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
use English Language for learning at the tertiary level.
(ii)
2.
3.
The syllabus consists of three sections:
SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary
SECTION B: Lexis and Structure
SECTION C: Oral Forms
DETAILED SYLLABUS/CONTENTS
TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES
OBJECTIVES
A. Comprehension and Summary
(a) description
Candidates should be able to:
(b) narration
(c) exposition
i.
ii.
identify main points/topic sentences in passages;
determine implied meanings;
(d) argumentation/persuasion
iii. identify the grammatical functions of words,
phrases, clauses and figurative /idiomatic
expressions; and
(i) Each of the three passages to be set (one
will be a cloze test) should reflect various iv.
disciplines and be about 200 words long.
deduce or infer the writers’ intentions including
mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.
(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.
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Use of English
TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES
OBJECTIVES
NOTE:
Synthesis of ideas means the art of combining
distinct or separate pieces of information to
form a complete whole as summary.
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
(d) word classes and their functions
(e) mood, tense, aspect, number,
agreement/concord, degree (positive,
comparative and superlative) and question
tags
ii.
determine similar and opposite meanings of words;
differentiate between correct and incorrect spellings;
identify various grammatical patterns in use; and
interpret information conveyed in sentences.
iii.
iv.
v.
(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).
C.
Oral Forms
Candidates should be able to:
(a) Vowels (monothongs, diphthongs and
triphthongs)
(b) Consonants (including clusters)
(c) Rhymes (including homophones)
(d) Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
(e) Emphatic stress (in connected speech)
i.
ii.
iii.
make distinctions among vowel types;
differentiate among consonant types; and
identify correct pronunciation of individual words and
articulation of connected speech.
NOTE:
Emphatic stress involves the placement of stress on
words in an utterance for the purpose of emphasis.
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Use of English
D.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION
SECTION A: Comprehension and Summary
(a)
(b)
(c)
1 comprehension passage -
1 cloze passage -
5 questions
10 questions
10 questions
1 reading text -
SECTION B: Lexis and Structure
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Sentence interpretation -
Antonyms -
5 questions
5 questions
5questions
10 questions
Synonyms -
Basic Grammar -
SECTION C: Oral Forms
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Vowels -
2 questions
Consonants -
Rhymes -
2 questions
2 questions
2 questions
2 questions
Word Stress -
Emphatic Stress -
Total: 60 questions
200
Use of English
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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Use of English
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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