2023 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. The  posh  cars  were  sandwiched  between  two  .......... ones.
   1. dented
   2. rugged
   3. rickety
   4. modest
2. A  trivial  issue  often  becomes .......... when  it  is  net  properly  handled.  
   1. valuable
   2. serious
   3. unbearable
   4. ordinary
3. The  rockstar’s  stellar  performance contrasted  sharply  with  the .......... showing  of  the  amateur  group.
   1. routine
   2. woeful
   3. mundane
   4. awkward
4. Tolu  was  sanctioned  for  late  coming but  his  friend  was  .........  
   1. pardoned
   2. ignored
   3. exempted
   4. released
5. While  other  teachers’  support  for the  action  was  Victor  was .......... dogged.  
   1. declining
   2. woeful
   3. disappointing
   4. wavering
6. Some  people  are  good  at  terminating other  people’s  projects  but  are  not  capable  of  ..........  theirs.
   1. initiating
   2. organizing
   3. executing
   4. designing
7. The  precarious  terraces  of  the  stadium have  been  transformed  into  a  ........... walkway.
   1. durable
   2. secure
   3. smooth
   4. narrow
8. If  one  thing  irritates  you,  it  might ........... another.  
   1. delight
   2. concern
   3. invigorate
   4. bother
9. Jane was loud as a teenager but ............ as an adult
   1. peaceful
   2. reserved
   3. humble
   4. respectful
10. Do not always reprimand your children; it is good to ..........them at times
    1. advise
    2. forgive
    3. compliment
    4. pamper

Section 2

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

11. The  aggrieved  customers  staged  a fierce  ..........  on  the  street.
    1. fight
    2. protest
    3. argument
    4. contest
12. The  accused  was  brought  before  the jury  for  a  court  ..........
    1. sitting
    2. hearing
    3. judging
    4. proceeding
13. From  his  ........ ,  One  can  tell  that  he is  an  athlete.
    1. physique
    2. stature
    3. gait
    4. anatomy
14. The death of the journalist is still ............ in mystery.
    1. conveyed
    2. shadowed
    3. shrouded
    4. confined
15. The  defendant  was  charged.  with ......... because  he  caused  his  neighbour’s  death.
    1. fratricide
    2. patricide
    3. genocide
    4. homicide
16. Seeing  a  young  crop  .........  from the  soil  is  a  rare  experience.  
    1. trail
    2. sprout
    3. project
    4. creep
17. Lawyers are still making efforts to interpret the new ..............
    1. language
    2. technique
    3. system
    4. statue
18. The cargo was intercepted on sea by ..................
    1. pirates
    2. thieves
    3. terrorists
    4. robbers
19. The  doctors  ........  ..  Bola's grandmother  after  the  heart  atttack
    1. regenerated
    2. resuscitated
    3. resurrected
    4. revived
20. Because  the  couple  cannot  agree  on many  things,  their  relationship  is  now .................
    1. stressed
    2. uneasy
    3. strained
    4. tensed

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. Revealing  that  information  will  cut the  ground  from  under  my  feet.  This means  that  it  will
    1. expose my plans
    2. ruin my plans
    3. support my plans
    4. promote my plans
22. Mother  always  tells  me  to  keep  my nose  clean.  This  means  that  she  tells me  to
    1. stay healthy
    2. do what pleases me
    3. stay out of trouble
    4. be focused
23. This  action  effectively  puts  the  mockers  on  the  project.  This  means  that  the project  will
    1. take off soon
    2. not be executed
    3. be delayed
    4. not begin well
24. You  can  see  clearly  that  we  are  surpassed  in  numerical  Strength.  This means  that  we  are
    1. by far stronger than they
    2. much weaker than they
    3. more than they are
    4. fewer than they are.
25. One  of  the  athletes  was  disqualified because  she  jumped the gun. This means  that  she  started  
    1. too soon
    2. on time
    3. hurriedly
    4. without permission
26. Be  careful  of  what  you  Say;  there  are no  flies  on  the  boss:  This  means  that the  boss  is
    1. neat
    2. gullible
    3. smart
    4. strict
27. The  students  cocked  their  ears  at  the principal’s  speech.  This  means  that they  listened  with  
    1. little interest
    2. rapt attention
    3. no understanding
    4. no interest
28. Your  daughter  will  do  very  well  in school.  ‘She  has  a  good  head  on  her shoulders:  .This  means  that  she
    1. very beautiful
    2. thinks fast
    3. is sensible
    4. is well behaved and diligent
29. The  accountant  has  been  under  a  cloud since  the fraud  scandal.  This  means that  the  accountant  is  A
    1. worried
    2. under supervision
    3. unhappy
    4. under suspicion
30. Immediately  the  truth  was  revealed, Ngozi  flew  into  a  rage,  This  means  that Ngozi
    1. suddenly became angry
    2. became sad
    3. became desperate
    4. ran away

