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JAMB English 1991 Past Questions & Explanations

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  1. 1.

    One fact that we have to complement is that, in our unconscious mind, we cannot distinguish between a wish and a deed. We are all aware of some of our illogical dreams in which two completely opposite statements can exist side by side – very acceptable in our dreams but unthinkable and illogical in our waking state. Just as our unconscious mind cannot differentiate between the wish to kill somebody in anger and the act of having done so, the young child is unable to make this distinction. The child who angrily wishes his mother to drop dead for not having gratified his needs will traumatized greatly by the actual death of his mother – even if this event is not linked closely in the time with his destructive wishes. He will always take part of or the whole of the blames for the loss of his mother. He will always say to himself - rarely to others - I did it. I am responsible. I was bad, therefore mummy left me. ‘It is well to remember that the child will react in the same manner if he loses a parent by divorce, separation or desertion.

      Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce which he may have an opportunity to see the parent again.

    Our unconscious minds and dreams are alike in that

    Show explanation
    The passage explicitly states that in our unconscious mind we cannot distinguish between wish and deed, and that 'two completely opposite statements can exist side by side – very acceptable in our dreams but unthinkable and illogical in our waking state.' This demonstrates that both the unconscious mind and dreams can accommodate contradictions. Option A is partially true but not the focus of the passage. Option C is not supported. Option D is too vague and not the main point.
  2. 2.

    One fact that we have to complement is that, in our unconscious mind, we cannot distinguish between a wish and a deed. We are all aware of some of our illogical dreams in which two completely opposite statements can exist side by side – very acceptable in our dreams but unthinkable and illogical in our waking state. Just as our unconscious mind cannot differentiate between the wish to kill somebody in anger and the act of having done so, the young child is unable to make this distinction. The child who angrily wishes his mother to drop dead for not having gratified his needs will traumatized greatly by the actual death of his mother – even if this event is not linked closely in the time with his destructive wishes. He will always take part of or the whole of the blames for the loss of his mother. He will always say to himself - rarely to others - I did it. I am responsible. I was bad, therefore mummy left me. ‘It is well to remember that the child will react in the same manner if he loses a parent by divorce, separation or desertion.


      Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce which he may have an opportunity to see the parent again.

    The child would feel responsible for his mother's death even if it is connected with his wishes because

    Show explanation
    The passage clearly explains that just as the unconscious mind cannot differentiate between the wish to kill and the act of having done so, the young child is unable to make this distinction. Therefore, the child cannot distinguish between wishing something and it actually happening, leading him to feel responsible for his mother's death. Option A distorts the meaning. Option B contradicts the passage. Option C is mentioned as context but is not the primary reason for his guilt.
  3. 3.

    One fact that we have to complement is that, in our unconscious mind, we cannot distinguish between a wish and a deed. We are all aware of some of our illogical dreams in which two completely opposite statements can exist side by side – very acceptable in our dreams but unthinkable and illogical in our waking state. Just as our unconscious mind cannot differentiate between the wish to kill somebody in anger and the act of having done so, the young child is unable to make this distinction. The child who angrily wishes his mother to drop dead for not having gratified his needs will traumatized greatly by the actual death of his mother – even if this event is not linked closely in the time with his destructive wishes. He will always take part of or the whole of the blames for the loss of his mother. He will always say to himself - rarely to others - I did it. I am responsible. I was bad, therefore mummy left me. ‘It is well to remember that the child will react in the same manner if he loses a parent by divorce, separation or desertion.

      Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce which he may have an opportunity to see the parent again.

    'Traumatized' as used in the passage means

    Show explanation
    In the passage context, the child 'will be traumatized greatly by the actual death of his mother' and then proceeds to blame himself, saying 'I did it. I am responsible. I was bad.' This shows that traumatized in this context means experiencing deep emotional distress and guilt, not mere anger (A), happiness (B), or general sadness (C). The specific psychological impact here is guilt and self-blame.
  4. 4.

