Jamb English Language 1979 Past Questions and Answers

Question 71:

• JAMB 1979

Choose the word/expression which best completes each sentence :

A society .... individuals each of whom has his attributes and distinct characteristics

A. Is constituted of
B. Comprises of
C. Consists of
D. Contains of
E. Is made from

Question 72:

• JAMB 1979

Choose the word/expression which best completes each sentence :

Biliaminu sent the expensive present to one Miss Sanda of the United African Organization and not to .... of the Central Bank of Nigeria

A. The Miss Sanda
B. Miss Sanda
C. A Miss Sanda
D. One Miss Sanda
E. Some Miss Sanda

Question 73:

• JAMB 1979

Choose the word/expression which best completes each sentence :

The Land Decree does not concern itself with achieving .... in landed property ownership, since those who already own large estates can keep them for good

A. Equality
B. Balance
C. Fifty-fifty
D. Sanity
E. Efficiency

Question 74:

• JAMB 1979

Read each passage and answer the question that follow

The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university education. As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in other subjects; the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention for developing the ear for tone and pitch), the logical thinking for solving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts. The mind is stretched through the simple act of learning the grammatical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a foreign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for while most people (especially teachers) expound on the reward for being able to communicate in a second, third, or fourth language. Perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cultural group through their literature, their music and custom all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language.


An appropriate title for the article from which this passage is taken could be

A. The need for foreign language learning in universities
B. An apology for the study of foreign languages in Nigerian universities
C. The need for studying French and Kiswahili in our colleges and universities
D. Why a foreign language should be studied by all who study music, mathematics or philosophy
E. The pros and consof foreign language learning in Nigerian universities

Question 75:

• JAMB 1979

Read each passage and answer the question that follow

The learning of a foreign language should be an integral part of every university education. As a discipline, it affords the mind excellent training. It utilizes skills needed in other subjects; the concentration required for memorizing music (not to mention for developing the ear for tone and pitch), the logical thinking for solving mathematical problems, even the deductive reasoning capabilities needed to comprehend philosophical concepts. The mind is stretched through the simple act of learning the grammatical patterns, vocabulary and phonological system of a language. At the same time, the student of a foreign language is acquiring a useful tool. This tool has a double advantage, for while most people (especially teachers) expound on the reward for being able to communicate in a second, third, or fourth language. Perhaps the more promising of the two, is being able to understand and hopefully appreciate another cultural group through their literature, their music and custom all of which are best assimilated through the medium of their language.


According to the passage the main reward for foreign language learner is

A. The ability to speak another language
B. Being able to speak the language
C. Being able to learn mathematics or music in a foreign language
D. Expanding the mind to acquire new knowledge and skills
E. None of the above