English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

You’re welcome to our school exams series where we provide you with termly examination questions in different subjects. In today’s post, we will focus on English Language exam questions. We will cover English Language exam questions for JSS3 First term with answers. This means that we’ll be providing you with answers to the questions at the end. Also, you will get a few success tips on how to pass English Language examinations with flying colors. Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Introduction to English Language as a School Subject

Before we venture into Past English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

English Language is one of the most important subjects taught in schools. It is the official language of Nigeria and is used for teaching and learning in almost every other subject. Through English, students learn how to read, write, speak and listen correctly.

The subject covers different aspects such as grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, essay writing and oral English. It helps students to express themselves clearly in speech and writing. It also improves their ability to understand textbooks, answer exam questions and communicate with people from different backgrounds.

Because of its importance, English Language is compulsory at all levels of education and in major examinations like WAEC, NECO and JAMB. Students who take the subject seriously gain confidence in communication and have better chances of doing well in their studies and future careers.

English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term are divided into two sections:

• Section A
• Section B

The first section, namely, Section A is the objective test, and students are expected to attempt all questions in the section. Section B is the theory part, and students are expected to follow specific instruction and answer the required number of questions.

Note that what you have below are JSS3 English Language First Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 1st term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

SECTION A: ESSAY WRITING

INSTRUCTION: Answer one question from this section. Write your essay in simple, correct, straightforward English.

1. Write a letter to your friend in a Technical school in Delta State and tell him/her the subject you enjoy in class, stating some of the precise features of the subject that always tickles your fancy.

2. Write a fascinating essay on the topic; “My Future Ambition” and discuss the following;
A. Why you nurse such ambition
B. Your efforts towards fulfilling your dreams

NOTE: Your essay must NOT be less than 200 words.

SECTION B

COMPREHENSION

INSTRUCTION: Read the comprehension passage below with precision and answer the questions from it correctly.

But when we speak of the entertainment industry, we are generally referring not to these semi-public bodies but to the vast network of companies, which promote entertainment for profit. This industry has interest in all indoor and occasionally, certain outdoor entertainment other than purely sporting events such as athletic meetings, games, matches and boxing tournament.

Commercial television is an important aspect of the entertainment industry. But entertainment programmes on most African television screens are used for advertisement. In Nigeria for instance, commercial institutions that want to advertise their products or to popularize their companies use popular actors or comedians to entertain viewers. Television authorities in Nigeria make huge profit from those advertisements, which make use of popular folk music or drama, comedy or tragedy.

The cinema is another source of entertainment. From about 1925 to 1955, the cinema which was the giant in the world of entertainment began losing the popularity they enjoyed before the 1960s because of the introduction of television and video sets in most Nigerian homes. Besides, the increasing crime wave in the country discouraged cinema fans from leaving the shelter of their homes to go to the various outings at night.

QUESTIONS

1. What does the author imply when he said; “But when we speak of the entertainment industry”

2. What is the primary objective of the entertainment industry?

3. Mention the two sources of entertainment in the passage

4. How are products advertised in Nigeria?

5. What forms do companies use to advertise their products?

6. When did the cinema begin to lose its popularity in Nigeria?

7. What period was the cinema the giant of entertainment in Nigeria?

8. Why did the cinema lose its popularity in Nigeria?

9. What took over the place of cinema?

10. What worsened the extinction of cinema in Nigeria?

SECTION C

LANGUAGE STRUCTURE

Choose the appropriate SYNONYM of the italicized word in each number correctly.

11. The incessant increase in prices of commodities in Nigeria calls for serious attention
A. erratic          B. occasional
C. epileptic       D. unending

12. I begged Sofia to scoot over so I could sit down but she ignored me.
A. shift          B. adjust
C. reseat        D. dress

13. Amarachi is always trypanophobic when she consults a doctor.
A. shy               B. tremulous
C. demented    D. deranged

14. My friend easily gets irascible when he is under work pressure
A. touchy
B. pliable
C. impressionable
D. malleable

15. It is only a mark of obstinacy to copy note during classes
A. annoyance
B. obedience
C. recalcitrance
D. loyalty

16. My English teacher always despises diffidence among students.
A. boldness
B. courage
C. outspokenness
D. timidity

17. I will never cease being a good student as long as I aspire for greatness.
A. stop        B. relent
C. desist      D. throng

18. It’s only a mark of levity to pout at your teacher.
A. honour        B. diligence
C. derision       D. reverence

19. The appearance of a lizard during classes cowed everybody.
A. encouraged     B. invigorated
C. enlivened         D. frightened

20. My English teacher chides ill-behaviour among students.
A. hails               B. rebukes
C. approves        D. praises

LEXIS AND STRUCTURE

Fill the blanks in the passage below with the suitable answer from the list of options given in the table.

