Preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam can be an intense journey for many Nigerian students. Among the core subjects tested, Use of English stands out because it is compulsory for every candidate, irrespective of their chosen course of study. A strong score in the Use of English section can significantly boost your overall JAMB score, opening doors to various top universities and competitive courses.

In this blog post, we will explore everything you need to know about the JAMB Use of English paper—its structure, key areas to study, practical tips to excel, and some likely past questions to guide your preparation. We’ll also look at “The Lekki Headmaster,” the JAMB-recommended novel, and possible questions that may arise from it.

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About the JAMB Use of English Exam

The JAMB Use of English exam is designed to test candidates’ proficiency in:

1. Grammar and Vocabulary
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Summary Writing
4. Lexis and Structure
5. Oral Forms (Phonetics/Phonology)
6. Literature Texts – including the recommended novel (currently “The Lekki Headmaster”).

The exam typically consists of 60 questions, broken down into:

• Comprehension Passages (usually 2 or more passages)
• Close Passages (fill-in-the-gap style)
• Sentence Completion / Error Identification
• Antonyms/Synonyms
• Oral English (Phonetics)
• Questions from the recommended novel (sometimes up to 10 questions)

Scoring well in Use of English is crucial because it is weighted heavily in JAMB’s overall grading system.

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Topics to Cover

1. Grammar & Parts of Speech
   • Nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, conjunctions, prepositions
   • Correct usage of tenses and agreement (subject-verb concord)
2. Vocabulary Development
   • Synonyms and antonyms
   • Idioms and phrasal verbs
   • Collocations
3. Lexis & Structure
   • Sentence construction
   • Concord and parallel structures
   • Clauses (noun clauses, adjective clauses, adverbial clauses)
4. Oral English (Phonetics/Phonology)
   • Stress patterns (word stress, sentence stress)
   • Vowel and consonant sounds in English
   • Diphthongs and triphthongs
   • Intonation
5. Reading Comprehension & Summary
   • Identifying main ideas and supporting details
   • Understanding context clues
   • Summarizing long passages succinctly
6. Literary Texts / Novel
   • Understanding themes, plots, characters, and settings of the recommended novel (e.g., “The Lekki Headmaster”)

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How to Pass Use of English

1. Study Past Questions Thoroughly
   • Familiarize yourself with question formats and patterns.
   • Time yourself while practicing to improve speed and accuracy.
2. Improve Your Reading Speed
   • Read newspapers, articles, and short stories regularly.
   • Practice skimming and scanning techniques for faster comprehension.
3. Expand Your Vocabulary
   • Keep a dedicated vocabulary notebook.
   • Learn new words daily and use them in sentences.
   • Study synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and phrasal verbs.
4. Master Grammar and Sentence Structures
   • Review fundamental grammar rules.
   • Practice sentence correction exercises to spot errors quickly.
5. Practice Phonetics
   • Listen to standard English pronunciations (e.g., BBC, CNN, podcasts).
   • Learn to identify stress patterns and common phonetic symbols.
6. Review the Recommended Novel
   • Summaries and key points about the novel’s plot, characters, and themes are vital.
   • Practice likely comprehension or objective questions related to the text.

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How to Read and Understand Use of English

1. Active Reading
   • Underline or highlight key points while reading passages.
   • Summarize paragraphs in your own words to test comprehension.
2. Engage with the Text
   • Ask yourself questions about what you’re reading.
   • Predict the meaning of new words using context clues before consulting a dictionary.
3. Practice Comprehension Skills
   • After reading a passage, see if you can identify the main idea, supporting details, and writer’s tone.
   • Attempt short quizzes or question sets to reinforce your understanding.
4. Take Note of Time
   • JAMB is time-bound. Learn to manage your time effectively.
   • Don’t spend too long on any one question—move on and come back later if time allows.

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25 Likely Questions from Use of English

Below are sample questions resembling the style of past JAMB Use of English questions. Answers and brief explanations are provided.

