JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English Subject 2027/2028

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English Subject 2027/2028 covers the main English Language areas you need to study for the examination.

Use of English tests more than your knowledge of grammar. You should be able to understand passages, interpret words and expressions, use correct grammar, recognize appropriate vocabulary and identify important features of spoken English.

The subject is divided into three major areas: Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms. These sections test your ability to read carefully, understand meaning, use English correctly and recognize sounds and stress patterns.

As you revise, pay attention to both meaning and correct usage. This will help you improve your reading, vocabulary, grammar and spoken English skills.

Read also: Use of English JAMB Syllabus 2026/2027 Download PDF

Area of Concentration for Use of English, Comprehension and Summary

Comprehension tests how well you can read a passage, understand its meaning and interpret the ideas presented by the writer.

You should be able to identify both information stated directly and ideas that are only implied.

The passages may be written as:

• description;
• narration;
• exposition;
• argumentation or persuasion.

You should become comfortable reading all these forms because each one presents information differently.

Main Ideas and Topic Sentences

One important skill is identifying the main point of a passage or paragraph.

A topic sentence usually expresses the central idea of a paragraph, while the other sentences provide explanation, evidence or examples.

When reading, try to separate the main idea from supporting details.

You should be able to identify:

• the main point;
• important supporting ideas;
• the topic sentence;
• the relationship between different parts of the passage.

Understanding Words and Expressions in Context

A word may have different meanings depending on how it is used.

You should be able to determine the meaning of:

• words;
• phrases;
• clauses;
• sentences;
• figures of speech;
• idiomatic expressions.

Do not depend only on the dictionary meaning of a word. Look at the sentences around it and decide what meaning fits the passage.

Implied Meaning

Not every idea will be stated directly.

Sometimes you need to use information in the passage to work out what the writer means.

This is called inference.

You should be able to make reasonable deductions from the information given without adding ideas that are not supported by the passage.

Writer’s Intention, Mood and Attitude

You may also need to determine how the writer feels about the subject.

Pay attention to:

• choice of words;
• tone;
• descriptions;
• opinions;
• arguments.

These can help you identify the writer’s intention, mood, attitude and opinion.

For example, a writer may be trying to explain, criticize, persuade, praise or warn.

Your answer should come from evidence in the passage.

Grammatical Functions in a Passage

Comprehension may also require you to identify the grammatical function of a word, phrase or clause.

You should understand how different expressions function within sentences.

This means paying attention not only to meaning but also to the role an expression plays in the sentence.

Logical Reasoning

You should be able to follow the connection between ideas in a passage.

This may involve:

• drawing conclusions;
• making deductions;
• identifying cause and effect;
• connecting related ideas;
• recognizing the writer’s line of reasoning.

Read carefully before choosing an answer. A choice may look correct in isolation but still be wrong when compared with the full meaning of the passage.

Synthesis of Ideas

Synthesis means bringing separate pieces of information together to form one complete understanding.

A passage may present an idea in different paragraphs or sentences. You should be able to combine these details and see the larger point.

This requires you to understand how different parts of the passage relate to one another.

Cloze Passage

A cloze passage contains spaces where words or expressions have been removed.

You need to choose the option that best completes each space.

To answer correctly, consider both:

• grammar;
• meaning.

The correct word should fit the sentence grammatically and also agree with the general meaning of the passage.

Do not treat each blank as a separate question. Read the surrounding sentences because the wider context can help you choose the correct answer.

Reading Text

You should also study The Last Days at Forcados High School by A. H. Mohammed.

Pay attention to the information, events and ideas presented in the text so that you can answer questions based on your understanding of what you have read.

Your preparation should focus on careful reading and understanding rather than simply memorizing isolated details.

Lexis and Structure

Lexis and Structure test how well you understand vocabulary, grammar and sentence meaning.

You should be able to choose words correctly, identify grammatical patterns and understand how different expressions work in context.

Synonyms

Synonyms are words or expressions with similar meanings.

You should be able to identify the word that is closest in meaning to another word as it is used in a sentence.

Context is important because the same word may have different meanings in different situations.

Antonyms

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings.

You should be able to identify the word that gives the opposite meaning of another word within a sentence.

Do not choose an opposite based only on the dictionary meaning. Pay attention to how the word is being used.

Homonyms

Homonyms are words that have the same form or sound but different meanings.

You should understand the intended meaning from the context in which the word appears.

This means reading the whole sentence carefully before deciding what the word means.

Clause and Sentence Patterns

You should understand how clauses and sentences are formed.

A sentence may contain different parts that work together to express a complete idea.

You should be able to identify common grammatical patterns and understand how they are used in correct English.

Word Classes and Their Functions

Words belong to different grammatical classes.

You should be able to identify the class of a word and understand the function it performs in a sentence.

Pay attention to how words are used rather than depending only on their form.

Mood, Tense and Aspect

You should understand how English shows time, attitude and the nature of an action.

Important areas include:

• mood;
• tense;
• aspect.

You should be able to recognize the correct form required in a sentence and distinguish correct usage from incorrect usage.

Number and Agreement

Number deals with singular and plural forms.

