Use of English is the only compulsory subject in the UTME; every candidate takes it alongside three other subjects relevant to their proposed course of study. The computer-based examination lasts 2 hours in total and carries 180 questions — 60 in Use of English and 40 in each of the other three subjects — with every question offering four options lettered A to D. Each subject is scored over 100 for a maximum of 400 marks, and wrong answers simply score 0 (no negative marking), so attempt every question.
The Use of English syllabus is divided into three sections: Section A (Comprehension/Summary), Section B (Lexis and Structure) and Section C (Oral Forms). Lexis and Structure typically supplies 25 of the 60 questions, distributed as 5 on sentence interpretation, 5 on antonyms, 5 on synonyms and 10 on basic grammar. About 10 further questions are drawn from the prescribed novel, The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba, which replaced The Life Changer.
In the synonyms sub-section you choose the option nearest in meaning to the highlighted word or expression; in the antonyms sub-section you choose the option opposite in meaning. Always judge the word in its sentence context — ordinary, figurative or idiomatic — because the syllabus tests all three usages. Note the official restriction: idioms to be tested shall be those that are formal and expressed in standard British English.
Master these high-yield rules for the grammar and sentence-completion items:
The syllabus sets five objectives for this section, including determining similar and opposite meanings of words, differentiating correct from incorrect punctuation and spelling, and interpreting information conveyed in sentences. For focused revision, JAMB recommends Bamgbose (2002), English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges (Revised Edition, Heinemann), dedicated specifically to this section.
1. Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word 'diligent'.
'Diligent' describes someone who shows care and conscientiousness in their work, which is closest in meaning to 'hardworking'. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (synonyms))
2. The soldiers were ordered not to ABANDON their post no matter the situation. The word written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
To 'abandon' a post means to leave it without intending to return, which is the meaning of 'desert' in this context. (JAMB UTME Use of English paper, synonyms sub-section (jamb.gov.ng))
3. Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word 'lucid'.
'Lucid' describes something expressed clearly and easy to understand, so it is nearest in meaning to 'clear'. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (synonyms))
4. Her CANDID opinion about the project surprised everyone at the meeting. The word written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
'Candid' means being open, honest and straightforward, which corresponds to 'frank'. (JAMB UTME Use of English paper, synonyms sub-section (jamb.gov.ng))
5. Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word 'obstinate'.
'Obstinate' describes a person who refuses to change their mind or position, meaning 'stubborn'. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (synonyms))
6. Mr. Adeyemi is an AMIABLE man who is loved by everyone in the neighbourhood. The word written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
'Amiable' means having a pleasant, friendly disposition, so it is closest in meaning to 'friendly'. (JAMB UTME Use of English paper, synonyms sub-section (jamb.gov.ng))
7. Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word 'frugal'.
A 'frugal' person is careful and economical with money, which is closest in meaning to 'thrifty'. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (synonyms))
8. Climbing the mountain without proper equipment proved to be an ARDUOUS task for the hikers. The word written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
'Arduous' describes a task that requires great effort and is difficult to accomplish, i.e. 'strenuous'. (JAMB UTME Use of English paper, synonyms sub-section (jamb.gov.ng))
9. Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word 'feasible'.
'Feasible' means capable of being done or carried out, which is closest in meaning to 'practicable'. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (synonyms))
10. It would be PRUDENT to save part of your salary every month. The word written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
'Prudent' means acting with care and good judgement, hence it is closest in meaning to 'wise'. (JAMB UTME Use of English paper, synonyms sub-section (jamb.gov.ng))
11. Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word 'ubiquitous'.
'Ubiquitous' means present or found everywhere, which is closest in meaning to 'widespread'. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (synonyms))
12. The INDOLENT student rarely completed his assignments on time. The word written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
'Indolent' describes a person who avoids exertion and effort, meaning 'lazy'. (JAMB UTME Use of English paper, synonyms sub-section (jamb.gov.ng))
13. Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word 'taciturn'.
A 'taciturn' person habitually says very little and tends to be reserved or uncommunicative. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (synonyms))
14. Given the PRECARIOUS state of the old bridge, the council ordered its immediate closure. The word written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
'Precarious' means not securely held or likely to fail, which is closest in meaning to 'unstable'. (JAMB UTME Use of English paper, synonyms sub-section (jamb.gov.ng))
15. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Chidinma is very good ______ Mathematics.
The adjective 'good' takes the preposition 'at' when referring to a skill or a school subject. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (word classes and their functions); Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press)
16. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: He apologized ______ his rude behaviour at the party.