1. Choose the option that best completes the sentence:
   “The students were advised to _____ regular exercise to stay healthy.”
   A. take on
   B. take up
   C. take out
   D. take after
   Answer: B. take up (means to begin a new hobby or activity)
2. Identify the stressed syllable in the word “committee.”
   A. com-MIT-tee
   B. com-mit-TEE
   C. COM-mit-tee
   D. co-mit-tee
   Answer: A. com-MIT-tee (In standard pronunciation, “committee” is stressed on the second syllable.)
3. Pick the word that is opposite in meaning to “eccentric.”
   A. unusual
   B. conventional
   C. strange
   D. bizarre
   Answer: B. conventional (Antonym of “eccentric”)
4. Choose the word that best fills the gap:
   “She was _____ by the unexpected result of the test.”
   A. flabbergasted
   B. soared
   C. impressed
   D. soared
   Answer: A. flabbergasted (means greatly surprised or astonished)
5. Which of these best describes a simple sentence?
   A. A sentence with two independent clauses.
   B. A sentence with one independent clause and one dependent clause.
   C. A sentence with one independent clause only.
   D. A sentence with multiple dependent clauses.
   Answer: C. A sentence with one independent clause only.
6. Choose the correct form of the verb:
   “Neither the boy nor his friends _____ at the party.”
   A. was
   B. is
   C. are
   D. be
   Answer: C. are (When “nor” connects a singular subject and a plural subject, the verb agrees with the closer subject, i.e., “friends.”)
7. Identify the figure of speech in this sentence:
   “The leaves danced in the wind.”
   A. Simile
   B. Personification
   C. Metaphor
   D. Hyperbole
   Answer: B. Personification
8. Which of the following is a synonym for “placid”?
   A. noisy
   B. calm
   C. erratic
   D. restless
   Answer: B. calm
9. Pick the correctly punctuated sentence:
   A. My uncle who is a doctor lives in Abuja.
   B. My uncle, who is a doctor, lives in Abuja.
   C. My uncle who, is a doctor, lives in Abuja.
   D. My uncle who is a doctor, lives in Abuja.
   Answer: B. My uncle, who is a doctor, lives in Abuja.
   (Non-defining relative clause requires commas.)
10. From the options, choose the correct stressed syllable for the word “examination.”
    A. ex-am-i-NA-tion
    B. ex-am-i-na-TION
    C. EX-am-i-na-tion
    D. ex-AM-i-na-tion
    Answer: A. ex-am-i-NA-tion (the stress is on the fourth syllable)
11. Complete the sentence with the correct preposition:
    “The committee is comprised _____ ten members.”
    A. by
    B. of
    C. from
    D. with
    Answer: B. of (commonly used: “comprised of” or “comprises”)
12. Choose the option closest in meaning to the underlined word:
    “He abstained from smoking.”
    A. insisted
    B. refrained
    C. indulged
    D. hurried
    Answer: B. refrained
13. Identify the error in the sentence:
    “She said she is going to the market yesterday.”
    A. Tense inconsistency
    B. Subject-verb agreement
    C. Pronoun error
    D. None of the above
    Answer: A. Tense inconsistency (Should be “She said she was going…”)
14. Which word is an example of a diphthong?
    A. /e/
    B. /ai/
    C. /p/
    D. /k/
    Answer: B. /ai/
15. The word “beautiful” has how many syllables?
    A. 1
    B. 2
    C. 3
    D. 4
    Answer: C. 3 (bea-u-ti-ful)
16. What is the primary function of an adverb?
    A. To describe a noun
    B. To describe a pronoun
    C. To describe a verb, adjective, or another adverb
    D. To replace a noun
    Answer: C. To describe a verb, adjective, or another adverb
17. Select the correct antonym of “diligent.”
    A. hardworking
    B. intelligent
    C. lazy
    D. smart
    Answer: C. lazy
18. Which sentence is in the active voice?
    A. The ball was kicked by John.
    B. John kicked the ball.
    C. The ball has been kicked.
    D. The ball is kicked by John.
    Answer: B. John kicked the ball.
19. Identify the correct comparative form:
    “She is _____ than her sister.”
    A. more tall
    B. tallest
    C. taller
    D. tall
    Answer: C. taller
20. Which of these is a consonant cluster?
    A. /eɪ/
    B. /tr/
    C. /iː/
    D. /ɔː/
    Answer: B. /tr/
21. Which of the following best describes a metaphor?
    A. A direct comparison using “like” or “as.”
    B. A reference to a historical event.
    C. A direct statement that one thing is another.
    D. An extreme exaggeration.
    Answer: C. A direct statement that one thing is another.
22. Choose the correct pronoun:
    “The teacher called Bola and _____ to the office.”
    A. me
    B. him
    C. I
    D. us
    Answer: A. me (“called Bola and me”)
23. Which is an example of an onomatopoeia?
    A. hiss
    B. bright
    C. huge
    D. bitter
    Answer: A. hiss (imitates the sound)
24. What is the function of a concluding paragraph in an essay?
    A. Introduce new ideas
    B. Summarize main points and give final thoughts
    C. Provide references
    D. Write a thesis statement
    Answer: B. Summarize main points and give final thoughts
25. Which of the following words contains a silent letter?
    A. know
    B. cat
    C. table
    D. open
    Answer: A. know (the ‘k’ is silent)

