Jamb English Language 1988 Past Questions and Answers

Question 86:

• JAMB 1988

To listen properly is hard job and probably one of the toughest skills in the art of communication. Good listening has nothing to do with proper functioning of one’s auditory organs, which is assumed to be inevitable. Good listening in the sense we are interested in is not a biological factor, but a psychological one. Your auditory orangs may be in perfect order, when actually you cannot use them creatively. Creative listening implies your being efficient in the art of concentration; in other words, you concentrate on what one is saying so as to make sure that you hear all that is said. At the same time you are concentrating to hear all that is being said, you are also thinking fast, digesting what is being said, allowing your mental faculties and your memory to accept that which you understand and to reject that which you do not understand, sorting out what you do not understand and storing them somewhere in your brain for future discussion and all at the same time rationalizing what you hear, accepting that which you find rational and rejecting that which you do not find rational.
After you must have listened creatively to what you have been told, then you can respond if the need arises. It is quite proper that you respond because the process of response enhances the art of communication. But your response ought to be only a necessary response; a response that will improve your understanding. This response should involve your mentioning some things you have been told but which do not understand, or politely questioning the rationality of some of the speaker’s argument. But your response must be constructive; must enhance the communicative worth. It should not be an unnecessary argument, or an opportunity for you to express dissatisfaction. The ability properly aids communication and understanding


A most suitable title for the passage is

A. Communicative skills
B. How to listen attentively
C. Listening in communication
D. Listening argument and understanding

Question 87:

• JAMB 1988

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.


Select the most appropriate title for this passage

A. Problem of learning a new language
B. Problems of learning English as a separate subject
C. Problems of working in English as a foreign language
D. Difficulties withy interacting in English

Question 88:

• JAMB 1988

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.


The student begins experiencing difficulties with English when

A. Learning English with other subjects
B. Learning English as a separate subject
C. His comprehension becomes less secure
D. Using English as a meduim of instruction

Question 89:

• JAMB 1988

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.


The expression 'his language often betrays him into dullness,coldness,or worst of all, rudeness' means that

A. His English language lets him down and he becomes dull,cold and rude
B. The way he uses the language gives one the impression that he is dull,cold or rude
C. He betrays his bad manners by using English badly
D. His dullness,coldness or rudeness

Question 90:

• JAMB 1988

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled do that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. Difficulties with the language interact with difficulties as regards the subject matter. The student’s reading in his own subject slows down and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in area where he knows the correct language forms. His social relation are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going; so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all rudeness. Instead of the students being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All of this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel very anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-discipline required to correct one’s mistakes is very great indeed.


The statement 'instead of the student being in control of the language,the language seems now to be in control of the student' implies that the

A. Writer is not serious;he is only being humorous
B. Languages can make the student behave like an Englishman
C. Language can make the student behave rather badly
D. Student should stop using the language so as not to be controlled by it