    One fact that we have to complement is that, in our unconscious mind, we cannot distinguish between a wish and a deed. We are all aware of some of our illogical dreams in which two completely opposite statements can exist side by side – very acceptable in our dreams but unthinkable and illogical in our waking state. Just as our unconscious mind cannot differentiate between the wish to kill somebody in anger and the act of having done so, the young child is unable to make this distinction. The child who angrily wishes his mother to drop dead for not having gratified his needs will traumatized greatly by the actual death of his mother – even if this event is not linked closely in the time with his destructive wishes. He will always take part of or the whole of the blames for the loss of his mother. He will always say to himself - rarely to others - I did it. I am responsible. I was bad, therefore mummy left me. ‘It is well to remember that the child will react in the same manner if he loses a parent by divorce, separation or desertion.


      Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce which he may have an opportunity to see the parent again.

    From the child's point of view, in what way is death likened to a divorce?

    Show explanation
    The passage states that 'Death is often seen by a child as an impermanent thing and has therefore little distinction from a divorce which he may have an opportunity to see the parent again.' This explicitly indicates that the similarity is that both are viewed as temporary or impermanent—the child sees both as situations where he might see his parent again. Option A is partially true but misses the key point about impermanence. Option C is obvious but not the likeness being drawn. Option D is mentioned but not the direct comparison.
  5. 5.

    Undergraduate students in psychology and education come to their first course in statistics with diverse expectation of and background in mathematics. Some have considerable formal training and quantitative aptitude and look forward to learning statistics. Others – perhaps the majority, including some of those who aspire to postgraduate studies – are less confident in their quantitative skills. They regard a course in statistics as a necessary evil for the understanding or carrying out of research in their chosen fields, but an evil nonetheless.

      The third edition, like the predecessors, is directed primarily at the latter audience it was written with the conviction that statistical concepts can be described simply without loss of accuracy and that understanding statistical techniques as research tools can be effectively promoted by discussing them within the context of their application to concrete data rather than as pure abstraction. Further, its contents are limited to those statistical techniques that are widely used in the literature of psychology and to the principle underlying them.

      The changes that have been made in this edition reflect both the results of our teaching experience and the increasing prominence being given by statisticians to certain topics. Thus our discussion of some procedures, particularly those in the realm of descriptive statistics, which students grasp easily, have being shortened or rearranged. The treatment of other topics has been expanded. Greater emphasis has been placed on sampling theory, hypothesis testing, and the notion at statistical power.

    The book discussed in this passage is about

    Show explanation
    The passage focuses on the purpose and content of a statistics textbook designed to help students understand statistical techniques as research tools. While it mentions psychology and education as fields where students apply statistics, and addresses undergraduate students, the core subject of the book itself is statistical procedures and their application to research. Option D most accurately captures what the book is fundamentally about.
  6. 6.

    Undergraduate students in psychology and education come to their first course in statistics with diverse expectation of and background in mathematics. Some have considerable formal training and quantitative aptitude and look forward to learning statistics. Others – perhaps the majority, including some of those who aspire to postgraduate studies – are less confident in their quantitative skills. They regard a course in statistics as a necessary evil for the understanding or carrying out of research in their chosen fields, but an evil nonetheless.

      The third edition, like the predecessors, is directed primarily at the latter audience it was written with the conviction that statistical concepts can be described simply without loss of accuracy and that understanding statistical techniques as research tools can be effectively promoted by discussing them within the context of their application to concrete data rather than as pure abstraction. Further, its contents are limited to those statistical techniques that are widely used in the literature of psychology and to the principle underlying them.

      The changes that have been made in this edition reflect both the results of our teaching experience and the increasing prominence being given by statisticians to certain topics. Thus our discussion of some procedures, particularly those in the realm of descriptive statistics, which students grasp easily, have being shortened or rearranged. The treatment of other topics has been expanded. Greater emphasis has been placed on sampling theory, hypothesis testing, and the notion at statistical power.

