2014 English Language WAEC SSCE (School Candidates) May/June

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. Many parents wrongly assume that their children are ignorant whereas they are .......
   1. enthusiast
   2. hardworking
   3. brilliant
   4. knowledgeable
2. Industrious workers should be promoted and ... ones should be dismissed.
   1. indolent
   2. dishonest
   3. inactive
   4. sluggish
3. While some people ... jollof rice, others enjoy it.
   1. rebuff
   2. abhor
   3. ignore
   4. condemn
4. The haughty, and not the ..., are usually unpopular  
   1. friendly
   2. carefree
   3. timid
   4. humble
5. Rather than heed the advice, the children ... it.
   1. defied
   2. countered
   3. ignored
   4. spurned
6. Dishonest traders sell fake products instead of ...... ones.
   1. costly
   2. durable
   3. genuine
   4. perfect
7. The judge expected direct answers but the accused was ...
   1. illusive
   2. secretive
   3. delusive
   4. evasive
8. Parents should persuade children to do chores, not ... them.  
   1. implore
   2. coerce
   3. enjoin
   4. cajole
9. Rather than accept the blame, the manager .... the accusation.  
   1. criticized
   2. refused
   3. addressed
   4. denied
10. It is often easier to start a riot than to ...... it.
    1. complete
    2. suppress
    3. quench
    4. quell

Section 2

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

11. The policy will .... havoc on the economy of the nation.
    1. wreak
    2. promote
    3. produce
    4. wreck
12. The librarian has not entered the new books in the ...
    1. list
    2. directory
    3. catalogue
    4. roster
13. The judge ... the case.
    1. cancelled
    2. dismissed
    3. rejected
    4. withdraw
14. Mosquito parasites have become .... to quinine.
    1. resistant
    2. immune
    3. opposed
    4. defiant
15. The unionists ... the meeting with the management.
    1. rejected
    2. hindered
    3. boycotted
    4. banned
16. The company failed to pay up the loan because it had become ...
    1. corrupt
    2. bankrupt
    3. inefficient
    4. unreliable
17. The newly elected chairman has been ... into office.
    1. sworn
    2. installed
    3. admitted
    4. inaugurated
18. The doctor declared that the sick child needed a blood ...
    1. transformation
    2. transfer
    3. transmission
    4. transfusion
19. Many slaves were ...... in the 19th century.
    1. released
    2. empowered
    3. emancipated
    4. relieved
20. The proprietor has promised to ...... the dilapidated classroom blocks.
    1. erect
    2. renovate
    3. patch
    4. fabricate

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. We heard that Bada has served time. The means that Bada has
    1. always been punctual
    2. been the timekeeper
    3. been to prison
    4. been a faithful servant
22. Mary and I have never seen eye to eye on politics. This means that we have never
    1. agreed on politics
    2. engaged in politics
    3. discussed politics
    4. benefited from politics.
23. Helen has always been a wet blanket. This means that Helen
    1. always gets wet.
    2. betrays her friends.
    3. interacts freely with other people.
    4. stops others from enjoying themselves.
24. The new policy has come, under fire. This means that the policy is
    1. generating controversy
    2. being criticized
    3. being scrutinized
    4. causing a riot
25. Please, don’t jet them get under your skin. This means that you should not let them
    1. infect you.
    2. defeat you.
    3. bully you.
    4. annoy you.
26. We were surprised to learn that Tom had been let off the hook. This means that Tom had
    1. not been punished.
    2. one fishing alone.
    3. been sent away.
    4. not-been dismissed
27. He is at the crossroads of his life. This means that it is time for him to
    1. make a very important decision
    2. retrace his steps
    3. make peace with everyone
    4. take his studies seriously
28. We did understand her better by and by. This means we shall know her better
    1. without her knowing it.
    2. much later.
    3. before long.
    4. by spending time with her.
29. The student’s story did not ring true. This means that the student’s story was
    1. not audible
    2. not believable
    3. full of suspense
    4. quite thrilling
30. Mathematics is a closed book to me. This means that I
    1. do not have to study Mathematics.
    2. do not understand Mathematics.
    3. have never passed Mathematics.
    4. cannot avoid studying Mathematics.

