Idiomatic Expressions - Jamb English Language Past Questions and Answers

Question 6:

• JAMB 1982

Choose the word or phrase from options A - E which has the nearest in meaning to the underlined word or words in each sentences:
My friend will hate his uncle forever because he left him in the lurch in his hour of need

A. Abandoned him
B. Punished him
C. Disrespect him
D. Disinherited him
E. Despised him

Question 7:

• JAMB 1982

Choose the word or phrase from options A - E which has the nearest in meaning to the underlined word or words in each sentences:
When you go to a foreign country to study, you will discover that life is not always a bed of roses.

A. As pleasant as one thought
B. A bed without roses
C. An unmitegated disappointment
D. As expected
E. Uncomfortable

Question 8:

• JAMB 1982

Choose the word or phrase from options A - E which has the nearest in meaning to the underlined word or words in each sentences:
A lorry larger than an elephant was stuck on the bridge.

A. As large as an elephant
B. Carring an elephant
C. That looked like an elephant
D. With elephantiasis
E. Of enormous proportions

Question 9:

• JAMB 1983

In the question below, choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined:
It is usually hard to change the course of action when one crosses the rubicon. The underlined expression, as used in this sentence means to

A. Pass through a place called rubicon
B. Cross a river called rubicon
C. Cross a bridge called rubicon
D. Pass a special test
E. Be irrevocably commited

Question 10:

• JAMB 1983

In the question below, choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined:
The salesman tried to pull the wool over by the eye. This implies that the salesman tried to

A. Force me to buy his goods
B. Offer me cotton wool
C. Make me by his wool
D. Dupe me
E. Cover my eyes with wool