Oral Forms | Jamb Use of English Past Questions and Answers
Dear scholar,
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As you prepare for your JAMB (UTME) examination, it is essential to dedicate time to practicing past questions on Oral Forms. This section of the English Language paper tests your understanding of phonetics, stress, intonation, vowel and consonant sounds, rhymes, and word formations. Many students struggle with these aspects because they rely solely on textbooks without adequate exposure to actual JAMB-style questions. Practicing past questions will help you familiarize yourself with the pattern, structure, and common question types in this section.paragraph
By consistently reviewing past questions, you will develop a better grasp of how to recognize correct pronunciations, identify stressed syllables, and distinguish between similar-sounding words. This will also improve your ability to answer questions on intonation patterns and phonetic transcriptions, which are often tricky. Repetition and active practice will reinforce your knowledge and boost your confidence on exam day.paragraph
Additionally, working with past questions allows you to identify your weak areas and improve on them before the exam. Time yourself while practicing to improve speed and accuracy. You can also use online resources and listen to spoken English to enhance your comprehension of phonetics and oral communication. The more you engage with past questions, the better your chances of scoring high in this section.paragraph
Make it a habit to practice daily, and you will notice significant improvement. Remember, success in JAMB (UTME) requires both preparation and strategy. Start now, stay consistent, and give your best effort! Best of luck!paragraph
Blissful learning.
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Jamb (UTME) past questions and answers on Vowels (monothongs, diphthongs and triphthongs)
Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
-
Which of the following words contains the short vowel /ɪ/?
A. Seat
B. Bit
C. Bite
D. Beat
Answer: B -
Identify the word with the long vowel /u:/ sound.
A. Book
B. Look
C. Pool
D. Foot
Answer: C -
The vowel sound in "cat" is represented as
A. /ɒ/
B. /æ/
C. /e/
D. /ʌ/
Answer: B -
Which of these words contains the short vowel /ʌ/?
A. Cut
B. Cat
C. Cart
D. Court
Answer: A -
Which of these words contains a long vowel sound /ɔ:/?
A. Cot
B. Caught
C. Cut
D. Cat
Answer: B
Diphthongs (Combination of Two Vowel Sounds)
-
Which of the following contains the diphthong /aɪ/?
A. Face
B. Bite
C. Boat
D. Beer
Answer: B -
Identify the word that contains the diphthong /eɪ/.
A. Time
B. Place
C. Room
D. Got
Answer: B -
The correct phonetic representation of the vowel sound in "boy" is
A. /aʊ/
B. /ɔɪ/
C. /eɪ/
D. /ɪə/
Answer: B -
Which diphthong is present in the word "house"?
A. /aɪ/
B. /aʊ/
C. /eɪ/
D. /ɔɪ/
Answer: B -
Which of these words contains the diphthong /əʊ/?
A. Now
B. Boat
C. Bite
D. Bed
Answer: B
Triphthongs (Combination of Three Vowel Sounds)
-
Which of these words contains a triphthong?
A. Player
B. Dog
C. Boat
D. Sit
Answer: A -
The triphthong sound in "fire" is represented as
A. /aɪə/
B. /aʊə/
C. /eɪə/
D. /ɔɪə/
Answer: A -
Which of the following contains a triphthong?
A. Power
B. Pool
C. Pot
D. Pin
Answer: A -
Which word contains the triphthong /eɪə/?
A. Mayor
B. Chair
C. Car
D. Cake
Answer: A -
The phonetic transcription /aʊə/ can be found in the word
A. Hour
B. Hire
C. Player
D. Chair
Answer: A
General Questions on Vowel Sounds
-
How many monophthongs are present in English?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 12
D. 20
Answer: C -
Which of the following diphthongs is known as a closing diphthong?
A. /eə/
B. /aɪ/
C. /ɪə/
D. /ʊə/
Answer: B -
The word "dear" contains which vowel sound?
A. /ɪə/
B. /aʊ/
C. /eɪ/
D. /ɔɪ/
Answer: A -
The word "coin" has which vowel sound?
A. /ɔɪ/
B. /aʊ/
C. /eɪ/
D. /ɪə/
Answer: A -
The triphthong /aɪə/ is found in which of these words?
A. Fire
B. Tower
C. Toy
D. Boot
Answer: A
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Jamb (utme) past questions and answers on consonants
General Consonant Sounds
-
How many consonant sounds are in the English language?