    The expression 'necessary evil' means that

    Show explanation
    'Necessary evil' is an idiom meaning something unpleasant or undesirable that must be accepted or dealt with because it is essential. In the passage, students regard statistics 'as a necessary evil for the understanding or carrying out of research'—they see it as unpleasant but must study it because it's required. Option A misinterprets 'evil' literally. Option C is absurd. Option D is partially true but doesn't capture the full meaning of the idiom.
  7. 7.

    Undergraduate students in psychology and education come to their first course in statistics with diverse expectation of and background in mathematics. Some have considerable formal training and quantitative aptitude and look forward to learning statistics. Others – perhaps the majority, including some of those who aspire to postgraduate studies – are less confident in their quantitative skills. They regard a course in statistics as a necessary evil for the understanding or carrying out of research in their chosen fields, but an evil nonetheless.

      The third edition, like the predecessors, is directed primarily at the latter audience it was written with the conviction that statistical concepts can be described simply without loss of accuracy and that understanding statistical techniques as research tools can be effectively promoted by discussing them within the context of their application to concrete data rather than as pure abstraction. Further, its contents are limited to those statistical techniques that are widely used in the literature of psychology and to the principle underlying them.

      The changes that have been made in this edition reflect both the results of our teaching experience and the increasing prominence being given by statisticians to certain topics. Thus our discussion of some procedures, particularly those in the realm of descriptive statistics, which students grasp easily, have being shortened or rearranged. The treatment of other topics has been expanded. Greater emphasis has been placed on sampling theory, hypothesis testing, and the notion at statistical power.

    From the passage, we learn that the book discussed has been

    Show explanation

    The passage says:

    "The third edition, like the predecessors..."

    and

    "The changes that have been made in this edition..."

    This tells us that:

    • The book is now in its third edition.

    • New changes have been introduced in this edition.

    • Therefore, the book has been revised from the first to the second edition and again from the second to the third edition.

  8. 8.

    Undergraduate students in psychology and education come to their first course in statistics with diverse expectation of and background in mathematics. Some have considerable formal training and quantitative aptitude and look forward to learning statistics. Others – perhaps the majority, including some of those who aspire to postgraduate studies – are less confident in their quantitative skills. They regard a course in statistics as a necessary evil for the understanding or carrying out of research in their chosen fields, but an evil nonetheless.

      The third edition, like the predecessors, is directed primarily at the latter audience it was written with the conviction that statistical concepts can be described simply without loss of accuracy and that understanding statistical techniques as research tools can be effectively promoted by discussing them within the context of their application to concrete data rather than as pure abstraction. Further, its contents are limited to those statistical techniques that are widely used in the literature of psychology and to the principle underlying them.

      The changes that have been made in this edition reflect both the results of our teaching experience and the increasing prominence being given by statisticians to certain topics. Thus our discussion of some procedures, particularly those in the realm of descriptive statistics, which students grasp easily, have being shortened or rearranged. The treatment of other topics has been expanded. Greater emphasis has been placed on sampling theory, hypothesis testing, and the notion at statistical power.

    The changes that were made in the book were motivated by

    Show explanation
    The passage explicitly states: 'The changes that have been made in this edition reflect both the results of our teaching experience and the increasing prominence being given by statisticians to certain topics.' This directly matches option B. The other options are either not mentioned or contradict the text.
  9. 9.

    Undergraduate students in psychology and education come to their first course in statistics with diverse expectation of and background in mathematics. Some have considerable formal training and quantitative aptitude and look forward to learning statistics. Others – perhaps the majority, including some of those who aspire to postgraduate studies – are less confident in their quantitative skills. They regard a course in statistics as a necessary evil for the understanding or carrying out of research in their chosen fields, but an evil nonetheless.

