English Language Exam Questions for JSS2 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 JSS2 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 JSS2 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 JSS2 Second Term

English Language Exam Questions for JSS2 Second Term are divided into five sections:

• Section A
• Section B
• Sectiõn C
• Section D
• Section E

The first section, namely, Section A is on essay writing. The next is Section B (Test of Comprehension). Section C is on vocabulary development. Sections D and E are multiple choice questions (MCQs) testing students on language structure and spoken English and students are expected to attempt all questions in these sections.

Note that what you have below are JSS2 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): ESSAY WRITING

Write a letter to your brother who lives overseas describing at least three ways in which the current economic situation in Nigeria has affected your family.

SECTION B: COMPREHENSION

Bribery and corruption have continued to remain in our Nigerian society as insurmountable social evils. Some people are of the opinion that among the rural community to the seat of power in government, there are obvious signs and instances of bribery and corruption. For example, a politician who has gone to the rural areas to canvass for votes during elections has not started if he begins to address the villagers without first presenting “Kola”. In addition to that, he would be expected to beam his torchlight to demonstrate his seriousness. The rural dwellers argue that that is the only way to get their share of the national cake or their democracy dividends. Are they right? The ten percent has become an official jargon among those who deal in contracts within private and public agencies, ministries and local governments.

Similarly, educational institutions are not left out. Lecturers print their handouts and students are expected to buy them at fixed prices and if they failed, they damn the consequences. On a more serious note, there have been cases where rich students give lecturers cash gifts during festivals and in turn, they are considered and rewarded with grades they did not merit. There have also been instances of sexual harassment by lecturers on female students in our higher institutions. All these and more constitute corruption.

The monster is a national social evil and will ever remain an Achilles heel in our national life. Opinions tend to the general agreement that the evil must be fought from the top. The cleansing must start from top public officers in government and agencies. The approach by the government should be decisive and total and not selective. Anything short of that will amount to not hitting the nail on the head.

Questions:

1. According to the writer, bribery and corruption are found
(A) among the lecturers and students
(B) in the entire society
(C) among the public officers
(D) only in the village

2. According to the passage, “not hitting the nail on the head” means
(A) attacking the matter indirectly
(B) firing the nail point blank
(C) hitting the nail with hammer
(D) striking the nail hard

3. “Consequences” as used in the passage can be replaced with
(A) conquests
(B) catastrophe
(C) subsequence
(D) outcomes

4. According to the writer, a politician seeking elective post would be expected “to beam his torch light.” This means:
(A) add battery to his torch light
(B) add beam to his torch light
(C) light his torch for everyone to see
(D) give bribe to the people

5. The writer is of the opinion that to tackle bribery and corruption, government have got to start from the
(A) top leaders in government
(B) educational institutions
(C) grassroots
(D) rural areas

6. From the passage, another word synonymous with “instances” is
(A) branches            (B) chances
(C) occasions           (D) cases

VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR

Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in the following sentences:

7. It was the black scientists who found the solution to the president’s health challenges.
(A) repercussion      (B) injection
(C) remedy              (D) solvent

8. The tennis player clearly outclassed his opponent.
(A) teammate     (B) partner
(C) rival              (D) neighbour

9. Unthoughtful students are bound to fail.
(A) attentive           (B) conscientious
(C) negligent          (D) tactful

Choose the word that is nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word in the following sentences:

11. Her display of ignorance was awful.
(A) unpleasant         (B) excellent
(C) appalling            (D) disgusting

12. Mike worked out an elaborate system for categorizing his book collection.
(A) exquisite          (B) simple
(C) complex          (D) defining

13. It is improbable that the rains will come early.
(A) impossible            (B) likely
(C) contradictory        (D) important

Choose the word that contains the given diphthongs:

14. /au/
(A) bound        (B) brand
(C) clan            (D) slain

15. /ai/
(A) attention      (B) lime
(C) team            (D) sail

16. /ei/
(A) wreck        (B) review
(C) brake        (D) piece

17. /ɪə/
(A) height        (B) pain
(C) content      (D) career

18. /eə/
(A) raise          (B) near
(C) person      (D) pair

Choose the word with the same sound as the underlined letter(s):

19. Puncture
(A) alter             (B) architect
(C) chief            (D) fraction

20. Theme
(A) tea           (B) north
(C) father       (D) these

21. Burst
(A) table          (B) comb
(C) limb           (D) plumber

22. Equation
(A) measure        (B) station
(C) passion          (D) quotation

23. Head
(A) honour          (B) heed
(C) hour              (D) heir

24. Consume
(A) present         (B) cousin
(C) class              (D) prize

Choose the word that contains the given phonetic symbol:

25. /θ/
(A) shift           (B) height
(C) neither       (D) breath

26. /ʃ/
(A) efficient       (B) question
(C) factual         (D) desire

27. /tʃ/
(A) theft        (B) quench
(C) shape      (D) fashion

28. /t/
(A) often         (B) listen
(C) turn           (D) apostle

Choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

29. The new employee was dismissed promptly when it was discovered that his _________ was forged.
(A) application      (B) form
(C) receipt             (D) certificate

30. The job of a _________ is to load and unload ships.
(A) mason           (B) serviceman
(C) stevedore      (D) shipper

31. The presidential candidate’s _________ looks quite promising.
(A) gazette          (B) manifesto
(C) portfolio        (D) mace

32. Peter has been teaching in our school _________ five years.
(A) for            (B) during
(C) from         (D) since

33. The students will be expelled by the proprietor, _________?
(A) is that so
(B) haven’t they
(C) won’t they
(D) would we

34. You wouldn’t have come if you had known, _________ you?
(A) won’t           (B) are
(C) would          (D) will

35. Coffee, like beer, was made ________ and, therefore, provided a new and safe alternative to alcoholic drinks.
(A) using boiled water
(B) boiled water used
(C) use of boiled water
(D) water boiling

36. ________ the relation between weight and health said the nation might want to reconsider what are ideal weights.
(A) Some studied
(B) Some who studied
(C) Some studies
(D) Some of the studies

37. By decimating much of the population of the Tampa bay, the epidemic _______ the first permanent European settlement in North America.
(A) made it possible for
(B) made it possible
(C) made possibly in
(D) made it possible that

39. The current obsession with physical fitness may stem from a reasonable desire to be healthy, _______ an unreasonable obsession.
(A) with becoming
(B) but it can become
(C) and it become
(D) becomes

Choose the correct type of verb tense used in the following sentences:

40. Laura had gone before we got there.
(A) past tense
(B) past perfect tense
(C) past continuous tense
(D) past participle

41. The people have rebuilt the temple.
(A) present perfect tense
(B) past tense
(C) future tense
(D) simple past tense

42. We shall see them soon.
(A) present tense
(B) past tense
(C) simple future tense
(D) future perfect tense

43. The children are playing indoors.
(A) present tense
(B) future continuous tense
(C) present continuous tense
(D) past perfect continuous tense

44. She attended the summit with us.
(A) simple past tense
(B) past perfect tense
(C) present tense
(D) simple future tense

Fill the blanks with the correct form of the verb:

45. It started to rain while we _________ tennis.
(A) plays
(B) are playing
(C) play
(D) were playing

46. He _________ the money in his pocket last week.
(A) put
(B) was putting
(C) putted
(D) puts

47. This paper _________ twice weekly.
(A) were published
(B) publishes
(C) was publish
(D) is published

48. She _________ out five minutes ago.
(A) has gone
(B) had gone
(C) went
(D) was going

49. Mrs. Esther _________ in this school in 2007.
(A) will teach
(B) taught
(C) shall taught
(D) teached

50. You can go on, I _________ what you are saying.
(A) can hear
(B) heard
(C) could hear
(D) am hearing

Answers to English Language Exam Questions for JSS2 Second Term

Answer to Section A Question on Essay Writing

A Letter to My Brother

12 Peace Street,
Orogbum, Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, Nigeria.
28th April, 2026.

Dear Brother,

I hope you are doing well over there. Things have been quite challenging for us here in Nigeria due to the current economic situation.

Firstly, the high cost of food has greatly affected our family. Prices of basic items like rice, garri, and cooking oil have increased so much that we now buy in smaller quantities.

Secondly, transportation has become very expensive. The increase in fuel prices has made it difficult for us to move around freely, and it now costs more to go to work and school.

Lastly, paying bills has become a serious burden. Electricity tariffs and other household expenses have gone up, making it hard for us to save any money.

Despite all these, we remain hopeful that things will improve soon.

Yours sincerely,
Henry

Answers to Section B Questions on COMPREHENSION

1. B (in the entire society)
2. A (attacking the matter indirectly)
3. D (outcomes)
4. D (give bribe to the people)
5. A (top leaders in government)
6. D (cases)

How to Pass English Language Exam Questions for JSS2 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 JSS2 Second term: