CLASS: SSS TWO
SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE
TIME ALLOWED: 2 Hours
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Read each question twice before answering to be sure you understand what is required.
- Observe correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and paragraphing in all sections. Marks will be awarded for accurate and effective expression.
- Where a minimum length is given (e.g., “not fewer than 450 words”), you must meet or exceed that length. Longer responses are welcome provided they remain relevant, coherent, and well‑organised.
- Begin each new answer on a fresh page (or clearly separated space) and label it with the Section and Question Number.
- Write legibly. Illegible work will lose marks.
- Unless a question directs otherwise, answer in continuous prose.
- Manage your time wisely: it is suggested that you spend about 50 minutes on Section A, 30 minutes on Section B, 20 minutes on Section C, and the remaining time on the Objective and Orals Sections. These are only guidelines—plan according to your strength.
SECTION A – ESSAY WRITING
Answer one question only from this section. All questions carry equal marks. Each answer must be not fewer than 450 words; you may write more. Credit will be given for rich content, sound organisation, clarity of expression, appropriate tone/register, and mechanical accuracy.
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1. Informal Letter to a Friend (School Transfer Enquiry)
Your friend who attends a different school has written asking for detailed information to help him decide whether to transfer to your school. Write a friendly but informative letter in which you discuss at least three major areas in which your school excels (for example: academic performance, sports, discipline, extracurricular clubs, facilities, student welfare, technology, leadership development, etc.). Feel free to include personal experiences that will help him decide.
2. Magazine Article – School Dropout in Your Community
Write an article for publication in your school magazine in which you examine the reasons children in your area drop out of school. Go beyond surface causes: consider family economics, cultural practices, peer pressure, early marriage, child labour, lack of interest, poor school environment, insecurity, distance to school, or any other relevant factors. Conclude with practical suggestions for reducing the problem.
3. Formal Letter – Child Labour Concern
As the president of your youth club, write a formal letter to the Chairman of your Local Government Area (LGA) complaining about the rising incidence of child labour in your locality. Describe what you have observed, the impact on affected children, and the dangers for the wider community. Propose workable measures the LGA can adopt to curb the trend (e.g., enforcement, awareness campaigns, support schemes, school feeding, vocational alternatives, penalties for offenders).
4. Debate Speech
You are the chief speaker in a debate on the motion: “Women should not be in paid employment while still bearing children.” Write your speech either for or against the motion. Define key terms, use persuasive arguments, provide evidence or examples, anticipate opposing points, and end powerfully.
5. Narrative Writing
Write an original story that ends with the sentence: “That experience will linger on my mind for a long time.” Build clear characters, conflict, setting, and a logical plot that leads naturally to the closing line.
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SECTION B – COMPREHENSION PASSAGE
Read the passage below carefully and then answer the questions that follow.
Passage
When Miss Anna Bonsra swept into the classroom, an instant hush fell over everyone. The silence was so thick you could almost hear it—until her sharp, high‑pitched voice sliced through the stillness. “Kwaku Ananse,” she called, “come forward and give your oral presentation.” At that moment my heart began pounding like our old school corn mill.
I suddenly realised—again—how convinced I was that she disliked me. Out of more than forty students she could have called, she chose me. I had tried to hide: I was partially screened by the burly Owo seated directly in front of me, and I kept my eyes everywhere except the front of the room. None of my evasive tricks worked. At last my turn had come. “Don’t get nervous; be a man,” I muttered to myself as I forced my legs to carry me forward.
With palms slick with sweat, I drew out the notes I had tucked deep inside my notebook. Miss Bonsra watched with that familiar, mocking half‑smile—one that always seemed to say she knew I wasn’t ready, as though I hadn’t had enough time to prepare. Yet this was no surprise assignment.
For weeks we had reviewed the fundamentals of writing a research paper, and we had been instructed to submit a twenty‑page paper that we would later present orally to the class. In my usual way, I had typically waited until the last few days. Then I rummaged desperately through an encyclopaedia looking for a suitable topic.
I finally settled on William Shakespeare because the school library had recordings of some of his plays. I reasoned that playing short segments from those films would not only eat up presentation time but also make mine appear unique.
After three days—and three very long nights—my paper was done. Never had I written a paper so quickly, or one with so little substance. Standing before the class, my main wish was simply to finish.
With scarcely any feeling, I told the class what little I knew about the renowned playwright. My mouth was so dry I wondered whether it would open for another sentence. My hands trembled as I turned each page.
At last, consulting my notes far more often than was expected, I completed the spoken portion of my presentation. All that remained was to show the slides. The worst, I thought, was over!
