English Language past questions: NECO SSCE 2004

39 objective questions, with answers. Free to read and practise.

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39 questions, one at a time, marked as you go or at the end. No account needed.

1.
Choose from the option letter A to E the one that contains the sound segment represented by the given phonetic symbol . /g/
1. A.biology
2. B.king
3. C.resign
4. D.sign
5. E.signature
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Answer: E signature
2.
Choose from the option letter A to E the one that contains the sound segment represented by the given phonetic symbol . /ɪə/
1. A.plain
2. B.slain
3. C.spare
4. D.speak
5. E.spear
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Answer: E spear
3.
Choose from the option lettered A to E the question that is best answered by the statement containing the stressed word which is written in CAPITAL letter(s). JANE is writing examination this year.
1. A.is Jane writing six examinations this year?
2. B.is Jane writing four examinations next year?
3. C.is Andrew writing an examination this year?
4. D.Was Jane writing four examinations last year?
5. E.is Jane's writing four examinations this week?
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Answer: C is Andrew writing an examination this year?
4.
Choose from the option lettered A to E the question that is best answered by the statement containing the stressed word which is written in CAPITAL letter(s). Paul is the DIRECTOR of this club.
1. A.Was Paul the director of this club?
2. B.is Paul the director of that club?
3. C.is Paula director of this club?
4. D.is Paul the founder of this club?
5. E.Was Paul the owner of this house?
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Answer: D is Paul the founder of this club?
5.
Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that has a different stress pattern from the other four. A. administration B. participation C. temperamental D. consideration E. civilization
1. A.C
2. B.E
3. C.D
4. D.B
5. E.A
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Answer: A C
6.
Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word John is a very industrious man though people think he is____________
1. A.dull
2. B.indifferent
3. C.ineffective
4. D.inefficient
5. E.idle
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Answer: E idle
7.
Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word People who are sensitive to the sufferings of others are more likeable than those who are
1. A.avaricious
2. B.blunt
3. C.callous
4. D.sadistic
5. E.vivacious
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Answer: C callous
8.
Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word The climate of the southern part of Nigeria is severe
1. A.excruciating
2. B.harsh
3. C.hostile
4. D.mild
5. E.rough
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Answer: D mild
9.
Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word The headmaster used to be very rigid in his opinion but now he has become more experienced and_________ of other people's views
1. A.Antagonistic
2. B.critical
3. C.flexible
4. D.tolerant
5. E.unyielding
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Answer: C flexible
10.
Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that is nearest in Meaning to the underlined words or expressions in the following questions The voice of the best singer reverberated across the room.
1. A.re-appeared
2. B.re-bounced
3. C.re-echoed
4. D.renounced
5. E.resonated
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Answer: C re-echoed
11.
Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that is nearest in Meaning to the underlined words or expressions in the following questions. Most fixed assets do not depreciate easily.
1. A.appreciate
2. B.decay
3. C.degenerate
4. D.devaluate
5. E.improve
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Answer: D devaluate
12.
Choose from the options lettered A to E the one that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). bar
1. A.comb
2. B.lamb
3. C.plumber
4. D.stab
5. E.tomb
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Answer: D stab
13.
Choose from the options lettered A to E the one that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). mutton
1. A.bitten
2. B.commotion
3. C.dean
4. D.kettle
5. E.ton
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Answer: A bitten
14.
Choose from the options lettered A to E the one that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). vice
1. A.cat
2. B.chalk
3. C.dot
4. D.dress
5. E.show
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Answer: D dress
15.
Choose from the options lettered A to E the one that has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). wing
1. A.line
2. B.pant
3. C.rake
4. D.wink
5. E.wind
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Answer: D wink
16.
Choose from the options lettered A to E the one that rhymes with the word given. reverse
1. A.rehearse
2. B.reverts
3. C.revise
4. D.review
5. E.reserve
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Answer: C revise
17.
Choose from the options lettered A to E, the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). Burst
1. A.bed
2. B.best
3. C.bird
4. D.must
5. E.thorn
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Answer: C bird
18.
Choose from the options lettered A to E, the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). Chair
1. A.are
2. B.beer
3. C.face
4. D.home
5. E.mayor
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Answer: E mayor
19.
Choose from the options lettered A to E, the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). Cure
1. A.door
2. B.fire
3. C.here
4. D.our
5. E.spare
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Answer: D our
20.
Choose from the options lettered A to E, the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). Nose
1. A.blow
2. B.horn
3. C.horse
4. D.noose
5. E.nurse
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Answer: A blow
21.
Choose from the options lettered A to E, the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). Tailor
1. A.beaten
2. B.ever
3. C.pen
4. D.when
5. E.work
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Answer: B ever
22.
