ENGLISH

LANGUAGE
(WASSCE 2021)

PAST PAPER
WEST AFRICAN
EXAMINATION
COUNCIL (WAEC)

www.simplestudy.com
1. 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 wil, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence.

While Mr.Ade is his son is a novice.

A. enlightened
B. competent
C. clever
D. experienced

2. It is better to use persuasion rather than .... to get witnesses to court.

A. effort
B. coercion
C. influence
D. pressure

3. The animosity between Fatou and Sheku is shocking, considering the ...... they once shared.

A. company
B. friendship
C. peace
D. understanding

4. The reckless driver was admonished to be ______

A. cautious
B. responsible
C. reliable
D. considerate

5. The old man rebuked the thug and his children .... him for doing so.

A. commended
B. embraced
C. thanked
D. supported

6. All divers were enjoined to obtain genuine and ______ licences.

A. artificial
B. fraudulent
C. fake
D. substandard

7. There was agitation for the .......... law on libel to be re-enacted.

A. enforced
B. repealed
C. rejected
D. cancelled
8. The two political parties live today in ... after four years of hostility.

A. happiness
B. amity
C. agreement
D. freedom

9. The champions were elated after the tournament while their opponents looked _______

A. baffled
B. dejected
C. pitiful
D. frightened

10. That engineer was said to have used inferior than _____ materials in the construction of the
collapsed building.

A. excellent
B. recommended
C. quality
D. exceptional

11. .I could not read what he wrote because his handwriting was_____

A. tiny
B. eligible
C. untidy
D. illegible

12. When all the items on the agenda had been discussed, the meeting was ______

A. dismissed
B. postponed
C. adjourned
D. dissolved

13. Occasionally, universities award _____ degrees to outstanding personalities.

A. ceremonial
B. honorary
C. temporary
D. respectable

14. His thoughtlessness is simply beyond _____.

A. idea
B. assurance
C. belief
D. fate
15. Many doctors have ___ to western countries for better opportunities.

A. migrated
B. travelled
C. immigrated
D. participant

16. The younger brother insisted that he should be a .......... to the account.

A. partner
B. signatory
C. guarantor
D. participant

17. The military was able to ..... the plan to overthrow the government.

A. fight
B. disrupt
C. thwart
D. disturb

18. She gave her poem to her teacher to .... for the school magazine.

A. read
B. edit
C. correct
D. label

19. Freedom of movement is a ........ right of every citizen.

A. negotiated
B. fundamental
C. privileged
D. foremost

20. The governor granted the political prisoners _______

A. asylum
B. acquittal
C. amnesty
D. bail

21. The recruits are under his tutelage. This means that he ______

A. assigns work to them.

B. trains them
C. disciplines them at work
D. protects them
22. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for each sentence.

He listened attentively to her cock-and-bull story. This means that she told

A. a terrifying story
B. an interesting story
C. an incredible story
D. a lot of folktales

23. He has left the country for this good time. This means that he

A. will never come back

B. left for better conditions
C. became an adventurer
D. will improve his credentials

24. The bus driver smelt a rat when an unregistered vehicle trailed him for several kilometers. This
means that the bus driver

A. increased his speed

B. became nervous
C. became suspicious
D. alerted the passengers

25. The newly employed workers were remunerated handsomely. This means that

A. both old and new workers were paid

B. only newly employed workers were paid
C. the salaries of the new workers were attractive
D. the salaries of the new workers were paid promptly

26. The chairman has come under fire over this project. This means that the chairman has been

A. severely criticised
B. highly praised
C. given the go-ahead
D. charged to court.

27. The ugly incidents of the Civil War are water under the bridge. This means that the incidents

A. continue to haunt us
B. have been experienced again
C. have been forgotten
D. cannot be wished away

28. My heart was in my mouth as I tried to open the envelope. This means that as I opened the
envelope, I was

A. very happy
B. quite eager
C. deeply disappointed
D. extremely afraid
29. Throughout the long argument, the minister maintained his found over the claims. This means
that the minister

A. accepted his error

B. refused to change his stand
C. said different things
D. did not consider every view

30. John may be sincere, but I suspect that he has an axe to grind . This means that John has a

A. selfish motive
B. different opinion
C. matter to attend to
D. solution to the problem

31. choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is
used in the sentence.