Questions on the Passage
Answer in full sentences unless instructed otherwise.
a) What two things did the writer do in an attempt to avoid being called by Miss Bonsra?
b) Give one clear reason why the writer was nervous.
c) State two character traits revealed about the writer in the passage.
d) Mention two ways in which this paper differed from papers the writer had produced previously.
e) What advantage did the writer expect to gain by using the film recordings?
f) In the expression “With very little feeling,”
i. What grammatical name is given to this expression?
ii. What is its function in the sentence?
g) Identify the figure of speech in “pounding like our old school corn mill.”
h) For each of the following underlined words as used in the passage, give one word or short phrase that can replace it without changing the meaning:
i. burly
ii. fundamentals
iii. typically
iv. desperately
v. unique
vi. renowned
SECTION C – SUMMARY PASSAGE
Read the passage below carefully and then, in your own words as far as possible, answer the questions that follow.
Passage
It is well established that while some students perform creditably in school, others flop badly. A student may be intelligent and even highly motivated yet still struggle to climb the academic ladder. Such students experience learning difficulties but do not necessarily suffer from any physical disability.
Perhaps the most troubling of these difficulties is the poor attitude some students adopt toward their studies. Misguided beliefs have distorted their understanding of the value of education. Many students doubt their ability to secure a bright and stable future through schooling. They have not grasped the true aims and objectives of education well enough to appreciate its many benefits—academic achievement, character formation, and refined behaviour. Closely related to this is a poor attitude toward teachers, sometimes because teachers fail to use effective methods that make lessons interesting.
An even more serious issue arises when students find it hard to grasp abstract ideas, especially in Science and Mathematics. Reading, correct spelling, and recall of facts are often linked to this difficulty. In their frustration, some students are tempted to rely on so‑called “memory‑boosting” drugs. Such substances do nothing but damage the body.
Fortunately, learning problems can be addressed. One powerful remedy is repetition. Going over important ideas again and again helps memory by engaging both sight and hearing and leaving a deep imprint on the mind. Students who memorise mathematical formulae, theorems, and scientific principles through frequent repetition are likely to benefit greatly.
Another practical measure is personal determination. Students must resolve to overcome their learning challenges. Teachers possess the professional know‑how to keep learners focused and motivated. Because they interact with students every day, teachers often know them more intimately than parents do and are therefore in an excellent position to help.
Questions on the Summary Passage
a. In three separate sentences, state the learning problems students face in school.
b. In three separate sentences, state the possible solutions that can help address these learning problems.
Keep each sentence clear and concise. Use your own words as much as possible.
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
Mark the option that best answers each question. Shade the appropriate letter A–D on your answer sheet.
SECTION I – Antonyms in Context
In each of the following sentences, one word is underlined and there is a gap somewhere in the sentence. From the options A to D, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the opposite of the underlined word and correctly completes the gap.
- Geraldine is very courteous, but her brother Gerald is unbelievably _____.
A. Arrogant
B. Impolite
C. Snobbish
D. Haughty - Whilst Lydia became _____ in the course of the contest, Lena was confident.
A. Assuring
B. Boastful
C. Incensed
D. Jittery - We thought Jane was the instigator of the takeover; it turned out that she was really the _____.
A. Accomplice
B. Troubleshooter
C. Advisor
D. Cool‑head - When they appeared before the disciplinary committee, Rex was unrepentant but Ray was _____.
A. Sober
B. Reformed
C. Remorseful
D. Quiet - Mama thought what I had done was smart, but Dad said it was _____.
A. Dumb
B. Lame
C. Wicked
D. Rough - He _____ they should be punished immediately.
A. Is thinking
B. Think
C. Has thought
D. Thinks - You _____ a scratch on your neck the last time we met.
A. Are having
B. Were having
C. Had
D. Have - That road which used to be wide now appears _____ because of the new drainage.
A. Winding
B. Limited
C. Narrow
D. Reduced - In the past, anyone who angered the gods was made to _____ them.
A. Appease
B. Reward
C. Settle
D. Beg - Badmus is a very crooked man; I hate relating with him.
A. Bent
B. Straightforward
C. Changing
D. Steadfast - Cigarettes leave a lingering odour on the smoker.
A. Lasting
B. An irritating
C. An offensive
D. A damaging - Paul prefers _____ girls to amorphous ones.
A. Slender
B. Garrulous
C. Pretty
D. Tall - Rather than being sensitive to the plight of the workers, the manager remained _____.
A. Disdainful
B. Curious
C. Negligent
D. Indifferent - A keen student makes progress, but the _____ one hardly does well.
A. Inactive
B. Lowly
C. Nervous
D. Reluctant - Unlike you, I thought the message was quite _____, not ambiguous.
A. Reasonable
B. Clear
C. Apt
D. Persuasive - Good policies alleviate poverty whereas bad ones _____ it.
A. Prolong
B. Activate
C. Aggravate
D. Provoke - Buba was purposeful in his search for a job, but Baba was rather _____ about his.
A. Patient
B. Slow
C. Lazy
D. Casual - In recent tournaments I have seen amateurs play better than so‑called _____.
A. Experts
B. Veterans
C. Specialists
D. Professionals - The student appeared _____, but we were all confident in his ability.
A. Afraid
B. Nervous
C. Unconvinced
D. Ignorant - Giraffes are attractive animals, but snakes are _____.
A. Repulsive
B. Ugly
C. Poisonous
D. Offensive
SECTION II – Sentence Completion
From the options A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
- We shall overcome ____ how difficult it is.
