2017 English Language WAEC SSCE (School Candidates) May/June

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English Language 1 - Objective Questions

Section 1

In each of the following sentences, there is one underlined word and one gap. From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence.

1. Michael is stingy but his brother is ...
   1. generous
   2. kind
   3. humane
   4. hospitable
2. Success is the reward of ... not indolence.
   1. prudence
   2. attentiveness
   3. diligence
   4. sharpness
3. I don't know how Yusuf became so proud: his parents have always been ...
   1. gentle
   2. noble
   3. humble
   4. simple
4. The once unknown musician became ... in a very short time.
   1. popular
   2. accepted
   3. respected
   4. admirable
5. Issa is very much interested in education while his sister is ...
   1. dull
   2. indifferent
   3. uncertain
   4. serious
6. The comment I made at the conference was general; being ... would have hurt some people.
   1. ordinary
   2. specific
   3. tactful
   4. candid
7. Buba was purposeful in his search for a job but Bala was rather ... about his.
   1. patient
   2. slow
   3. lazy
   4. casual
8. In recent tournaments I have seen amateurs play better than so-called ...
   1. experts
   2. veterans
   3. specialists
   4. professionals
9. The student appeared ... but we were all confident in his ability.
   1. afraid
   2. nervous
   3. unconvinced
   4. ignorant
10. Giraffes are attractive animals but snakes are ...
    1. repulsive
    2. ugly
    3. poisonous
    4. offensive

Section 2

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.

11. Mr. Uche was trying to ... a list of his debtors {a} (5)
    1. compare
    2. compose
    3. compound
    4. compile
12. He tried to ... the housemistress by entering the hostel through the back door.
    1. reject
    2. repel
    3. evade
    4. deflect
13. He gives the ... that he is wealthy but he really isn't.
    1. impression
    2. opinion
    3. attribute
    4. indication
14. Frank was ... in the riot because his books were found at the scene.
    1. blamed
    2. caught
    3. implicated
    4. grafted
15. The insurance company ... my uncle for the loss of his car.
    1. redeemed
    2. relieved
    3. compensated
    4. paid
16. Before giving his speech, the chairman ... copies of it to the members of the council,
    1. duplicated
    2. spread
    3. circulated
    4. printed
17. We wished to win the tournament but we knew our ... were slim.
    1. skills
    2. opportunities
    3. odds
    4. chances
18. When all the members started arguing, the chairman called the meeting to ...
    1. silence
    2. order
    3. audience
    4. attention
19. The felling of trees contributes to environmental ...
    1. pollution
    2. damage
    3. degradation
    4. destruction
20. I had to put up my house as ... for the bank loan
    1. pledge
    2. agreement
    3. collateral
    4. surety

Section 3

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.

21. Our mother always warns us against washing our dirty linen in public. This means: that she warns us.
    1. not to discuss private matters in public
    2. to fetch enough water for washing
    3. not to soil our clothes
    4. to keep our mouths shut
22. Let us draw a veil over this matter. This means that we should
    1. avoid discussing the matter
    2. take the matter to court
    3. cover our heads with a veil
    4. get the elders to resolve the matter
23. Children think their parents are behind the times. This means that they think that their parents are
    1. always late for work
    2. not worried about new things
    3. old fashioned
    4. not duty conscious
24. Ever since that.issue came up. I have been sitting on the fence. This means that I have been
    1. continuously in trouble
    2. sitting alone in the house
    3. walking around to find a job
    4. avoiding stating my opinion.
25. You must square up to your problems. This means that you have to
    1. deal with your problems effectively
    2. consider your problems from all angles
    3. forget your problems
    4. arrange your problems
26. Many of us escaped with the skin of our teeth during the crisis. This means that we
    1. lost some of our teeth
    2. narrowly escaped
    3. quickly escaped
    4. had marks on our skin.
27. Peter and Paul get along like a house on fire. This means that they
    1. have a very good relationship
    2. are not on speaking terms
    3. avoid each other always
    4. pretend to like each other
28. When Victor’s father gave him a new car, he was lost for words. This means that Victor (c) (d)
    1. did not like the car
    2. forgot to show his gratitude
    3. was overwhelmed
    4. was not grateful
29. This film is a cut above the others. This means that it is
    1. cut to look like the others
    2. much better than the others
    3. different from the others
    4. inferior to the others.
30. We knew our father was talking tongue-in-cheek when he spoke of a vacation abroad. This means that our father was
    1. sincere
    2. courageous
    3. joking
    4. reasonable

Section 4

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.

31. The accused was asked to retract his statement (d) On the death of her father
    1. recall
    2. withdraw
    3. make
    4. rewrite
32. On the death of her father, friends went to express their condolences (b) (c) (d)
    1. sympathy
    2. pity
    3. concerns
    4. worries
33. The Chume’s house caught fire because their little girl had turned on the gas inadvertently, (b) (c) (d)
    1. automatically
    2. hurriedly
    3. carelessly
    4. unintentionally
34. A magnificent structure was erected close to our house, (a) (b) (c) (d) .
    1. real
    2. splendid
    3. colourful
    4. fine
35. Mediocrity in politics should not be tolerated. (c) (d)
    1. promoted
    2. encouraged
    3. approved
    4. helped
36. A group of experts was brought in to verify the authenticity of the evidence,
    1. support
    2. improve
    3. correct
    4. ascertain
37. Due to the pressure of work, the old man had no alternative but to relinquish his post (c) (d)
    1. give out
    2. give in
    3. give up
    4. give away
38. The obstinate boy soon met his waterloo when the war broke out. (b).(c) (d)
    1. proud
    2. stubborn
    3. careless
    4. rude
39. The prescribed textbooks are difficult to find in the bookshops, °4 (b) (c) (d)
    1. highlighted
    2. right
    3. actual
    4. recommended
40. Our stationery supplies are exhausted (d)
    1. completed
    2. finished
    3. consumed
    4. destroyed

Section 5

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.

