Idiomatic Expressions - Jamb English Language Past Questions and Answers

Question 11:

• JAMB 1983

In the question below, choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined:
Ijeoma counted her chickens before they were hatched. This means that Ijeoma

A. Regarded each egg as a chicken
B. Hatched the egg prematurely
C. Assumed that her expectation had already been realized
D. Protected her eggs from breaking
E. Insured the eggs

Question 12:

• JAMB 1983

In the question below, choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined:
Old customs die hard. This implies that old customs

A. Cause a lot of hardship and death
B. Must be stopped
C. Never die out
D. Cause hardship for younger people
E. Tend to last for a long time

Question 13:

• JAMB 1983

In the question below, choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: The convict said. he was tired of leading a dog's life. To lead a dog's life means to live

A. Carelessly
B. In disgrace
C. In solitude
D. In misery
E. In poverty

Question 14:

• JAMB 1983

In the question below which of the following options express the same idea as the one in quotes?:
'To be in the red', is to be

A. In debt
B. Rich
C. A socialist
D. Red
E. Dressed in red

Question 15:

• JAMB 1983

In the question below which of the following options express the same idea as the one in quotes?:
'To beat down the price' is to

A. Flog the price
B. Reduce the price
C. Beat the salesman
D. Attack the seller
E. Control the price