English Language Exam Questions for JSS1 Second 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 JSS1 Second 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 JSS1 Second 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 JSS1 Second Term

English Language Exam Questions for JSS1 Second Term are divided into five sections:

• Section A
• Section B

The first section, namely, Section A contains multiple choice questions (MCQs) testing students on comprehension, language structure, vocabulary development, and spoken English, and students are expected to attempt all questions in these sections. Section B is on Essay writing and students are expected to attempt any of the two given questions.

Note that what you have below are JSS1 English Language Second Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 2nd term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

SECTION (A): Objective Test

COMPREHENSION

A Splendid Picnic

My name is Ikechukwu Adeola. I am a student of Pinnacle Secondary School, Lagos. I am about to recount one of my most memorable days at school – a picnic we had at the Lagos Bar Beach. That was my first experience of a picnic. My father told me that after long hours of daily work in the busy world, a relaxing picnic with friends or family members was a splendid way to free one’s mind from stress. He also said picnics were a great way to spend quality time outdoors with people closest to you. So when my school organized the picnic, I quickly rushed to my class teacher to pay the fees for the trip. Some of my friends who had attended one before were indifferent but I loved to hear stories of their picnics.

We set out on this warm day, a Wednesday afternoon. All the students who had paid for the picnic were smartly dressed. After the roll call by the leaders of the trip, Mrs. Coker the JSS 3C class teacher we set out in a Toyota coaster bus.

On getting to the beach, we had lots of fun. My friends, Ekaette, Wole, Abdullam, Bello, Maryam and I jumped and ran all over the sandy beach side. We also drew Frisbee and played scrabble. Some students took along their digital camera to capture every special moment we had. Mrs. Coker also brought along her video camera.

We met other, picnickers who did cookouts. Some prepared sandwiches. Others had chicken wings, salad, potato chips and soft drinks. I sat with my friends under one of the shades on the beach munching my barbecued meat and sipping my juice. We all sang ever green songs and enjoyed the company of other picnickers. We saw splashing and roaring Atlantic ocean which we were told stretched from Lagos to Brazil. It was all fun.

QUESTIONS:

1. When did Ikechukwu attend the picnic?

2. Who led the students of Pinnacle Secondary School to picnic?

3. The word indifferent as used in the first paragraph means
a) Highly corrupt
b) Greatly interested
c) Not interested
d) Not interesting

4. The word recount as used in the first paragraph means
a) To count money again
b) To count votes again
c) To tell someone a story
d) To attend a picnic

5. The tone of the writer of this passage is _____
(a) alarming       (b) suspicious
(c) angry            (d) joyful

SOUNDS

Choose the correct word with the Phonetic sound in the encasement.

6. /e/ _______
(a) eat          (b) heat
(c) says         (d) lit

7. /i:/ _______
(a) slit           (b) brood
(c) soup        (d) sleep

8. /ɔ:/ _______
(a) court        (b) cliff
(c) hate         (d) part

9. /au/ _______
(a) mould         (b) house
(c) plot             (d) laugh

10. /ʤ/ _______
(a) crèche        (b) seizure
(c) block          (d) plug

GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE

Choose the correct verb that agrees with the subject

11. Adamu _______ exercising in the gymnasium
(a) is             (b) will
(c) have        (d) are

12. They will _______ a difficult time
(a) has          (b) have
(c) were        (d) was

Punctuate and capitalize this sentence

13. The only countries to win the World Cup three times are Brazil France and Italy.

Select the correct syllable in the bracket and affix to the words below (ex, in, dis)

14. _______ dependence

15. _______ president

16. _______ respect

Count the number of consonant clusters in these sentences and write them out

17. Thrill – /θrɪl/ ___________

18. Grow – /ɡrəʊ/ ___________

Choose the correct part of speech for the following underlined words in sentences below

19. Brother and sister love each other
(a) verb          (b) pronoun
(c) noun         (d) preposition

20. She usually wears a dirty dress
(a) verb             (b) adjective
(c) pronoun       (d) preposition

21. There are forty students only
(a) adjective      (b) conjunction
(c) noun            (d) adverb

22. Serifat was born last. She is the _______
(a) young            (b) youngest
(c) younger         (d) most youngest

23. The lady _______ sells flowers at the market is my mother
(a) which            (b) who
(c) where            (d) what

CLOZE PASSAGE

In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A-E. Fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the options Nos (24 – 30)

Environmental _____24_____ refers to activities aimed at improving and _____25_____ the standard of basic environmental conditions affecting the _____26_____ of people. You can achieve a _____27_____ environment by regularly cleaning and _____28_____ your house and _____29_____ properly your _____30_____.

