WAEC Past Questions

WAEC English 2020
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2020 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: A guest should not make *derogatory* remarks about what he is offered by his host but __________ statements.

A. candid
B. appealing
C. polite
D. complimentary
Explanation

Derogatory means insulting; complimentary, meaning praising or appreciative, is the opposite and fits the context.

2
Question 2 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The runner was __________ fifteen seconds at the end of the race.

A. taped
B. timed
C. belled
D. flagged
Explanation

Timed is the correct term for measuring the duration of a runner's performance.

3
Question 3 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: There is a *pending* __________ against the senator.

A. application
B. appeal
C. petition
D. complaint
Explanation

A complaint is a formal accusation or grievance, fitting the context of something pending against a senator.

4
Question 4 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The boy was *reluctant* to carry out the order of his senior, meaning he was __________.

A. adamant
B. slow
C. sluggish
D. unwilling
Explanation

Reluctant means unwilling, which directly matches the meaning in the sentence.

5
Question 5 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the group of words that best completes the sentence: The soldiers lay __________ the town to arrest the terrorists.

A. siege on
B. siege to
C. siege with
D. siege by
Explanation

The correct phrase is 'lay siege to,' meaning to surround and attack a place.

6
Question 6 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: The audience *applauded* the last speaker, but the first was __________.

A. booed
B. rejected
C. abused
D. scorned
Explanation

Booed is the opposite of applauded, indicating the audience's disapproval.

7
Question 7 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The appellate court has __________ the decision of the lower court.

A. obstructed
B. nullified
C. neutralized
D. balanced
Explanation

Nullified means to cancel or invalidate, which is what an appellate court does to a lower court's decision.

8
Question 8 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: The manager was not in when Addo called, so he left his __________ card.

A. supplementary
B. complimentary
C. complementary
D. identification
Explanation

An identification card is left to provide contact details, fitting the context.

9
Question 9 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: Dr. Azeez *declined* the offer to chair the meeting, meaning he __________ it.

A. rescinded
B. shunned
C. refused
D. avoided
Explanation

Declined means refused, directly matching the meaning in the sentence.

10
Question 10 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the group of words that best completes the sentence: Power has not been *restored* __________ many parts of the town.

A. to
B. in
C. for
D. with
Explanation

The correct preposition is 'restored to,' indicating the return of power to areas.

11
Question 11 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: The commander said that *raw* recruits could not dislodge the enemy; he needed __________ men.

A. skilled
B. practical
C. learned
D. seasoned
Explanation

Seasoned, meaning experienced, is the opposite of raw (inexperienced) and fits the context.

12
Question 12 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: Coming from the kitchen was the sweet __________ of Mummy’s soup.

A. aroma
B. odour
C. fragrance
D. scent
Explanation

Aroma is the most appropriate term for the pleasant smell of food.

13
Question 13 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: We got to the hall after the play __________.

A. is
B. have
C. had
D. was
Explanation

The past perfect 'had' indicates the play finished before their arrival.

14
Question 14 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The match came to an *abrupt* end when the rain started, meaning it ended __________.

A. sharp
B. brisk
C. quick
D. sudden
Explanation

Abrupt means sudden, directly matching the meaning in the sentence.

15
Question 15 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: John gave a *fictitious* account of the accident, but his son’s account was __________.

A. probable
B. competing
C. factual
D. necessary
Explanation

Factual, meaning true, is the opposite of fictitious (false).

16
Question 16 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: There is a need to raise teachers’ salary in order to boost their __________.

A. spirit
B. moral
C. soul
D. morale
Explanation

Morale refers to the confidence or enthusiasm of a group, fitting the context.

17
Question 17 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the group of words that best completes the sentence: The woman said the maid should __________ all the plates before going to bed.

A. wash out
B. wash up
C. wash off
D. wash away
Explanation

Wash up is the correct phrase for cleaning dishes.

18
Question 18 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The boy came through the window as *stealthily* as he could, meaning he moved __________.

A. quietly
B. carefully
C. quickly
D. slowly
Explanation

Stealthily means quietly to avoid detection, matching the context.

19
Question 19 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: While the refuse dump smelled *fetid*, the orchard exuded a __________ smell.

A. fragrant
B. spicy
C. clean
D. dry
Explanation

Fragrant, meaning pleasant-smelling, is the opposite of fetid (foul-smelling).

20
Question 20 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: The textbook is very costly; I cannot __________ it to my students.

A. commit
B. afford
C. endorse
D. recommend
Explanation

Afford means having the financial ability to provide, fitting the context.

21
Question 21 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the group of words that best completes the sentence: John, would you mind lifting the box? __________.