41. My sympathies are ... the victims of the flood, (a) (b) (c) (d)
    1. on
    2. to
    3. with
    4. about
42. Your application for employment ... at this very moment, (c) (d)
    1. was being considered
    2. is considered
    3. is being considered
    4. was considered
43. ... the court orders, he went ahead to build on that land, (a) (b) (c) d)
    1. In spite of
    2. Besides
    3. But for
    4. Although
44. He almost got ... with the crime -(a) (b) (c) (d) | . . .
    1. up
    2. off
    3. over
    4. away
45. ... an accident, the police should be informed immediately,
    1. In the event of
    2. In view of
    3. in view to
    4. in place of
46. If you don’t get off my property, I'll set the dog ... you (d)
    1. off
    2. on
    3. unto
    4. into
47. The task ... to them was very difficult, (a) (b) (c) (d)
    1. giving
    2. given
    3. give
    4. gave
48. Two boys in the art class were doing self-portraits by looking at ... in the mirror
    1. oneself
    2. each other
    3. one another
    4. themselves
49. Hardly a day passes by ... his thinking of her. (d}
    1. that
    2. without
    3. while
    4. when
50. Each time he opens his mouth, he ... something foolish, (a) (b) (c) (d)
    1. says
    2. said
    3. saying
    4. say
51. The spectators had to endure the heat ... (a) () (c) (d)
    1. as they could
    2. as best as they could
    3. as best they could
    4. as they could best
52. ... I would love to be at your party, I really can’t.
    1. In as much as
    2. As much as
    3. Much as
    4. As much
53. The sick man was ... emaciated that I could hardly recognize him.
    1. too
    2. very
    3. quite
    4. so
54. One of the muggers who snatched the handbag ... been arrested by the police,
    1. have
    2. was
    3. is
    4. has
55. She is not the right candidate for the job? (a) is she (b) is it (c) was she (d)- isn’t it
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
56. Question 56
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
57. Question 57
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
58. Question 58
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
59. Question 59
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
60. Question 60
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
61. Question 61
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
62. Question 62
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
63. Question 63
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
64. Question 64
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
65. Question 65
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
66. Question 66
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
67. Question 67
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
68. Question 68
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
69. Question 69
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
70. Question 70
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4

Section 6

In the following passage, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, four options are given in columns lettered A to D. Choose the word that is most suitable to fill the numbered gaps in the passage.

*question text

	A	B	C	D
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

English Language 2 - Theory

Section A - Essay Writing

All questions carry equal marks. Your answer should not be less than 450 words. You are advised to spend about 50 minutes on this section.

1. Question 1
2. Question 2
3. Question 3
4. Question 4
5. Question 5

Section B - Comprehension

You are advised to spend about 30 minutes on this section.

[Comprehension passage]

6. Question 6
   1. Sub-question 1
   2. Sub-question 1
   3. Sub-question 1
   4. Sub-question 1
   5. Sub-question 1
   6. Sub-question 1
   7. Sub-question 1
   8. Sub-question 1

Section C - Summary

You are advised to spend about 40 minutes on this section.

[Summary passage]

7. Question 7
   1. Sub-question 1
   2. Sub-question 1

English Language 3 - Test of Orals

Section 1

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

1. Question 1
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
2. Question 2
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
3. Question 3
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
4. Question 4
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
5. Question 5
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
6. Question 6
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
7. Question 7
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
8. Question 8
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
9. Question 9
   1. Option 1
   2. Option 2
   3. Option 3
   4. Option 4
10. Question 10
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
11. Question 11
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
12. Question 12
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
13. Question 13
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
14. Question 14
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
15. Question 15
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4

Section 2

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined.

16. Question 16
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
17. Question 17
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
18. Question 18
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
19. Question 19
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
20. Question 20
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
21. Question 21
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
22. Question 22
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
23. Question 23
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
24. Question 24
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
25. Question 25
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
26. Question 26
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
27. Question 27
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
28. Question 28
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
29. Question 29
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
30. Question 30
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4

Section 3

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that rhymes with the given word.

31. Question 31
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
32. Question 32
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
33. Question 33
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
34. Question 34
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
35. Question 35
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4

Section 4

From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress.

36. Question 36
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
37. Question 37
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
38. Question 38
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
39. Question 39
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
40. Question 40
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4

Section 5

In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern. Identify the one with the different stress pattern and shade your answer in the usual way.

41. 1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
42. 1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
43. 1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
44. 1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
45. 1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4

Section 6

In each of the following sentences, the word that receives the emphatic stress is written in capital letters. From the questions lettered A to D, choose the one to which the given sentence is the appropriate answer.

46. Question 46
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
47. Question 47
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
48. Question 48
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
49. Question 49
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
50. Question 50
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4

Section 7

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol.

51. Question 51
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
52. Question 52
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
53. Question 53
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
54. Question 54
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
55. Question 55
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
56. Question 56
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
57. Question 57
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
58. Question 58
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
59. Question 59
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4
60. Question 60
    1. Option 1
    2. Option 2
    3. Option 3
    4. Option 4