WAEC SSCE - English Language - 2010

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Her husband's death has forced her to tighten her belt. This means that she has

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Each one of the ten chosen contestants............lunch with patron

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Madam Abike turned..........13 bags of maize at the first harvest

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The signature on the document lacked..............so it was rejected

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The two tasks were performed........................and we were able to finish early.

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

Cheif Osa prefers fame in the village to............in the city

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

One of his close friends...............a soldier

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
I had dinner with Tony and Nick and they talked shop the whole time. This means that they talked

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

Our club encourages benevolence

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
Everyone could tell that Binta was happy from the .............on her face.

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

The media houses should employ both the novice and the............journalist

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The two tasks were performed........................and we were able to finish early.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

No sooner had war started..............the soldiers deserted the village

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

Rather than convict him, the impartial judge........him.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The little boy gave his candid opinion of the incident.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

As a result of the power cut, production at the paint factory came to a ...................

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

My mother remarked that it was high time we..........preparing supper.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teacher needs.......to write the note on the chalkboard

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

I woke up feeling rather queer

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Why are you always jealous.............other people?

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
We thought that Uncle Sam's health had improved but it had rather................

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Our teacher was not speaking.................when he said that the bursar was under a cloud

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
His decision to reconcile with his former agent paid off. This means that the reconciliation

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teachers don't teach us............?

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Even before his burial, Okoye's family members were already planning how to share his wealth...........themselves.

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
The beauty of Bimpe's garden shows that she has green fingers. This means that Bimpe

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Does Omar...........in the city?

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
I would have visited you but for my father's ill health. This means that my

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
It pays to be firm rather than..........in a case like this.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

Such utterances are inimical to the peaceful co-existence of the two communities

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The robbers were subjected..............a thorough beating by the irate mob.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
The committee is charged with finding a .......solution to the crisis

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The motorcycle nearly hit Jane and..............

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teacher made us.........five poems each.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

She wondered if the water was not..............hot for drinking

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The meeting of the.................will come later today.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

We are no...........friends

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

If they had known us, they..........

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Mrs. Kofi is angry..............her daughter's lack of interest in her business

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Three kilometres...............quite a long distance

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The teacher, as well as his students...........working very hard.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
His last novel was........by his visit to the prisons

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The president appointed staunch supporters of his policies as advisers.

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
While the Registrar considers the matter insignificant his deputy sees it as.............

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Can you tell us how the accident came...............?

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Musa does not believe that there is poverty in Africa; he is a dyed-in-the-wool capitalist. This means that Musa is

In the following passages the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the below each passage, four options are offered in columns lettered A to D. choose the word that is the most suitable to fill the numbered gap in the passages.
The prefect oral system is one of the most -76- ways of involving students directly in the -77- of the school. In the system, the students are -78- certain -79- connected with the day –t0-day life of the school: for instance, the organization and co-ordination of all sorts of -80- activities, such as games, societies, clubs or dealing with some minor cases of -81-, taking responsibility for students welfare’, -82- of learning after school hours, arranging advisory services for junior students and checking -83-. Properly -84-, the perfect oral system helps to -85- the work of the administrator and set a good -86- for the school. The operation of the system and the exact -87- performed by perfects differ from institution to institution; the important thing is to adapt the system in such a way as to make it a useful -88- of the day to-day administration of your -89-.
Mrs. Agu decided to -90- her friend, She picked up her -91- and -92- her friends -93-, there was no response. However, after a few trails she discovered from the -94- that she was not in -95- and so, the -96- could not go -97-, That was surprising because she had bought some -98- cards the previous day did not -99- any call. However, she could not remember -100- them into her phone.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The principal advised all the students to be of help to................

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
Instead of reconciling her parents, Roxanne worked hard at..................them

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

It is sad that the rich...............pity the poor

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
My book has become dog-eared through use. This means that

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.
The man's first wife is loyal while second is............

