designed as to have a beneficial psychological and sociological effect on all members of the community. I have gone to these lengths to itemize these examples of current development for two main reason. Firstly  to advise you that the road diversions and other physical inconveniences currently being experienced will be on the increase because of intense development activity. We therefore appeal to you to bear with us in full knowledge and consolation that such inconveniences are temporary and will soon yield final tangible results. Secondly, to demonstrate our capacity for executing approved projects with dispatch, and to assure Government that we are up to the task. Indeed, I can assure Government that its ability to disburse funds to us will be more than matched by our capacity to collect and expend them on executing various worthy projects in record time.
1.     From the passage we can gather that A.  there is not much consideration for the health of the inhabitants. B. there is deliberate effort to inconvenience the people C. buildings are put up anyhow D. projects are carried out without approval E. the inconveniences suffered by the inhabitants will be for a while.
2.      Unless it can be shown that the money voted for projects can be spent on them in good time. A. the development activity will not be intense. B. it will not be easy to convince the Government of our executive ability C. it will not be difficult to ask Government for funds D. our final results will be unreliable. E. the road diversions and other inconveniences will continue.
3.     An eye to aesthetics in this passage means A. regard for space. B. beneficial psychological effects C. regard for health D. consideration for beauty E. a cluster of buildings.
4.     In this passage the author tries to explain why A. it is necessary to establish the Works and Services Complex in the University. B. beauty should not be taken into consideration when building on such a small space as we have C. the gateway to the university is being rebuilt D. major part of the project should be completed in the next few weeks. E. visitors should be debarred from using the gates in the mean time.
5.     Which of these is NOT among the reasons given by the author for enumerating the examples of the current development? A. to show that we are capable of executing approved projects. B. to convince the Government that we can be trusted with task. C. the inconvenience currently being experienced will go on indefinitely. D. we are fully aware of the inconveniences being caused but we do not want you to complain. E. we have the capacity to complete worthy projects.
Passage B
Is work for prisoners a privilege to save them from the demoralizing effects and misery of endless unoccupied hours? Is it something added to a prison sentence to make it harder and more unpleasant, or something, which should have a positive value as part of a system of rehabilitation? Those magistrates who clung to sentences of hard labour doubtless looked upon strenuous work as an additional punishment. This point of view is widely accepted as right and proper, but it ignores the fact that unwillingness to work is often one of the immediate causes of criminality. To send prisoners back to the outside world, more than ever convinced that labour is an evil to be avoided, is to confirm them in their old way of life. It has been said that the purpose of prison work in a programme of rehabilitation is twofold: training for work and training by work. The prisoner, that is to say, needs to be trained in habits of industry; but over and above this, he will gain immeasurably if it is possible to rouse in him the consciousness of self-mastery and of purpose that the completion of any worthwhile piece of work can give to the doer. He may find a pride of achievement in something more satisfying, and more socially desirable, than crime. But these things can only come when the work itself has a purpose and demands an effort.
6.     According to the author, some magistrates sentence prisoners to hard labour because. A. some prisoners are unwilling to work. B. work is a privilege C. prisoners need to learn a trade D. it is an additional punishment E. it is a means of rehabilitation.
7.     Which of these is NOT the purpose of work in a programme of rehabilitation? A. training the prisoners to have satisfaction in work. B. developing in them a pride in a sense of achievement C. developing in them more satisfaction in work than in crime. D. helping them to accelerate their reform and discharge. E. training them for work and by work.
8.     The author thinks that strenuous work in prison. A. is a privilege for the prisoners B. may do more harm than good C. is part of their punishment D. is a right and proper thing E. should be an additional punishment.
9.      What the author is trying to put across in this passage is that A. crime does not pay  B. prisoners should be made to work hard C. work is more desirable than crime D. life in prison is one of misery. E. work in prison without a purpose is bad.
