JAMB Syllabus for Use of English & Recommended Textbooks 2024/2025

The JAMB Use of English syllabus is the topic you must study for the UTME examination.

Using the JAMB syllabus to study for your examination is the secret to getting a high score.

The JAMB Use of English syllabus also contains objectives for each topic. These objectives are what you must know for every topic you study.

This post contains the list of topics in the JAMB Use of English syllabus.

Let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.

JAMB Syllabus for Use of English

The JAMB Use of English syllabus contains three (3) sections;

• Section A: Comprehension and Summary
• Section B: Lexis and Structure
• Section C: Oral Forms

Comprehension/Summary

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify main points/topic sentences in passages;
ii. determine implied meaning;
iii. identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses, and figurative /idiomatic expressions;
iv. deduce or infer the writer’s intentions, including mood, attitude to the subject matter, and opinion.

Content

(a) description
(b) narration
(c) exposition
(d) argumentation/persuasion

(i) Each of the two passages to be set (one will be a cloze test) should reflect various disciplines and be about 200 words long.

(ii) Questions on the passages will test the following:

(a) Comprehension of the whole or part of each passage.

(b) Comprehension of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, figures of speech, and idioms used in the passages.

(c) Coherence and logical reasoning (deductions, inferences, etc.).

(d) The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli

(e) Synthesis of ideas from the passages.

NOTE:

Synthesis of ideas means combining distinct or separate pieces of information to form a complete whole.

Lexis and Structure

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative, and idiomatic contexts;
ii. determine similar and opposite meanings of words;
iii. differentiate between correct and incorrect punctuation and spelling;
iv. identify various grammatical patterns in use;
v. interpret information conveyed in sentences.

Content

• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Homonyms
• Clause and sentence patterns
• Word classes and their functions
• Mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree (positive, comparative, and superlative), and question tags
• Punctuation and spelling
• Ordinary usage, figurative usage, and idiomatic usage are to be tested.

NOTE:

Idioms to be tested shall be formal and expressed in standard British English.

Oral Forms

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

• Make distinctions between vowel types;
• Differentiate between consonant types;
• Identify correct accentuation in individual words and connected speech.

Content

• Vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs)
• Consonants (including clusters)
• Rhymes (including homophones)
• Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
• Intonation (words emphatic stress)

NOTE:

Emphatic stress involves the placement of normal stress on words in an utterance for emphasis.

The Structure of the Examination

Objectives

N/A

Content

SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary

(a) One comprehension passage – 5 questions
(b) I cloze passage – 10 questions
(c) One reading text – 10 questions

SECTION B: Lexis and Structure

(a) Sentence interpretation – 5 questions
(b) Antonyms – 5 questions
(c) Synonyms – 5 questions
(d) Sentence completion – 10 questions

SECTION C: Oral Forms

Ten questions

Total: 60 questions

JAMB Recommended Textbooks for English Language

• Adedimeji, M.A (2021) Doses of Grammar. Patigi. Ahman Pategi University Press.
• Attah, M. O. (2013). Practice in Spoken English for Intermediate and Advanced Learners, Maiduguri: University of Maiduguri Press.
• Bamgbose, A. (2002). English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and colleges (Revised Edition), Ibadan: Heinemann
• Banjo, A. et al. (2004). New Oxford Secondary English Course Book Six for Senior Secondary Schools, Ibadan: UP Plc.
• Caesar, O. J. (2003). Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited
• Daniel Jones (2011). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
• Egbe, D. I (1996). Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills, Lagos: Tisons
• Elugbe, B. (2000). Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Ibadan: Heinemann
• Grant, N. J. H, Nnamonu, S. Jowitt, D. (1998). Senior English Project 3, (New Edition) Harlow: Longman
• Idowu, O. O, Sogbesan, T. S, Adofo, A. K. Burgess, D. F and Burgess, L. J. (1998). Round-up English: A Complete Guide, Lagos: Longman
• Idris, U. (2001). Oral English at Your Fingertips for Schools and Colleges, Lagos, M. Youngbrain Publishers
• Igiligi, E. C. and Ogenyi, S. O. (2010) Grammar and Composition in the G.S.M. Age, Enugu: Joe Hills Production Services
• Jauro, L. B. (2013). Oral English for Schools and Colleges: A teaching and Learning Approach, Yola: Paraclete Publishers.
• Nnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D. (1989). Common Errors in English, Lagos: Longman
• Obinna, M. F. (2001). University Matriculation Use of English,(Fourth Edition) Port Harcourt: Sunray Books Limited
• Ogunsanwo, O. Duruaku, A. B.C, Ezechukwu, J and Nwachukwu, U. I (2005). Countdown English Language, (Revised Edition), Ibadan: Evans
• Olatoye, S. (2006). The Silent Teacher, Ado-Ekiti: Segun and Sons Enterprises
• Oluikpe, B. O. A, Nnaemeka, B. A, Obah, T. Y, Otagburuagu, E. J. Onuigbo, S. and Ogbonna, E. A. (1998). Intensive English for Senior Secondary School 3, Onitsha: Africana – FIRST Publisher.
• Tomori, S. H. O (2000). Objective Tests for School Certificate English: Practice in Lexis, Structure, and Idiom (Reprinted Edition), Ibadan: Heinemann
• Ukwuegbu, C, Okoro, O., Idris, A. U., Okebukola, F. O. and Owokade, C. O. (2002). Catch-up English for SSCE/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann

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• Full List of Courses Offered at Bayelsa State University (BMU)
• JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Art & Commercial Students
• JAMB Recommended Textbooks for Science Students
• JAMB Syllabus for French
• DELSU Change of Course Form

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