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. Parents  encourage  their  children  to  exercise  financial  prudence,  
    1. caution
    2. credence
    3. sincerity
    4. precision
32. Awa  deceived  Ahmed  into  handing over  all  his  savings.
    1. cooked
    2. betrayed
    3. fooled
    4. cheated
33. It  turned  out  that  the  plaintiff’s  claim was  false.
    1. surmise
    2. contention
    3. allegation
    4. pronouncement
34. The  aggrieved  faction  held  a  clandestine  meeting.  
    1. secret
    2. quiet
    3. brief
    4. quick
35. Morgan  Pharmacy  is  the  sole  distributor  of  the  antiviral  drug.  
    1. creditable
    2. only
    3. first
    4. major
36. Police  officers  holding  batons  impounded  the  banker’s  car.
    1. damaged
    2. banned
    3. seized
    4. collected
37. The  English  teacher  is  always  cheerful.
    1. satisfied
    2. zealous
    3. gleeful
    4. careful
38. The Chairman  is  of  the  opinion  that laying  off  workers  is  pernicious  to  the growth  of  the  company.  
    1. harmful
    2. irrelevant
    3. indispensable
    4. crucial
39. It was  she  that  commanded  me to  leave the  room.  
    1. encouraged
    2. persuaded
    3. ordered
    4. induced
40. The  valedictorian  was  admired  for  her perseverance  while  at  school.
    1. patience
    2. humility
    3. enthusiasm
    4. tenacity

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. The  fisherman  said  he  sighted  a .........  of  fish  in  the  river.
    1. pack
    2. swarm
    3. shoal
    4. colony
42. The  principal  corrected  no  one  else  but ............
    1. I
    2. me
    3. she
    4. myself
43. The  thug  was  ..........  murder.
    1. sued with
    2. charged with
    3. convicted for
    4. charged for
44. Asokoro  office  ..........  is  located  in Ibadan.
    1. headquarter
    2. headquarters'
    3. headquarters
    4. headquarter's
45. John  should  be  through  with  his  work ...........?
    1. isn't it
    2. shouldn't he
    3. cant't he
    4. cant't he
46. This  is  the  man  .....  .....  I said told me the  interesting  story.
    1. who
    2. whom
    3. whose
    4. which
47. The  accused  forgot  ..............
    1. why the police said
    2. that the police said
    3. when the police said
    4. what the police said
48. The  officer  ...........  is  my  brother,
    1. on uniform
    2. with uniform
    3. in uniform
    4. in uniform dress
49. The  footballers  have  been  practicing
    1. in the stadium hard all morning
    2. hard in the stadium all morning
    3. all morning hard in the stadium
    4. all morning in the stadium hard
50. Professor  John  is  the  leader  of  the ............. committee  to  review  the  new book.
    1. fifty-man
    2. fifty-man's
    3. fifty-men
    4. fifty-men's
51. James appears ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,wiser than his friends
    1. more
    2. most
    3. much
    4. much more
52. That  world  famous  athlete  is  guilty, ............  way  you  look  at  it.  
    1. whichever
    2. however
    3. whatever
    4. whenever
53. We  were  all  afraid  when  the  alarm ...............
    1. rang up
    2. went off
    3. died off
    4. ran off
54. The  material  used  for  sewing  my  dress is .................. to  yours.  
    1. more superior
    2. most superior
    3. superior
    4. very superior
55. The  Chairman  wasn’t  privy .................. that  information.  
    1. to
    2. at
    3. with
    4. on
56. We were lucky our driver didn't die in the accident ...............?
    1. isn't it
    2. weren't we
    3. didn't we
    4. did we
57. The .............. were decorated with flowers.
    1. girls shoes
    2. girls' hoes
    3. girl' shoes'
    4. girls shoes'
58. Before  the  lecturer  entered  the  hall,  we ...........  the  board.
    1. cleaned
    2. have cleaned
    3. are cleaning
    4. had cleaned
59. ................. the hours of nine and ten, the surgeons completed the operation.
    1. Before
    2. Between
    3. In
    4. Upon
60. Mother bought .......... at the fair.
    1. an expensive red japenese car
    2. a japenese red expensive car
    3. an expensive japenese red car
    4. a red expensive japenese car
61. The dut of our teacher is to give instructions; ........... is to obey.
    1. ours
    2. our's
    3. Our
    4. ours'
62. The teacher has ............ with the principal
    1. fallen apart
    2. fallen of
    3. fallen out
    4. fallen down
63. A meeting was called ............ the instance of the Chairman.
    1. by
    2. on
    3. at
    4. for
64. Business is poor these days .......... workers are on strike.
    1. whereas
    2. so that
    3. no matter
    4. because
65. The test seemed ............ simple that we thought we would all pass
    1. so
    2. very
    3. too
    4. over
66. Tayo: I think I can now solve the problem. Essien: ................
    1. Neither can I
    2. So I can
    3. So do I
    4. Either do I
67. The ............ scientist has discovered a cure for cancer.
    1. young brilliant Nigerian
    2. Nigerian brilliant young
    3. young Nigerian brilliant
    4. brilliant young Nigerian
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