      The third edition, like the predecessors, is directed primarily at the latter audience it was written with the conviction that statistical concepts can be described simply without loss of accuracy and that understanding statistical techniques as research tools can be effectively promoted by discussing them within the context of their application to concrete data rather than as pure abstraction. Further, its contents are limited to those statistical techniques that are widely used in the literature of psychology and to the principle underlying them.

      The changes that have been made in this edition reflect both the results of our teaching experience and the increasing prominence being given by statisticians to certain topics. Thus our discussion of some procedures, particularly those in the realm of descriptive statistics, which students grasp easily, have being shortened or rearranged. The treatment of other topics has been expanded. Greater emphasis has been placed on sampling theory, hypothesis testing, and the notion at statistical power.

    It can be inferred from the passage that the book was written by

    Show explanation
    Throughout the passage, the authors refer to themselves using 'we' and 'our': 'we have to complement,' 'our teaching experience,' 'our discussion.' This consistent use of the plural 'we' strongly indicates that the book was written by more than one author. While options C and D are possible, the grammatical evidence clearly points to multiple authors.
  10. 10.

      All too often, there is deference between what we say and what we think we have said, and between how we feel we have handled people and how they think they have been treated. When such ‘gaps’ occur between the intent and the action, it is often stated that there has been ‘a break- down in communication ’. Sometimes the break – down is allowed to become so serious that the gap becomes a chasm, relatives in family ceasing to speak to one another, managements and trade unions refusing to meet, government recalling ambassadors when relations between states reach a low ebb.

      In fact, sometimes when people communicate, either as individual or within groups, problems inevitably occur; instruction maybe impossible to carry out, offence is taken at a particular remark, a directive is ambiguously phrased or people’s attitudes are colored by jealousy, resentment or frustration.

      During the past fifty years, industrial, commercial and public service organization have grown prodigiously to meet the needs of advanced technological societies. Sometimes as many as 10,000 people work on one site, or one company employs more than 50,000 people. Clearly, good communications are essential to the efficient operation of any organization, and vital to the fulfillment of al those who commit their working lives to it.

      For this reason, management specialist and behavioral scientist have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analyzing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and creating good communication climate and systems.

      As a result of the current structure of societies and economies, most of us spend our working lives in an organization that we become good communicators with social skills.

    Which of the following titles best sums up the passage?

    Show explanation
    While the passage discusses breakdowns in communication and technological societies, its broader theme is the importance and necessity of effective communication in modern organizations. The passage emphasizes why good communication is 'essential to the efficient operation of any organization.' Option B is too narrow (it's one aspect). Option C is too specific. Option D focuses on problems but not the solution. Option A captures the overarching theme.
  11. 11.

      All too often, there is deference between what we say and what we think we have said, and between how we feel we have handled people and how they think they have been treated. When such ‘gaps’ occur between the intent and the action, it is often stated that there has been ‘a break- down in communication ’. Sometimes the break – down is allowed to become so serious that the gap becomes a chasm, relatives in family ceasing to speak to one another, managements and trade unions refusing to meet, government recalling ambassadors when relations between states reach a low ebb.

      In fact, sometimes when people communicate, either as individual or within groups, problems inevitably occur; instruction maybe impossible to carry out, offence is taken at a particular remark, a directive is ambiguously phrased or people’s attitudes are colored by jealousy, resentment or frustration.

      During the past fifty years, industrial, commercial and public service organization have grown prodigiously to meet the needs of advanced technological societies. Sometimes as many as 10,000 people work on one site, or one company employs more than 50,000 people. Clearly, good communications are essential to the efficient operation of any organization, and vital to the fulfillment of al those who commit their working lives to it.

      For this reason, management specialist and behavioral scientist have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analyzing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and creating good communication climate and systems.

      As a result of the current structure of societies and economies, most of us spend our working lives in an organization that we become good communicators with social skills.

    According to the passage, which of the following are NOT likely to contribute to a breakdown in communication?

