OST JAMB TEST 2007
OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY, OSOGBO
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Choose the phrase that best completes each of the following sentences (34-38)
34. When John finished reading ……………. of the book, he lost interest
(a) the three first chapters
(b) the chapters first three
(c) the first three chapters
(d) the three chapters first
35. He bought ………………………………(a) an expensive, green, very, American saloon car
(b) an expensive, very green, American saloon car
(c) a very green, expensive, saloon American car
(d) a very expensive, American, green saloon car
36. As things are now, I have to look for …………… tire
(a) a cheap, second-hand, rubber
(b) a cheap, rubber, second-hand
(c) a rubber, cheap, second-hand
(d) a second-hand, rubber cheap
37. Three weeks after …………….. the village had not recovered from the frightening experience
(a) another police surprise raid
(b) another surprise police raid
(c) police surprise another raid
(d) another raid police surprise
38. Kemi is not ……………… as her brother
(a) a such good writer
(b) such good writer
(c) as good as writer
(d) as good a writer
PASSAGE
Standard English refers to the authoritative and correct usage of the language, the medium of expression for government and education. Its opposite is a dialectical variant of the language, that is, accepted and recognized words, expressions and structures peculiar to a smaller group of geographical region. For example, Nigerian, American, Irish and British English differ from one another in many respects and each is identifiable, yet in every case the standard variety approaches a single and hypothetical classification known as international English. As one moves towards informality and away from the observance of strict rules, emphasis falls on the differences between dialects. In addition to American English being distinguishable from British English, it is also true that British English is not uniform within the United Kingdom.
The level of formality is determined by education and aspiration, while dialects vary from region to region.
39. The author refers to Standard English as
(a) a dialectical variant of language
(b) an authoritative style of usage
(c) the orthodox and accurate usage of language
(d) the accepted and recognized words, expressions and structures, peculiar toa similar group of language users
40. One characteristic of a dialect as mentioned in the passage is
(a) informality
(b) possession of various forms
(c) distinction from British English
(d) restricted area of usage
41. According to the author, Nigerians American, Irish and British English can be regarded as
(a) registers
(b) standards
(c) styles
(d) languages
42. According to the passage, the international English is
(a) a kind of arbitrary classification
(b) an imaginary classification
(c) an informal standard
(d) a recognized formal standard
43. The observance of a strict rule is a feature of
(a) formality
(b) dialects
(c) languages
(d) unconventionality
Click here to join VNTI:
www.facebook.com/VNTI.NIGERIAIn questions 44 to 49 choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase(s) in italics
44. Ngozi and Ekaete were fast friends when we were in the secondary school
(a) friends who run very quickly together
(b) friends who go without food for a long time together
(c) friends who were not easily separated from each other
(d) friends who spend too much time and energy on pleasure and excitement
45. My son has just been rusticated from the university.
(a) sent home to get his fees
(b) sent home for misconduct
(c) sent home to rest for some time
(d) sent home to become rustic
46. The policemen looked at the face of the robber and saw tell-tale signs of a dyed-in-the wool convict
(a) hardened
(b) remorseless
(c) heady
(d) hardhearted
47. "Marcus bears watching", remarked Emperor Nero
(a) dispose the can of refuse
(b) accept responsibilities
(c) be made one of the scape-goats
(d) bear the brunt
48. The senator had the habit of setting the cast among the pigeons whenever matters concerning his constituency came up for a debate
(a) monopolizing the decisions
(b) illuminating issues that are not clear
(c) making frequent interruptions in the nature of points correction
(d) introducing elements of controversy and confusion
49. The urban environment tends to form the nucleus of a common dialect
(a) setting
(b) repository
(c) cell
(d) core
In each of questions 50 to 54, choose the word(s) or phrase(s) which best fill(s) the gap(s)
50. The sea waves continue to …………. the cliff on the west coast constantly
(a) impair
(b) rub
(c) knock
(d) erode
51. The chief priest will ………….the men into the cult today
(a) indoctrinate
(b) usher
(c) convert
(d) initiate
52. The girl that my brother introduced to us last week is pretty ………..ill-mannered
(a) and
(b) but also
(c) as well as
(d) but
53. The police report was …………… to that of the eye witness
(a) contrary
(b) inconsistent
(c) different
(d) congruent
54. If I had been told of the matter earlier, I …….so late
(a) would not go
(b) will not have gone
(c) should not go
(d) would not have gone
In question 55 to 59, choose the option nearest in meaning to the emboldened
55. The story has to be taken with a grain of salt. This means that
(a) you need to some salt to listen to the story
(b) there is no salt in the story
(c) the story is questionable
(d) the story is true
(e) there is too much salt in the story
56. It is usually hard to change the course of action when one crosses the Rubicon. The underlined expression as used in the context means
(a) passed through the place called Rubicon
(b) crossed a bridge called Rubicon
(c) pass a special test
(d) cross a river called Rubicon
(e) be irrevocably committed
57. The salesman tried to pull the wool over my eyes. This implies that the salesman tried to
(a) force me to buy his goods
(b) offer me cotton wool
(c) make me buy his wool
(d) dupe me
(e) cover my eyes with wool
58. Ijeaoma counted her chickens before they were hatched. This implies that Ijeoma
(a) regarded each egg as a chicken
(b) hatched the eggs prematurely
(c) assumed that her expectations had already been realized
(d) protected her eggs from breaking
(e) insured the eggs
59. Solo has resigned his job with the Textile Mill. He doesn't seem to worry about getting another job. His plans are still quite in the air. This implies that his plans are
(a) airmailed
(b) airtight
(c) uncertain
(d) certain
(e) airborne
In questions 60 to 63, choose the expression which best completes each sentence
60. After the initial confusion, the Manager's suggestion brought …………….to thedepressed investors
(a) a glitter of hope
(b) a glimmer of hope
(c) a sparkle of hope
(d) a raise of hope
(e) a shower of hope
61. The farmer has bought the insecticide because he was bent on …………the insect in his farm.
(a) exterminating
(b) estimating
(c) extenuating
(d) extinguishing
(e) exemplifying
62. The young lady decided to ………….
(a) do away with the many advice given her by relatives
(b) reject all the advices given by her relatives
(c) reject all the advice given by her relations
(d) take to all the advices given by her relations
(e) eject all the advice given by her relatives
63. The ministers found it very difficult to get …………
(a) through with each other in the cabinet
(b) by with one another
(c) off from each other
(d) through with one another
(e) on with each other
From the list of words lettered A to E, choose the word/group of words that is most nearly opposite in meaning of the following
64. Purchased
(a) destroyed
(b) bought
(c) sold
(d) lent
(e) took
65. Encouraged
(a) financed
(b) warned
(c) dissuaded
(d) persuaded
(e) helped
66. Customary
(a) illegal
(b) impolite
(c) unusual
(d) ^
(e) pointless
67. Kindle
(a) kill
(b) switched
(c) extinguish
(d) destroy
(e) ignite
ENGLISH LANGUAGE: POST UME, OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY, 2007
34. Answer = C
The question is about place ordering, the sequential order of adjectives
35. Answer = C
36. Answer = A
37. Answer = A
38. Answer = D
39. Answer = B
40. Answer = B
"…words, expressions and structures peculiar to a smaller group of language users … for example; Nigerians, Americans, Irish and British English differ…" (possession of different forms).
41. Answer = C
42. Answer = D
"…moves towards informality and away from the observance of strict rules…"
43. Answer = A
44. Answer = C
This is an idiomatic expression meaning bosom, close friends.
45. Answer = B
Rustication is usually associated with punishment meted to a student for misconduct
46. Answer = A
Hardened means; deeply involved and unrepentant
47. Answer = B
However, bear is a polysemous word that has many meanings and in the sense of its use in this context, it means deserves/is suitable for.
48. Answer = D
This is idiomatic
49.Answer = D
Core means center, as does nucleus
50. Answer = D
51. Answer = D
The question is from collocation, the company that certain words keep
52. Answer = D
53. Answer = A
54. Answer = D
55. Answer = C
It's from idioms
56. Answer = E
Also from of idioms
57. Answer = D
58. Answer = C
59. Answer = C
60. Answer = B
This is a collocation question: how words fit. Glimmer is a rising light and is usedoften with hope
61. Answer = A
62. Answer = C
63. Answer = E
64. Answer = C
65. Answer = C
66. Answer = C
67. Answer = C
Please do your diligence to be sure the suggested answers are correct.
David Silva