So much effluent has been poured into the stream that its water has become unsafe for drinking.

A. sewage
B. disinfectant
C. oil
D. concoction

32. The students became restive after the authorities increased their tuition fees.

A. alarmed
B. hostile
C. noisy
D. agitated

33. Ali plays the guitar with great dexterity.

A. wisdom
B. experience
C. pride
D. skill

34. Obi's behaviour is questionable

A. disputable
B. worrisome
C. dubious
D. refutable

35. The electricity supply in this community is erratic.

A. unpredictable
B. disorderly
C. low
D. temporary
36. He became really disheartened when he heard the news.

A. defamed
B. dishevelled
C. depressed
D. disturbed

37. The office has taken stringent measures to protect its facilities.

A. suitable
B. right
C. strict
D. complete

38. Adaobi was appalled by the shabby appearance of the man who brought her the message from
home.

A. shocked
B. discouraged
C. annoyed
D. humiliated

39. Henry likes to be involved in shady deals.

A. unknown
B. undisclosed
C. dishonest
D. doubtful

40. A good student should be inquisitive

A. hardworking
B. busy
C. curious
D. studious

41. choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences.

Life in the city is ........ expensive for most people.

A. too much
B. much
C. very much
D. much too

42. My father made me ......... at home.

A. stay
B. stayed
C. to be staying
D. to stay
43. The long-awaited match was called .......... at the last moment

A. off
B. out
C. down
D. away

44. Get to work! Don't sit ....... doing nothing

A. about
B. up
C. on
D. by

45. We promised to tell the truth . .?

A. isn't it
B. didn't we
C. shouldn't we
D. wasn't it

46. No sooner had we set off ....... it started to rain

A. that
B. when
C. than
D. as

47. I cannot put up...... his saucy behaviour.

A. on
B. with
C. from
D. by

48. Several ______attended the two-day economic summit.

A. head of state
B. heads of states
C. heads of state
D. head of states

49. I won't go to the cinema with you; I ..... the movie.

A. seeing
B. have seen
C. seen
D. had seen
50. The committee has submitted its report .. the students' riot.

A. on
B. for
C. about
D. at

51. It's been a rough life so far, ....?

A. hasn't it
B. hadn't it
C. isn't it
D. wasn't it

52. If I had known, I ......... not have come.

A. should
B. ought
C. would
D. may

53. She had to work from ....

A. morning till the evening

B. the morning till evening
C. the morning till the evening
D. morning till evening

54. He did it, but not ...... the way I had expected.

A. as
B. quite
C. hardly
D. so

55. After stalking its prey for a while, thé lion .... .or the kill.

A. closed in
B. closed up
C. closed on
D. closed down

56. Mary and Jane are always quarrelling with ______.

A. each other
B. themselves
C. another
D. either
57. They have been informed of his departure ...?

A. haven't they
B. hadn't they
C. wasn't it
D. isn't it

58. Although some students may be innocent, ______are guilty of this offence.

A. much
B. great deal
C. most
D. a good deal

59. She prefers singing ........ dancing

A. besides
B. aside
C. than
D. to

60. Is that the lady ........you planned to visit?

A. which
B. who
C. whose
D. whom

61. The children .........in the pool after school.

A. swam
B. swum
C. swimming
D. swim

62. In spite of all their shortcomings, we cannot ... admire them.

A. only
B. but
C. also
D. still

63. The African extended family system gives .......members.

A. his
B. her
C. its
D. their
64. We all look forward to meeting the ............

A. beautiful, young, Nigerian musician

B. young, Nigerian, beautiful musician
C. Nigerian, young, beautiful musician
D. Nigerian, beautiful, young musician

65. One of my . ..... is a lecturer in the university.

A. sister
B. sister's
C. sisters
D. sisters’

66. Regina pleaded with her son to ........ the habit of smoking.

A. come out
B. come over
C. come off
D. come from

67. Their proposal looks .......... than ours.

A. more workable a little bit

B. a little bit more workable
C. more a little bit workable
D. workable a little bit more

68. You will be none ....... for it if you take the examinations in November.

A. the worst
B. Worst
C. worse
D. the worse

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
the most suitable to fill the numbered gaps in the passage.