10.  Demoralizing in this passage means A. deforming B. reforming C. agonizing D. destructive E. corrupting.

Passage C
The Save the Children Fund (SCF) was first started in London on 19thMay, 1919 by an English woman  -- named Miss Jebb. It is now a worldwide organization, dedicated to helping needy children everywhere. The SCF of Malawi was formed in 1953, under the patronage of His Excellency the Life President Ngawazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda. ‘Our job in Malawi is to give those unfortunate children the rights that they are deprived of through no fault of theirs. These are internationally recognized as the ten rights of children and include protection, care, food and accommodation, and relief’, a spokesman for the Fund explained. One of those who benefited  from the help of the Fund is Samuel Mpetechula, a graduate of Chancellor. His sponsorship started in 1967. The SCF of Malawi found him sponsors. They were Mr. and Mrs. Sutton of Australia who paid his school fees and continued to help him financially throughout his University education.Mr. Mpetechula said, ‘They even built a house for me at home and looked after my family while I was a student. They were really helpful to me, and the thought that there were these sponsors caring for me from thousands of kilometers away from here was an encouragement for me to work hard at college’. Another important function of the work of the SCF is in the field of nutrition. With the help of the Australian Government, the SCF established two nutrition rehabilitation centers for children; one at Mpemba and another in Mulanje. ‘ The object of the centre’s explained Mr. Petre Chimbe, the Executive Secretary of the Fund, ‘is to combat malnutrition in children, by giving them the proper food 
11.  In Malawi, the ‘Save the Children Fund’ was formed A by an English woman named Miss Jebb in 1919 B. in 1919 under the patronage of His Excellency the Life President Ngawazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda C. under the patronage of His Excellency the Life President Ngawazi Dr. H.Kamuzu Banda in 1953 D. in 1953 by a group of social workers headed by Dr. Mbagunda E. none of the above.
12.  The ‘Save the Children Fund’ in Malawi helps needy children by A. finding families which are willing to adopt the children B. finding sponsors for the children’s education and by opening nutrition centers C. giving loans and scholarships to students who cannot afford to continue their education D. running institutions which give free food E. clothing and lodging poor children without parents.
13.  Samuel Mpetechula was able to graduate from Chancellor because A. of the financial assistance given to himby his sponsors B. his uncle paid his education fees. C. he was able to win a scholarship to the university D. the SCF subsidized his educational expenses E. of the assistance given to him by the Australian Government.
In questions 14 and 15 choose the meaning which best fits  the underlined phrases taken from the passage.
14.  Combat malnutrition means A. struggle against the easing of the wrong type of food B. fight ill health caused by over-feeding C. wipe out ignorance D. fight to wipe out ill health caused by lack of food E. fight against hunger.
15.   Deprived of means A. spared B. prevented from getting C. robbed of D. unable to take. E. snatched from

Passage D
At the time of the troubles in Ireland, a priest said, ‘Man is half beast. ’A diplomat replied, ‘Yes. And the beast is the half I like the best.’ The priest meant that few beasts behave as badly as man when man makes up his mind to behave badly. If you look at the folly and cruelty of today’s world, it is hard to disagree with the diplomat or the priest. But human nature can be changed. Anybody, if that is what they most want to do, can change the most difficult person they know. The art of changing people has
been lost in the modern world. That is why the modern world has lost its way.
There are two ways of looking at human nature. One is to make the best of it as it is and assume that it is the raw material of life which cannot be altered. That is what most people in the free world do today. In these circumstances, if you expect the worst,
you are seldom disappointed. Faith today has become irrelevant to the everyday needs of so many people in positions of responsibility because they do not expect faith to change men.
Another way of dealing with human nature is to exploit it. All materialists, whether of the right or the left, do this. All over the world vanity, fear, ambition, lust and greed are used to control the life of men; and if the control breaks down, man does not hesitate to use force, or to destroy life. The end, he says, justifies the means and men are only of value in so far as they are a means towards the achievement of his ambition. If they cannot be bribed or forced to play their part, then they must be liquidated.
16.  The priest meant that A. man is both beast and human B. man could be sores than a beast if he wants to C. he liked beasts more than man D. he liked both man and beast E. really, a man cannot be a beast.
17.  The modern world has lost its way because A. it no longer believes in God B. ambition has made people greedy C. people are no longer interested in one another D. the technique of influencing people is no more E. people are just too selfish.
18.   What most people do in the free world today is to A. leave other people alone B. assume that human nature is bad C. accept human nature as it is since it is immutable. D. attempt to change the world E. leave the world as it is.
19.  Faith today is by and large irrelevant because A. nobody thinks it can alter human nature B. most people do not believe in God C. being in a position of responsibility nullifies the importance of faith  D. responsible people need not bother about faith E. the faithful are very few in the world anyway.
20.  Materialists can be found A. in capitalist countries B. in communist countries C. in less developed countries D. among people who do not have neighbours. E. all over the world.