    Show explanation
    The passage lists things that cause breakdowns: attitudes colored by jealousy/resentment/frustration (A), ambiguously phrased directives (B), and conflicts between managements and trade unions (C). However, management specialists and behavioural scientists are presented as solutions—they 'have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analyzing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and creating good communication climate and systems.' They work to prevent breakdowns, not cause them.
  12. 12.

      All too often, there is deference between what we say and what we think we have said, and between how we feel we have handled people and how they think they have been treated. When such ‘gaps’ occur between the intent and the action, it is often stated that there has been ‘a break- down in communication ’. Sometimes the break – down is allowed to become so serious that the gap becomes a chasm, relatives in family ceasing to speak to one another, managements and trade unions refusing to meet, government recalling ambassadors when relations between states reach a low ebb.

      In fact, sometimes when people communicate, either as individual or within groups, problems inevitably occur; instruction maybe impossible to carry out, offence is taken at a particular remark, a directive is ambiguously phrased or people’s attitudes are colored by jealousy, resentment or frustration.

      During the past fifty years, industrial, commercial and public service organization have grown prodigiously to meet the needs of advanced technological societies. Sometimes as many as 10,000 people work on one site, or one company employs more than 50,000 people. Clearly, good communications are essential to the efficient operation of any organization, and vital to the fulfillment of al those who commit their working lives to it.

      For this reason, management specialist and behavioral scientist have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analyzing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and creating good communication climate and systems.

      As a result of the current structure of societies and economies, most of us spend our working lives in an organization that we become good communicators with social skills.

    From the text, it can be inferred that a good communicator needs to

    Show explanation
    The passage emphasizes that 'management specialist and behavioral scientist have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analyzing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and creating good communication climate and systems.' A good communicator must be able to create favorable communication conditions to overcome the various obstacles (ambiguity, emotional states, misunderstandings) mentioned in the passage. Option B is too technical. Option C is vague. Option D is too specific and literal.
  13. 13.

      All too often, there is deference between what we say and what we think we have said, and between how we feel we have handled people and how they think they have been treated. When such ‘gaps’ occur between the intent and the action, it is often stated that there has been ‘a break- down in communication ’. Sometimes the break – down is allowed to become so serious that the gap becomes a chasm, relatives in family ceasing to speak to one another, managements and trade unions refusing to meet, government recalling ambassadors when relations between states reach a low ebb.

      In fact, sometimes when people communicate, either as individual or within groups, problems inevitably occur; instruction maybe impossible to carry out, offence is taken at a particular remark, a directive is ambiguously phrased or people’s attitudes are colored by jealousy, resentment or frustration.

      During the past fifty years, industrial, commercial and public service organization have grown prodigiously to meet the needs of advanced technological societies. Sometimes as many as 10,000 people work on one site, or one company employs more than 50,000 people. Clearly, good communications are essential to the efficient operation of any organization, and vital to the fulfillment of al those who commit their working lives to it.

      For this reason, management specialist and behavioral scientist have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analyzing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and creating good communication climate and systems.

      As a result of the current structure of societies and economies, most of us spend our working lives in an organization that we become good communicators with social skills.

    'Chasm' as used in the passage means

    Show explanation
    'Chasm' literally means a deep opening or gorge, and metaphorically means a wide separation or gap. In the passage, it says 'the gap becomes a chasm, relatives in family ceasing to speak to one another, managements and trade unions refusing to meet'—illustrating an enormous distance or separation between parties. Option A is not supported. Option B is too vague. Option D (disagreement) is too narrow; a chasm implies a much wider, unbridgeable gap.
  14. 14.

      All too often, there is deference between what we say and what we think we have said, and between how we feel we have handled people and how they think they have been treated. When such ‘gaps’ occur between the intent and the action, it is often stated that there has been ‘a break- down in communication ’. Sometimes the break – down is allowed to become so serious that the gap becomes a chasm, relatives in family ceasing to speak to one another, managements and trade unions refusing to meet, government recalling ambassadors when relations between states reach a low ebb.