A. 20
B. 24
C. 26
D. 22
Answer: B -
Which of the following words begins with a voiceless consonant sound?
A. Zebra
B. Church
C. Goat
D. Ball
Answer: B -
The consonant sound /ʃ/ can be found in which of the following words?
A. Ship
B. Chop
C. Job
D. Zip
Answer: A -
The word "phone" begins with which consonant sound?
A. /p/
B. /f/
C. /v/
D. /t/
Answer: B -
Which of the following words contains a voiced consonant sound?
A. Thin
B. Ship
C. That
D. Fish
Answer: C
Consonant Clusters
-
A consonant cluster is defined as
A. Two or more vowel sounds occurring together
B. Two or more consonant sounds occurring together
C. A silent consonant in a word
D. A single consonant sound at the beginning of a word
Answer: B -
Which of the following words has an initial consonant cluster?
A. Stay
B. Open
C. Apple
D. Iron
Answer: A -
Identify the word that contains a final consonant cluster.
A. Truck
B. Apple
C. House
D. Oven
Answer: A -
Which of the following words contains a three-consonant cluster at the beginning?
A. Strong
B. Clap
C. Sink
D. Play
Answer: A -
In which of these words do we have a final three-consonant cluster?
A. Help
B. Asked
C. Train
D. Time
Answer: B
Voicing and Place of Articulation
-
Which of the following sounds is a bilabial consonant?
A. /m/
B. /s/
C. /z/
D. /ʃ/
Answer: A -
The consonant /tʃ/ as in "church" is classified as
A. Fricative
B. Affricate
C. Nasal
D. Glide
Answer: B -
Which of the following words contains a nasal consonant?
A. Pat
B. Bit
C. Mat
D. Fit
Answer: C -
The word "thing" contains which type of consonant sound?
A. Voiced dental fricative
B. Voiceless dental fricative
C. Voiced velar plosive
D. Voiceless bilabial plosive
Answer: B -
The glottal consonant /h/ is found in which of the following words?
A. Ring
B. House
C. Game
D. Think
Answer: B
Pronunciation and Phonetic Representation
-
Which of these words has the same final consonant sound as "laugh"?
A. Enough
B. Rough
C. Tough
D. All of the above
Answer: D -
The initial sound in "queue" is the same as in
A. King
B. Chin
C. Cat
D. Quilt
Answer: C -
Identify the word with a silent consonant.
A. Knock
B. Brown
C. Black
D. Plane
Answer: A -
Which of the following words has an intrusive consonant?
A. Drawing
B. Silent
C. Open
D. Elephant
Answer: A -
The word "psychology" has a silent
A. P
B. S
C. Y
D. G
Answer: A
Jamb (utme) past questions and answers on Rhymes (including homophones)
Rhymes
-
Which of the following words rhymes with "light"?
A. Bit
B. Kite
C. Lit
D. Sit
Answer: B -
Identify the word that rhymes with "round".
A. Sound
B. Found
C. Bound
D. All of the above
Answer: D -
Which of these words does not rhyme with the others?
A. Tree
B. See
C. Free
D. Eye
Answer: D -
The word "gate" rhymes with
A. Hate
B. Set
C. Mate
D. Both A and C
Answer: D -
Identify the odd word that does not rhyme with the others.
A. Cool
B. Fool
C. Tool
D. Doll
Answer: D
Homophones (Words that Sound Alike but Have Different Meanings)
-
Which of the following words is a homophone of "right"?
A. Write
B. Rate
C. Rite
D. Both A and C
Answer: D -
Identify the correct homophone pair.
A. Son – Sun
B. Sea – See
C. Their – There
D. All of the above
Answer: D -
The homophone for "bare" is
A. Bear
B. Beer
C. Bore
D. Beard
Answer: A -
Choose the correct homophone for "flour".
A. Flower
B. Flow
C. Floor
D. Flyer
Answer: A -
Which of these is a homophone of "peace"?
A. Peas
B. Piece
C. Pierce
D. Pass
Answer: B
Words with Similar but Not Exact Rhymes
-
The word "move" almost rhymes with
A. Love
B. Groove
C. Prove
D. Both B and C
Answer: D -
Which word has a near rhyme with "word"?
A. Heard
B. Cord
C. Sword
D. Lord
Answer: A -
Identify the word that does not rhyme with "knew".