Passage E
Typical Zacharia! Devil-may-care and irreverent as ever. No doubt he was just the same when he was cook to a Greek trader in the town. In fact, I suspect that to him the Reverend Father is just another sort of trader. Conceited ass, thinking
himself superior to the Father! And in what is he superior? Success with women, perhaps? Zacharia knows that they all admire him and is always striving for still more admiration. He dresses sharply and walks in a haughty manner that suits his tallness. And then he feeds his pride on the swarms of girls who run after him. It’s maddening to think how little you need to attract them. I remember my mother coming home from market in the town, after selling her vegetables and cocoa. How indignant she was: ‘It’s so shameful,’ she cried, ‘our best-looking and most respectable girls go to town and throw themselves at strangers as ugly as sin, speaking the most outlandish tongues. Men I can scarcely look at without shuddering! And why? Just money! Money! Ah, what a world! And my father replied in a buried voice, ‘It’s the times!’ ‘The times!’ shouted mother, ‘can you imagine my child Ann with creatures like those?’
But perhaps the girls who chase Zacharia aren’t drawn by his tallness or his leather shoes. Perhaps they’re only after childish things, a bit of bread or a pot of jam, knowing that he’s a cook. My father often says women are like children in their desires. And after all, I too can boast a little. Plenty of women turn to look at me, especially when I’m dressed all in white! But I’m not vain enough to fuss over a little thing like that. Not like Zacharia, who doesn’t know women are simply children.
21.  Zacharia  A. was the cook of a trader B . worked for a priest C. worked for the speaker’s mother D. was a rich man E. was a handsome man
22.  Which of the following was NOT a quality of Zacharia’s character? A. Vanity B. Lack of respect for others C. Humility D. Arrogance E. Insubordination
23.  The girls were apparently attracted to Zacharia by A. wealth B. the life of the towns C. the appearance of the young men D. the fact that the young men spoke strange dialects E. food.
24.   From the passage we can conclude that the young girls were A. attractive B. religious C. modern D. easily led E. indifferent
25.  The speaker’s mother considered that A. things were not as good as they used to be B. women were foolish C. the world was corrupt D. the love of money was the root of all evil E. it was necessary for attitudes to change.

LEXIS AND STRUCTURE
In Questions 26 to 34 choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.
26.  The story has to be taken with a grain of salt. This means  that A. you need some salt to listen to the story. B. there is no salt in the story. C. the story is questionable D. the story is true E. you have too much salt in the story.
27.  It is usually hard to change the course of action when one crosses the rubicon. The underlined expression, as used in this sentence, means to A. pass through a place called Rubicon B. cross a river called Rubicon C. cross a bridge called Rubicon D. pass a special test E. be irrevocably committed.
28.  The salesman tried to pull the wool over my eyes. This implies that the salesman tried to A. force me to buy his goods B. offer me cotton wool C. make me buy his wool D. dupe me E. cover my eyes with wool.
29.   Ijeoma counted her chickens before they were hatched. This means that Ijeoma A. regarded each egg as a chicken B. hatched the eggs prematurely C. assumed that her expectations had already been realized D. protected her eggs from breaking E. insured the eggs.
30.  Solo has resigned his job with the Textile Mills. He doesn’t seem to worry about getting another job. His plans are still quite in the air. This means that his plans are A. airmailed B. air tight C. uncertain D. certain E. airborne.
31.   Ike is head over heels in love with Ngozi. This means that A. Ike is friendly with Ngozi. B. Ike is trying to fall in love with Ngozi. C. Ngozi fell on Ike’s heel and both of them fell in love D. Ike is madly in love with Ngozi. E. none of the above.
32.  The legislator has decided to play second fiddle after he had been walked out of the Assembly for violating basic procedure of the House. This means that the legislator has decided to A. oppose every motion in the House B. support every motion in the House C. condemn every motion D. support the lead given by others E. become active in the house.
33.  Old customs die hard. This implies that old customs A. cause a lot of hardship and death B. must be stopped C. never die out D. cause hardship for younger people E. tend to last for a long time.
34.  The convict said he was tire of leading a dog’s life. To lead a dog’s life means to live A. carelessly B. in disgrace C. in solitude D. in misery E. in poverty.
In Questions 35 to 70 choose the expression or word which best completes each sentence.
35.  After the initial confusion, the Manager’s suggestion brought.... to the depressed investors. A. a glitter of hope. B. a glimmer of hope. C. a sparkle of hope D. a raise of hope E. a shower of hope.
36.  The farmer has brought the insecticide because he was bent on …the insects in his farm. A. exterminating B. estimating C. extenuating D. extinguishing E. exemplifying.
37.  The young lady decided to… A. do away with the many advices given by her relatives B. reject all the advices given by her relatives C. reject all the advice given by her relations D. take to all the advices given by her relations E. eject all the advices given by her relatives
38.  Two ministers found it very difficult to get…in the Cabinet A. through with each other B. by with one another C. through with one another D. off from each other E. on with each other.
