Sample WAEC-style Practice Questions (Original Content)
WAEC Style
SECTION 1: ANTONYMS
Choose the word or group of words opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
Question 1
The principal is very rigid in his approach to discipline.
A. flexible
B. harsh
C. strict
D. strong
Answer: A. flexible
Explanation: Rigid means stiff or unyielding; the opposite is flexible or adaptable.
Question 2
The soldiers were praised for their gallant behavior during the rescue.
A. brave
B. cowardly
C. polite
D. reckless
Answer: B. cowardly
Explanation: Gallant means brave and heroic; the opposite is cowardly.
Question 3
His speech was explicit on the matter of how the money was spent.
A. clear
B. vague
C. loud
D. honest
Answer: B. vague
Explanation: Explicit means stated clearly and in detail; the opposite is vague or unclear.
Question 4
The local government recorded a surplus this financial year.
A. profit
B. loss
C. deficit
D. balance
Answer: C. deficit
Explanation: Surplus means an amount left over; the opposite in finance is a deficit.
Question 5
She was optimistic about the outcome of the job interview.
A. hopeful
B. cheerful
C. pessimistic
D. indifferent
Answer: C. pessimistic
Explanation: Optimistic means hopeful about the future; the opposite is pessimistic.
Question 6
The manager's comments were offensive to the hardworking staff.
A. insulting
B. flattering
C. polite
D. rude
Answer: C. polite
Explanation: Offensive means causing resentment; the opposite is polite or complimentary.
Question 7
The witness was certain about the identity of the intruder.
A. doubtful
B. sure
C. convinced
D. happy
Answer: A. doubtful
Explanation: Certain means firm conviction; the opposite is doubtful or unsure.
Question 8
The old path through the woods was straight.
A. narrow
B. crooked
C. wide
D. long
Answer: B. crooked
Explanation: Straight means direct; the opposite is crooked, winding, or curved.
Question 9
The king was known throughout the land for his arrogance.
A. pride
B. wealth
C. humility
D. power
Answer: C. humility
Explanation: Arrogance means exaggerated self-importance; the opposite is humility.
Question 10
The sharp pain he felt in his chest was transient.
A. temporary
B. permanent
C. loud
D. sudden
Answer: B. permanent
Explanation: Transient means lasting for a short time; the opposite is permanent or enduring.
SECTION 2: SYNONYMS
Choose the word or group of words nearest in meaning to the underlined word.
Question 11
The lawyer gave a lucid explanation of the complex case.
A. complicated
B. clear
C. long
D. boring
Answer: B. clear
Explanation: Lucid means expressed clearly and easy to understand.
Question 12
Everyone enjoys his company because he is an affable young man.
A. friendly
B. rude
C. wealthy
D. clever
Answer: A. friendly
Explanation: Affable means friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to.
Question 13
The precarious state of the nation's economy is a concern for all.
A. stable
B. uncertain
C. wealthy
D. improving
Answer: B. uncertain
Explanation: Precarious means not securely held; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.
Question 14
The accountant is known to be a meticulous worker.
A. lazy
B. careful
C. fast
D. messy
Answer: B. careful
Explanation: Meticulous means showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Question 15
The security guards tried to coerce the witness into changing his story.
A. help
B. force
C. invite
D. teach
Answer: B. force
Explanation: Coerce means to persuade or pressure someone to do something using force or threats.
Question 16
The workers felt lethargic after the heavy afternoon meal.
A. energetic
B. sluggish
C. hungry
D. happy
Answer: B. sluggish
Explanation: Lethargic means sluggish, apathetic, or lacking energy.
Question 17
His candid remarks about the project surprised the board members.
A. dishonest
B. frank
C. secret
D. long
Answer: B. frank
Explanation: Candid means truthful, straightforward, and frank.
Question 18
With such poor preparation, the defeat of the team was inevitable.
A. surprising
B. unavoidable
C. doubtful
D. strange
Answer: B. unavoidable
Explanation: Inevitable means certain to happen and unavoidable.
Question 19
The new nurse has an amiable personality.
A. difficult
B. pleasant
C. cold
D. aggressive
Answer: B. pleasant
Explanation: Amiable means having a friendly and pleasant manner.
Question 20
The student was very loquacious during the long bus ride.
A. quiet
B. talkative
C. serious
D. studious
Answer: B. talkative
Explanation: Loquacious means tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
SECTION 3: IDIOMS AND INTERPRETATION
Choose the most appropriate interpretation for the idiomatic expression.
Question 21
After the long family feud, the brothers finally decided to bury the hatchet.
A. hide their weapons
B. end their quarrel
C. start a new fight
D. buy new tools
Answer: B. end their quarrel
Explanation: To bury the hatchet means to make peace and end a conflict.
Question 22
The excuse he gave for coming late to school was a bit thin.
A. very short
B. unconvincing
C. interesting
D. simple to understand
Answer: B. unconvincing
Explanation: If an excuse or story is "thin," it lacks substance and is hard to believe.
Question 23
Since she had studied all night, the exam was a piece of cake for her.
A. very sweet
B. very easy
C. very difficult
D. a pleasant surprise
Answer: B. very easy
Explanation: "A piece of cake" refers to something that is very simple or easy to do.
Question 24
I cannot come to work today because I am feeling under the weather.
A. feeling cold
B. feeling unwell
C. feeling happy
D. stuck in the rain
Answer: B. feeling unwell
Explanation: To be "under the weather" means to feel sick or slightly ill.
Question 25
The detective hit the nail on the head with his theory about the robbery.
A. injured himself
B. was exactly right
C. made a big mistake
D. spoke too loudly
Answer: B. was exactly right
Explanation: To hit the nail on the head means to state exactly the right answer or cause of a situation.
