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.
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 funding.
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 company 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 (especially in finance) is a deficit.
Question 5
She was optimistic about the outcome of the 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 staff.
A. insulting
B. flattering
C. polite
D. rude
Answer: C. polite
Explanation: Offensive means causing someone to feel resentful or annoyed; the opposite is polite or pleasant.
Question 7
The witness was certain about the identity of the thief.
A. doubtful
B. sure
C. convinced
D. happy
Answer: A. doubtful
Explanation: Certain means firm conviction; the opposite is doubtful or uncertain.
Question 8
The path was straight and easy to follow.
A. narrow
B. crooked
C. wide
D. long
Answer: B. crooked
Explanation: Straight means without curves or bends; the opposite is crooked or winding.
Question 9
The king was known for his arrogance.
A. pride
B. wealth
C. humility
D. power
Answer: C. humility
Explanation: Arrogance means an exaggerated sense of one's own importance; the opposite is humility.
Question 10
The noise in the room was transient.
A. temporary
B. permanent
C. loud
D. sudden
Answer: B. permanent
Explanation: Transient means lasting only for a short time; the opposite is permanent.
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 case.
A. complicated
B. clear
C. long
D. boring
Answer: B. clear
Explanation: Lucid means expressed clearly or easy to understand.
Question 12
He is an affable young man.
A. friendly
B. rude
C. wealthy
D. clever
Answer: A. friendly
Explanation: Affable means friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
Question 13
The precarious state of the economy is a concern for all.
A. stable
B. uncertain
C. wealthy
D. improving
Answer: B. uncertain
Explanation: Precarious means not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.
Question 14
She is 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 dictator tried to coerce the people into obeying him.
A. help
B. force
C. invite
D. teach
Answer: B. force
Explanation: Coerce means to persuade an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats.
Question 16
The athlete felt lethargic after the long race.
A. energetic
B. sluggish
C. hungry
D. happy
Answer: B. sluggish
Explanation: Lethargic means affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic.
Question 17
His candid remarks surprised everyone at the meeting.
A. dishonest
B. frank
C. secret
D. long
Answer: B. frank
Explanation: Candid means truthful and straightforward; frank.
Question 18
The outcome of the match was inevitable.
A. surprising
B. unavoidable
C. doubtful
D. strange
Answer: B. unavoidable
Explanation: Inevitable means certain to happen; unavoidable.
Question 19
She has an amiable personality.
A. difficult
B. pleasant
C. cold
D. aggressive
Answer: B. pleasant
Explanation: Amiable means having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
Question 20
The student was very loquacious during the break.
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 underlined idiomatic expression.
Question 21
After the long argument, they decided to bury the hatchet.
A. hide a weapon
B. end a quarrel
C. start a new fight
D. dig a hole
Answer: B. end a quarrel
Explanation: To bury the hatchet means to make peace and end a conflict.
Question 22
The witness's story was a bit thin.
A. short
B. unconvincing
C. interesting
D. very clear
Answer: B. unconvincing
Explanation: If a story is "thin," it lacks supporting evidence and is hard to believe.
Question 23
The exam was a piece of cake for John.
A. very sweet
B. very easy
C. very difficult
D. very long
Answer: B. very easy
Explanation: A piece of cake refers to a task that is very simple to accomplish.
Question 24
I am feeling under the weather today.
A. feeling cold
B. feeling unwell
C. feeling happy
D. feeling wet
Answer: B. feeling unwell
Explanation: To be under the weather means to feel sick or slightly ill.
Question 25
The lawyer hit the nail on the head with his argument.
A. was physically aggressive
B. said exactly the right thing
C. made a mistake
D. failed to speak
Answer: B. said exactly the right thing
Explanation: To hit the nail on the head means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Question 26
That luxury car cost an arm and a leg.
A. was very dangerous
B. was very expensive
C. was a gift
D. was very cheap
Answer: B. was very expensive
Explanation: An arm and a leg refers to something that is extremely pricey.
Question 27
Who let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party?
A. released a pet
B. revealed a secret
C. bought a cat
D. made a mess
Answer: B. revealed a secret
Explanation: To let the cat out of the bag means to reveal a secret, usually by accident.
Question 28
The two friends stood by each other through thick and thin.
A. only in good times
B. in both good and bad times
C. through narrow paths
D. while eating together
Answer: B. in both good and bad times
Explanation: Through thick and thin means despite all difficulties or changes in fortune.
Question 29
Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.
