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Use of English JAMB Questions and Answers 2027

Henry Divine WAEC, NECO, JAMB Questions and Answers Leave a comment

UTME / 2027 JAMB Use of English Examination

Time Allowed: 40 Minutes | 40 Questions

SECTION A: LEXIS – SYNONYMS (Nearest in Meaning)

Choose the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to the underlined/bolded word.

1. The manager was praised for his ebullient personality during the crisis meeting.




Correct Answer: B. Exuberant

Explanation/Tip: “Ebullient” means cheerful, full of energy, and enthusiastic, which is synonymous with “exuberant”.

2. The professor is known for his fastidious approach to laboratory research.




Correct Answer: B. Meticulous

Explanation/Tip: “Fastidious” means very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail, matching “meticulous”.

3. Corruption has a pernicious effect on the economic development of any nation.




Correct Answer: C. Destructive

Explanation/Tip: “Pernicious” means having a harmful, destructive, or fatal effect, especially in a gradual way.

4. The dark clouds on the horizon gave an ominous warning of an impending storm.




Correct Answer: B. Threatening

Explanation/Tip: “Ominous” implies giving the worrisome impression that something bad is going to happen, making “threatening” the closest synonym.

5. The new employee accepted the task with great alacrity.




Correct Answer: B. Eagerness

Explanation/Tip: “Alacrity” means brisk and cheerful readiness or eagerness.

6. The politician’s response to the journalist’s question was deliberately equivocal.




Correct Answer: B. Ambiguous

Explanation/Tip: “Equivocal” means open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning, which corresponds to “ambiguous”.

7. Unlike his brother who is a loner, David is a very gregarious individual.




Correct Answer: B. Sociable

Explanation/Tip: “Gregarious” describes a person who enjoys the company of others; sociable.

8. The recalcitrant student refused to obey the principal’s directives.




Correct Answer: B. Stubborn

Explanation/Tip: “Recalcitrant” means having an uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline, i.e., stubborn or defiant.

9. The police uncovered a syndicate dealing in spurious pharmaceutical drugs.




Correct Answer: B. Counterfeit

Explanation/Tip: “Spurious” means fake, false, or counterfeit.

10. During interviews, the candidate remained taciturn and spoke only when asked.




Correct Answer: B. Reserved

Explanation/Tip: “Taciturn” means reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.

SECTION B: ANTONYMS (Opposite in Meaning)

Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined/bolded word.

11. The singer’s mellifluous voice captivated the audience throughout the concert.




Correct Answer: B. Harsh

Explanation/Tip: “Mellifluous” means sweet-sounding or musical. Its opposite is harsh or cacophonous.

12. Due to the recent harvest, there is a paucity of food items in the market.




Correct Answer: B. Abundance

Explanation/Tip: “Paucity” means the presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities; its opposite is abundance.

13. Winning the championship was the zenith of his sporting career.




Correct Answer: B. Nadir

Explanation/Tip: “Zenith” is the highest point, while “nadir” is the lowest point.

14. The impecunious merchant surprised everyone by donating generously to the charity.




Correct Answer: B. Wealthy

Explanation/Tip: “Impecunious” means having little or no money (poor); therefore, its opposite is wealthy.

15. Human life is often described as ephemeral rather than enduring.




Correct Answer: B. Permanent

Explanation/Tip: “Ephemeral” means lasting for a very short time (transient), making “permanent” its exact opposite.

16. The government remained obdurate despite widespread appeals for clemency.




Correct Answer: B. Yielding

Explanation/Tip: “Obdurate” means stubborn or obstinate. Its opposite is flexible or yielding.

17. Her candid remarks during the panel discussion caught many people by surprise.




Correct Answer: B. Deceitful

Explanation/Tip: “Candid” means truthful and straightforward (frank); its opposite is deceitful or evasive.

18. The ancient manuscript contained enigmatic symbols that baffled historians.




Correct Answer: B. Clear

Explanation/Tip: “Enigmatic” means difficult to interpret or mysterious; its opposite is clear or straightforward.

19. The manager tried to ameliorate the working conditions of the factory staff.




Correct Answer: B. Worsen

Explanation/Tip: “Ameliorate” means to make something bad better; its opposite is to worsen or aggravate.

20. His altruistic gestures earned him nationwide admiration.




Correct Answer: A. Selfish

Explanation/Tip: “Altruistic” means selfless concern for the well-being of others, making “selfish” the opposite.

SECTION C: LEXIS AND STRUCTURE (Grammar & Usage)

Choose the option that best completes each sentence.