A. Yes, I do
B. No, I wouldn’t
C. Yes, I wouldn’t
D. No, I don’t
Explanation

No, I don’t is the correct response to indicate willingness to help.

22
Question 22 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: Bimbo was *satisfied* with the result she got, meaning she was __________.

A. positive
B. surprised
C. contented
D. appeased
Explanation

Satisfied means contented, matching the meaning in the sentence.

23
Question 23 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: Only some of the accused were *acquitted*; the rest were __________.

A. remanded
B. convicted
C. detained
D. interdicted
Explanation

Convicted is the opposite of acquitted, meaning found guilty.

24
Question 24 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: The weather is too hot; I need some water to __________ my thirst.

A. wet
B. quench
C. cool
D. soak
Explanation

Quench is the most appropriate term for satisfying thirst.

25
Question 25 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the group of words that best completes the sentence: It was a long poem, but Rasheed learnt it __________.

A. from memory
B. to memory
C. by heart
D. to heart
Explanation

By heart is the correct idiom for memorizing something completely.

26
Question 26 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: It is *absurd* that people find it difficult to be honest, meaning it is __________.

A. strange
B. abnormal
C. alarming
D. interesting
Explanation

Absurd means strange or unreasonable, matching the context.

27
Question 27 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: The principal chastised Ben for his use of *coarse* language and advised him to emulate his sister’s __________ language.

A. pure
B. neat
C. refined
D. organized
Explanation

Refined, meaning polished or cultured, is the opposite of coarse (crude).

28
Question 28 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: My grandmother once told me that *old habits die hard*, meaning old habits are __________.

A. easily corrected
B. difficult to change
C. short-lived
D. forever changing
Explanation

The idiom means habits are hard to break, fitting 'difficult to change.'

29
Question 29 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the group of words that best completes the sentence: Let’s begin all over again, __________?

A. may we
B. shall we
C. can we
D. must we
Explanation

Shall we is the correct question tag for suggesting an action.

30
Question 30 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: Even a *mediocre* student can pass the test, meaning a(n) __________ student.

A. dull
B. fresh
C. average
D. lazy
Explanation

Mediocre means average, directly matching the meaning.

31
Question 31 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: It would have been my pleasure to *accept* your invitation, but I have to __________ it because of a previous engagement.

A. jettison
B. defer
C. suspend
D. decline
Explanation

Decline, meaning to refuse politely, is the opposite of accept.

32
Question 32 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the interpretations lettered A to D, choose the one that is most appropriate for the sentence: If you ask him to sing, he will do it *at the drop of a hat*, meaning he will sing __________.

A. joyfully
B. melodiously
C. immediately
D. sluggishly
Explanation

At the drop of a hat means immediately, fitting the idiom.

33
Question 33 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the group of words that best completes the sentence: The ushers told the people to __________ their shoes before they entered the hall.

A. put off
B. put out
C. take off
D. take out
Explanation

Take off is the correct phrase for removing shoes.

34
Question 34 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: We called the carpenter to *repair* the broken door, meaning to __________ it.

A. restore
B. renovate
C. replace
D. mend
Explanation

Repair means mend, directly matching the context.

35
Question 35 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and correctly fills the gap: Older people are *expected* to be __________, where youths are green.

A. experienced
B. cautious
C. equipped
D. considerate
Explanation

Experienced is the opposite of green (inexperienced), fitting the context.

36
Question 36 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the correct vowel sound: What is the sound of the vowel in *boat*?

A. /oʊ/
B. /ɔ/
C. /u:/
D. /eɪ/
Explanation

The vowel sound in 'boat' is the diphthong /oʊ/.

37
Question 37 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word with a short vowel sound in the first syllable: Which word has a short vowel sound in the first syllable?

A. late
B. let
C. light
D. loot
Explanation

Let has a short vowel /ɛ/ in the first syllable, unlike the others with long vowels.

38
Question 38 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the correct syllable with primary stress: The word *disappoint* has the primary stress on which syllable?

A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Explanation

Disappoint is stressed on the second syllable: dis-ap-POINT.

39
Question 39 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word containing the /tʃ/ sound: Which of these words contains the /tʃ/ sound?

A. church
B. search
C. march
D. arch
Explanation

Church contains the /tʃ/ sound, as in 'ch.'

40
Question 40 of 40
WAEC · English · 2020

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word where stress shifts when used as an adjective: In which word does the stress shift when used as an adjective?

A. 'conduct
B. con'duct
C. 'present
D. pre'sent
Explanation

Present shifts stress from PRE-sent (noun/verb) to pre-SENT (adjective).

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