It is not easy to produce a school play. First of all, a suitable play must be chosen and this depends upon the size of the —21— and the ability of the actors. The next step is to cast the actors who will play the various —22— in the play. When this has been done, the real business of —23— can begin. In the beginning, the actors merely read their —24— and do not move about at all. Then the actions are added until finally the play is acted by the actors in full —25— with all the scenes, lighting and props, just as it will be presented on the opening night.

Pick the correct case of each underlined pronoun in the sentences below.

26. I am he who rescues the wounded.
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Possessive case

27. It was I who am expected to come first in the competition.
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Possessive case

28. This is a dog, its tail is long.
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Possessive case

29. Would you permit them to leave without a note?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Possessive case

30. I would get you a gift on the ground that you get first position.
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Possessive case

Fill in the blanks with the suitable option from the options provided.

31. __________time to go home
A. its          B. it’s
C. is it        D. is

32. The criminal has been sent to__________
A. gel           B. germ
C. gaol         D. goal

33. Damien committed a__________during the football match.
A. Fowl        B. foul
C. fluff         D. floss

34. Finally, Christabel decided to __________ down and take a nap.
A. lain         B. lie
C. lied         D. lay

35. Kingsley, it is time to __________this work.
A. quiet      B. quell
C. quit        D. quite

36. The boat was tied to the __________
A. key        B. quoits
C. kerb      D. quay

37. She ________ halfway along the runway.
A. stop         B. stopping
C. stops       D. stopped

38. I ________banana always.
A. loves         B. love
C. Loved        D. loving

39. Delight __________ pepper at the mill yesterday.
A. grounded       B. grounds
C. grind              D. graind

Test of Oral

Pick the option that has the same MONOPHTHONG as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

41. class
A. dab       B. calm
C. cat         D. mat

42. laugh
A. ate        B. pat
C. shark     D. bank

43. wealth
A. hearth     B. dress
C. bag         D. laugh

44. plait
A. again    B. lack
C. car        D. arms

45. palm
A. many     B. fat
C. tab         D. farm

From the options lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s).

46. church
A. machine      B. chemist
C. watch          D. ache

47. thin
A. then           B. breath
C. breathe      D. smooth

48. pleasure
A. season      B. television
C. sugar        D. pressure

49. judge
A. village     B. goat
C. sign         D. leg

50. sing
A. think        B. finger
C. angry       D. many

Antonyms

From the options lettered A. to D., choose the word that is opposite in meaning to the one underlined in each sentence.

51. The principal gave a very concise speech during the assembly.
A. short        B. lengthy
C. clear         D. powerful

52. It is compulsory for all students to wear the school uniform.
A. necessary        B. optional
C. important        D. regular

53. The prefect was lenient with the juniors who broke the rule.
A. harsh          B. kind
C. gentle         D. flexible

54. The eyewitness gave a vivid account of the incident.
A. clear           B. detailed
C. vague         D. interesting

55. The entire school celebrated its victory in the competition.
A. success        B. triumph
C. failure          D. achievement

Grammar and Structure

From the options lettered A to D, choose the one that best completes each of the following sentences.

56. Neither the teacher nor her students __________ in the hall at the moment.
A. is             B. are
C. was         D. were

57. The man is your father, __________?
A. isn’t it        B. is he
C. isn’t he      D. is it

58. My older brother has a great flair __________ drawing cartoons.
A. for      B. in
C. at       D. with

59. By this time next year, I __________ my junior secondary education.
A. will complete
B. have completed
C. will have completed
D. completed

60. The girl who broke the plate decided to face the music. This means she was ready to __________.
A. play some music
B. run away from trouble
C. accept the consequences
D. listen to the sound

Answers to English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

Answers to Section A Questions on Essay Writing

Question 1
Letter to Your Friend

12, Udi Road,
Enugu.
8th September, 2025.