A. hitting trees
B. avoiding the main point
C. cleaning the garden
D. speaking too loudly
Answer: B. avoiding the main point
Explanation: Beating around the bush means discussing a matter without coming to the point.
Question 30
I know he spilled the beans to the teacher.
A. cooked food
B. gave away a secret
C. made a mistake
D. wasted time
Answer: B. gave away a secret
Explanation: To spill the beans means to reveal information that was meant to be private.
SECTION 4: GRAMMAR AND STRUCTURE
Choose the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.
Question 31
The boy, as well as his sisters, ______ coming to the party tonight.
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. have been
Answer: B. is
Explanation: When a subject is followed by "as well as," the verb agrees with the primary subject (The boy), which is singular.
Question 32
I ______ my breakfast before he arrived at the house.
A. have eaten
B. had eaten
C. ate
D. was eating
Answer: B. had eaten
Explanation: Use the past perfect tense (had eaten) to show one past action happened before another past action (arrived).
Question 33
If I ______ you, I would accept the offer immediately.
A. am
B. was
C. were
D. are
Answer: C. were
Explanation: This is a second conditional sentence. In hypothetical "if" clauses, "were" is used for all persons.
Question 34
Neither the students nor the teacher ______ the answer to the question.
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 man ______ I saw yesterday is a famous doctor.
A. who
B. whom
C. which
D. whose
Answer: B. whom
Explanation: "Whom" is the objective relative pronoun used because the man is the object of the verb "saw."
Question 36
You have finished the work, ______?
A. haven't you
B. have you
C. didn't you
D. you have
Answer: A. haven't you
Explanation: A positive statement in the present perfect tense requires a negative question tag.
Question 37
She is fond ______ listening to classical music.
A. for
B. with
C. of
D. at
Answer: C. of
Explanation: The adjective "fond" is always paired with the preposition "of."
Question 38
The heavy rain prevented us ______ going to the stadium.
A. to
B. from
C. with
D. in
Answer: B. from
Explanation: The verb "prevent" is followed by the preposition "from" and an -ing verb.
Question 39
He is the ______ of the two brothers.
A. tallest
B. taller
C. tall
D. more tall
Answer: B. taller
Explanation: When comparing only two people or things, the comparative degree (-er) is used.
Question 40
The news ______ so shocking that she fainted.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. was
Answer: D. was
Explanation: "News" is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb. "Was" is used here for the past context.
Question 41
It's time we ______ for the airport.
A. leave
B. left
C. should leave
D. are leaving
Answer: B. left
Explanation: After the phrase "It's time" (meaning the time is already past), we use the past tense of the verb.
Question 42
I didn't see ______ at the party.
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" (to avoid double negatives).
Question 43
She ______ the house for two hours before she realized she lost her keys.
A. was cleaning
B. had been cleaning
C. cleaned
D. has been cleaning
Answer: B. had been cleaning
Explanation: The past perfect continuous (had been -ing) describes an action that was ongoing until another past event occurred.
Question 44
Which ______ these books belongs to you?
A. from
B. in
C. of
D. between
Answer: C. of
Explanation: "Which of" is the standard phrase used to ask about a specific selection from a group.
Question 45
You ______ smoke in the hospital; it is forbidden.
A. wouldn't
B. mustn't
C. needn't
D. won't
Answer: B. mustn't
Explanation: "Mustn't" expresses a strong prohibition or rule.
Question 46
He is looking forward ______ his graduation ceremony next month.
A. to attend
B. to attending
C. attending
D. for attending
Answer: B. to attending
Explanation: The phrasal verb "look forward to" requires a gerund (-ing) after the preposition "to."
Question 47
The students ______ their teacher's instructions carefully.
A. listened
B. heard
C. followed
D. obeyed to
Answer: C. followed
Explanation: "Followed instructions" is the most idiomatic and grammatically correct way to describe acting on guidance.
Question 48
I would have helped you 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 "if" clause uses the past perfect (had asked).
Question 49
Hardly ______ the stage when the crowd began to cheer.
A. he had reached
B. had he reached
C. did he reach
D. he reached
Answer: B. had he reached
Explanation: When a sentence begins with a negative adverb like "Hardly," the subject and auxiliary verb are inverted (had he).
Question 50
Each of the three suspects ______ interrogated by the police.
A. was
B. were
C. have been
D. are being
Answer: A. was
Explanation: "Each" is always a singular subject and therefore takes the singular verb "was."