Choose the correct option from A-D and write the correct letter only

31. They ___ football when the rain started
(a) play
(b) were playing
(c) are playing
(d) plays

32. My mother _______ the food already
(a) cooks        (b) has cooked
(c) cook         (d) cooking

33. She has _______ the assignment.
(a) do              (b) did
(c) done          (d) doing

34. She had _______ before I arrived.
(a) leave           (b) left
(c) leaving        (d) leaved

35. A sentence must contain a subject and a _______
(a) noun               (b) adjective
(c) predicate        (d) phrase

36. Where are you going? Is ____ sentence
(a) declarative
(b) exclamatory
(c) interrogative
(d) imperative

37. “Close the window” is a _______ sentence
(a) imperative
(b) declarative
(c) exclamatory
(d) interrogative

38. “What a beautiful day!” is a ________sentence
(a) declarative
(b) imperative
(c) exclamatory
(d) interrogative

39. A simple sentence has _____ clause
(a) two
(b) one independence
(c) one defendant
(d) three

40. “She sings and dances” is a ________ sentence
(a) simple            (b) compound
(c) complex         (d) fragment

41. In “The tall boy runs fast” the subject is:
(a) the tall boy
(b) boy
(c) runs
(d) fast

42. “The teacher praised the students”, the object is:
(a) teacher          (b) praised
(c) students        (d) the students

43. The opposite of “honest” is:
(a) dishonest        (b) unhonest
(c) inhonest          (d) mis-honest

44. The antonym of “polite” is
(a) rude            (b) nice
(c) gentle         (d) kind

45. Add the correct prefix to form the opposite of “appear”
(a) reappear           (b) disappear
(c) unappear          (d) misappear

46. “My father and mother are teachers”, the subject is
(a) father
(b) my father and mother
(c) mother
(d) teachers

47. In “She wrote a letter to her friend”, the object is
(a) she               (b) a letter
(c) wrote            (d) her friend

48. The process of adding a prefix or suffix to a root word is known as ___
(a) affix             (b) antonyms
(c) affixation     (d) synonyms

49. The teacher _______ the students exercise books everyday
(a) has checked
(b) checked
(c) checks
(d) checking

50. The baby _______ loudly now
(a) cry          (b) is crying
(c) cries        (d) cried

SECTION B: ESSAY WRITING

INSTRUCTION: Attempt any ONE of the TWO questions given, and write with simple, clear and understandable sentences (not less than 150 words)

1. Write a letter to the principal asking for more sports equipment.

2. Describe your school during assembly.

Answers to English Language Exam Questions for JSS1 Second Term

Answers to Section A (Objectives)

Answers to Section B Questions on Essay Writing

1. Letter to Principal

12, School Road,
Onitsha,
Anambra State.
28th April, 2026.

The Principal,
Pinnacle Secondary School,
Onitsha.

Dear Sir/Ma,

REQUEST FOR MORE SPORTS EQUIPMENT

I write to respectfully request for more sports equipment in our school. Sports play an important role in keeping students healthy and active. However, the available equipment is not enough for the large number of students who participate in sporting activities.

For example, there are few footballs, skipping ropes, and jerseys. This makes it difficult for students to fully participate during Physical Education classes and inter-house sports preparations.

I kindly appeal to the school management to provide more sports materials such as footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, and track kits. This will greatly improve students’ interest and performance in sports.

Thank you for your understanding.

Yours faithfully,
Ikechukwu Adeola

2. Descriptive Essay

Every morning, my school comes alive during assembly. Students gather neatly on the field in their different classes. The prefects move around to ensure that everyone stands in straight lines.

The assembly begins with an opening prayer, followed by the national anthem and the school anthem. The voices of the students rise together, filling the air with unity and pride.

The principal or a teacher then addresses the students. Important announcements are made, and sometimes students are advised on good behavior and discipline. Latecomers are also corrected during this time.

The atmosphere is always serious but organized. Teachers stand beside their classes, watching and guiding them. At the end of the assembly, a closing prayer is said, and students quietly march to their classrooms.

School assembly helps to bring students together and prepares everyone for the day’s learning activities.

How to Pass English Language Exam Questions for JSS1 Second 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 JSS1 Second term:

1. Understand the Topics

Make sure you study all the topics taught in class. Pay attention to comprehension, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and essay writing. Do not skip any topic because questions can come from anywhere.

2. Practice Comprehension Regularly

Read passages carefully and answer questions based on them. Learn how to pick answers directly from the passage. Avoid adding your own ideas when answering comprehension questions.

3. Master Basic Grammar

Focus on parts of speech, tenses, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. These areas carry many marks, so you must understand them well.

4. Improve Your Vocabulary

Learn new words every day. Know their meanings, opposites, and correct usage. This will help you in comprehension and objective questions.

5. Practice Essay Writing

Learn how to write letters and short essays. Keep your writing simple and clear. Always arrange your ideas properly and avoid grammatical errors.

6. Read Instructions Carefully

Many students lose marks because they do not follow instructions. Always read each question carefully before answering.

7. Practice Past Questions

Solve past questions regularly. This helps you understand the exam pattern and improves your speed and accuracy.

8. Manage Your Time

Do not spend too much time on one question. Attempt all questions and come back to difficult ones later.

9. Revise Before the Exam

Go over your notes and important rules before the exam day. This will boost your confidence.

10. Believe in Yourself

Stay calm and confident during the exam. Read your answers again before submitting your paper.

If you prepare well and stay focused, success in your English Language exam is sure.