Question 26
Repairing the engine of that vintage car will cost an arm and a leg.
A. result in an injury
B. be very expensive
C. be a quick job
D. require manual labor
Answer: B. be very expensive
Explanation: "An arm and a leg" refers to a very high price or cost.
Question 27
I wonder who let the cat out of the bag about our secret plans.
A. lost a pet
B. revealed a secret
C. made a mistake
D. opened the door
Answer: B. revealed a secret
Explanation: To "let the cat out of the bag" means to reveal a secret, often accidentally.
Question 28
The two friends stayed together through thick and thin.
A. despite all difficulties
B. only when times were good
C. in narrow places
D. while traveling
Answer: A. despite all difficulties
Explanation: "Through thick and thin" means to remain supportive despite all difficulties or hardships.
Question 29
I wish you would stop beating around the bush and tell me the problem.
A. wasting time in the garden
B. avoiding the main issue
C. hitting the plants
D. talking too softly
Answer: B. avoiding the main issue
Explanation: "Beating around the bush" means to avoid talking about what is important.
Question 30
I Suspect he spilled the beans to the authorities about the plan.
A. wasted his food
B. gave away the secret
C. committed a crime
D. lied about the plan
Answer: B. gave away the secret
Explanation: To spill the beans means to reveal information that was intended to be secret.
SECTION 4: GRAMMAR AND STRUCTURE
Choose the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.
Question 31
The boy, together with his friends, ______ expected at the party.
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. have been
Answer: B. is
Explanation: When a singular subject is followed by "together with," the verb agrees with the primary subject (The boy).
Question 32
I ______ my lunch before he arrived at my office.
A. have eaten
B. had eaten
C. ate
D. was eating
Answer: B. had eaten
Explanation: The past perfect tense (had eaten) is used for an action completed before another past action (arrived).
Question 33
If I ______ a rich man, I would travel around the world.
A. am
B. was
C. were
D. are
Answer: C. were
Explanation: This is a second conditional sentence (hypothetical). "Were" is used for all persons in the if-clause.
Question 34
Neither the students nor their teacher ______ the reason for the delay.
A. knows
B. know
C. is knowing
D. have known
Answer: A. knows
Explanation: In "neither/nor" structures, the verb agrees with the closer subject (the teacher), which is singular.
Question 35
The woman ______ I spoke to this morning is my aunt.
A. who
B. whom
C. which
D. whose
Answer: B. whom
Explanation: "Whom" is used as the object relative pronoun when referring to people.
Question 36
You haven't finished your homework yet, ______?
A. haven't you
B. have you
C. didn't you
D. had you
Answer: B. have you
Explanation: A negative statement takes a positive question tag.
Question 37
The young girl is fond ______ playing with dolls.
A. for
B. with
C. of
D. at
Answer: C. of
Explanation: The adjective "fond" is always followed by the preposition "of."
Question 38
The heavy rain prevented the match ______ starting on time.
A. to
B. from
C. with
D. in
Answer: B. from
Explanation: The verb "prevent" is followed by the preposition "from" and a gerund.
Question 39
Between the two cars, the red one is the ______.
A. fastest
B. faster
C. fast
D. more fast
Answer: B. faster
Explanation: When comparing only two items, the comparative degree (-er) is used.
Question 40
The news about the accident ______ very distressing.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. was
Answer: D. was
Explanation: "News" is an uncountable noun that takes a singular verb. "Was" is the correct past tense form.
Question 41
It is time the children ______ to bed.
A. go
B. went
C. should go
D. are going
Answer: B. went
Explanation: After the phrase "It is time" (high time), the past tense is used for a present situation.
Question 42
I didn't see ______ in the dark room.
A. no one
B. anyone
C. someone
D. nobody
Answer: B. anyone
Explanation: In negative sentences, "anyone" is used instead of "someone" or "no one."
Question 43
The students ______ for the bus for an hour before it arrived.
A. were waiting
B. had been waiting
C. waited
D. have been waiting
Answer: B. had been waiting
Explanation: The past perfect continuous (had been -ing) describes an action that was ongoing until another point in the past.
Question 44
Can you tell me which ______ these bags is yours?
A. from
B. in
C. of
D. between
Answer: C. of
Explanation: "Which of" is the correct standard construction for selection from a group.
Question 45
Visitors ______ walk on the grass; it is strictly prohibited.
A. wouldn't
B. mustn't
C. needn't
D. won't
Answer: B. mustn't
Explanation: "Mustn't" is used to express a prohibition.
Question 46
He is looking forward ______ his long-awaited vacation.
A. to start
B. to starting
C. starting
D. for starting
Answer: B. to starting
Explanation: The phrase "look forward to" is followed by a gerund (-ing form).
Question 47
The candidate was advised to ______ the examiner's instructions.
A. listen
B. hear
C. follow
D. obey to
Answer: C. follow
Explanation: "Follow instructions" is the standard idiomatic expression.
Question 48
I would have given you the book if you ______ me.
A. ask
B. asked
C. had asked
D. have asked
Answer: C. had asked
Explanation: This is a third conditional (hypothetical past). The structure is "if + past perfect."
Question 49
Hardly ______ the building when the explosion occurred.
A. he had entered
B. had he entered
C. did he enter
D. he entered
Answer: B. had he entered
Explanation: Sentences starting with negative adverbs like "Hardly" require inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb.
Question 50
Each of the candidates ______ to be interviewed by the panel.
A. was
B. were
C. have been
D. are being
Answer: A. was
Explanation: "Each" is always a singular pronoun and requires a singular verb.