Agreement, also called concord, deals with the correct relationship between parts of a sentence.

You should understand how subjects and verbs agree and how other grammatical elements work together correctly.

Degree of Comparison

Adjectives and some adverbs can show different degrees of comparison.

You should understand:

• positive degree;
• comparative degree;
• superlative degree.

You should be able to choose the correct form according to the meaning of the sentence.

Question Tags

A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement.

You should understand how to form question tags correctly and how the form of the statement affects the tag that follows.

Pay attention to the tense and whether the main statement is positive or negative.

Punctuation and Spelling

Correct punctuation helps make meaning clear.

You should be able to distinguish between correct and incorrect punctuation and identify spelling errors.

This area requires careful attention because a small punctuation or spelling error can change the meaning or correctness of a sentence.

Ordinary, Figurative and Idiomatic Usage

Words and expressions may be used in different ways.

You should understand:

• ordinary usage;
• figurative usage;
• idiomatic usage.

Ordinary usage gives the direct meaning of a word.

Figurative usage gives a meaning that goes beyond the ordinary meaning.

Idiomatic usage involves expressions whose meanings may not be understood simply by interpreting each individual word.

The idioms you study should be formal expressions used in standard British English.

Sentence Interpretation

Sentence interpretation tests whether you understand the information conveyed in a sentence.

You may need to identify:

• the intended meaning;
• a similar expression;
• the relationship between ideas;
• the effect of a particular word or phrase.

Read the full sentence before deciding on the answer. The correct interpretation should preserve the meaning of the original sentence.

Oral Forms

Oral Forms test how well you can recognize and distinguish important features of spoken English.

You should understand vowel sounds, consonant sounds, rhymes, stress and intonation.

Vowels

English vowel sounds can be grouped into:

• monophthongs;
• diphthongs.

A monophthong has one steady vowel sound, while a diphthong involves movement from one vowel sound to another within the same syllable.

You should be able to distinguish between the different vowel types by listening to how they are pronounced.

Consonants

You should understand the different consonant sounds used in English.

Some words also contain consonant clusters, where two or more consonant sounds occur close together.

You should be able to distinguish between consonant types and recognize how they are used in words.

Rhymes and Homophones

Words rhyme when they have similar ending sounds.

You should be able to identify words that rhyme based on pronunciation rather than spelling.

You should also understand homophones.

Homophones are words that sound alike but have different meanings and may have different spellings.

This area requires you to focus on sound, not only on how words look when written.

Word Stress

Stress refers to the part of a word that receives greater emphasis when it is pronounced.

You should understand stress in:

• monosyllabic words;
• polysyllabic words.

For words with more than one syllable, you should be able to identify the syllable that carries the main stress.

Correct word stress is important because placing stress on the wrong syllable can affect pronunciation.

Intonation

Intonation refers to the rise and fall of the voice when speaking.

You should understand how intonation works in connected speech and how it can affect meaning.

Emphatic Stress

Emphatic stress occurs when extra stress is placed on a particular word in an utterance to give it special importance.

Changing the stressed word can change what the speaker is emphasizing.

You should be able to recognize which word receives the emphasis and understand the meaning created by that stress.

For Oral Forms, focus on careful listening and pronunciation. You should be able to distinguish similar sounds and recognize correct stress in individual words and connected speech.

Structure of the JAMB Use of English Examination

The JAMB Use of English examination is divided into three sections: Comprehension/Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms.

Understanding the structure can help you know how the different parts of the subject are arranged.

Section A: Comprehension and Summary

This section contains:

• 2 comprehension passages, with 10 questions worth 3 marks each;
• 1 cloze passage, with 10 questions worth 2 marks each;
• 1 reading text, with 15 questions worth 1 mark each.

The total for this section is 65 marks.

You should be ready to read carefully, identify main ideas, interpret expressions, make inferences and understand information from the prescribed reading text.

Section B: Lexis and Structure

This section covers vocabulary, grammar and sentence meaning.

It contains:

• Sentence interpretation: 10 questions worth 2 marks each;
• Antonyms: 10 questions worth 2 marks each;
• Synonyms: 10 questions worth 1 mark each;
• Sentence completion: 20 questions worth 1 mark each.

The total for this section is 70 marks.

You should be able to understand words in context, recognize correct grammatical usage and interpret sentences correctly.

Section C: Oral Forms

Oral Forms contains:

• 15 questions, worth 1 mark each.

The total for this section is 15 marks.

The questions cover areas such as vowel and consonant sounds, rhymes, word stress and intonation.

Total Questions and Marks

The examination contains 100 questions in total.

The three sections together carry 150 marks:

• Comprehension/Summary: 65 marks;
• Lexis and Structure: 70 marks;
• Oral Forms: 15 marks.

This shows that you need to prepare for all three sections instead of concentrating on only one part of Use of English.

How to Use the JAMB Use of English Topics for Revision

Use of English revision should combine regular reading, vocabulary practice, grammar review and spoken English practice.

Do not focus on only one section. Comprehension, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms all require different skills.

Practise Comprehension Regularly

Read different types of passages, including:

• descriptive passages;
• narrative passages;
• expository passages;
• argumentative or persuasive passages.