21. Hardly had the principal entered the hall __________ the students stood up.




Correct Answer: B. when

Explanation/Tip: The correlative conjunction pair for “hardly” or “scarcely” is “when” (whereas “no sooner” takes “than”).

22. Neither the manager nor his subordinates __________ present at the meeting.




Correct Answer: B. were

Explanation/Tip: According to the rule of proximity with “neither… nor”, the verb agrees with the closer subject (“subordinates”, which is plural).

23. The jury __________ divided in their opinions regarding the verdict.




Correct Answer: B. were

Explanation/Tip: Collective nouns take a plural verb when members act individually or are divided in their opinion.

24. She is one of those girls who __________ always punctual.




Correct Answer: B. are

Explanation/Tip: In “one of those [plural noun] who…”, the relative pronoun “who” refers back to the plural noun (“girls”), taking a plural verb (“are”).

25. Idowu prefers reading books __________ watching television.




Correct Answer: B. to

Explanation/Tip: The verb “prefer” is invariably followed by the preposition “to” when comparing two things.

26. The suspect was formally charged __________ armed robbery in court.




Correct Answer: B. with

Explanation/Tip: Standard legal collocation dictates that a person is charged “with” a crime.

27. Had I known about the strict traffic regulations, I __________ another route.




Correct Answer: C. would have taken

Explanation/Tip: This is a third conditional sentence requiring “would have + past participle” in the main clause.

28. It is high time the authorities __________ measures to curb exam malpractice.




Correct Answer: B. took

Explanation/Tip: The expression “It is high time” or “It is time” is always followed by a verb in the simple past tense.

29. Each of the candidates __________ given a copy of the regulations.




Correct Answer: B. was

Explanation/Tip: Pronouns like “each”, “every”, and “everyone” are singular and take singular verbs.

30. The luggage __________ too heavy for the airline porter to lift alone.




Correct Answer: C. is

Explanation/Tip: “Luggage” is an uncountable noun in English grammar and always takes a singular verb.

SECTION D: SENTENCE INTERPRETATION & IDIOMS

Choose the option that best explains the meaning of the underlined idiom or expression.

31. The politician’s speech was dismissed by analysts as empty rhetoric.




Correct Answer: B. Lacking real substance or meaningful content

Explanation/Tip: “Empty rhetoric” refers to language that is flashy or ornate but lacks genuine meaning or practical value.

32. During the debate, Chinedu managed to hit the nail on the head.




Correct Answer: B. Describe exactly what is causing a situation

Explanation/Tip: The idiom “hit the nail on the head” means to find the exact answer or pinpoint the core issue correctly.

33. The news of the company merger came as a bolt from the blue.




Correct Answer: B. A complete and sudden surprise

Explanation/Tip: “A bolt from the blue” describes an event that occurs unexpectedly out of nowhere.

34. Like his father, Emeka is a chip off the old block.




Correct Answer: C. Similar in character or behavior to one’s parents

Explanation/Tip: “A chip off the old block” means a son or daughter who resembles their parent in personality, habits, or features.

35. The new policy proposals were met with a lukewarm response by the union members.




Correct Answer: B. Little enthusiasm or support

Explanation/Tip: A “lukewarm response” indicates a lack of excitement, passion, or strong backing.

36. Realizing the exam was inevitable, she decided to bite the bullet and prepare intensely.




Correct Answer: B. Face a difficult situation with courage

Explanation/Tip: “Bite the bullet” means to get on with something difficult or unpleasant that has been avoided.

37. The board chairman announced that the new timetable is cast in stone.




Correct Answer: B. Unalterable and permanent

Explanation/Tip: Something “cast in stone” cannot be changed or altered.

38. Mr. Johnson is known to have a finger in every pie in the community.




Correct Answer: B. Be involved in many different activities

Explanation/Tip: Having a finger in every pie means taking an active part in many different enterprises or affairs.

39. After ten years of service, the CEO decided to step down.




Correct Answer: A. Resign or leave office

Explanation/Tip: “Step down” means to voluntarily resign or retire from a position of responsibility or leadership.

40. We must be careful not to burn our bridges before we cross them.




Correct Answer: B. Cut off future options or relationships prematurely

Explanation/Tip: Burning bridges means ruining relationships or eliminating return options so completely that you cannot go back.



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Henry Divine is a passionate educator and seasoned blogger with a strong commitment to providing valuable insights and resources to the education community.With over 6 years of experience in the field, Henry's articles are well-researched, authoritative, and tailored to meet the needs of teachers, students, and parents alike.Through his blog, Henry aims to empower readers with practical tips, innovative strategies, and evidence-based practices to foster lifelong learning and academic success.Follow Henry for the latest updates and expert advice on all things education.

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