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About the JAMB Use of English Novel: The Lekki Headmaster

For each JAMB exam cycle, there is usually a recommended text or novel from which questions are drawn. Currently, the recommended novel for the Use of English paper is “The Lekki Headmaster.” This novel revolves around the life and challenges of a headmaster in a modern-day Lagos environment, specifically in the Lekki axis. It touches on themes such as:

• Leadership and Responsibility: The headmaster’s role in shaping the academic and moral standards of the school.
• Socio-economic Differences: The contrast between Lekki’s affluent neighborhoods and less-privileged areas.
• Corruption and Moral Dilemmas: Issues of bribery, nepotism, and how the headmaster navigates these challenges.
• Community Engagement: How the school interacts with the surrounding community.

Understanding these themes, the main characters, plot structure, and key events will help you answer JAMB questions confidently.

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Likely Questions from The Lekki Headmaster

1. Who is the main protagonist in The Lekki Headmaster and what is his primary conflict?
   Hint: Identify the name of the headmaster and the central challenge he faces.
2. Describe the social setting of the novel. How does it impact the characters’ behavior and decisions?
   Hint: Consider the affluent nature of Lekki and any contrast to other parts of Lagos.
3. Which major theme is highlighted through the headmaster’s struggle with corrupt officials?
   A. Love
   B. Poverty
   C. Corruption
   D. War
4. Explain the significance of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings in the novel.
   Hint: They might reveal the school-community relationship.
5. Which character acts as a foil to the headmaster, challenging his principles?
   Hint: Look out for a character who has opposing values or goals.
6. What role does the Lekki environment play in shaping the events of the story?
   Hint: Think about how the setting influences plot development and character motivations.
7. In The Lekki Headmaster, how does the protagonist respond to pressure from higher authorities?
   A. He immediately resigns.
   B. He fights corruption within the system.
   C. He relocates to another state.
   D. He ignores the authorities altogether.
8. Identify two lessons that students can learn from the novel regarding leadership.
   Hint: Consider the protagonist’s moral stance and actions.
9. Discuss how the novel portrays the theme of community engagement and development.
   Hint: Look for examples of the headmaster working with local people.
10. Why does the headmaster’s personal life become a point of concern in the novel?
    Hint: Possibly due to family issues, stress, or moral choices that conflict with his duties.

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Conclusion

The JAMB Use of English paper can be challenging, but thorough preparation using past questions, understanding key grammar rules, practicing reading comprehension, and reviewing the recommended novel (like The Lekki Headmaster) will boost your confidence and performance. Remember to time yourself while practicing, expand your vocabulary daily, and pay attention to the finer details of English usage. With the right study plan, consistent practice, and focus on areas like grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and literature, you will be well on your way to achieving a high score.

Good luck with your JAMB preparations! Keep practicing, stay motivated, and aim for excellence.