A. Blue
B. You
C. Few
D. Know
Answer: D -
Which of these words does not share the same ending sound?
A. High
B. Sky
C. Lie
D. Pay
Answer: D -
The word "though" rhymes with
A. Toe
B. Through
C. Rough
D. Thought
Answer: A
Application of Rhymes in Sentences
-
Which of these words best rhymes with "said"?
A. Red
B. Read
C. Bed
D. Both A and C
Answer: D -
The word "sight" rhymes with
A. Cite
B. Site
C. Both A and B
D. Side
Answer: C -
Choose the word that does not rhyme with "rain".
A. Main
B. Gain
C. Lane
D. Ran
Answer: D -
Which of these words is a homophone of "hole"?
A. Whole
B. Hall
C. Heel
D. Held
Answer: A -
Which of these pairs consists of true rhyming words?
A. Boat – Bought
B. Write – Right
C. Look – Book
D. None of the above
Answer: C
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jamb (utme) past questions and answer on Monosyllabic Words (One-Syllable Words)
-
In monosyllabic words, stress is usually placed on
A. The first syllable
B. The last syllable
C. The only syllable
D. The middle syllable
Answer: C -
Which of the following words is monosyllabic?
A. Market
B. Run
C. Teacher
D. Open
Answer: B -
Which of these words has only one syllable?
A. Chair
B. Office
C. Window
D. Doctor
Answer: A -
Identify the monosyllabic word in the list.
A. Love
B. Running
C. Enjoy
D. Mother
Answer: A -
Which of these words is not monosyllabic?
A. Seat
B. Book
C. Nation
D. Walk
Answer: C
Polysyllabic Words (Multiple Syllables and Stress Placement)
-
In a polysyllabic word, primary stress is usually placed on
A. Any syllable
B. The last syllable
C. The most prominent syllable
D. The first syllable only
Answer: C -
Which syllable is stressed in the word "education"?
A. First (ED-u-ca-tion)
B. Second (ed-U-ca-tion)
C. Third (ed-u-CA-tion)
D. Fourth (ed-u-ca-TION)
Answer: C -
The primary stress in "controversy" falls on
A. First syllable (CON-tro-ver-sy)
B. Second syllable (con-TRO-ver-sy)
C. Third syllable (con-tro-VER-sy)
D. Fourth syllable (con-tro-ver-SY)
Answer: B -
Which syllable is stressed in "important"?
A. First (IM-por-tant)
B. Second (im-POR-tant)
C. Third (im-por-TANT)
D. No stress
Answer: B -
The correct stressed syllable in "examination" is
A. First (EX-a-mi-na-tion)
B. Second (ex-A-mi-na-tion)
C. Third (ex-a-MI-na-tion)
D. Fourth (ex-a-mi-NA-tion)
Answer: D
Word Stress in Common English Words
-
The correct stressed syllable in "photograph" is
A. First (PHO-to-graph)
B. Second (pho-TO-graph)
C. Third (pho-to-GRAPH)
D. No stress
Answer: A -
In the word "develop", stress falls on
A. First syllable (DE-vel-op)
B. Second syllable (de-VEL-op)
C. Third syllable (de-vel-OP)
D. No stress
Answer: B -
Identify the correct stress pattern for "academic".
A. First (AC-a-dem-ic)
B. Second (ac-A-dem-ic)
C. Third (ac-a-DEM-ic)
D. Fourth (ac-a-dem-IC)
Answer: C -
Which syllable is stressed in "economy"?
A. First (EC-o-no-my)
B. Second (ec-O-no-my)
C. Third (ec-o-NO-my)
D. Fourth (ec-o-no-MY)
Answer: B -
The correct stressed syllable in "industry" is
A. First (IN-dus-try)
B. Second (in-DUS-try)
C. Third (in-dus-TRY)
D. No stress
Answer: A
Word Stress in Derived Words
-
The stress pattern of "democracy" is
A. First (DE-moc-ra-cy)
B. Second (de-MOC-ra-cy)
C. Third (de-moc-RA-cy)
D. Fourth (de-moc-ra-CY)
Answer: B -
The stress pattern of "electricity" is
A. First (E-lec-tri-ci-ty)
B. Second (e-LEC-tri-ci-ty)
C. Third (e-lec-TRI-ci-ty)
D. Fourth (e-lec-tri-CI-ty)
Answer: C -
Which of these words has primary stress on the first syllable?