After reading, practise identifying the main idea, topic sentence and supporting points.

You should also work on questions that require you to determine:

• implied meaning;
• writer’s intention;
• mood;
• attitude;
• opinion;
• deductions and inferences.

Always return to the passage when answering. Avoid choosing an answer simply because it sounds reasonable.

Improve Your Understanding of Words in Context

Vocabulary questions often depend on how a word is used in a sentence or passage.

Practise:

• synonyms;
• antonyms;
• homonyms;
• figurative expressions;
• idiomatic expressions.

When you meet an unfamiliar word, look at the surrounding words and sentences. They can help you determine its meaning.

Work on Cloze Passages

Cloze passages require both grammar and vocabulary.

When choosing a word for a blank, check whether it:

• fits the meaning;
• fits the grammatical structure;
• agrees with the words around it;
• keeps the passage logical.

Read beyond the sentence containing the blank because another part of the passage may provide a useful clue.

Review Grammar in Context

Grammar should not be studied as isolated rules alone.

Practise grammar through complete sentences.

Give attention to:

• clause and sentence patterns;
• word classes;
• mood;
• tense;
• aspect;
• number;
• concord;
• degree of comparison;
• question tags;
• punctuation;
• spelling.

You should be able to recognize both correct and incorrect usage.

Practise Sentence Interpretation

Sentence interpretation requires you to understand the exact meaning of an expression.

Read each sentence carefully and identify what the speaker or writer is communicating.

Pay attention to figurative and idiomatic meanings because the correct interpretation may be different from the ordinary meaning of the individual words.

Study Oral English Alongside Written English

Do not leave Oral Forms until the end of your revision.

Practise distinguishing:

• monophthongs and diphthongs;
• consonant sounds;
• consonant clusters;
• rhyming words;
• homophones;
• word stress;
• intonation;
• emphatic stress.

Remember that Oral Forms focus on pronunciation and sound, so spelling alone may not always guide you to the correct answer.

Pay Attention to Word Stress

For polysyllabic words, practise identifying the syllable that receives the main stress.

You should also understand how emphasis works in connected speech.

With emphatic stress, the word receiving extra stress carries the main emphasis in the statement. Changing the stressed word may change what the speaker wishes to emphasize.

Study the Reading Text Carefully

Read The Last Days at Forcados High School by A. H. Mohammed carefully.

Your aim should be to understand the information, events and ideas in the text rather than depend on isolated memorized details.

Regular reading will make it easier to answer questions that test your understanding of the text.

Give Attention to All Three Sections

Your revision should cover:

• Comprehension and Summary;
• Lexis and Structure;
• Oral Forms.

A balanced study plan will help you develop the reading, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation skills required across the subject.

Recommended Texts for JAMB Use of English

The following books can support your JAMB Use of English revision:

• Attah M. O. (2013), Practice in Spoken English for Intermediate and Advanced Learners, University of Maiduguri Press.
• Bamgbose A. (2002), English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges, Revised Edition, Heinemann.
• Banjo A. et al. (2004), New Oxford Secondary English Course Book Six for Senior Secondary Schools, UP Plc.
• Caesar O. J. (2003), Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Tonad Publishers Limited.
• Daniel Jones (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge University Press.
• Egbe D. I. (1996), Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills, Tisons.
• Elugbe B. (2000), Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Heinemann.

Read also: Full List of JAMB Recommended Textbooks for English 2027/2028

These texts can help you strengthen your comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and general English usage.

Key Points to Remember

• Comprehension and Summary test your ability to understand passages, identify main ideas, interpret expressions and make correct inferences.
• You should be able to recognize description, narration, exposition and argumentation or persuasion.
• Pay attention to topic sentences, implied meaning, writer’s intention, mood, attitude and opinion.
• Synthesis of ideas means combining separate pieces of information to form one complete understanding.
• In cloze passages, choose words that fit both the grammar and meaning of the passage.
• Study The Last Days at Forcados High School by A. H. Mohammed carefully for the reading text section.
• Lexis and Structure cover synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, sentence patterns, word classes, tense, concord, degree and question tags.
• You should also practise punctuation, spelling, ordinary usage, figurative usage and idiomatic expressions.
• Oral Forms cover monophthongs, diphthongs, consonants, consonant clusters, rhymes, homophones, word stress and intonation.
• Emphatic stress gives special emphasis to a particular word in an utterance.
• Do not rely only on spelling when answering Oral Forms questions. Pay attention to pronunciation and sound.
• The examination is divided into Comprehension/Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms.
• Regular practice in reading, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation will help you cover the major skills required in Use of English.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The JAMB Area of Concentration for Use of English Subject 2027/2028 covers three main areas: Comprehension and Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral Forms.

To prepare well, combine regular reading with vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation practice. Make sure you can understand passages, interpret words and expressions in context, identify correct grammatical usage and recognize important sound and stress patterns.

Use the topic areas to guide your revision, and give enough attention to all three sections instead of focusing on only one.

If you have any questions about the JAMB Use of English topics, you can ask in the comment section. You can also share this guide with other students who may find it useful.