The Use of English Language JAMB UTME Syllabus is designed to assess your language proficiency across various areas. It covers multiple topics, including comprehension, summary, lexis and structure, oral English, and essay writing. Each of these components is equally important and requires dedicated preparation. By familiarizing yourself with the syllabus, you can tailor your study plan to address each area effectively.

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Use of English is to guide candidates in their preparation for the Board’s examination. It is designed to evaluate the candidates’ ability to:

1. Communicate effectively in both written and spoken English; and
2. Use English Language for learning at the tertiary level.

2. The syllabus consists of three sections as stated below:

• SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary –  details below
• SECTION B: Lexis and Structure –  details below
• SECTION C: Oral Forms –  details below

3. DETAILED SYLLABUS/CONTENTS

TOPIC 1. Comprehension and Summary

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

(i) Each of the three 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 as used in the passages.
(c) Coherence and logical reasoning (deductions, inferences, etc).
(d) Approved Reading Text The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli).
(e) Synthesis of ideas from the passages.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS TOPIC

Candidates should be able to:

i. Identify main points/topic sentences in passages;

ii. determine implied meanings;

iii. identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative /idiomatic expressions; and

iv. deduce or infer the writer’s intentions including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.

NOTE OF THIS TOPIC:- Synthesis of ideas means the art of combining distinct or separate pieces of information to form a complete whole as a summary.

TOPIC 2. Lexis and Structure

• (a) synonyms
• (b) antonyms
• (c) homonyms
• (d) clause and sentence patterns
• (e) word classes and their functions
• (f) mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, degree (positive, comparative and superlative) and question tags
• (g) punctuation and spelling
• (h) ordinary usage, figurative usage and idiomatic usage are to be tested.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS TOPIC

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.

TAKE NOTE: Idioms to be tested shall be those that are formal and expressed in Standard British English (SBE).

TOPIC 3. Oral Forms

• (a) Vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs)
• (b) Consonants (including clusters)
• (c) Rhymes (including homophones)
• (d) Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
• (e) Intonation (words emphatic stress)

OBJECTIVES OF THIS TOPIC

Candidates should be able to:

i. To make distinctions between vowel types;
ii. differentiate between consonant types;
iii. identify correct accentuation in individual words and connected speech.

TAKE NOTE: Emphatic stress involves the placement of stress on words in an utterance for the purpose of emphasis.

4. THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION FOR USE OF English Language JAMB UTME Syllabus

SECTION A: Comprehension/Summary

Topics:

• (a) 1 comprehension passage – 5 questions
• (b) I cloze passage – 10 questions
• (c) 1 reading text – 10 questions

SECTION B: Lexis Structure

Topics:

• (a) Sentence interpretation – 5 questions
• (b) Antonyms – 5 questions
• (c) Synonyms – 5 questions
• (d) Basic Grammar – 10 questions

SECTION C: Oral Forms

TOPICS:

• a) Vowels – 2 questions
• b) Consonants – 2 questions
• c) Rhymes – 2 questions
• d) Word Stress – 2 questions
• e) Emphatic Stress – 2 questions

Total Questions – 60 Questions for Use of English Language

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS TO READ FOR JAMB USE OF ENGLISH

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