Plateau State University (PLASU) Direct Entry Past Questions and Answers

English Language

1. Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word:

He is known for his loquacity.

A. Reticence

B. Talkativeness

C. Shyness

D. Silence

Answer: A. Reticence

2. Choose the most appropriate completion:

If I had seen her earlier, I ___ spoken to her.

A. shall

B. would have

C. will have

D. should

Answer: B. would have

3. Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom:

“He kicked the bucket last night.”

A. He broke a water container

B. He died

C. He lost his temper

D. He travelled unexpectedly

Answer: B. He died

4. Identify the grammatical error in the sentence:

Each of the boys were given a gift.

A. a gift

B. of the boys

C. were

D. Each

Answer: C. were

Correct form: ”was”

5. Choose the correct spelling:

A. Recommed

B. Recomend

C. Recommend

D. Recomand

Answer: C. Recommend

Mathematics

6. If the 5th term of an arithmetic progression is 18 and the 12th term is 46, what is the first term?

A. 6

B. 8

C. 10

D. 4

Answer: A. 6

Explanation: Use Tn = a + (n – 1)d, set up two equations and solve simultaneously.

7. Simplify: ²/_x + ³/_{x + 1}

A. ^{5x + 3}/_x(x+1)

B. ^{2x + 3x + 3}/_x+1

C. ^{2x + 3(x+1)}/_x(x+1)

D. ^{2(x+1) + 3x}/_x(x+1)

Answer based on “Algebraic Fractions:” computation: C. ^{2x + 3(x+1)}/_x(x+1)

8. A die is thrown once. What is the probability of getting a number less than 4?

A. ³/₆

B. ¹/₆

C. ¹/₂

D. ⁴/₆

Answer based on “Probability” computation: A. ³/₆

9. Find the area of a triangle with base 6cm and height 4cm.

A. 10cm²

B. 12cm²

C. 20cm²

D. 24cm²

Answer based on “Geometry” computation: B. 12cm²

10. Simplify: 2³ x 2⁴

A. 2¹

B. 2¹²

C. 2⁷

D. 8 x 16

Answer based on “Indices” computation: C. 2⁷

PLASU Direct Entry Past Questions for Science Students

Physics

11. What is the dimension of pressure?

A. ML^-2T^-2

B. MLT^-1

C. ML^-1T^-2

D. MLT^-2

Answer: C. ML^-1T^-2

12. Which of the following quantities is a vector?

A. Displacement

B. Speed

C. Temperature

D. Distance

Answer: A. Displacement

13. Which color of light has the shortest wavelength?

A. Red

B. Green

C. Violet

D. Blue

Answer: C. Violet

Biology

14. Which of these organisms is a protozoan?

A. Moss

B. Algae

C. Virus

D. Amoeba

Answer: D. Amoeba

15. The male reproductive organ in a flower is the:

A. Stigma

B. Carpel

C. Stamen

D. Ovary

Answer: C. Stamen

16. Which of the following organelles is responsible for energy production?

A. Mitochondrion

B. Ribosome

C. Chloroplast

D. Nucleus

Answer: A. Mitochondrion

Chemistry

17. Which of these substances is a mixture?

A. Water

B. Sodium chloride

C. Carbon dioxide

D. Air

Answer: D. Air

18. A compound with molecular formula C₂H₆ is known as:

A. Methane

B. Ethene

C. Ethyne

D. Ethane

Answer: D. Ethane

19. Which of the following is a strong acid?

A. HCl

B. CH₃COOH

C. NH₄OH

D. H₂CO₃

Answer: A. HCl

Agricultural Science

20. The major function of root hairs in plants is to:

A. Anchor the plant

B. Absorb water and minerals

C. Produce hormones

D. Transport food

Answer: B. Absorb water and minerals

21. Soil fertility can best be maintained through:

A. Excessive irrigation

B. Use of herbicides

C. Crop rotation

D. Continuous tilling

Answer: C. Crop rotation

22. Poultry droppings are rich in:

A. Nitrogen

B. Magnesium

C. Potassium

D. Iron

Answer: A. Nitrogen

PLASU Direct Entry Past Questions for Social Science Students

Government

23. Which of the following is not a function of political parties?

A. Educating voters

B. Forming government

C. Conducting elections

D. Presenting candidates

Answer: C. Conducting elections

24. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is the:

A. King

B. President

C. Governor

D. Prime Minister

Answer: D. Prime Minister

25. The major function of the judiciary is to:

A. Control elections

B. Make laws

C. Interpret laws

D. Enforce laws

Answer: C. Interpret laws

Geography

26. Which of the following is a non-renewable natural resource?

A. Forest

B. Solar energy

C. Coal

D. Wind

Answer: C. Coal

27. The compass direction between North and East is:

A. Northwest

B. Southwest

C. Southeast

D. Northeast

Answer: D. Northeast

28. Which of the following is a volcanic mountain?

A. Atlas

B. Kilimanjaro

C. Drakensberg

D. Cameroon Mountain

Answer: B. Kilimanjaro

PLASU Direct Entry Past Questions for Arts Students

Economics

29. Which of the following is a feature of a capitalist economy?

A. Price control

B. Private ownership of resources

C. Government ownership

D. Central planning

Answer: B. Private ownership of resources

30. What is the central problem of economics?

A. Poverty

B. Unemployment

C. Inflation

D. Choice

Answer: D. Choice

31. What is the primary function of the Central Bank?

A. Printing newspapers

B. Providing foreign aid

C. Controlling inflation

D. Giving loans to individuals

Answer: C. Controlling inflation

Literature in English

32. Which of the following is an example of prose fiction?

A. The Tempest

B. The African Child

C. Romeo and Juliet

D. The Incorruptible Judge

Answer: B. The African Child

33. Which of the following is an example of a tragic play?

A. Look Back in Anger

B. The Gods Are Not to Blame

C. The Lion and the Jewel

D. She Stoops to Conquer

Answer: B. The Gods Are Not to Blame

34. Who wrote the play The Lion and the Jewel?

A. Ola Rotimi

B. Wole Soyinka

C. John Pepper Clark

D. Chinua Achebe

Answer: B. Wole Soyinka