\u200eThe aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) 2026 syllabus in Use of English is to guide the candidates in their preparation for the Board\u2019s examination. It is designed to evaluate the candidates\u2019 ability to:
\u200e
\u200e(i) communicate effectively in both written and spoken English; and
\u200e(ii) use the English Language for learning at the tertiary level.
\u200e2. The syllabus consists of three sections:
\u200e
\u200eSECTION A: Comprehension\/Summary
\u200e
\u200eSECTION B: Lexis and Structure, and
\u200e
\u200eSECTION C: Oral Forms
\u200e
\u200eA. Comprehension\/Summary
\u200e Topics:
\u200e
\u200e(a) description
\u200e(b) narration
\u200e(c) exposition
\u200e(d) argumentation\/persuasion
\u200e
\u200e(i) Each of the two passages to be set (one will be a cloze test) should reflect various disciplines and be about 200 words long.
\u200e
\u200e(ii) Questions on the passages will test the following:
\u200e
\u200e(a) Comprehension of the whole or part of each passage.
\u200e(b) Comprehension of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, figures of speech and idioms as used in the passages.
\u200e(c) Coherence and logical reasoning (deductions, inferences, etc).
\u200e(d) The Lekki Headmaster by Kabir Alabi Garba
\u200e(e) Synthesis of ideas from the passages.
\u200e
\u200eNOTE:
\u200eBy synthesis of ideas is meant the art of combining distinct or separate pieces of information to form a complete whole.
\u200e
\u200e Objectives:
\u200e
\u200eCandidates should be able to:
\u200ei. identify main points\/topic sentences in passages;
\u200eii. determine implied meaning;
\u200eiii. identify the grammatical functions of words, phrases, clauses and figurative\/idiomatic expressions;
\u200eiv. deduce or infer the writer’s intentions including mood, attitude to the subject matter and opinion.
\u200e
\u200e B. Lexis and Structure
\u200e Topics:
\u200e
\u200e(a) synonyms
\u200e(b) antonyms
\u200e(c) homonyms
\u200e(d) clause and sentence patterns
\u200e(e) word classes and their functions
\u200e(f) mood, tense, aspect, number, agreement\/concord, degree (positive, comparative and superlative) and question tags
\u200e(g) punctuation and spelling
\u200e(h) ordinary usage, figurative usage and idiomatic usage are to be tested.
\u200e
\u200eNOTE:
\u200eIdioms to be tested shall be those that are formal and expressed in standard British English.
\u200e
\u200eObjectives:
\u200e
\u200eCandidates should be able to:
\u200ei. identify words and expressions in their ordinary, figurative and idiomatic contexts;
\u200eii. determine similar and opposite meaning of words;
\u200eiii. differentiate between correct and incorrect punctuation and spelling;
\u200eiv. identify various grammatical patterns in use;
\u200ev. interpret information conveyed in sentences.
\u200e
\u200eC. Oral Forms
\u200e Topics:
\u200e
\u200e(a) Vowels (monothongs and diphthongs
\u200e(b) Consonants (including clusters)
\u200e(c) Rhymes (including homophones)
\u200e(d) Word stress (monosyllabic and polysyllabic)
\u200e(e) Intonation (words emphatic stress)
\u200e
\u200eNOTE:
\u200eEmphatic stress involves the placement of normal stress on words in an utterance for the purpose of emphasis.
\u200e
\u200eObjectives:
\u200eCandidates should be able to:
\u200ei. make distinctions between vowel types;
\u200eii. differentiate between consonant types;
\u200eiii. identify correct accentuation in individual words and connected speech.
\u200e
\u200e THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION
\u200e
\u200eSECTION A: Comprehension\/Summary
\u200e Topics:
\u200e(a) 1 comprehension passage \u2013 5 questions
\u200e
\u200e(b) I cloze passage \u2013 10 questions
\u200e
\u200e(c) 1 reading text \u2013 10 questions
\u200e
\u200eSECTION B: Lexis Structure
\u200e Topics:
\u200e(a) Sentence interpretation \u2013 5 questions
\u200e
\u200e(b) Antonyms \u2013 5 questions
\u200e
\u200e(c) Synonyms \u2013 5 questions
\u200e
\u200e(d) Sentence completion \u2013 10 questions
\u200e
\u200eSECTION C: Oral Forms
\u200e Topics:
\u200e10 questions
\u200eTotal: 60 questions
\u200e
\u200e RECOMMENDED TEXTS
\u200e
\u200eAttah, M. O. (2013). Practice in Spoken English for Intermediate and Advanced Learners, Maiduguri: University of Maiduguri Press.
\u200e
\u200eBamgbose, A. (2002). English Lexis and Structure for Senior Secondary Schools and colleges (Revised Edition), Ibadan: Heinemann
\u200e
\u200eBanjo, A. et al (2004). New Oxford Secondary English Course Book Six for Senior Secondary Schools, Ibadan: UP Plc.
\u200e
\u200eCaesar, O. J. (2003). Essential Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited
\u200e
\u200eDaniel Jones (2011). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
\u200e
\u200eEgbe, D. I (1996). Mastering English Usage and Communication Skills, Lagos: Tisons
\u200e
\u200e Elugbe, B. (2000). Oral English for Schools and Colleges, Ibadan: Heinemann
\u200e
\u200eGrant, N. J. H, Nnamonu, S. Jowitt, D. (1998). Senior English Project 3, (New Edition) Harlow: Longman
\u200e
\u200e 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
\u200e
\u200e Idris, U. (2001). Oral English at Your Fingertips for Schools and Colleges, Lagos, M. Youngbrain Publishers
\u200e
\u200eIgiligi, E. C. and Ogenyi, S. O. (2010) Grammar and Composition in the G.S.M. Age, Enugu: Joe Hills Production Services
\u200e
\u200eJauro, L. B. (2013). Oral English for Schools and Colleges: A teaching and Learning Approach, Yola: Paraclete Publishers.
\u200e
\u200eNnamonu, S. and Jowitt, D. (1989). Common Errors in English, Lagos: Longman
\u200e
\u200eObinna, M. F. (2001). University Matriculation Use of English,(Fourth Edition) Port Harcourt: Sunray Books Limited
\u200e
\u200eOgunsanwo, O. Duruaku, A. B.C, Ezechukwu, J and Nwachukwu, U. I (2005). Countdown English Language, (Revised Edition), Ibadan: Evans
\u200e
\u200eOlatoye, S. (2006). The Silent Teacher, Ado-Ekiti: Segun and Sons Enterprises
\u200e
\u200eOluikpe, 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 \u2013 FIRST Publisher
\u200e
\u200eTomori, S. H. O (2000). Objective Tests for School Certificate English: Practice in Lexis, Structure and Idiom (Reprinted Edition), Ibadan: Heinemann
\u200e
\u200eUkwuegbu, C, Okoro, O., Idris, A. U., Okebukola, F. O. and Owokade, C. O. (2002). Catch-up English for SSCE\/UME, Ibadan: Heinemann<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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