Money serves as a ....71..... of exchange modern world. This is perhaps the most important 72 of
money. People who have money can use it to buy goods and.73......Without it, trade will be carried
out on the basis of ...74.... where goods or services are exchanged as was the practice in the years
gone by. This mode of trading has a number of disadvantages, as people will have to match their
.....75..... With those of other people. For example, if a hunter wants to trade his ....76... for yam, he
must find a ..... 77... who needs what he is trading. Another difficulty is determining the ....78..... of
each item needed in the exchange. Therefore, this mode of trading is no longer commonly
practised. Nowadays, people pay money for goods and services rendered both locally and
internationally. International trade boosts the....79...of a nation. The ...80..... frequently used in
international trade is the US Dollar.
69. Money serves as a ....71..... of exchange modern world.

A. value
B. medium
C. type
D. form

70. This is perhaps the most important..... 72....... of money.

A. aspect
B. duty
C. function
D. feature

71. People who have money can use it to buy goods and....73... .

A. handiwork
B. services
C. skill
D. businesses

72. Without it, trade will be carried out on the basis of ...74.... where goods or services are
exchanged as was the practice in the years gone by.

A. barter
B. dealings
C. negotiation
D. exchange

73. This mode of trading has a number of disadvantages, as people will have to match their
.....75..... With those of other people.

A. needs
B. intentions
C. wishes
D. desires

74. For example, if a hunter wants to trade his ....76... for yam,

A. kill
B. animal
C. livestock
D. prey

75. he must find a ..... 77... who needs what he is trading.

A. grower
B. labourer
C. farmer
D. customer
76. Another difficulty is determining the ....78..... of each item needed in the exchange.

A. portion
B. value
C. quantity
D. among

77. International trade boosts the....79...of a nation.

A. economy
B. savings
C. finances
D. transaction

78. The ...80..... frequently used in international trade is the US Dollar.

A. cash
B. money
C. currency
D. notes

79. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word hat has the same vowel sound as the one
represented by the letter(s) underlined

dark

A. stern
B. firm
C. sharp
D. ward

80. tough

A. cough
B. born
C. boat
D. done

81. chief

A. dead
B. feast
C. fine
D. chin

82. put

A. worn
B. could
C. fun
D. pan
83 king

A. kit
B. rind
C. key
D. bean

84. tan

A. ten
B. tin
C. wan
D. gas

85. debt

A. said
B. doubt
C. gain
D. eke

86. soar

A. pot
B. foal
C. catch
D. caught

87. dye

A. deal
B. dent
C. tide
D. day

88. date

A. west
B. height
C. says
D. heinous

89. berth

A. hurt
B. hunt
C. breath
D. berry
90. sure

A. sower
B. fewer
C. grew
D. floor

91. clothes

A. clue
B. bother
C. claw
D. both

92. rear

A. realm
B. mere
C. reed
D. mare

93. shoe

A. prune
B. great
C. bush
D. shone

94. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same consonant sound(s) as the
one represented by the letters underlined.

frame

A. praise
B. flame
C. pram
D. phrase

95. love

A. few
B. view
C. plough
D. cough

96. through

A. breathe
B. both
C. drew
D. tram
97. scene

A. theme
B. keen
C. psyche
D. prize

98. change

A. nature
B. nation
C. champagne
D. chameleon

99. pleasure

A. pressure
B. pleasing
C. natural
D. occasion

100. gender

A. guilty
B. good
C. glitter
D. joyful

101. ton

A. knock
B. hymn
C. pink
D. sing

102. weather

A. length
B. brother
C. think
D. breath

103. facts

A. face
B. lots
C. fast
D. loathes
104. sheep

A. sign
B. same
C. wash
D. sin

105. young

A. jump
B. jog
C. yen
D. junior

106. laughed

A. read
B. bed
C. sachet
D. right

107. tusk

A. box
B. boats
C. task
D. talks

108. fill

A. alms
B. calf
C. blank
D. could

109. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that rhymes with the given word

niece

A. keen
B. knees
C. peels
D. piece

110. blue

A. flow
B. blur
C. grew
D. show
111. ourt

A. cart
B. plot
C. flew
D. fort

112. peel

A. pile
B. pearl
C. peal
D. plea

113. style

A. bile
B. bell
C. stale
D. fine

114. From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress.

accuracy

A. AC-cu-ra-cy
B. ac-Cu-ra-cy
C. ac-cu-RA-cy
D. ac-cu-ra-CY

115. consequential

A. CON-se-quen-tial
B. con- SE-quen-tial
C. con-se-QUEN-tial
D. con-se-quen-TIAL

116. insensitive

A. IN-sen-si-tive
B. in-SEN-si-tive
C. in-sen-SI-tive
D. in-sen-si-TIVE

117. brutality

A. BRU-tal-ity
B. bru-TAL-i-ty
C. bru-tal-I-ty
D. bru-tal-i-ty
118. Identify the one with the different stress pattern

A. reduce
B. prolong
C. remove
D. purpose

119. Identify the one with the different stress pattern

A. neglect
B. direct
C. respond
D. credit

120. Identify the one with the different stress pattern

A. deter
B. sailor
C. tailor
D. yoga

121. Identify the one with the different stress pattern

A. innate
B. insane
C. injure
D. remind

122. Identify the one with the different stress pattern

A. challenger
B. solicit
C. umbrella
D. apprentice

123. From the questions lettered A to D, choose the one to which the given sentence is the
appropriate answer.

Many students ATTEND lectures everyday.

A. Do many students skip lectures everyday?

B. Do many students attend lectures every week?
C. Do many drivers attend lectures everyday?
D. Do many students attend concerts everyday?

124. John's PARENTS have received the letters.

A. A. Have John's parents sent the letters?

B. Have John's friends received the letters?
C. Have John's parents received the scripts?
D. Have William's parents received the letters?
125. The THIRD-YEAR girls were commended by the principal.

A. Were the third-year girls reprimanded by the principal?

B. Were the third-year girls commended by the doctor?
C. Were the third-year boys commended by the principal?
D. Were the first-year girls commended by the principal?

126. Stephen SELDOM goes to the house.

A. Does James seldom go the house?

B. Does Stephen seldom go to the school?
C. Does Stephen often go to the house?
D. Does Stephen seldom leave the house?

127. All the EMPLOYEES rejected him.

A. Did all the employees reject him

B. Did some of the employees reject him?
C. Did all the employees accept him?
D. Did all the employers reject him?

128. From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that contains the sound represented by the
given phonetic symbol.

/əʊ/

A. vogue
B. drool
C. plough
D. drawn

129. /ʊə/

A. pour
B. count
C. tour
D. dear

130. /t /

A. whistle
B. soften
C. listen
D. pity

131. /æ/

A. early
B. dragon
C. bread
D. card
132. /b/

A. womb
B. doubt
C. public
D. thumb

133. /ə/

A. pence
B. abuse
C. cat
D. refer

134. /l/

A. calm
B. lamb
C. could
D. salmon

135. /k/

A. cane
B. chain
C. knight
D. knife

136. /ð/

A. northern
B. bath
C. healthy
D. teeth

137. /ŋ/

A. tongue
B. gone
C. fan
D. wind
 SECTION B

1. Write a letter to your friend who is in another school telling him or her the valuable lessons you
have learnt during a recent excursion.

2. Several articles have been published on the alarming rate of indiscipline among the youth of
your country. Write your contribution.

3. Cases of malaria have been on the increase in recent times in your country. Write a letter to the
Minister of Health, discussing your observation and suggesting at least three ways of curbing the
disease.

4. You have just been awarded a scholarship by a local company. Write a speech you would deliver
at the presentation ceremony stating the benefits of the scholarship.

5. Write a story that ends with the statement: Better late than never.