The verb 'apologize' is followed by the preposition 'for' when stating the reason for the apology. (Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press (verb + preposition patterns); JAMB UTME Syllabus, Lexis and Structure)
17. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: Ngozi is married ______ a civil engineer.
The standard collocation in English is 'married to somebody', never 'married with'. (Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press (entry on 'marry/married'); JAMB UTME Syllabus, Lexis and Structure)
18. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: This textbook consists ______ twelve chapters.
The verb 'consist' is always followed by the preposition 'of' when describing the parts that make up a whole. (Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press (verb + preposition patterns); JAMB UTME Syllabus, Lexis and Structure)
19. The football match was CALLED OFF because of the heavy rain. The expression written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
The phrasal verb 'call off' means to cancel a planned event. (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (idiomatic usage, formal standard British English idioms); Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary)
20. Every young footballer in the village LOOKS UP TO the national team captain. The expression written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
The phrasal verb 'look up to' means to admire or respect someone. (Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary; JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (idiomatic usage))
21. Please TURN DOWN the volume of that radio; the baby is sleeping. The expression written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
'Turn down' means to lower or reduce the level of sound, heat or another setting. (Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary; JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (idiomatic usage))
22. I RAN INTO my former classmate while shopping at the market yesterday. The expression written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
The phrasal verb 'run into' means to meet someone by chance, without having planned to. (Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary; JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (idiomatic usage))
23. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The manager said the new intern was capable ______ handling the project alone.
The adjective 'capable' is followed by the preposition 'of' before a noun or gerund. (Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press (adjective + preposition patterns); JAMB UTME Syllabus, Lexis and Structure)
24. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: The chairman will insist ______ punctuality at all future meetings.
The verb 'insist' is followed by the preposition 'on' when specifying what is being demanded. (Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press (verb + preposition patterns); JAMB UTME Syllabus, Lexis and Structure)
25. The government decided to DO AWAY WITH the old currency notes. The expression written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
The phrasal verb 'do away with' means to get rid of or abolish something. (Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary; JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (idiomatic usage, formal standard British English idioms))
26. While tidying the store, she CAME ACROSS an old family photograph. The expression written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
The phrasal verb 'come across' means to find or meet something or someone unexpectedly. (Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary; JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (idiomatic usage))
27. Workers in the factory had to PUT UP WITH poor conditions for years before the strike. The expression written in capital letters is nearest in meaning to:
The phrasal verb 'put up with' means to endure or tolerate something unpleasant without complaint. (Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary; JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (idiomatic usage, formal standard British English idioms))
28. Which of the following sentences uses the correct preposition after 'superior' in standard English?
The adjective 'superior' is always followed by the preposition 'to', never 'than', when making a comparison. (Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press (entry on 'superior/inferior'); JAMB UTME Syllabus, Lexis and Structure)
29. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word written in capital letters in the following sentence: "Despite his wealth, Mr. Johnson is known to be a very GENEROUS man."
"Generous" means willing to give freely, so its opposite is "miserly" (unwilling to spend or share). (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (antonyms); Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (antonym = opposite in meaning).)
30. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word written in capital letters in the following sentence: "The museum houses several ANCIENT artefacts from the Benin Kingdom."
"Ancient" refers to something very old, so its direct opposite is "modern". (JAMB UTME Use of English paper structure — antonyms sub-section (5 questions); Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.)
31. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word written in capital letters in the following sentence: "The negotiations between the two companies were conducted in a TRANSPARENT manner."
"Transparent" (open and easy to see through) is opposite to "clandestine" (done secretly). (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (antonyms); Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.)
32. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word written in capital letters in the following sentence: "She is a DILIGENT student who completes her assignments early."
"Diligent" means hardworking and careful, so its opposite is "lazy". (JAMB UTME Use of English question rubrics — antonym sub-section: choose the word opposite in meaning; Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.)
33. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word written in capital letters in the following sentence: "Despite the setback, the coach remained OPTIMISTIC about the team's chances."
"Optimistic" (hopeful about outcomes) is opposite to "pessimistic" (expecting the worst). (Bamgbose, A. (2002), English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges, Heinemann (JAMB-recommended text).)
34. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word written in capital letters in the following sentence: "He gave her a GENUINE diamond ring as a wedding gift."
"Genuine" (real, authentic) is opposite to "fake" (not real). (JAMB UTME Syllabus — Use of English, Section B: Lexis and Structure (antonyms); Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.)
35. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word written in capital letters in the following sentence: "Unlike his brother, Femi is RETICENT about his personal life."
"Reticent" (reserved, unwilling to talk) is opposite to "loquacious" (very talkative). (JAMB UTME Use of English paper structure — antonyms sub-section (5 questions); Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.)