A. Computer
B. Manager
C. Relaxation
D. Engineer
Answer: B -
The primary stress in "recommend" is on
A. First (RE-com-mend)
B. Second (re-COM-mend)
C. Third (re-com-MEND)
D. Fourth (re-com-mend-ED)
Answer: C -
Which of these words has stress on the last syllable?
A. Advice
B. Holiday
C. Family
D. Teacher
Answer: A
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Understanding Emphatic Stress
-
Emphatic stress is used to
A. Change the meaning of a sentence
B. Indicate where a sentence starts
C. Ignore certain words
D. Reduce the length of speech
Answer: A -
Emphatic stress in a sentence is usually placed on
A. Prepositions
B. Articles
C. Important words for contrast
D. Pronouns
Answer: C -
Which of the following sentences has the correct emphasis?
A. She DID travel to Lagos.
B. SHE did travel to Lagos.
C. She did travel TO Lagos.
D. She did travel to LAGOS.
Answer: A -
Identify the word that is emphasized in the response:
Statement: John borrowed some money from the bank.
Response: No, John stole some money from the bank.
A. John
B. Stole
C. Some
D. Money
Answer: B -
Identify the correct contrastive stress in the response:
Statement: My brother bought a car yesterday.
Response: No, he bought a motorcycle yesterday.
A. Brother
B. Bought
C. Car
D. Motorcycle
Answer: D
Emphatic Stress in Different Contexts
-
Identify the word that is stressed in the response:
Statement: I saw the movie yesterday.
Response: No, you saw the movie today.
A. Saw
B. Movie
C. Yesterday
D. Today
Answer: D -
Which of the following sentences contradicts the statement?
Statement: James found the book on the table.
A. No, he found the bag on the table.
B. No, James lost the book on the table.
C. No, James found the book under the table.
D. No, James wrote the book on the table.
Answer: C -
Choose the appropriate contrastive stress in the response:
Statement: The teacher asked us to write a letter.
Response: No, she asked us to write an essay.
A. Teacher
B. Write
C. Letter
D. Essay
Answer: D -
Identify the emphasized word:
Statement: We will meet at 4 p.m.
Response: No, we will leave at 4 p.m.
A. We
B. Meet
C. Leave
D. 4 p.m.
Answer: C -
Identify the contrastive stress:
Statement: The package was delivered by bike.
Response: No, it was delivered by car.
A. Package
B. Delivered
C. Bike
D. Car
Answer: D
Applying Emphatic Stress in Conversations
-
Which word is emphasized in the response?
Statement: She is traveling to Canada next week.
Response: No, she is traveling to Australia next week.
A. Traveling
B. Canada
C. Next
D. Australia
Answer: D -
Which of these words would be stressed in the sentence?
"I never SAW him at the party."
A. I
B. Never
C. Saw
D. Party
Answer: C -
Choose the word that is emphasized in the response:
Statement: The seminar will take place on Monday.
Response: No, it will take place on Tuesday.
A. Seminar
B. Monday
C. Take
D. Tuesday
Answer: D -
Identify the emphasized word in the response:
Statement: The bank opens at 9 a.m.
Response: No, it opens at 8 a.m.
A. Bank
B. Opens
C. 9 a.m.
D. 8 a.m.
Answer: D -
Choose the word that is stressed in the response:
Statement: She cooked rice for dinner.
Response: No, she cooked pasta for dinner.
A. She
B. Cooked
C. Rice
D. Pasta
Answer: D
Testing Understanding of Emphatic Stress
-
In the sentence "He WANTS to travel to Canada.", the stressed word implies
A. He desires to travel
B. He is traveling now
C. He refuses to travel
D. He has traveled before
Answer: A -
What does the emphasis in "I WROTE the letter." suggest?
A. Someone else wrote the letter
B. The letter was typed
C. The letter was lost
D. The letter was ignored
Answer: A -
Identify the word that should be stressed for emphasis:
"The MEETING starts at 10 a.m."
A. The
B. Meeting
C. Starts
D. 10 a.m.
Answer: B -
Choose the word that should be emphasized in the response:
Statement: I think Jane failed the test.
Response: No, she actually passed the test.
A. Jane
B. Failed
C. Actually
D. Passed
Answer: D -
Identify the stressed word in the sentence:
"I BOUGHT a new phone yesterday."
A. I
B. Bought
C. Phone
D. Yesterday
Answer: B
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