English Language JAMB, WAEC, NECO AND NABTEB Official Past Questions

 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

      Although world agencies have made numerous efforts to stop malnutrition, achievements have fallen short of hope For example, in 1996 the United Nations set the goal of reducing by half the number of the world’s undernourished some 400 million people – by the year 2015. Commendably, some progress has been made. But the report of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nation for 2001 acknowledges that unfortunately there has been a slowdown in the projection, and that the number of undernourished people has actually increased considerably in the majority of developing countries.

      Malnutrition is usually triggered by a combination of two factors, namely: an insufficient intake of proteins, calories vitamins, and minerals, and frequent infections. Such illness as diarrhoea, measles, malaria, and respiratory disease tax the body heavily and cause loss of nutrients. They reduce appetite and food intake, thus contributing to malnutrition. The undernourished child is in turn more susceptible to infections. Thus a vicious circle is formed that increases the mortally rates for protein-energy malnutrition. Children are at greater risk of suffering malnutrition because they are in a period of rapid growth that increases the demand for calories and proteins. For similar reasons, pregnant and nursing women are vulnerable to malnutrition.

      Malnutrition has far-reaching effects. First, it wreaks havoc on the body, particularly that of a child. Every organ and system – including the heart, kidneys, stomach, intestines, lungs, and brain – may be affected. Various studies have shown that poor growth in a child is closely associated with impaired mental development and poor scholastic and intellectual performance. Secondly. for children who survive malnutrition, the aftermath can linger on into adulthood. Recent research relates undernourishment in infancy to a tendency towards such chronic illnesses in adulthood as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

      How can children be best protected from malnutrition? it is essential to improve the diet of the mother. Pregnant and nursing women need to consume more calories and proteins. Proteins in particular help in the production of the mother’s milk. So when there is little food, preference should be given to women of childbearing age and to little children. Secondly, in almost all cases, the best possible food for a baby is its mother’s milk. This is especially so during the first days after birth because mother’s milk contains antibodies that protect the baby from infection. During the first four months or so, breast milk provides all the nutrients that the baby needs in order to grow and develop properly. But breastfeeding should be continued for as long as necessary, which could be up to two years. And after the baby is weaned, the greatest possible variety of foods in different combinations should be introduced to provide nutrients that protect the baby. The mother should focus on providing the child with good-quality food. neither forcing the child to eat after it is full nor withholding food from the child when it appears to want more.

(a) In one sentence summarize the causes of malnutrition

(b) In two sentences, one for each. summarize the two major effects of malnutrition.

(c) In three sentences, one for each summarize the three preventive measures against malnutrition recommended in the passage

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

      Children today are being hurried through childhood, rushed into taking on adult tasks at a very early age. Granted that the effects are not always so dramatic or so tragic, they can be profound and long lasting Parents are understandably eager to see their children succeed. When that eagerness turns into anxiety. parents may overload their children, pushing them too hard too soon. For instance it is becoming increasingly common for parents to enroll young children in after-school activities. Often, special tutoring is added.

      Of course, it is not wrong to encourage a child’s talents or interests. There is a danger of excess when some children seem to have as many pressures as harried adults do. Before their children are born, parents are already enrolling them in preschool, hoping to improve their prospects of success. In some countries, children are assessed for reading and Mathematics skills before they are six years old. Such practices have raised concern about emotional damage. Many parents seem to think it normal. even advisable, to teach their children that winning is everything.

      Some parents work extremely hard to provide every possible material comfort for the children, believing that they are working to ensure their children’s happiness – but they may well be doing the opposite. Often, more than a few children raised this way are involved in drinking, drugs and sullen rebellious behaviour as many fume with resentment because they feel neglected. The children often pay a high price. Although they may have many material luxuries, they lack the most essential ingredients of a good childhood: parental attention and love. Without guidance. discipline and direction they face adult questions too soon, with little or no preparation. They will likely obtain their own answers from peers or TV or movie characters. The results often bring childhood to an abrupt, even tragic end. Without a doubt, rushing children through childhood is a dangerous practice that should be avoided.  

(a) Why do parents rush their children through childhood?

(b) Give two examples of how parents rush their children through childhood.

(c) State two sad effects of bringing up children in extreme luxury.

(d) Why do children raised in luxury become angry?