39.   The school Board has placed an order for… A. all the furnitures and equipments required in the new schools B. all the furniture and equipment required in the new schools C. all of the furniture and equipments required in the new schools. E. many of the furnitures and equipments required in the new schools.
40.   On his way back the boy ran into a long procession of men, women and children in…A. white beautiful exceedingly flowing gowns. B. exceedingly flowing white beautiful gowns. C. exceedingly beautiful white flowing gowns D. white flowing exceedingly beautiful gowns E. flowing exceedingly white beautiful gowns.
41.   The proprietors should be blamed for such a deplorable condition in the nursery schools,… A. isn’t it? B. shouldn’t they? C. should they? D. is it? E. shouldn’t it?
42.   I could not believe that our team…the match after being in the lead for most of the match. A. to lose B. lost C. will be losing D. losing E. loosen.
43.  The Head of Department is away to Murtala Mohammed Airport and has asked Dr. Haruna to stand ... for him A. out B. in C. on D. across E. about.
44.  The Commission was set up to enquire…. the general conditions of child abuse in such institutions. A. at B. from C. after D. before E. into.
45.  We hold that the nation, both in its public and private sectors… the best consultancy service and advice in all its endeavours. A. deserve B. is deserving C. deservers D. are deserving E. richly deserve.
46.  The situation has deteriorated sharply, and relations between the two countries may soon be… A. removed B. broken C. withdrawn D. eliminated E. deferred.
47.  One of the old men…round the lawn three times every evening. A. use to run B. are use to run C. is used to running D. are used to run E. are used to running.
48.  The problems of Nigeria’s worsening economy seem to have…an immediate solution. A defined B. defied C. rejected D. rewarded E. retained.
49.  This conference is designed to enable delegates… their personal interests with specialists in various fields. A. to discuss about B. discussing C. to discuss D. for discussing E. by discussing.
50.  The car owner does not think about the…of his vehicle and the other payments involved in owning it. A. transportation. B. depreciation C. calculation D. appreciation E. association.
51.  The very moment she…her folly, she will come back to apologize. A. realized B. is realizing C.will realize D. has realized E. realizes.
52.  The lazy candidates suggested that it… A. is time we do away with JAMB B. was time we do away with JAMB C. is time we did away with JAMB D. was time we did away with JAMB E. is time we are done away with JAMB.
53.   I do not want the light in my room…when I am asleep. A. turned off B. turn off C. to run out D. turned out. E. turned in.
54.   I have applied for…on the campus and I am almost certain I shall get it. A. acommodation B. accommondation C. accommodation D. accomoddation. E. accommodation.
55.  The dead body of the armed robber has…in the street for three days. A. laid B. lain C. layed D. lied E. lay.
56.  Candidates who are not accustomed to…fast will find it difficult to finish this paper. A. write B. have written C. be writing D. writing E. having written.
57.   Do you mind… another minute or two? A. to wait B. wait C. waiting D. having awaited. E. being awaited.
58.   We shall offer a good job to a…to register guests in the Central Hotel. A. waiter B. watchman C. cashier D. receptionist E. cleaner.
59.  I’ve lived… this street…ten years. A. at, since B. for, during C. on, for D. on, from E. in, for.
60.  North Africa is…than Northern Europe. A. hotter B. more hot C. more hotter D. the hottest E. hot.
61.  . I… a lot when I was a student A. used traveling B. was used to travel. C. used to travel D. used travel E. was used to traveling.
62.   I wish I…your age. A. to be B. were C. to have been D. would be E. could be.
63.   I am looking forward to…you A. seeing B. see C. have seen D. will see E. be see.
64.   I can’t offer you another loan. Ihave…money left in my account. A. a few B. a little C. little D. few E. some
65.   I told you you would miss the bus. You…left home earlier. A. can’t have B. must have C. will have D. should have E. had to have.
66.  I always prefer the theatre…the cinema. A. than B. then C. on top of D. before E. to.
67.   He acts... he were a manager. A. like B. such as C. such D. as E. as if.
68.   Don’t…the teacher that he…that! A. tell, said B. say, tells C. talk, spoke. D. speak, talked E. tell, told.
69.  He is very tired. He really is.. staying up late. A. getting used to B. not used to C. got used to D. used to E. being used to.
70.  He has only ordered some lettuce and tea. He ... on a diet. He is a bit too fat. A. can’t be B. needn’t be C. must be D. mustn’t be E. shouldn’t be.
In Questions 71 to 74 choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined.
