Year : 
2014
Title : 
English Language
Exam : 
JAMB Exam

Paper 1 | Objectives

1 - 10 of 84 Questions

# Question Ans

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

1.

The minister considered the ministry's budget to be a drop in the ocean in view of the number of projects in the pipeline.

A. The pipeline project across the ocean will be abandoned unless budgetary allocation improves

B. The amount available may be inadequate for projected expenditure

C. The minister may be dropped for failing to complete a number of projects

D. The money approved cannont complete the pipeline project acorss the ocean

Detailed Solution

A drop in the ocean; a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected.
There is an explanation video available below.
2.

The police are looking for the woman who farmed her children out to her neighbours.

A. The police wanted the woman for allowing her children to destroy her neighbour's crops.

B. The woman and her children are in the habit of working in neighbour's farms and the police are not well disposed to this

C. The police may arrest the woman for allowing her neighbours to take care of her children.

D. The woman may be arrested for allowing her children to be a nuisance to her neighbours

Detailed Solution

farm out; to give work to other people to do. To place one's child in someone else's care.
There is an explanation video available below.
3.

Jummai's father remarked that pigs would fly before she passed.

A. She would have to cheat in order to pass.

B. It would be possible to pass only if she worked harder.

C. It would never be possible for her to pass.

D. He would have to bribe her teachers to enable her to pass.

Detailed Solution

When pigs fly" is an adynaton, a way of saying that something will never happen.
There is an explanation video available below.
4.

The president said that he found himself between a rock and a hard place when the press said that he has resigned.

A. Hard places are dangerous for the president.

B. He dreamt that he was abandoned.

C. He thought that hard places were unsafe.

D. He had a hard decision to make.

Detailed Solution

If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action.
There is an explanation video available below.
5.

Kunana is like a bear in the sore head.

A. He is a bully.

B. He is grumpy.

C. He is ugly.

D. He is quiet.

Detailed Solution

If someone is like a bear with a sore head, they are being very bad-tempered and irritable.
grumpy; bad-tempered and irritable
There is an explanation video available below.
6.

Olu gave his brother a bumpy ride.

A. Olu's brother rode on Olu's back to success.

B. Olu took his brother on a bumpy road.

C. Olu gave his brother a difficult time.

D. Olu gave his brother a ride on his car.

Detailed Solution

Bumpy ride; to have a difficult time
There is an explanation video available below.
7.

Adeola doesn't have to go to the farm today.

A. Adeola may go to the farm today if he so wishes.

B. Adeola ought not to have gone to the farm today.

C. Adeola must not go to the farm today.

D. Adeola should not go to the farm today.

Detailed Solution

If Adeola wishes to go to the farm, he is free to
There is an explanation video available below.
8.

My boss asked me to take my eyes off the ball.

A. I should stop paying attention to what is most important.

B. I should be focused when i am about to stay off football.

C. I should stay off football after sustaining an injuiry.

D. I should be focused when playing football.

Detailed Solution

Take (one's) eye off the ball. To fail to remain focused on or motivated about some goal, objective, or matter at hand.
There is an explanation video available below.
9.

The robber was hedged in by the people.

A. The robber was surrounded by the people.

B. The robber was killed by the people.

C. The robber was exposed by the people.

D. The robber was caught by the people.

Detailed Solution

Hedge in; to form a boundary around (something). to surround or restrict (someone) in a way that prevents free movement or action
There is an explanation video available below.
10.

Many workers are not happy because they live a hand-to-mouth life.

A. They work hard with their hands.

B. They are voracious and avaricious.

C. They are barely surviving.

D. They have rejected the use of spoons.

Detailed Solution

(from) hand to mouth; satisfying only one's immediate needs because of lack of money for future plans and investments.
There is an explanation video available below.

Select the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence.

1.

The minister considered the ministry's budget to be a drop in the ocean in view of the number of projects in the pipeline.

A. The pipeline project across the ocean will be abandoned unless budgetary allocation improves

B. The amount available may be inadequate for projected expenditure

C. The minister may be dropped for failing to complete a number of projects

D. The money approved cannont complete the pipeline project acorss the ocean

Detailed Solution

A drop in the ocean; a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected.
There is an explanation video available below.
2.

The police are looking for the woman who farmed her children out to her neighbours.

A. The police wanted the woman for allowing her children to destroy her neighbour's crops.

B. The woman and her children are in the habit of working in neighbour's farms and the police are not well disposed to this

C. The police may arrest the woman for allowing her neighbours to take care of her children.

D. The woman may be arrested for allowing her children to be a nuisance to her neighbours

Detailed Solution

farm out; to give work to other people to do. To place one's child in someone else's care.
There is an explanation video available below.
3.

Jummai's father remarked that pigs would fly before she passed.

A. She would have to cheat in order to pass.

B. It would be possible to pass only if she worked harder.

C. It would never be possible for her to pass.

D. He would have to bribe her teachers to enable her to pass.

Detailed Solution

When pigs fly" is an adynaton, a way of saying that something will never happen.
There is an explanation video available below.
4.

The president said that he found himself between a rock and a hard place when the press said that he has resigned.

A. Hard places are dangerous for the president.

B. He dreamt that he was abandoned.

C. He thought that hard places were unsafe.

D. He had a hard decision to make.

Detailed Solution

If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action.
There is an explanation video available below.
5.

Kunana is like a bear in the sore head.

A. He is a bully.

B. He is grumpy.

C. He is ugly.

D. He is quiet.

Detailed Solution

If someone is like a bear with a sore head, they are being very bad-tempered and irritable.
grumpy; bad-tempered and irritable
There is an explanation video available below.
6.

Olu gave his brother a bumpy ride.

A. Olu's brother rode on Olu's back to success.

B. Olu took his brother on a bumpy road.

C. Olu gave his brother a difficult time.

D. Olu gave his brother a ride on his car.

Detailed Solution

Bumpy ride; to have a difficult time
There is an explanation video available below.
7.

Adeola doesn't have to go to the farm today.

A. Adeola may go to the farm today if he so wishes.

B. Adeola ought not to have gone to the farm today.

C. Adeola must not go to the farm today.

D. Adeola should not go to the farm today.

Detailed Solution

If Adeola wishes to go to the farm, he is free to
There is an explanation video available below.
8.

My boss asked me to take my eyes off the ball.

A. I should stop paying attention to what is most important.

B. I should be focused when i am about to stay off football.

C. I should stay off football after sustaining an injuiry.

D. I should be focused when playing football.

Detailed Solution

Take (one's) eye off the ball. To fail to remain focused on or motivated about some goal, objective, or matter at hand.
There is an explanation video available below.
9.

The robber was hedged in by the people.

A. The robber was surrounded by the people.

B. The robber was killed by the people.

C. The robber was exposed by the people.

D. The robber was caught by the people.

Detailed Solution

Hedge in; to form a boundary around (something). to surround or restrict (someone) in a way that prevents free movement or action
There is an explanation video available below.
10.

Many workers are not happy because they live a hand-to-mouth life.

A. They work hard with their hands.

B. They are voracious and avaricious.

C. They are barely surviving.

D. They have rejected the use of spoons.

Detailed Solution

(from) hand to mouth; satisfying only one's immediate needs because of lack of money for future plans and investments.
There is an explanation video available below.