Comprehension/Summary - Jamb English Language Past Questions and Answers

Question 1:

• JAMB 1978

Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it

All over the world till lately, and in most of the world still today, mankind has been following the course of nature, that is to say, it has been breeding up to the maximum. To let nature take her extravagant course in the reproduction of the human race may have made sense in an age in which we were also letting her take her course in decimating mankind by the casualties of war, pestilence and famine. Being human, we have at last revolted against that senseless waste. We started to impose on heartless play a humane new order of our own. But, when once man has begun to interfere with nature, he cannot afford to stop half way. We cannot, with impunity, cut down the death-rate and at the same time allow the birth-rate to go on taking course. we must consciously try to establish an equilibrium or, sooner or later, famine will stalk abroad again


'humane' as used in the passage means

A. Sensible
B. Wise
C. Human
D. Benevolent
E. Thorough

Question 2:

• JAMB 1978

Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it

All over the world till lately, and in most of the world still today, mankind has been following the course of nature, that is to say, it has been breeding up to the maximum. To let nature take her extravagant course in the reproduction of the human race may have made sense in an age in which we were also letting her take her course in decimating mankind by the casualties of war, pestilence and famine. Being human, we have at last revolted against that senseless waste. We started to impose on heartless play a humane new order of our own. But, when once man has begun to interfere with nature, he cannot afford to stop half way. We cannot, with impunity, cut down the death-rate and at the same time allow the birth-rate to go on taking course. we must consciously try to establish an equilibrium or, sooner or later, famine will stalk abroad again


'we must consciously try to establish an equilibrium, (line 8)implies that mankind must

A. Realistically find an equation
B. Strive not to be wasteful
C. Delibrately try to fight nature
D. Try to fight nature
E. Purposely find a balance

Question 3:

• 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 4:

• 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

Question 5:

• 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.


Which of the following statement is not made in the passage

A. All students should study a language in the university
B. Foreign language learning enables one appreciate other people's culture
C. Teacher emphasize ability to communicate as a reward or foreign language learning
D. Foreign language learning helps the study of other subjects
E. Foreign language learners are usually better students than others