WAEC Past Questions & Answer: ENGLISH LANGUAGE 2019
Welcome to our WAEC past question and answer series. In this post, we will be sharing ‘recent’ past questions and their answers for various subjects. Stay tuned enjoy while learning.
1. In the following sentence, 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.
Success is the reward of _________, not indolence.
A prudence
B attentiveness
C diligence
D sharpness
2. In the following sentence, 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.
I don’t know how Yusuf became so proud; his parents have always been ______
A gentle
B noble
C humble
D simple
3. In the following sentence, 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.
The once unknown musician became _____ in a very short time.
A popular
B accepted
C respected
D admirable
4. In the following sentence, 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.
Issa is very much interested in education while his sister in ________
A dull
B indifferent
C uncertain
D serious
5. In the following sentence, 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.
The comment I made at the conference was general; being ______ would have hurt some people.
A ordinary
B specific
C tactful
D candid
6. In the following sentence, 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.
Buba was purposeful in his search for a job but Bala was rather _____ about his.
A patient
B slow
C lazy
D casual
7. In the following sentence, 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.
In recent tournaments i have seen amateurs play better than so-called _____
A experts
B veterans
C specialists
D professionals
8. In the following sentence, 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.
Giraffes are attractive animals but snakes are _____
A repulsive
B ugly
C poisonous
D offensive
9. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
Mr Uche was trying to _____ a list of his debtors
A compare
B compose
C compound
D compile
10. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
He tried to ______ the housemistress by entering the hostel through the back door.
A reject
B repel
C evade
D deflect
11. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
He gives the____ that he is wealthy but he really isn’t.
A impression
B opinion
C attribute
D indication
12. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
Frank was _____ in the riot because his books were found at the scene.
A blamed
B caught
C implicated
D grafted
13. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
Before giving his speech, the chairman ____ copies of it to the members of the council.
A duplicated
B spread
C circulated
D printed
14. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
We wished to win the tournament but we knew our _____ were slim.
A skills
B opportunities
C odds
D chances
15. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
When all the members started arguing, the chairman called the meeting to _______
A silence
B order
C audience
D attention
16. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
The felling of trees contributes to environmental _______
A pollution
B damage
C degradation
D destruction
17. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
I had to put up my house as _______ for bank loan,
A pledge
B agreement
C collateral
D surety
18. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
Our mother always warns us against washing our dirty linen in public. This means that she warns us
A not to discuss private matters in public
B to fetch enough water for washing
C not to soil our clothes
D to keep our mouths shut
19. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
Let us draw a veil over this matter. This means that we should
A avoid discussing the matter
B take the matter to court
C cover our heads with a veil
D get the elders to resolve the matter
20. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
Children think their parents are behind the times. This means that they think that their parents are
A always late for work
B not worried about new things
C old fashioned
D not duty conscious
21. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
Ever since that issue came up. I have been sitting on the fence. This means that I have been
A continuously in trouble
B sitting alone in the house
C walking around to find a job
D avoiding stating my opinion
22. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
You must square up to your problems. This means that you have to
A deal with your problems effectively
B consider your problems from all angles
C forget your problems
D arrange your problems
23. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
Many of us escaped with the skin of our teet during the crisis. This means that we
A lost some of our teeth
B narrowly escaped
C quickly escaped
D had marks on our skin
24. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
Peter and Paul get along like a house on fire. This means that they
A have a very good relationship
B are not on speaking terms
C avoid each other always
D pretend to like each other
25. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
When Victor’s father gave him a new car, he was lost for words. This means that victor
A did not like the car
B forgot to show gratitude
C was overwhelmed
D was not grateful
26. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
This film is a cut above the others. This means that it is
A cut to look like the others
B much better than the others.
C different from the others
D inferior to the others
27. After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence.
We knew our father was talking tongue in cheek when he spoke of vacation abroad. This means that our father was
A sincere
B courageous
C joking
D reasonable
28. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
The accused was asked to retract his statement.
A recall
B withdraw
C make
D rewrite
29. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
On the death of her father, friends went to express their condolences.
A sympathy
B pity
C concerns
D worries
30. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
The Chume’s house caught fire because their little girl had turned on the gas inadvertently.
A automatically
B hurriedly
C carelessly
D unintentionally
31. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
The magnificent structure was erected close to our house
A real
B splendid
C colourful
D fine
32. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
Mediocrity in politics should not be tolerated.
A promoted
B encouraged
C approved
D helped
33. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
A group of experts was brought it to verify the authenticity of the evidence.
A support
B improve
C correct
D ascertain
34. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
Due to the pressure of work, the old man had no alternative but to relinquish his post.
A give out
B give out
C give up
D give away
35. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
The obstinate boy soon met his waterloo when the war broke out.
A proud
B stubborn
C careless
D rude
36. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
The prescribed textbooks are difficult to find in the bookshops.
A highlighted
B right
C actual
D recommended
37. 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 underlined word as it used in the sentence.
Our stationery supplies are exhausted.
A completed
B finished
C consumed
D destroyed
38. 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.
My sympathies are _____ the victims of the flood.
A on
B to
C with
D about
39. 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.
Your application for employment _____ at this very moment.
A was being considered
B is considered
C is being considered
D was considered
40. 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.
______ the court orders, he went ahead to build on that land.
A In spite of
B Besides
C But for
D Although
41. 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.
_______ an accident, the police should be informed immediately.
A In the event of
B In view of
C in view to
D In place of
42. 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.
If you don’t get off my property, I’ll set my dog ___ you.
A off
B on
C unto
D into
43. 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.
The task ____ to them was very difficult.
A giving
B given
C give
D gave
44. 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.
Two boys in the art class were doing portraits by looking at ____ in the mirror.
A oneself
B each other
C one another
D themselves
45. 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.
Hardly a day passes by _____ him thinking of her.
A that
B without
C while
D when
46. 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.
Each time he opens his mouth, he _____ something foolish.
A says
B saying
C said
D say
47. 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.
The spectators had to endure the endure the heat _____
A as they could
B as best as they could
C as best they could
D as they could best
48. In the following sentence, 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.
Michael is stingy but his brother is _______
A generous
B kind
C humane
D hospitable
49. 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
We need to…..for lost time.
A make in
B make by
C make up
D make through
50. 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
Everyone wants to be the…….favourite
A school principal
B school’s principal’s
C school principal’s
D school’s principal
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