A. No matter
B. Irrespective
C. Not looking
D. Despite - Jemima will be here ____ a minute.
A. On
B. By
C. In
D. To - The ambulance sped ____ the hill.
A. Downwards
B. Down
C. Between
D. Upward - Mr. Uche was trying to ____ a list of his debtors.
A. Compare
B. Compose
C. Compound
D. Compile - He tried to ____ the house mistress by entering the hostel through the back door.
A. Reject
B. Repel
C. Evade
D. Deflect - He gives the ____ that he is wealthy, but he really isn’t.
A. Impression
B. Opinion
C. Attribute
D. Indication - The court granted an ____ against the eviction of the tenant.
A. Adjournment
B. Injunction
C. Indictment
D. Adjudication - The insurance company ____ my uncle for the loss of his car.
A. Blamed
B. Caught
C. Implicated
D. Grafted (intended: compensated? — retain original option list as supplied) - Before giving his speech, the chairman ____ copies of it to the members of the council.
A. Duplicated
B. Spread
C. Circulated
D. Printed - We wished to win the tournament, but we knew our ____ were slim.
A. Skills
B. Opportunities
C. Odds
D. Chance
SECTION III – Idiomatic Interpretation
After each of the following sentences is a list of possible meanings. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate.
- Our mother always warns us against washing our dirty linen in public. She warns us:
A. Not to discuss private matters in public.
B. To fetch enough water for washing.
C. Not to soil our clothes.
D. To keep our mouths shut. - Let us draw a veil over this matter. This means we should:
A. Avoid discussing the matter.
B. Take the matter to court.
C. Cover our heads with a veil.
D. Get the eldest to resolve the matter. - Children think their parents are behind the times. They think their parents are:
A. Always late for work.
B. Not worried about new things.
C. Old‑fashioned.
D. Not duty‑conscious. - Ever since that issue came up, I have been sitting on the fence. This means I have been:
A. Continuously troubled.
B. Sitting alone in the house.
C. Walking around to find a job.
D. Avoiding stating my opinion. - You must square up to your problems. This means you have to:
A. Deal with your problems effectively.
B. Consider your problems from all angles.
C. Forget your problems.
D. Arrange your problems.
Also read : JSS2 English Language Exam Questions 2025 – Third Term (Complete Guide)
(SECOND) SECTION III – CLOZE PASSAGE
The numbered gaps in the passage below indicate missing words. Each gap is followed by four options lettered A to D. Choose the option that best completes each gap.
Two months after moving into our new house, we hadn’t noticed any —36— on the building until one Sunday morning when water started —37— from a corner of the shower in our —38— bedroom. We assumed it was a simple —39— and therefore asked my nephew, an apprentice, to fix it for us. He did, but the —40— lasted for that day only. The next morning, water began dropping heavily from both the bedroom and the adjoining room.
Options
| No. | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | damages | blemishes | challenges | defects |
| 37 | flowing | oozing | falling | dripping |
| 38 | inner | guest | master | big |
| 39 | outflow | leakage | trickling | filtering |
| 40 | repair | sealing | mending | blockade |
(Tick/mark only ONE option for each number.)
TEST OF ORALS
SECTION I – Vowel Sounds
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the sound represented by the underlined part of the given word. An example is provided.
Example: seat
A. sit
B. cite
C. set
D. key
Correct: D, because key has the same vowel sound as the vowel in seat.
Now answer Questions 41–45.
- hotel
A. boil
B. cob
C. role
D. moth - maize
A. step
B. what
C. whip
D. tray - bare
A. chair
B. deer
C. say
D. here - down
A. sown
B. doubt
C. door
D. thrown - sour
A. flower
B. damn
C. sore
D. pure
SECTION II – Consonant Sounds
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that contains the same consonant sound as the sound represented by the underlined letter(s) of the given word. Example below:
Example: vice
A. cat
B. dress
C. show
D. chalk
Correct: B, because dress contains the same initial consonant sound as the underlined sound in vice. (Here the focus is on the /v/ vs /dʒ/? Original example preserved as supplied.)
Now answer Questions 46–50.
- jungle
A. you
B. large
C. grip
D. lag - ask
A. tax
B. secure
C. scheme
D. pass - hind
A. rhyme
B. vehicle
C. cheetah
D. inhale - smooth
A. tooth
B. think
C. bath
D. then - scrap
A. palmistry
B. physics
C. psalms
D. psychiatry
END OF PAPER
Review your work if time permits. Ensure that your answer numbers match the questions attempted. Good luck!
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