CBT-Practice

JAMB Use of English Syllabus

Every section, topic and candidate objective in the official JAMB Use of English outline — 4 sections, 10 topics and 38 objectives.

Practice Use of English questionsAll JAMB subjects
Sections
4sections
Topics
10topics
Objectives
38objectives
Category
Languagescategory

General objectives

What JAMB expects you to be able to do across the whole subject.

  • Communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.
  • Use English Language for learning at the tertiary level.
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Syllabus sections

4 sections

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1

Section A: Comprehension and Summary

1 topic · 10 objectives
1

Comprehension and Summary

10 content items · 10 objectives

Content

(a) Description

Objective

(i) Identify main points and topic sentences in passages; (ii) determine implied meanings; (iii) identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative or idiomatic expressions; and (iv) deduce or infer the writers' intentions, including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.

Content

(b) Narration

Objective

(i) Identify main points and topic sentences in passages; (ii) determine implied meanings; (iii) identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative or idiomatic expressions; and (iv) deduce or infer the writers' intentions, including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.

Content

(c) Exposition

Objective

(i) Identify main points and topic sentences in passages; (ii) determine implied meanings; (iii) identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative or idiomatic expressions; and (iv) deduce or infer the writers' intentions, including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.

Content

(d) Argumentation and persuasion

Objective

(i) Identify main points and topic sentences in passages; (ii) determine implied meanings; (iii) identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative or idiomatic expressions; and (iv) deduce or infer the writers' intentions, including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.

Content

(i) Three passages, one of which will be a cloze test, each reflecting various disciplines and approximately 200 words long

Objective

Demonstrate comprehension of passages drawn from various disciplines.

Content

(ii)(a) Comprehension of the whole or part of each passage

Objective

Understand the whole passage or specified parts of a passage.

Content

(ii)(b) Comprehension of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, figures of speech and idioms as used in passages

Objective

Identify the meanings and functions of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, figures of speech and idioms in context.

Content

(ii)(c) Coherence and logical reasoning, including deductions and inferences

Objective

Determine implied meanings and make logical deductions and inferences from passages.

Content

(ii)(d) Approved reading text

Objective

Demonstrate comprehension of the approved reading text.

Content

(ii)(e) Synthesis of ideas from passages

Objective

Combine distinct or separate pieces of information to form a complete whole in the form of a summary.

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2

Section B: Lexis and Structure

1 topic · 8 objectives
1

Lexis and Structure

8 content items · 8 objectives

Content

(a) Synonyms

Objective

(i) Identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts; and (ii) determine similar meanings of words.

Content

(b) Antonyms

Objective

(i) Identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts; and (ii) determine opposite meanings of words.

Content

(c) Clause and sentence patterns

Objective

(i) Identify various grammatical patterns in use; and (ii) interpret information conveyed in sentences.

Content

(d) Word classes and their functions

Objective

Identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts and identify their grammatical functions.

Content

(e) Mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement or concord, degree (positive, comparative and superlative), and question tags

Objective

Identify and apply various grammatical patterns correctly and interpret information conveyed in sentences.

Content

(f) Mechanics

Objective

Differentiate between correct and incorrect spellings and apply the conventions of written English.

Content

(g) Ordinary usage, figurative usage and idiomatic usage

Objective

Identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts.

Content

Note: Idioms to be tested are those that are formal and expressed in Standard British English (SBE).

Objective

Interpret idioms in accordance with formal Standard British English usage.

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3

Section C: Oral Forms

5 topics · 6 objectives
1

Vowels

1 content item · 1 objective

Content

(a) Vowels: monophthongs, diphthongs and triphthongs

Objective

(i) Make distinctions among vowel types; and (iii) identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech.

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2

Consonants

1 content item · 1 objective

Content

(b) Consonants, including consonant clusters

Objective

(ii) Differentiate among consonant types; and (iii) identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech.

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3

Rhymes

1 content item · 1 objective

Content

(c) Rhymes, including homophones

Objective

(iii) Identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech.

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4

Word Stress

1 content item · 1 objective

Content

(d) Word stress: monosyllabic and polysyllabic words

Objective

(iii) Identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech.

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5

Emphatic Stress

2 content items · 2 objectives

Content

(e) Emphatic stress in connected speech

Objective

(iii) Identify correct pronunciation of individual words and articulation of connected speech.

Content

Note: Emphatic stress involves the placement of stress on words in an utterance for the purpose of emphasis.

