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Use of English

USE OF ENGLISH

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:

(i) communicate effectively in both written and spoken English; and (ii)
use English Language for learning at the tertiary level.

2. The syllabus consists of three sections:

SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary

SECTION B: Lexis and Structure
SECTION C: Oral Forms

3. DETAILED SYLLABUS/CONTENTS

TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES
A. Comprehension and Candidates should be able to:
(a)Summary description
(b)narration exposition i. identify main points/topic sentences in passages; ii.
(c)argumentation/persuasion determine implied meanings;
(d) iii. identify the grammatical functions of words,
Each of the three passages to be set (one phrases, clauses and figurative /idiomatic
will be a cloze test) should reflect various expressions; and
(i)
disciplines and be about 200 words long. iv. deduce or infer the writers’ intentions including
mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.
Questions on the passages will test the
following:
(ii)
(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.

(e) Synthesis of ideas from

the passages.

hesis of ideas means the art of combining

distinct
NOTE: or separate pieces of information to
form a complete whole as summary.

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Synt

TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

B. Lexis and Structure Candidates should be able to:

(a) synonyms i. identify words and expressions in their ordinary,

(b) antonyms figurative and idiomatic contexts;
(c) clause and sentence patterns ii. determine similar and opposite meanings of words; iii.
(d) word classes and their functions differentiate between correct and incorrect
(e) mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement/concord, spellings; iv. identify various grammatical patterns in
degree (positive, comparative and superlative) and use; and v. interpret information conveyed in
question tags sentences.
(f) mechanics
(g) ordinary usage, figurative usage and idiomatic usage.

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

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C. Oral Forms Candidates should be able to:

(a) Vowels (monothongs, diphthongs and triphthongs) i. make distinctions among vowel types;
(b) Consonants (including clusters) ii. differentiate among consonant types;
(c) Rhymes (including homophones) and
(d) Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic) iii. identify correct pronunciation of individual words and
(e) Emphatic stress (in connected speech) articulation of connected speech.

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

D. THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION

SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary

(a) 1 comprehension passage - 5 questions

(b) 1 cloze passage - 10 questions

(c) 1 reading text - 10 questions

SECTION B: Lexis and Structure

(a) Sentence interpretation - 5 questions

(b) Antonyms - 5 questions

(c) Synonyms - 5questions

(d) Basic Grammar - 10 questions

SECTION C: Oral Forms

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

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Total: 60 questions RECOMMENDED TEXTS

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., Adeniran A., Akano, A. and Onoga, U. (2004) New Oxford Secondary English Course Book six for

Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press Plc.

Caesar, O. J. (2003). Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges. Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited.

Jones, D. (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. and 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 Brothers.

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 Publishers.

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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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