Sample WAEC-style Practice Questions (Original Content)
WAEC Style
SECTION 1: SYNONYMS
Choose the word or group of words nearest in meaning to the underlined word.
Question 1
The traveler was in a predicament when he lost his passport.
A. comfort
B. dilemma
C. vacation
D. palace
Answer: B. dilemma
Explanation: Predicament refers to a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
Question 2
Many traditional customs have become obsolete in the modern age.
A. trendy
B. outdated
C. expensive
D. popular
Answer: B. outdated
Explanation: Obsolete means no longer produced or used; out of date.
Question 3
The small company was resilient despite the economic recession.
A. weak
B. tough
C. bankrupt
D. noisy
Answer: B. tough
Explanation: Resilient means able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Question 4
The security guards were told to remain vigilant at all times.
A. watchful
B. careless
C. sleeping
D. aggressive
Answer: A. watchful
Explanation: Vigilant means keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
Question 5
The museum confirmed that the painting was authentic.
A. fake
B. genuine
C. expensive
D. colorful
Answer: B. genuine
Explanation: Authentic means of undisputed origin; genuine.
Question 6
The government plans to curtail the spread of the disease.
A. encourage
B. reduce
C. promote
D. ignore
Answer: B. reduce
Explanation: To curtail means to reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.
Question 7
The reason for her sudden departure remains an enigma.
A. story
B. mystery
C. joy
D. excuse
Answer: B. mystery
Explanation: An enigma is a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
Question 8
Be careful with that vase; it is very fragile.
A. heavy
B. delicate
C. strong
D. cheap
Answer: B. delicate
Explanation: Fragile means easily broken or damaged.
Question 9
The student's behavior has been impeccable this term.
A. terrible
B. flawless
C. suspicious
D. funny
Answer: B. flawless
Explanation: Impeccable means in accordance with the highest standards; faultless.
Question 10
The snake's venom is lethal.
A. harmless
B. deadly
C. bitter
D. cold
Answer: B. deadly
Explanation: Lethal means sufficient to cause death.
SECTION 2: ANTONYMS
Choose the word or group of words opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
Question 11
The instructions provided were quite transparent.
A. clear
B. opaque
C. simple
D. visible
Answer: B. opaque
Explanation: Transparent means easy to see through or understand; the opposite is opaque or hidden.
Question 12
He is known for his extravagant lifestyle.
A. wasteful
B. frugal
C. expensive
D. loud
Answer: B. frugal
Explanation: Extravagant means spending more than is necessary; the opposite is frugal or thrifty.
Question 13
The benevolent donor gave millions to the hospital.
A. kind
B. malevolent
C. wealthy
D. stingy
Answer: B. malevolent
Explanation: Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly; the opposite is malevolent (wishing to do evil).
Question 14
Attending the morning assembly is mandatory for all students.
A. compulsory
B. optional
C. necessary
D. useful
Answer: B. optional
Explanation: Mandatory means required by law or rules; the opposite is optional.
Question 15
She reached the zenith of her career last year.
A. peak
B. nadir
C. middle
D. surface
Answer: B. nadir
Explanation: Zenith means the highest point; the opposite is nadir (the lowest point).
Question 16
There was an abundance of food at the party.
A. plenty
B. scarcity
C. surplus
D. variety
Answer: B. scarcity
Explanation: Abundance means a very large quantity; the opposite is scarcity.
Question 17
The changes made to the document were permanent.
A. fixed
B. temporary
C. long
D. lasting
Answer: B. temporary
Explanation: Permanent means lasting forever; the opposite is temporary or transient.
Question 18
The team was confident of winning the match.
A. sure
B. hesitant
C. bold
D. happy
Answer: B. hesitant
Explanation: Confident means feeling or showing certainty; the opposite is hesitant or diffident.
Question 19
The results were consistent with our expectations.
A. compatible
B. contradictory
C. similar
D. regular
Answer: B. contradictory
Explanation: Consistent means in agreement; the opposite is contradictory or inconsistent.
Question 20
He is a very reserved individual.
A. quiet
B. outgoing
C. shy
D. lonely
Answer: B. outgoing
Explanation: Reserved means slow to reveal emotions or opinions; the opposite is outgoing or extroverted.
SECTION 3: IDIOMS AND INTERPRETATION
Choose the most appropriate interpretation for the idiomatic expression.
Question 21
The two political rivals do not see eye to eye on the issue of taxes.
A. look at each other
B. agree
C. fight physically
D. wear glasses
Answer: B. agree
Explanation: "To see eye to eye" means to have the same opinion or to agree.
Question 22
I hope you won't let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
A. lose the pet
B. reveal the secret
C. open the luggage
D. make a mess
Answer: B. reveal the secret
Explanation: "To let the cat out of the bag" means to mistakenly or carelessly reveal a secret.
Question 23
The news of his resignation came as a bolt from the blue.
A. a loud thunder
B. a sudden surprise
C. a planned event
D. a sad message
Answer: B. a sudden surprise
Explanation: "A bolt from the blue" refers to something important or unusual that happens suddenly or unexpectedly.
Question 24
He is constantly under the thumb of his boss.
A. being helped by
B. being controlled by
C. being ignored by
D. being praised by
Answer: B. being controlled by
Explanation: "Under the thumb" means to be completely under someone's influence or control.
Question 25
You failed the test, but it is no use crying over spilled milk.