Objective

Recognise the placement of stress on words in an utterance for emphasis.

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4

Section D: Structure of the Examination

3 topics · 14 objectives
1

Comprehension and Summary Question Distribution

4 content items · 4 objectives

Content

(a) One comprehension passage – 5 questions

Objective

Answer questions testing comprehension of a passage.

Content

(b) One summary passage – 5 questions

Objective

Synthesize information from a passage and identify its main ideas.

Content

(c) One cloze passage – 10 questions

Objective

Use context and language knowledge to complete a passage accurately.

Content

(d) One reading text – 5 questions

Objective

Demonstrate understanding of the prescribed reading text.

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2

Lexis and Structure Question Distribution

4 content items · 4 objectives

Content

(a) Sentence interpretation – 5 questions

Objective

Interpret information conveyed in sentences.

Content

(b) Antonyms – 5 questions

Objective

Determine opposite meanings of words.

Content

(c) Synonyms – 5 questions

Objective

Determine similar meanings of words.

Content

(d) Basic grammar – 10 questions

Objective

Identify and apply grammatical rules and patterns correctly.

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3

Oral Forms Question Distribution

6 content items · 6 objectives

Content

(a) Vowels – 2 questions

Objective

Make distinctions among vowel types.

Content

(b) Consonants – 2 questions

Objective

Differentiate among consonant types.

Content

(c) Rhymes – 2 questions

Objective

Recognise rhymes and homophones.

Content

(d) Word stress – 2 questions

Objective

Identify correct word stress in monosyllabic and polysyllabic words.

Content

(e) Emphatic stress – 2 questions

Objective

Recognise emphatic stress in connected speech.

Content

Total examination questions: 60

Objective

The examination consists of 60 questions across Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms.

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Recommended texts

20 books listed by JAMB
  1. Adedimeji, M. A. (2021). Doses of Grammar. Patigi: Ahman Pategi University Press.
  2. Attah, M. O. (2013). Practice in Spoken English for Intermediate and Advanced Learners. Maiduguri: University of Maiduguri Press.
  3. Bamgbose, A. (2002). English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges (Revised Edition). Ibadan: Heinemann.
  4. Banjo, A., Adeniran, A., Akano, A. and Onoga, U. (2004). New Oxford Secondary English Course Book Six for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press Plc.
  5. Caesar, O. J. (2003). Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges. Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited.
  6. Jones, D. (2011). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  7. Egbe, D. I. (1996). Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills. Lagos: Tisons.
  8. Elugbe, B. (2000). Oral English for Schools and Colleges. Ibadan: Heinemann.
  9. Grant, N. J. H., Nnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D. (1998). Senior English Project 3 (New Edition). Harlow: Longman.
  10. Idowu, O. O., Sogbesan, T. S., Adofo, A. K., Burgess, D. F. and Burgess, L. J. (1998). Round-up English: A Complete Guide. Lagos: Longman.
  11. Idris, U. (2001). Oral English at Your Fingertips for Schools and Colleges. Lagos: M. Youngbrain Publishers.
  12. Igiligi, E. C. and Ogenyi, S. O. (2010). Grammar and Composition in the G.S.M. Age. Enugu: Joe Hills Production Services.
  13. Jauro, L. B. (2013). Oral English for Schools and Colleges: A Teaching and Learning Approach. Yola: Paraclete Publishers.
  14. Nnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D. (1989). Common Errors in English. Lagos: Longman.
  15. Obinna, M. F. (2001). University Matriculation Use of English (Fourth Edition). Port Harcourt: Sunray Books Limited.
  16. Ogunsanwo, O., Duruaku, A. B. C., Ezechukwu, J. and Nwachukwu, U. I. (2005). Countdown English Language (Revised Edition). Ibadan: Evans Brothers.
  17. Olatoye, S. (2006). The Silent Teacher. Ado-Ekiti: Segun and Sons Enterprises.
  18. Oluikpe, B. O. A., Nnaemeka, B. A., Obah, T. Y., Otagburuagu, E. J., Onuigbo, S. and Ogbonna, E. A. (1998). Intensive English for Senior Secondary School 3. Onitsha: Africana First Publishers.
  19. Tomori, S. H. O. (2000). Objective Tests for School Certificate English: Practice in Lexis, Structure and Idiom (Reprinted Edition). Ibadan: Heinemann.
  20. Ukwuegbu, C., Okoro, O., Idris, A. U., Okebukola, F. O. and Owokade, C. O. (2002). Catch-up English for SSCE/UME. Ibadan: Heinemann.