Expositive Comprehension passage - Jamb English Language Past Questions and Answers

Question 276:

• JAMB 2021

It is normal in Nigeria to use proficiency in the use of English language as a barometer for evaluating the height of any person's educational attainment. Today, many teachers resort quite often to the use of vernacular in the teaching of their subjects. One is often dismayed at the incompetence of many teachers, even graduates in the use of English language. Throughout the colonial period, up to 1960, Nigerian formal education was patterned after the English system. The "accent" was on English and an educated Nigerian was one who was only African in colour but English in thought and culture. The ability to speak English fluently and if possible with an Oxford accent was the hallmark of excellence even if the speaker was empty of thought and ideas. In those days it was a serious offence for a secondary school boy or girl to "laugh in the vernacular". But we now swung to the other extreme. Nigeria would say they are not English people, some would say they did not specialise in English in the university. But the country has adopted the English language as its official, the language of instruction at schools, parliamentary proceedings, conduct of official business and indeed the lingua franca. If the language is to continue to be used, then it is imperative that we all agree on the pattern of correctness in the language so that communication can be effective.


From the passage, it is evident that

A. We need to agree on the pattern of correctness in the use of English language
B. Fluency in English leads to empty thought and ideas
C. Nigerians would say they are not English people because they hate the language
D. Every undergraduate needs to specialise in English.

Question 277:

• JAMB 2021

It is normal in Nigeria to use proficiency in the use of English language as a barometer for evaluating the height of any person's educational attainment. Today, many teachers resort quite often to the use of vernacular in the teaching of their subjects. One is often dismayed at the incompetence of many teachers, even graduates in the use of English language. Throughout the colonial period, up to 1960, Nigerian formal education was patterned after the English system. The "accent" was on English and an educated Nigerian was one who was only African in colour but English in thought and culture. The ability to speak English fluently and if possible with an Oxford accent was the hallmark of excellence even if the speaker was empty of thought and ideas. In those days it was a serious offence for a secondary school boy or girl to "laugh in the vernacular". But we now swung to the other extreme. Nigeria would say they are not English people, some would say they did not specialise in English in the university. But the country has adopted the English language as its official, the language of instruction at schools, parliamentary proceedings, conduct of official business and indeed the lingua franca. If the language is to continue to be used, then it is imperative that we all agree on the pattern of correctness in the language so that communication can be effective.


Considering it a serious offence to "laugh in vernacular" as indicated in the passage, can be viewed as

A. Normal
B. Extreme
C. Correctness
D. Proper

Question 278:

• JAMB 2021

Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow:
Everyone is tired or fatigued at some time. The major cycle in your life is work, fatigue and rest in that order. Fatigue is characteristic of your body. It does not occur in a man-made machine which operates as long as its parts are intact and it has fuel. But your body, a living machine, has a definite limitation - its work continues, it gradually loses its responsiveness, becomes less irritable, turns out less work and finally may not respond at all. The feeling of fatigue usually expresses itself in three ways: first, there is a feeling of tiredness and a marked desire for rest. Second, efficiency is greatly reduced. Third, there may be definite physiological changes in your body, low blood pressure, loss of muscle tone, tremors, and poor muscular coordination, and in other ways. Fatigue, however, may express itself in many ways for there are many different forms of it. The fatigue of a student. for example, who has worked all evening on a difficult lesson, is different from that of a labourer who has worked all day at a back-breaking task, or that of a business executive who worries with the stress and strain of organisation.


A suitable title for the passage is

A. Knowing fatigue
B. Fatigue
C. Tiredness and fatigue
D. Body machine

Question 279:

• JAMB 2021

Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow:
Everyone is tired or fatigued at some time. The major cycle in your life is work, fatigue and rest in that order. Fatigue is characteristic of your body. It does not occur in a man-made machine which operates as long as its parts are intact and it has fuel. But your body, a living machine, has a definite limitation - its work continues, it gradually loses its responsiveness, becomes less irritable, turns out less work and finally may not respond at all. The feeling of fatigue usually expresses itself in three ways: first, there is a feeling of tiredness and a marked desire for rest. Second, efficiency is greatly reduced. Third, there may be definite physiological changes in your body, low blood pressure, loss of muscle tone, tremors, and poor muscular coordination, and in other ways. Fatigue, however, may express itself in many ways for there are many different forms of it. The fatigue of a student. for example, who has worked all evening on a difficult lesson, is different from that of a labourer who has worked all day at a back-breaking task, or that of a business executive who worries with the stress and strain of organisation.


According to the passage, the worst stage of fatigue is

A. Feeling of tiredness
B. Poor muscular coordination
C. Reduced efficiency
D. Desire for rest

Question 280:

• JAMB 2021

Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow:
Everyone is tired or fatigued at some time. The major cycle in your life is work, fatigue and rest in that order. Fatigue is characteristic of your body. It does not occur in a man-made machine which operates as long as its parts are intact and it has fuel. But your body, a living machine, has a definite limitation - its work continues, it gradually loses its responsiveness, becomes less irritable, turns out less work and finally may not respond at all. The feeling of fatigue usually expresses itself in three ways: first, there is a feeling of tiredness and a marked desire for rest. Second, efficiency is greatly reduced. Third, there may be definite physiological changes in your body, low blood pressure, loss of muscle tone, tremors, and poor muscular coordination, and in other ways. Fatigue, however, may express itself in many ways for there are many different forms of it. The fatigue of a student. for example, who has worked all evening on a difficult lesson, is different from that of a labourer who has worked all day at a back-breaking task, or that of a business executive who worries with the stress and strain of organisation.


It can be inferred from the passage that

A. Every task can eventually result in fatigue
B. Only difficult lessons lead to fatigue
C. A labourer must work all day before expressing fatigue
D. Rest is needed only when you experience fatigue