Choose from the options lettered A to E, the one that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). Toe
1. A.boil
2. B.no
3. C.now
4. D.side
5. E.towel
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Answer: B no
23.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that meet appropriately completes each sentence Each of the authors received .................... royalties
1. A.his
2. B.our
3. C.their
4. D.there
5. E.those
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Answer: A his
24.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that meet appropriately completes each sentence In Lagos, one can easily be held .......... by traffic for hours.
1. A.About
2. B.down
3. C.off
4. D.out
5. E.up
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Answer: E up
25.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that meet appropriately completes each sentence Sekinatu is the .......... of the two sisters
1. A.more wiser
2. B.Most wise
3. C.wise
4. D.wiser
5. E.wisest
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Answer: D wiser
26.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that meet appropriately completes each sentence The Governor was .......... hasty in his economic policy.
1. A.Enough
2. B.more
3. C.somewhat
4. D.somewhere
5. E.such
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Answer: C somewhat
27.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that meet appropriately completes each sentence We all expected him to pull .......... his illness soon
1. A.away
2. B.in
3. C.off
4. D.over
5. E.through
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Answer: E through
28.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that meet appropriately completes each sentence You sometimes put me .......... by your rash behavior.
1. A.About
2. B.around
3. C.off
4. D.on
5. E.out
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Answer: C off
29.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that most appropriately completes each sentence I prefer Mathematics .......... English Language.
1. A.from
2. B.for
3. C.rather
4. D.than
5. E.to
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Answer: E to
30.
Choose from the options lettered A-E the one that mostt appropriately completes each sentence The principal gave us notice for the .................... meeting
1. A.Parent - Teachers Association
2. B.Parent- Teacher Association
3. C.Parents-Teachers Association
4. D.Parents - Teacher Associations
5. E.Parents- teachers Associations
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Answer: B Parent- Teacher Association
31.
Choose from the options lettered AE the one that meet appropriately completes each sentence To avoid a clash between the two factions, the meeting was___________
1. A.called off
2. B.called up
3. C.broken down
4. D.dropped off
5. E.pushed off
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Answer: A called off
32.
Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate of the following questions (Nos 21-30) The President promised not to introduce any belt-tightening measures this year. This means the year will be less stressful
1. A.culturally
2. B.Economically
3. C.educationally
4. D.politically
5. E.socially
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Answer: B Economically
33.
Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate of the following questions By studying and participating extensively in social activities on the campus. Adamu appeared to be biting more than he can chew. This means Adamu was
1. A.attempting too much
2. B.becoming a glutton
3. C.becoming popular
4. D.being sociable
5. E.getting over-ambitious
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Answer: A attempting too much
34.
Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate of the following questions The cashier decided to alter the records in order to feather his own nest. This means that he tried to
1. A.always wear feathered caps
2. B.build a big house
3. C.deceive his colleagues
4. D.make himself rich
5. E.make the records clear
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Answer: D make himself rich
35.
Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate of the following questions The government gave deaf ear to the demands of the opposition. This means the government.
1. A.accepted the demands of the opposition
2. B.desired cutting the ears of the opposition
3. C.gave its ears to the opposition
4. D.ade the opposition deaf
5. E.refused to listen to the demands of the opposition
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Answer: E refused to listen to the demands of the opposition
36.
Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate of the following questions The trader wanted to pull wool over my face. This means the trader wanted to
1. A.cover my face with wool
2. B.deceive me in order to cheat me
3. C.ensure my patronage
4. D.make me pay wrong amounts
5. E.sell fake goods to me
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Answer: B deceive me in order to cheat me
37.
Complete each the following statements with the most; appropriate of option lettered A-E The explanation by the Finance Minister on the budget wasn't__________ to the journalists
1. A.Excusable
2. B.penetrating
3. C.plausible
4. D.possible
5. E.relevant
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Answer: C plausible
38.
Use from the options lettered A - E the one that has the correct stress with the word given. In each word only one syllable has the main/primary stress and the syllable is written in capital letters. civilization
1. A.CI-vi-li-za-tion
2. B.ci-Vl-li-za-tion
3. C.ci-vi-LI-za-tion
4. D.ci-vi-li-ZA-tion
5. E.CI-vi-za-TION
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Answer: D ci-vi-li-ZA-tion
39.
Use from the options lettered A - E the one that has the correct stress with the word given. In each word only one syllable has the main/primary stress and the syllable is written in capital letters. unreasonable
1. A.UN-re-so-na-ble
2. B.un-REA-so-na-ble
3. C.un-rea-SO-na-ble
4. D.un- rea-so NA-ble
5. E.un-rea-so-na-BLE
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Answer: B un-REA-so-na-ble

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