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. I think children are more robust than adults.
    1. healthy and strong
    2. pleasant and cheerful
    3. vital and dependable
    4. plump and curvy
32. The new law was meant to mitigate the people’s suffering.
    1. restrain
    2. moderate
    3. stop
    4. alleviate
33. The Judge is incorruptible
    1. consistent
    2. honest
    3. responsible
    4. out- spoken
34. Whatever my boss decides is irrevocable.
    1. final
    2. true
    3. necessary
    4. enforced
35. The printer took a cursory look at the document.
    1. quick
    2. long
    3. puzzled
    4. careful
36. This morning, Audu arrived at the school looking disheveled.
    1. worried
    2. terrified
    3. untidy
    4. confused
37. Corporal punishment is meant, to be a deterrent to indiscipline.
    1. remedy
    2. measure
    3. discouragement
    4. prevention
38. The new bank is thriving.
    1. evolving
    2. attractive
    3. flourishing
    4. supportive
39. It is not safe to engage in clandestine deals
    1. secret
    2. exclusive
    3. unimportant
    4. doubtful
40. Bola vehemently denied stealing the money.
    1. strongly
    2. fearlessly
    3. openly
    4. strictly

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. It’s been smooth so far, ...... ?
    1. hadn’t it
    2. wasn’t it
    3. isn’t it
    4. hasn’t it
42. The test seemed ... simple that we thought we would all pass. A. B.
    1. too
    2. very
    3. so
    4. much
43. Good citizens are expected to abide ... the stipulated laws.
    1. with
    2. in
    3. to
    4. by
44. in the olden days, peoples gave cowries ...... food. A. B.
    1. on exchange for
    2. in exchange of
    3. in exchange for
    4. on exchange with
45. The man tried to cash in .... the boy’s ignorance.
    1. by
    2. at
    3. on
    4. with
46. Adamu studied very hard .... passing the examination.
    1. with a view to
    2. with the view of
    3. with a view of
    4. with the view to
47. No sooner had the judge read the verdict ... pandemonium broke out.
    1. than
    2. when
    3. and
    4. then
48. I could not distinguish the original ... the fake.
    1. from
    2. to
    3. by
    4. with
49. When I came home, my mother asked me if I ...
    1. ate
    2. was eating
    3. have eaten
    4. had eaten
50. Uncle Richard invited Naza and ...... to his house.
    1. me
    2. I
    3. myself
    4. she
51. My sister prides herself ... her cooking.
    1. on
    2. for
    3. over
    4. in
52. I suppose it’s high time we ... attention to our studies.
    1. pay
    2. are paying
    3. paid
    4. should pay
53. We were expecting them in the evening but they arrived ... dawn.
    1. on
    2. at
    3. in
    4. for
54. Children often try to live up ... their parents’ expectations.
    1. in
    2. by
    3. to
    4. on
55. He ... be fat, but he is still smart.
    1. may
    2. could
    3. can
    4. might
56. The students had no choice ... to do as they had been commanded
    1. even
    2. but
    3. rather
    4. only
57. The dog was run ... by a careless driver.
    1. under
    2. upon
    3. across
    4. over
58. When will the strike be ......? A. B. C. D.
    1. called off
    2. called back
    3. called out
    4. called over
59. I received an award ... my outstanding performance in the debate. A.
    1. for
    2. through
    3. in
    4. over
60. The earlier we leave ... for us.
    1. the best
    2. the much better
    3. the better
    4. it is better
61. I just couldn’t ...... what he was saying.
    1. make do B. C.
    2. make out
    3. make up
    4. make by
62. The men were charged ...... murder.
    1. of
    2. for
    3. with
    4. on
63. It is I who .... to blame for the lapses.
    1. was
    2. am
    3. is
    4. are
64. We had to look ... the word in the dictionary.
    1. with
    2. on
    3. at
    4. up
65. Each of the winners....to receive five thousand dollars.
    1. are
    2. is
    3. have
    4. were
66. Everyone was happy when the two friends made .... after their disagreement.
    1. off
    2. do
    3. away
    4. up
67. It is rude to cut ... when people are talking.
    1. in
    2. through
    3. off
    4. from
68. I ... a song when I got my letter of promotion.
    1. broke into
    2. broke out
    3. broke for
    4. broke in
69. Our tour of the tower came to an end all ... soon. A. B. C. D.
    1. much
    2. rather
    3. too
    4. more
70. The ...:.. of the various dailies attended the conference. A. B. C. Editors-in-Chief D.
    1. Editors-in-Chiefs
    2. Editors’-in-Chief
    3. Editors-in-Chief
    4. Editor’s-in-Chief

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