      In fact, sometimes when people communicate, either as individual or within groups, problems inevitably occur; instruction maybe impossible to carry out, offence is taken at a particular remark, a directive is ambiguously phrased or people’s attitudes are colored by jealousy, resentment or frustration.

      During the past fifty years, industrial, commercial and public service organization have grown prodigiously to meet the needs of advanced technological societies. Sometimes as many as 10,000 people work on one site, or one company employs more than 50,000 people. Clearly, good communications are essential to the efficient operation of any organization, and vital to the fulfillment of al those who commit their working lives to it.

      For this reason, management specialist and behavioral scientist have devoted much thought and energy over recent years to analyzing the problems caused by bad communication practices, and creating good communication climate and systems.

      As a result of the current structure of societies and economies, most of us spend our working lives in an organization that we become good communicators with social skills.

    The most essential tool of communication not specifically mentioned in this passage is

    Show explanation
    The passage discusses communication systems, conditions, and practices but takes for granted the fundamental tool—language itself. Without language, no communication is possible. Option A is not relevant to communication. Option B is mentioned indirectly (communication climate/environment). Option C (writing) is a form of communication but not more fundamental than language. Language is the essential foundation that enables all other communication tools.
  15. 15.

    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:
    I am happy to inform you that your boys are conscientious

    Show explanation
    'Conscientious' means showing careful attention to duty, being diligent and thorough. The opposite would be careless or indifferent. 'Carefree' means without worry or serious thought, the direct opposite of being conscientious and serious about one's duties. Option A (industrious) is actually similar in meaning to conscientious. Option C (careful) is almost synonymous. Option D (corrupt) is unrelated.
  16. 16.

    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:
    My father is a very prosperous businessman

    Show explanation
    'Prosperous' means successful and wealthy, flourishing in business or finances. The opposite is 'unsuccessful' which means failing to achieve desired results or lacking success in business. Option A (ungrateful) is not antonymous. Option B (unscrupulous) refers to ethics, not success. Option C (unskilful) might relate to one cause of lack of prosperity but is not the direct opposite.
  17. 17.

    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:
    The hostess greeted her guests in a very relaxed manner

    Show explanation
    'Relaxed' means calm, loose, informal, and at ease. The opposite is 'stiff' which means rigid, tense, formal, and uncomfortable. Option A (energetic) is not the opposite of relaxed. Option B (athletic) is unrelated. Option D (perplexed) means confused but is not the opposite of relaxed in manner.
  18. 18.

    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:
    Ayo takes his studies rather lightly

    Show explanation
    'Taking something lightly' means not treating it with proper seriousness or importance, being cavalier about it. The opposite is 'seriously' which means with proper attention, gravity, and importance. Option A (humorously) relates to tone but not seriousness. Option B (tediously) means boringly, which is not the opposite. Option C (carefully) relates to attention but 'seriously' is the more direct opposite of 'lightly.'
  19. 19.

    In the question below choose the option opposite in meaning to the word underlined:
    The doctor was very gentle with his patients in the examining room

    Show explanation
    'Gentle' means soft, mild, tender, and careful in touch or manner. The opposite is 'rough' which means coarse, harsh, or not gentle in handling. Option A (harsh) relates more to tone of voice. Option B (rude) refers to manners/behavior. Option D (unkind) refers to emotional intent. 'Rough' is the most direct physical opposite of 'gentle.'
  20. 20.

    In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underlined:
    There is no love lost between Hassan and Hassana

    Show explanation
    'No love lost between' is an idiom meaning mutual dislike or lack of affection; there is no warmth or goodwill in their relationship. It suggests they dislike each other or are indifferent at best. Option B is the opposite of what the phrase means. Option C contradicts the idiom. Option D contradicts it as well.
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