How to Answer Comprehension Questions in JAMB Use of English 2025

Comprehension is one of the most important sections in JAMB Use of English. Every year, candidates face at least two or three passages followed by multiple questions. These questions can be easy if you know how to approach them, but many students still lose marks because they either read too fast or don’t understand what JAMB really wants.

If you want to score high in this section for JAMB 2025, here’s how to prepare and answer comprehension questions the right way.

Understand What JAMB Is Testing

JAMB doesn’t expect you to memorize the passage. What they want to see is how well you can understand what you read. They’ll test:

• The main idea of the passage
• The writer’s purpose or opinion
• Word meanings in context
• Specific details or facts in the passage
• Simple inferences (reading between the lines)

So your job is not to rush. Your job is to understand.

Read the Questions Before the Passage (Optional but Helpful)

Some students prefer reading the questions before reading the passage. This method helps you know what to look out for while reading. For example, if you know there’s a question about the writer’s mood or a specific word, your brain will take note of that as you read.

But this is only useful if you won’t get confused. Try both methods during practice and stick to the one that works best for you.

Read the Passage Carefully but Quickly

You don’t have to memorize every sentence—but you must understand the message of each paragraph. Read in blocks (not word by word), and focus on:

• The first sentence (it often gives the main idea)
• Any contrasts or changes (e.g. “However,” “But,” “In contrast…”)
• The last sentence (it sometimes summarizes the point)

If you don’t understand a sentence, don’t panic. Read the rest. Many questions are still answerable without full understanding of every line.

Use the Passage to Find Your Answers

Most comprehension questions are text-based. That means the answer is right there in the passage. Don’t answer based on what you know or think—answer based on what the passage says.

Go back to the paragraph that talks about the question. Read the lines around it. Then pick the option that matches what the passage really says.

Practice Word Meaning in Context

JAMB often asks: “What is the meaning of this word as used in the passage?”

Even if you know the dictionary meaning, it may not be correct in context. Learn to:

• Read the sentence where the word appears
• Replace the word with the options one by one
• Choose the option that fits the meaning in that sentence

This is why practice is key—you’ll get better at this skill the more you try.

Time Yourself During Practice

Comprehension takes time. In JAMB, you need to manage your time well. Practice answering full comprehension passages within 7–10 minutes, including reading and answering all questions. This will train your speed and improve your accuracy under pressure.

READ ALSO: How to Prepare for Use of English in JAMB 2025 and Pass Easily

Final Advice

To do well in JAMB 2025 comprehension:

• Practice with real JAMB past questions
• Learn to read for understanding, not just speed
• Answer based only on what the passage says
• Improve your vocabulary and word recognition
• Stay calm and focused while reading

With daily practice and the right strategy, you’ll turn comprehension into a scoring area—not a problem.