JAMB and WAEC English Language questions: Idioms and figurative expressions

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1. Question 1· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'The agreement was signed at the eleventh hour' means it was signed

   • Aat the last possible moment
   • Bat 11 o'clock
   • Cvery early
   • Dafter a long delay

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2. Question 2· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'Kunle is feeling under the weather today' means that he is

   • Aoutside in the rain
   • Bslightly unwell
   • Cvery happy
   • Dangry

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3. Question 3· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   The expression in capitals means: For Halima, the spelling test was A PIECE OF CAKE.

   • Awell organised
   • Bvery difficult
   • Ctoo long
   • Dvery easy

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4. Question 4· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'The farmland has become a bone of contention' means that the land is

   • Athe subject of a dispute
   • Bfull of bones
   • Cvery fertile
   • Dfor sale

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5. Question 5· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: Winning the national quiz was A FEATHER IN KEMI'S CAP.

   • Aa source of shame
   • Ban achievement to be proud of
   • Ca lucky surprise
   • Da cash reward

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6. Question 6· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   The expression in capitals means: The quarrel over the new uniform was just A STORM IN A TEACUP.

   • Aa tea party
   • Ba serious crisis
   • Cheavy rain
   • Da lot of fuss about something unimportant

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7. Question 7· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   The expression in capitals means: The two companies decided to BURY THE HATCHET.

   • Afight harder
   • Bhide their weapons
   • Cend their quarrel
   • Dmerge secretly

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8. Question 8· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'Kemi got cold feet on her wedding day' means that she

   • Abecame nervous and lost her courage
   • Bfelt cold
   • Cran away barefoot
   • Dfell ill

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9. Question 9· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: We must not BURY OUR HEADS IN THE SAND over the flooding problem.

   • Asolve it quickly
   • Bquarrel about it
   • Cignore it
   • Drun away from it

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10. Question 10· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    The expression in capitals means: The new law is A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD.

    • Aa popular rule
    • Ba dangerous weapon
    • Can unfair law
    • Dsomething with both good and bad effects

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11. Question 11· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'After three defeats, the boxer threw in the towel' means that he

    • Achanged his coach
    • Bcleaned the ring
    • Cwon the match
    • Dgave up

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12. Question 12· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    The expression in capitals means: The politician's promises turned out to be CASTLES IN THE AIR.

    • Aunrealistic plans
    • Bsolid achievements
    • Cold buildings
    • Dsecret plots

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13. Question 13· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    The expression in capitals means: News of the strike SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE.

    • Aspread very quickly
    • Bspread slowly
    • Ccaused fires
    • Dwas false

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14. Question 14· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    The expression in capitals means: Emeka always BEATS ABOUT THE BUSH when asked about money.

    • Aworks very hard
    • Bavoids coming to the point
    • Cgoes farming
    • Dspeaks clearly

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15. Question 15· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'The quarrel was a storm in a teacup' means that it was

    • Aa dispute over tea
    • Ba violent storm
    • Ca big fuss about something unimportant
    • Da serious crisis

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16. Question 16· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: The two brothers are AT LOGGERHEADS over their late father's land.

    • Ain agreement
    • Bin court
    • Cin serious dispute
    • Din partnership

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17. Question 17· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    The expression in capitals means: The prefect was asked to FACE THE MUSIC after the incident.

    • Acelebrate
    • Bsing in the choir
    • Crun away
    • Daccept punishment for his actions

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18. Question 18· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: The pickpocket TOOK TO HIS HEELS when he saw the police.

    • Aran away
    • Bfell down
    • Csurrendered
    • Dhid quietly

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19. Question 19· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'There is no use crying over spilt milk' means that

    • Awe should buy more milk
    • Bmilk should not be wasted
    • Ccrying is unhealthy
    • Dit is pointless to regret what cannot be changed

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20. Question 20· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    The expression in capitals means: The new prefect is A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.

    • Aa strict but fair person
    • Ba timid person
    • Ca prefect who dresses well
    • Da dangerous person who seems harmless

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