Straight from our free JAMB paper (Use Of English 2004).
No sign-up needed to try. Pick an answer and you will see why it is right.
Question 1 of 4
1. The phrase 'near neighbour', as used in the passage, shows that
Answer: the earth is nearer to the moon than to the sun
The phrase 'near neighbour' describes the proximity of the earth to the moon. The passage describes the earth as the moon's 'near neighbour', indicating that the moon is closer to the earth than to the sun. The other options distort the meaning by linking it to light characteristics or shared boundaries, which the passage does not suggest.
Question 2 of 4
2. The passage suggests that a blue moon is a
Answer: rare phenomenon
The passage opens with 'If, once in a lifetime, you see a blue moon', clearly indicating that it is something that happens very rarely — once in a lifetime. This makes it a rare phenomenon. It is not a regular event, a trick, or a life-long opportunity.
Question 3 of 4
3. The sentence 'over the centuries, magical powers have been attributed to the moon' suggests that
Answer: it is a common belief that the moon has magical powers
The word 'attributed' means assigned or ascribed by people — not proven to actually exist. The sentence describes a widespread popular belief held over centuries, not a confirmed fact. The moon does not actually possess magical powers; people have only believed it does, making option B the correct interpretation.
Question 4 of 4
4. The expression 'either quest' refers to the origin of
Answer: the moon or the earth
The passage discusses two unsolved mysteries: the origin of the moon and the origin of the earth. 'Scientists will never give up either quest' refers to both of these ongoing scientific pursuits. 'Either' encompasses both — they will not give up searching for the origin of the moon OR the earth.
That was 4 questions. A full JAMB paper is 40, timed, and scored the same way — with the reasoning on every answer.
