WAEC Yoruba 2018
Questions & Answers

Distractor check: Option A or C might look tempting since many vocabulary terms describe physical appearances or temporal states. Reasoning to the answer: The term 'ọ̀rọ̀ àpọ́n' points directly toward an individual lacking children, as exemplified by expressions like 'àgàn'. Common mistake: Mistaking descriptive terminology for words indicating chronological time.

Distractor check: A student could mistakenly select 'Ọba' (Option A) or 'Sọ̀rọ̀' (Option B) assuming the subject or the primary action verb functions as the descriptor. Reasoning to the answer: The word 'pẹ̀lẹ́' acts as the descriptive word (adjective or adverb) because it modifies how the king is speaking ('sọ̀rọ̀ pẹ̀lẹ́'). Common mistake: Confusing the grammatical subject with the descriptive modifier.

Distractor check: A test-taker might pick option A, which merely rephrases parts of the proverb literally without capturing its deeper moral warning. Reasoning to the answer: This proverb teaches that people should not abandon vital, important matters to chase after worthless or trivial pursuits, matching option B. Common mistake: Interpreting traditional proverbs literally rather than grasping their metaphorical life lessons.

Distractor check: Options A, B, and D present other French numbers that students often mix up when counting. Reasoning to the answer: The Yoruba number 'mẹ́fà' translates to 'six', which corresponds to 'Six' in the French language. Common mistake: Confusing French numerals due to phonetic similarities between 'Cinq', 'Six', and 'Sept'.

Distractor check: Option A ('Àga') or D ('Ìbùsùn') might look plausible if a student guesses randomly among household items, but those are furniture rather than kitchen tools. Reasoning to the answer: 'Ìkòkò adágún' is a traditional cooking tool utilized for preparing food over an open fire. Common mistake: Failing to distinguish between domestic furniture and traditional cooking utensils.

Distractor check: Option D could be chosen if a student confuses cultural naming terms with testing or examination words. Reasoning to the answer: The expression 'àbáyọ' refers specifically to a child who keeps returning through repeated births, otherwise known as an 'àbíkú'. Common mistake: Misassociating traditional birth-cycle terms with character traits or testing.

Distractor check: Option A (Tútù - cold) is a common trap because weather descriptions often contrast heat with cold. Reasoning to the answer: In this context, 'ru' indicates that the weather is growing hot or rising with intense heat. Common mistake: Translating meteorological terms based on incorrect temperature assumptions.

Distractor check: Option A (Ẹyẹ - bird) might seem like a graceful symbol, leading to an incorrect choice. Reasoning to the answer: The elephant ('Erin') serves as a traditional symbol of growth and development due to its immense size and physical power. Common mistake: Overlooking cultural symbolism where physical magnitude represents status and progress.

Distractor check: Option B might seem correct because it mentions speaking ('sọ àsọyé'), confusing a speech-maker with a truth-teller. Reasoning to the answer: The term 'àwíyé' designates an individual who speaks the truth or possesses authentic knowledge. Common mistake: Assuming any word containing speech roots relates to speech-making rather than truthfulness.

Distractor check: Option C (Strength and bravery) is tempting because folktale tricksters often overcome larger foes, but they rely on wit rather than brute force. Reasoning to the answer: Tortoise ('Ìjápa') stories highlight cleverness and cunning deceit because the character consistently uses intellect to navigate challenges. Common mistake: Crediting physical strength instead of cleverness as the primary trait of the trickster tortoise.

Distractor check: Option A (Ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ - plantain) is a common food item, making it an easy wrong guess for native ingredients. Reasoning to the answer: The locust bean seed ('Èso ìrú') is the specific seed referred to as 'ògìrì', which is traditionally used as a seasoning for soup. Common mistake: Confusing local seed varieties used in traditional soup condiments.

Distractor check: Option C or D might be selected if a student guesses a general personality trait rather than analyzing the prefix. Reasoning to the answer: The word 'àìlọ́gbọ́n' literally points to a person lacking knowledge or wisdom. Common mistake: Ignoring negative prefixes that invert the root meaning of intellect.

Distractor check: Option D (Ògún) is a very famous deity that students might default to, but Ògún governs iron and war rather than commerce. Reasoning to the answer: 'Aje' is the revered deity associated with wealth and commerce, known for blessing and supporting traders. Common mistake: Attributing all traditional Yoruba economic success to iron deities instead of Aje.

Distractor check: Option C (Bọ́ọ̀lù - ball) is a modern object, but students might incorrectly guess it if they do not recognize ritual items. Reasoning to the answer: Beads ('Ìlẹ̀kẹ̀') serve as a traditional ritual item used in worship to signify sacred religious devotion. Common mistake: Overlooking the cultural and spiritual significance of beaded adornments in traditional worship.

Distractor check: Option A might be chosen if a student misinterprets the root word as a physical location or standing still. Reasoning to the answer: The term 'ìdálẹ̀' points directly to reverence paid toward deities or indigenous religious practices. Common mistake: Confusing spiritual devotion terminology with geographical locations.

Distractor check: Option A might look plausible if a student assumes 'sọ̀rọ̀' elements are embedded in mental activities. Reasoning to the answer: The word 'àṣàrò' means deep thinking or mental reflection upon a matter. Common mistake: Mistaking contemplative thought processes for spoken dialogue.

Distractor check: Option A (Ológbò - cat) is a common domestic pet, but it is not typically used for traditional ritual sacrifices. Reasoning to the answer: The animal known as 'àdùbà' is traditionally utilized for ritual sacrifice because of its specific behavioral traits. Common mistake: Confusing household pets with ritually designated sacrificial animals.

Distractor check: Option C might catch the eye of a student confusing mythical child phenomena with royal lineage. Reasoning to the answer: The term 'àbíkú' specifically describes a child who repeatedly dies and is reborn to the same mother. Common mistake: Misinterpreting cyclical infant mortality concepts as royal status.

Distractor check: Option A or C might seem practical, but epic literary characters typically venture into wild domains for greater pursuits. Reasoning to the answer: Aláwìíyé traveled into the forest seeking esoteric knowledge and power with the aspiration of becoming wise. Common mistake: Assuming literary characters enter dangerous forests for mundane tasks like cooking or trading.

Distractor check: Option A or C might be picked if a student confuses descriptive words with spatial or temporal markers. Reasoning to the answer: An 'ọ̀rọ̀ àpèjúwe' is a descriptive word used to outline qualities like size, shape, or appearance. Common mistake: Confusing adjectives and descriptive modifiers with adverbial time markers.