(e) What is ironical about parents’ efforts to make their children happy?

(f) “the children often pay a high price”. What is the meaning of this expression?

(g) “Although they may have many material luxuries …”

(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage?

(ii) What is its function?

(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage: (i) effects (ii) eager (iii) prospects (iv) raised (v) essential (vi) resentment.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

      Late one night Mr. Oliver was returning to his school on the outskirts of the hill station of Simla. He had been teaching in this school for many years. A bachelor, he usually strolled into the town in the evening, returning after dark. when he would take a short cut through a pine forest. Whenever there was strong wind, the pine trees made moaning, eerie sounds that kept most people to the main road. But Mr. Oliver was not a nervous or imaginative man.

      He carried a torch on this particular night and its pale gleam – the batteries were running down moved fitfully Over the narrow forest path. When its flickering light fell on the figure of a boy who was sitting alone on a rock. Mr. Oliver stopped. Boys were not supposed to be out of school after 7 p.m.. and it was now well past nine.

      “What are you doing out here, boy?” asked Mr. Oliver sharply, moving closer so that he could recognize the miscreant. But as he approached the boy, he sensed that something was wrong. The boy speared to be crying. His head hung down, he held his face in his hand and his body shook convulsively. It was a strange soundless weeping, and Mr. Oliver felt quite uneasy.

      “Well, what’s the matter?” he asked. his anger giving way to concern. “What are you crying for’?” The boy would not answer or look up. His body continued to be rocked with silent sobbing. “Come on, boy, you shouldn’t be out here at this hour. Tell me the trouble. Look up.” The boy looked up. He took his hands from his face and looked up at his teacher. The light from Mr. Oliver’s torch fell on the boy’s face, if it could be called a face.

      He had no eyes, ears, nose or mouth. It was just a round smooth head with a school cap on top of it, and that’s where the story should have ended, as indeed it has for several people who have had similar experiences and drop dead of unexplainable heart attack. But for Mr. Oliver. it did not end here.

      The torch fell from his trembling hand. He turned and scrambled down the path. running blindly through the trees and calling for help. He was still running towards the school building when he saw a lantern swinging in the middle of the path. Mr. Oliver had never before been so pleased to see the night watchman. He stumbled up to the watchman, gasping for breath and speaking incoherently. “What is it, Sahib?” asked the watchman “Has there been an accident? Why are you running?”

      “I saw something – something horrible – a boy weeping in the forest, and he had no face!” No face, Sahib?” “No eyes, nose, mouth, nothing!” “Do you mean it was like this, Sahib?” asked the watchman and raised the lamp to his own face. The watchman had no eyes, no ears, no features at all, not even an eyebrow. The wind blew the light out, and Mr. Oliver had his heart attack …

(a) Why did Mr Oliver take the pine forest route to his school?

(b) What did Mr. Oliver think when he first saw the `boy’?

(c) What was the first indication to Mr. Oliver that all was not well?

(d) What did the night watchman turn out to be?

(e) Mr. Oliver had never before been so pleased to see the night watchman. What is ironical about this sentence in the light of the rest of the story?

(f) “Do you mean it was like this, Sahib?” What does “this” refer to?

(g) ” who have had similar experiences and dropped dead of unexplainable heart attack.”

(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage? (ii) What is its function?

(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage: (i) miscreant (ii) sensed (iii) concern (iv) rocked (v) scrambled.

Write a story to illustrate the saying: As one makes one’s bed, so one must lie on it

You have been invited to take part in an inter-school debate, the topic of which is: Schooling in a village is more advantageous than schooling in a city. Write your speech for or against the motion.

Write a letter to the chairman of the P.T.A. of your school suggesting three ways in which parents can work together with the teachers to create a better learning environment in the school.

 The rising cost of tertiary education in your country has become a serious problem. Write an article for publication in a national newspaper discussing this problem and suggesting measures that could be adopted to deal with it.

The government of your country has recently introduced a new means of communication which has had many positive effects on the lives of the majority of the people. Write a letter to your brother who is away from the country, stating how it has affected the lives of your people.

In question numbered 100 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 99 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 98 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 97 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 96 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 95 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 94 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 93 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 92 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 91 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 90 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 89 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.

In question numbered 88 above, choose the best option from letters A – D that best completes the gap.