Dear Chika,

How are you doing over there in Delta State? I hope your studies in the Technical school are going smoothly. It has been a while since we exchanged letters, so I decided to write you today.

In our class, the subject I enjoy most is English Language. The subject always excites me because it gives me the opportunity to express myself in both speech and writing. I enjoy the comprehension passages because they teach me how to understand stories and answer questions correctly. I also love the grammar section because it helps me to speak good English without making mistakes.

Another aspect that tickles my fancy is essay writing. Whenever our teacher gives us topics to write, I feel very happy. It gives me the chance to create stories, describe things and even write letters like I am doing now.

I believe that English Language will help me in the future since it is used in all subjects and even in our daily communication. Please write back and tell me the subject you enjoy most in your school.

Yours sincerely,
Chinedu.

Question 2
Essay on “My Future Ambition”

My name is Chinedu and I am a student of JSS3. From my childhood, I have always admired doctors. Each time I see them in their white coats saving lives, my heart is filled with joy. That is why my future ambition is to become a medical doctor.

I nurse this ambition because I want to help sick people recover. I hate seeing people suffer in pain, and I wish to put smiles on their faces. Also, doctors are respected in society, and I would love to be one of them.

To fulfill my dream, I am working hard in school. I pay attention to my teachers, do my assignments and read my books every night. I know that I must be good in subjects like Basic Science and Technology, English Language and Mathematics to study Medicine in the university. So, I am determined to keep performing well in them.

With God’s help and my continuous effort, I believe that one day I will become a great doctor who saves lives and brings hope to many families.

Answers to Section B (Comprehension Questions)

1. The author implies that the entertainment industry refers to companies that promote entertainment for profit, not semi-public bodies.

2. The primary objective of the entertainment industry is to promote entertainment for profit.

3. The two sources of entertainment in the passage are commercial television and the cinema.

4. In Nigeria, products are advertised by using popular actors or comedians to entertain viewers.

5. Companies use popular folk music, drama, comedy, or tragedy to advertise their products.

6. The cinema began to lose its popularity in Nigeria after 1955.

7. From about 1925 to 1955, the cinema was the giant of entertainment in Nigeria.

8. The cinema lost its popularity because of the introduction of television and video sets, and also due to the increasing crime wave.

9. Television and video sets took over the place of cinema.

10. The increasing crime wave in the country worsened the extinction of cinema in Nigeria.

Answers to Section C (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of English Language exam questions for JSS3 First term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.

So here you have the answers to the objective section of English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First term. Use the comments section to let me know if you have any questions you would want me to clarify or discuss further.

Read Also: Literature in English Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

How to Pass English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

Many students find English Language a bit challenging, but with steady practice and the right approach, you can do very well. Below are simple tips that will help you prepare and pass your English Language exam questions for JSS3 First term:

1. Read your notes often: Don’t wait till exam day. Go through your class notes every evening.
2. Practise essay writing: Write short letters, stories and speeches. Keep them simple, clear and within word limits.
3. Master comprehension skills: Always read passages carefully before answering questions. Underline key words.
4. Work on vocabulary: Learn new words and use them in your daily conversations. This will help in synonyms, antonyms and grammar sections.
5. Practise Test of Oral: Read aloud at home, listen to correct pronunciations and pay attention to vowel and consonant sounds.
6. Use past questions: Solve past exam papers to know the common question patterns and to improve speed.
7. Check your grammar: Revise tenses, subject–verb agreement, parts of speech and punctuation.
8. Manage your time: In the exam hall, answer easy questions first, then move to the harder ones.
9. Review your work: Spare the last few minutes to cross-check spellings, grammar and punctuation.
10. Stay calm and confident: Do not panic. Believe in yourself and write with a clear mind.

With steady practice and the right mindset, you will surely pass your English Language exam with good grades.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on JSS3 First Term Questions on English Language, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap.

Best wishes.