Designed for WAEC English candidates, this 2022 paper evaluates lexical competence, figurative interpretations, synonyms, and phonology. Recurring themes include sentence completion with precise vocabulary, understanding idiomatic phrases, and identifying syllable stress patterns and phonetic sounds. Make the most of this practice by reviewing the detailed explanations for each phonetic rule and lexical choice to solidify your understanding.
Topics in this paper
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: Obi's family is known for their 'audacity', so one is surprised at his ............
One might pick options B, C, or D by confusing the emotional traits associated with an unexpected contrast to family audacity. The term audacity denotes boldness, and the opposite of this quality is cowardice, which perfectly establishes the contrast in the sentence. Common mistake: failing to identify the exact antonym required for the contextual contrast.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: Bayo is careless in his ways while Tayo is ............
Options A, C, or D could be mistakenly chosen by selecting words that describe personality without providing a direct antonym for carelessness. The word careless signifies a lack of carefulness, whereas meticulous denotes being careful and precise, creating the proper contrast. Common mistake: choosing a general descriptor instead of a precise antonym.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: In this country, the law against armed robbery is 'stringent' whereas that against smoking in public places is ............
A student might choose options A, B, or D by misunderstanding the severity scale implied by legal terminology. Stringent means strict, and lax serves as its exact opposite, successfully contrasting the severity of the two laws. Common mistake: confusing the degree of strictness with complexity.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The purpose of education is to 'facilitate' progress, not to ............
Options A, C, or D might be chosen if a student fails to recognize the precise antonym for making things easier. Facilitate means to make easier, while impede means to delay or prevent progress, providing the correct antithesis. Common mistake: confusing impediment with general restraint or prevention.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: These days, many people concentrate on 'temporal' things to the detriment of the ............
One might select options A, B, or C by choosing words related to durability rather than the philosophical opposite of worldly things. Temporal means worldly or short-lived, whereas spiritual means eternal or non-material, creating the intended contrast. Common mistake: equating non-material concepts with physical durability.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: While your parents are ............, mine are liberal in their views.
A student could pick options A, B, or D by choosing a negative trait instead of the direct conceptual opposite of being liberal. Liberal means open-minded, and conservative means traditional and resistant to change, making it the appropriate counterpart. Common mistake: confusing open-mindedness with strictness.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The judge expected 'direct' answers but the accused was ............
Options A, B, or C might be chosen if a student mistakes deceptive spellings or general secrecy for avoiding direct communication. Direct means straightforward, whereas evasive means avoiding direct answers, fitting the judge's frustration. Common mistake: confusing illusive or delusive with evasive behavior.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: Kofi is 'generous', whereas his wife is ............
One might select options A, C, or D by picking negative adjectives that do not specifically target financial reluctance. Generous means willing to give, while stingy means unwilling to spend or give, forming the exact contrast. Common mistake: confusing unkindness or harshness with unwillingness to spend money.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: His manners are 'uncouth', while his wife's are ............
A student could mistakenly pick options A, B, or D by choosing positive descriptors that fail to act as direct opposites to roughness. Uncouth means rough or rude, whereas refined means polite and cultured, providing the precise contrast. Common mistake: choosing classic or clever instead of manners-focused antonyms.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The peak of Mount Everest is about 'six' miles from its ............
Options B, C, or D might be selected if a student confuses geographical elevation terms with subterranean measurements. The peak is the top of the mountain, and the base is the bottom, completing the measurement context. Common mistake: confusing the bottom of an elevation with its depth or root.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The recent floods in some countries have ............ many lives.
A student might choose options B, C, or D by focusing on physical burial or injury rather than disaster casualty terminology. Claimed means taken as a casualty and is commonly used for disasters causing deaths. Common mistake: selecting physical drowning instead of the standard idiom for disaster fatalities.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: He does not smoke so the gift of an ashtray will not be 'quite' ............
One might pick options A, B, or D by choosing words that imply general positivity rather than situational suitability. Appropriate means suitable, and an ashtray is simply not suitable for a non-smoker. Common mistake: confusing general attractiveness with situational appropriateness.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The reviewers did an 'excellent' job at the book ............
Options B, C, or D could be chosen by confusing literary events with theatrical or general gatherings. Book launch is the specific event for introducing a new book to the public. Common mistake: using premiere for books instead of films or events.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The government ............ against the ruling of the tribunal.
A student might mistakenly select options A, B, or C by choosing procedural terms that do not challenge a tribunal ruling. Appeal is the legal process to challenge a tribunal's decision. Common mistake: confusing an application or injunction with a formal legal appeal.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: At the terminus, all passengers on the train will have to ............
Options A, C, or D could be chosen by confusing general movement verbs with specific transport terminology. Disembark means to leave a train or ship at the end of a journey. Common mistake: using alight or descend without matching the formal transport context.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: Reading the ............ of the famous king, one would see that he had many things to hide.
One might pick options B, C, or D by selecting broad historical terms instead of personal accounts. Memoirs are personal accounts that may reveal hidden aspects of life. Common mistake: confusing general chronicles with personal memoirs.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The smaller boys had always drawn back in fear when the bully raised a fist, but this time they did 'not' ............
A student could choose options A, B, or C by misunderstanding the double negative context of standing firm. Recoil means to draw back in fear, so not recoiling means they stood firm. Common mistake: interpreting not recoiling as advancing instead of standing their ground.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The old man prayed for the ............ of his sins before he died.
Options A, B, or C might be selected by choosing administrative or legal words that do not relate to sin forgiveness. Remission means forgiveness of sins. Common mistake: confusing the omission of sins with their spiritual remission.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: Inflation has caused the 'cost' of goods to ............
A student might pick options B, C, or D by selecting verbs that describe general movement rather than rapid financial growth. Escalate means to increase rapidly, fitting the context of inflation. Common mistake: confusing general ascension with price escalation.
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes the sentence: The economy of the country has 'remained' ............ despite the crisis.
One could select options B, C, or D by choosing adjectives that describe harsh conditions rather than economic resilience. Strong describes an economy resilient to crises. Common mistake: confusing a tough environment with a strong economic state.
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