JAMB EnglishPast Questions & Explanations

Practice 390+ JAMB English questions from the SuperPrep question bank. Every question comes with a full explanation so you learn the method, not just the answer.

1. 1.

   In reading comprehension, the main idea of a passage refers to the?

   1. A.Central message of the passage
   2. B.First sentence only
   3. C.Last paragraph only
   4. D.Author's name

   Show explanation

   The main idea is the central point or message the author wants to convey.
2. 2.

   A reader uses context clues mainly to determine the?

   1. A.Meaning of unfamiliar words
   2. B.Length of the passage
   3. C.Author's age
   4. D.Number of paragraphs

   Show explanation

   Context clues help readers infer the meaning of unknown words from surrounding text.
3. 3.

   Which reading skill helps a reader locate specific information quickly?

   1. A.Scanning
   2. B.Skimming
   3. C.Summarizing
   4. D.Paraphrasing

   Show explanation

   Scanning involves searching for specific facts or details in a passage.
4. 4.

   Skimming a passage is useful for finding the?

   1. A.General idea
   2. B.Exact date mentioned
   3. C.Meaning of every word
   4. D.Grammar mistakes

   Show explanation

   Skimming helps readers quickly understand the overall content of a text.
5. 5.

   A supporting detail in a passage helps to?

   1. A.Explain the main idea
   2. B.Change the topic
   3. C.Introduce a new passage
   4. D.Identify the author

   Show explanation

   Supporting details provide evidence or explanation for the main idea.
6. 6.

   The tone of a passage refers to the author's?

   1. A.Attitude toward the subject
   2. B.Handwriting style
   3. C.Educational background
   4. D.Nationality

   Show explanation

   Tone expresses the author's feelings or attitude toward the topic.
7. 7.

   An inference is a conclusion reached based on?

   1. A.Evidence and reasoning
   2. B.Guesswork only
   3. C.Personal opinion only
   4. D.The title alone

   Show explanation

   Readers make inferences by combining clues from the text with prior knowledge.
8. 8.

   The purpose of summarizing a passage is to?

   1. A.Present the main points briefly
   2. B.Rewrite every sentence
   3. C.Add personal opinions
   4. D.Increase the length

   Show explanation

   A summary highlights the key ideas without unnecessary details.
9. 9.

   A factual statement in a passage can usually be?

   1. A.Verified as true or false
   2. B.Based only on emotions
   3. C.Ignored by readers
   4. D.Changed by opinion

   Show explanation

   Facts can be checked and proven through evidence.
10. 10.

    An opinion in a passage is a statement that?

    1. A.Reflects a personal belief or judgment
    2. B.Can always be proven
    3. C.Is always correct
    4. D.Contains only dates

    Show explanation

    Opinions express personal views rather than verifiable facts.

    Want thousands more with instant AI explanations after every answer?

    Practice free on SuperPrep
11. 11.

    When a question asks for the author's purpose, it seeks to know why the author?

    1. A.Wrote the passage
    2. B.Used a pen
    3. C.Published a book
    4. D.Studied English

    Show explanation

    The author's purpose may be to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
12. 12.

    Which of the following is most likely to help identify the theme of a passage?

    1. A.Recurring ideas and messages
    2. B.The author's signature
    3. C.The number of pages
    4. D.The font size

    Show explanation

    Themes are often revealed through repeated ideas and lessons.
13. 13.

    The word 'they' in a passage is an example of a?

    1. A.Reference word
    2. B.Topic sentence
    3. C.Transition marker
    4. D.Heading

    Show explanation

    Reference words point back to nouns previously mentioned.
14. 14.

    To determine the meaning of a word from context, a reader should examine the?

    1. A.Surrounding sentences
    2. B.Author's photograph
    3. C.Book cover only
    4. D.Publication date only

    Show explanation

    Nearby words and sentences often provide clues to meaning.
15. 15.

    A reader concludes that a character is dishonest although it is not directly stated. This is an example of?

    1. A.Inference
    2. B.Scanning
    3. C.Skimming
    4. D.Summarizing

    Show explanation

    An inference is a conclusion drawn from clues in the text.
16. 16.

    Which reading skill is most important when answering questions on implied meanings?

    1. A.Critical interpretation
    2. B.Memorization
    3. C.Copying
    4. D.Proofreading

    Show explanation

    Implied meanings require careful analysis and interpretation of textual clues.
17. 17.

    The phrase 'between the lines' in comprehension refers to understanding?

    1. A.Implied meaning
    2. B.Printed words only
    3. C.Grammar rules
    4. D.Punctuation marks

    Show explanation

    Reading between the lines means identifying ideas not directly stated.
18. 18.

    If an author presents arguments to influence readers' opinions, the passage is primarily?

    1. A.Persuasive
    2. B.Narrative
    3. C.Descriptive
    4. D.Biographical

    Show explanation

    Persuasive writing aims to convince readers to accept a viewpoint.
19. 19.

    A reader evaluating the strength of evidence in a passage is demonstrating?

    1. A.Critical reading
    2. B.Scanning
    3. C.Note copying
    4. D.Speed reading only

    Show explanation

    Critical reading involves analyzing and assessing the validity of arguments and evidence.
20. 20.

    The primary aim of summary writing is to?

    1. A.Present the main ideas concisely
    2. B.Rewrite every sentence
    3. C.Add personal opinions
    4. D.Increase the length of the passage

    Show explanation

    Summary writing involves presenting the key points of a passage in a concise form.