Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress: JAMB English Language Questions, Answers & Notes

What Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress covers in the JAMB English Language syllabus

This tests rhyme and word stress. Words rhyme when their final sounds match (judge by sound, not spelling — 'bear/pear/wear' rhyme, but 'hear' does not). Stress is the syllable said with most force: e.g. de-VEL-op, im-POR-tant, PHO-to-graph. Note that adding a suffix can shift stress (PHOtograph → phoTOGraphy → photoGRAPHic), and some noun/verb pairs change stress (PREsent as a noun, preSENT as a verb). Practise by saying words aloud and listening for the strongest syllable.

For Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Identify words that rhyme by their final sounds
• Locate primary stress in multi-syllable words
• Apply stress shifts between related words and noun/verb pairs

Key facts & revision notes: Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress

These are the recurring points our Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• 'Night' and 'light' rhyme — both end in the /aɪt/ sound.
• 'Blue' and 'true' rhyme — both end in the /uː/ sound.
• 'Develop' is stressed on the second syllable: de-VEL-op.
• 'Fair' and 'chair' rhyme — both end in the /eə/ sound.
• 'Photograph' is stressed on the first syllable: PHO-to-graph.
• 'Photography' shifts stress to the second syllable: pho-TOG-ra-phy.
• 'Small' and 'tall' rhyme — both end in the /ɔːl/ sound.
• 'Important' is stressed on the second syllable: im-POR-tant.
• 'Cough' ends in /ɒf/, which rhymes with 'off'.
• 'Economic' is stressed on the third syllable: e-co-NOM-ic.
• 'Meat' and 'feet' rhyme — both end in the /iːt/ sound.
• 'Table' (TA-ble) is stressed on the first syllable; the others are stressed on the second.
• 'Plane' and 'rain' rhyme — both end in the /eɪn/ sound.
• 'Referee' is stressed on the last (third) syllable: re-fe-REE.
• 'Bear', 'pear' and 'wear' end in /eə/; 'hear' ends in /ɪə/, so it does not rhyme.
• As a verb, 'preSENT' is stressed on the second syllable; as a noun, 'PREsent' on the first.
• 'Day' and 'play' rhyme — both end in the /eɪ/ sound.
• 'Administration' is stressed on the fourth syllable: ad-mi-nis-TRA-tion.
• 'Stone' and 'phone' rhyme — both end in the /əʊn/ sound.
• 'Arrive' (a-RRIVE) is stressed on the second syllable; the others are stressed on the first.
• 'Bought' and 'caught' both end in /ɔːt/.
• 'Chair' and 'bear' both end in /eə/.
• 'Height' and 'kite' both end in /aɪt/.
• 'Break' and 'cake' both end in /eɪk/.

Worked examples

Three Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress is tested in JAMB English Language

Our Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress bank holds 40 questions (8 easy, 17 medium, 15 hard). JAMB English Language typically returns to Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one English Language item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress

The errors that cost marks on Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress part of the JAMB English Language syllabus?

Yes. Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress is a recognised topic in the JAMB English Language syllabus, covering identify words that rhyme by their final sounds. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 40 original, JAMB-standard Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress?

This tests rhyme and word stress. Words rhyme when their final sounds match (judge by sound, not spelling — 'bear/pear/wear' rhyme, but 'hear' does not). Stress is the syllable said with most force: e.g. de-VEL-op, im-POR-tant, PHO-to-graph. Note that adding a suffix can shift stress (PHOtograph → p…

How do I answer Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress. Practising timed Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB English Language Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Oral Forms: Rhymes and Stress practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME English Language syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.