A. wasting liquid
B. regretting the past
C. cleaning the floor
D. shouting loudly
Answer: B. regretting the past
Explanation: "Crying over spilled milk" means to waste time worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Question 26
You should take his promises with a grain of salt.
A. add more flavor
B. not fully believe him
C. be very thankful
D. eat some food
Answer: B. not fully believe him
Explanation: "To take something with a grain of salt" means to view something with skepticism or not to interpret it literally.
Question 27
When he lost his job after his car broke down, it was the last straw.
A. a lucky break
B. the final problem in a series
C. a piece of grass
D. the end of the year
Answer: B. the final problem in a series
Explanation: "The last straw" is the final problem in a series of problems that makes a situation intolerable.
Question 28
We were shocked to hear that the old hermit had kicked the bucket.
A. played football
B. died
C. cleaned his house
D. moved away
Answer: B. died
Explanation: "Kick the bucket" is an informal/slang term meaning to die.
Question 29
He had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project on time.
A. waste fuel
B. work late into the night
C. cook a meal
D. sleep very late
Answer: B. work late into the night
Explanation: "Burn the midnight oil" means to read or work late into the night.
Question 30
I smell a rat regarding their new business proposal.
A. see a rodent
B. suspect foul play
C. am very hungry
D. like the idea
Answer: B. suspect foul play
Explanation: "To smell a rat" means to suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being dishonest.
SECTION 4: GRAMMAR AND STRUCTURE
Choose the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.
Question 31
Politics ______ always been a dirty game in some countries.
A. have
B. is
C. has
D. were
Answer: C. has
Explanation: "Politics" is a singular noun in this context and takes a singular verb "has".
Question 32
He hasn't arrived yet, ______?
A. hasn't he
B. has he
C. did he
D. is it
Answer: B. has he
Explanation: A negative statement ("hasn't arrived") requires a positive question tag ("has he").
Question 33
The judge absolved the prisoner ______ all charges.
A. from
B. with
C. of
D. for
Answer: C. of
Explanation: The verb "absolved" is typically followed by the preposition "of".
Question 34
Hardly ______ the room when the phone started ringing.
A. he entered
B. had he entered
C. he has entered
D. did he enter
Answer: B. had he entered
Explanation: Sentences starting with negative adverbs like "Hardly" require inversion (had he) and the past perfect tense.
Question 35
If I ______ known her address, I would have visited her.
A. have
B. had
C. did
D. was
Answer: B. had
Explanation: This is a third conditional sentence (hypothetical past), which uses "if + past perfect".
Question 36
Honesty is ______ best policy.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. one
Answer: C. the
Explanation: Superlative adjectives (best) are preceded by the definite article "the".
Question 37
The house ______ roof was blown off belongs to my uncle.
A. which
B. that
C. whose
D. whom
Answer: C. whose
Explanation: "Whose" is the possessive relative pronoun referring to the house's roof.
Question 38
I cannot ______ his bad manners any longer.
A. put up with
B. put out
C. put off
D. put across
Answer: A. put up with
Explanation: "Put up with" is a phrasal verb meaning to tolerate.
Question 39
______ he was tired, he finished the work.
A. Because
B. Although
C. Since
D. Despite
Answer: B. Although
Explanation: "Although" is a conjunction used to introduce a contrast.
Question 40
She bought a ______ car.
A. beautiful new Japanese
B. Japanese new beautiful
C. new beautiful Japanese
D. beautiful Japanese new
Answer: A. beautiful new Japanese
Explanation: The standard order of adjectives is Opinion (beautiful), Age (new), Origin (Japanese).
Question 41
The boy is allergic ______ peanuts.
A. with
B. from
C. to
D. for
Answer: C. to
Explanation: The adjective "allergic" is followed by the preposition "to".
Question 42
He ______ for ten hours yesterday.
A. sleep
B. sleeps
C. slept
D. has slept
Answer: C. slept
Explanation: The past tense "slept" is required because of the time marker "yesterday".
Question 43
Neither of the twins ______ present yesterday.
A. was
B. were
C. are
D. have been
Answer: A. was
Explanation: "Neither" as a pronoun is singular and takes a singular verb "was".
Question 44
I ______ my keys; have you seen them?
A. lost
B. have lost
C. had lost
D. lose
Answer: B. have lost
Explanation: The present perfect tense "have lost" is used for an action that happened at an unspecified time and has a result in the present.
Question 45
She is the person ______ I gave the money.
A. who
B. which
C. whom
D. whose
Answer: C. whom
Explanation: "Whom" is the objective relative pronoun referring to the person receiving the money.
Question 46
The weather is ______ better today.
A. more
B. very
C. much
D. most
Answer: C. much
Explanation: "Much" is used to modify comparative adjectives (better).
Question 47
One should always do ______ best.
A. his
B. her
C. one's
D. their
Answer: C. one's
Explanation: The pronoun "one" requires the possessive form "one's".
Question 48
The student was accused ______ stealing a pen.
A. with
B. from
C. of
D. for
Answer: C. of
Explanation: The verb "accused" is followed by the preposition "of".
Question 49
The meeting has been ______ until next week.
A. put on
B. put off
C. put out
D. put up
Answer: B. put off
Explanation: "Put off" means to postpone.
Question 50
By next December, I ______ here for five years.
A. will live
B. will have lived
C. will be living
D. have lived
Answer: B. will have lived
Explanation: The future perfect tense ("will have lived") is used for an action that will be completed by a specific point in the future.