71.  Had she known he was a high-way robber she would not have married him. This means A. she married him before she knew he was a robber. B. she knew he was a robber when she married him C. she did not marry him because she was a robber. D. she refused to marry the man when she knew he was a robber. E. she was a robber marrying a highway robber.
72.  Jide is being forced to go to Lagos tomorrow. This means that Jide … A. will go to Lagos B. must go to Lagos C. wishes to go to Lagos D. is going to Lagos E. goes to Lagos.
73.   It is sheer fantasy to believe that there could never be a miscalculation by any nation that has atomic weapons. Fantasy here means A. dream B. hope C. nonsense D. joke E. stupidity.
74.  The ingenious scheme of the robber broke down because of the efficiency of the police officer. Ingenious here means A. suspicious. B. ambitious. C. deceitful D. clever E. stupid.
In Questions 75 to 77 select the wrongly spelt word.
75.  A. disappointed B. embarassed C. equipped D. rhythm E. restaurant.
76.  A. occurence B. surprise C. personnel D. possess E. curiosity.
77.  A. quiet B. beleive C. proceed D. precede E. opportunity.
In Questions 78 to 81 fill in the right word/phrase
78.  There is not…sense in what that politician has just said. A. many B. plenty C. lot of D. much E. big.
79.  He…the book to the library last week. A has returned B. had returned C. was returning D. returned E. was to be returning..
80.  The candidate made…at the village square a day before the elections. A. a sermon B. an address C. a eulogy D. a lecture E. a speech.
81.  The policeman was sent to.. the allegation made by the man. A. investigate B. examine C. probe D. enquire E. observe.
In Questions 82 to 86 which of the options expresses the same idea as the one in quotes?
82.  ‘To be in the red’ is to be A. indebt B. rich C. a socialist D. red E. dressed in red.
83.  ‘To beat down the price’ is to A. flog the price B. reduce the price C. beat the salesman D. attack the seller E. control the price.
84.  To ask after a friend’ is to A. ask questions about the friend B. inquire about the friend’s welfare C. go after the friend D. like the friend E. take after the friend.
85.  ‘An open secret’ means A. a fact that is very secret B. an open matter C. a secret known to everybody D. a confidential matter E. a secret told in the open air.
86.  ‘To put something aside’ is to A. put it by one’s side B. put it in a side pocket for future use C. keep something for some special purpose D. keep in safety E. protect it.
In Questions 87 to 94 choose the phrase or word which best completes the meaning of each sentence.
87.  One of the…during the football match led to fight between the teams. A. incidence B. incidences C. incidents D. occasions E. linesmen.
88.  He used to play tennis, but he doesn’t… A. as of now B. any longer C. again D. presently E. since.
89.  He was…he had no time to eat. A. so busy that B. very busy C. very busy that D. too busy that E. busy that.
90.   It had been raining before the match started, …? A. isn’t it B. hasn’t it. C. hadn’t it D. wasn’t it E. is it.
91.   The mechanic said that he…mend my car before Saturday. A. can’t B. couldn’t C. can’t be able to D. couldn’t be able to E. won’t be able to.
92.  There was a fire in the market last week which resulted… a terrible destruction of property. A. in B. to C. from D. into E. with.
93.  At the end of the month we… each other for five years. A. would know B. should have known C. should be knowing D. would have been knowing E. used to know.
94.  The body is sensitive to changes in velocity which, if too sudden, … A. consciousness may be lost B. it may lose consciousness C. one may become unconscious D. may cause loss of consciousness E. may lose consciousness.
Each of Questions 95 to 100 consists of a sentence with a phrase or word underlined. Select the option that best expresses the meaning of the phrase or word underlined.
95.  The thought of his admission to the University keyed Olu up to a state of great excitement. A stimulated Olu B. ushered Olu C. opened Olu D. frightened Olu E. allowed Olu.
96.  After a careful review of Adamu’s last examination result, the Principal concluded that his performance left much to be desired.  A was very unsatisfactory B. was very satisfactory C. was extremely desirable D. was very brilliant E. was extremely commendable.
97.  The President stood his ground because the Committee members would not be persuaded to arrive at a compromise on the issue being debated. A. yielded his position B. shifted his position C. maintained his position D. defended his position E. resisted his position.
98.  The take home pay of many workers is such that they can hardly make both ends meet A. live an honest life B. finish their schedule of work C. keep two jobs at a time D. live within their income E. live on both ends.
99.  When kerosene was poured on the fire, the effect was instantaneous. A. momentary B. momentous C. amazing D. terrifying E. immediate
100.         It was interesting to observe the likeness between the pupil and his teacher. A. similarity B. relationship C. fondness D. affection E. affinity.

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