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The student wondered why the sun constantly rises..........the east

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

Everybody noticed that the chairman's excuse was lame

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

The handsome profit from her fish business made Mrs. Uba stop complaining about her husband's ..........salary

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

It is about time you..............to bed.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Mr. Ackon needed..............help to succeed in the business

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Whenever my cousin comes to realize that I am telling the truth, she will eat the humble pie. This means that my cousin will

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
It is about time you..............to bed.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

My friends would not believe me If I............ them this story

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
James and Henry were at daggers drawn when I knew them. This means that they

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
It is sad that the rich...............pity the poor

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
His father has a .............

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

One very important aspect of human relationship is.................trust.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

If he declines the offer, it will be better for him.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Though Yusuf is a much younger lawyer, you cannot compare his eloquence.............his master's

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Susan has been urging me to join the..............`

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

All we need...............dedicated teachers

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
Some candidates takes examinations in their stride.This means that they

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The provocation had an instantaneous effect on him.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:
We are worried by the............that exists between the two factions of the party

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

What do you intend to do with these inanimate objects?

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

I found my friends sitting..............the beach.

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Until I heard him myself, I ................imagined that he said that

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

The cook should have.............the pepper and the tomatoes together

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences:

Even before his burial, Okoye's family members were already planning how to share his wealth...........themselves.

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

The chairman observed that Andrew was the most qualified candidate for the job

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

      No one can deny the fact that anyone who wants to be successful in learning the English language needs a good English dictionary. Such a dictionary should be a source of information about the language — information that is not generally available in grammar books It should not only contain a list words and their meanings, but also a lot of information that can help a leaner to speak and write good English.

      In order to use a word correctly, the reader needs to know how to link it with other words in a sentence. He should also know the structures that often precede or follow it, and whether it is formal or informal. This will help him to choose what word is appropriate for a particular context. The dictionary is therefore, an invaluable aid to reading as well as writing skills.

      If the meaning of a particular word in a passage impedes the overall comprehension of the main ideas presented in it, then a dictionary should be used. Most teachers must have observed a widespread tendency among their students to attack a new passage by reading it word by word, stopping to reach for a dictionary whenever they come across a word they do not know. This is a wrong approach;  the dictionary should be used only as a last resort. The main objective of reading a passage is not to define  specific words but to understand the ideas and concepts of the passage. the frequent use of a dictionary tends to focus the reader's attention on words when he should be concentrating on understanding the main ideas of the passage. Efficient reading implies obtaining the greatest amount of information from the passage in the shortest time possible. The frequent use of a dictionary takes too much time — time that can better be employed in getting an overall understanding of the passage.

      Instead of turning to the last resort, the reader should continue reading. Very often, the meaning of an unfamiliar ford can be guessed from the context in which it is used. The passage may give a definition, cite examples or describe )e circumstances surrounding the use of such a word well enough for him to know what it means. After reading the 'hole passage, the reader may realize that he has understood the important ideas presented without knowing the leaning of every word. If, after reading the entire passage, the reader is still unable to guess the meaning of a word from the context, then he should study the structure of the word The word may be a compound word which, when broken into its component parts, can be easily understood.

      If after exhausting these approaches. the reader still does not understand the meaning of a word, and if this word is vital to the comprehension of the whole passage, then and only then, should he refer to a dictionary,

(a) In one sentence state the purpose of a good dictionary

(b) In two sentences, one for each, state the two disadvantages of constantly referring to a dictionary when reading a passage.

(c) In three sentences, one for each, summarize the three steps that a reader should take before referring to a dictionary.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

 
      It was a little past 10 a.m. but the medium-sized hall that served as a prayer house was already brimming with people from different parts of the metropolis, who had come to seek cure or answers to their problems. The majority of this lot were those with seemingly intractable mental health conditions. The superintendent of the prayer house in question was often spoken of in whispers as possessing uncanny spiritual powers to exorcise evil spirits. it was also believed that he had answers to numerous illnesses that defied orthodox medication. Wednesday of each week was set aside for these healing sessions. 
      On this particular Wednesday, noisy supplications to the Most High and ceaseless invocation of His name to free those supposedly held captive by alleged evil spirits had reached fever pitch. Suddenly, a middle-aged man broke loose from the crowd and ran as fast as his wobbly legs could permit. Some male workers from the prayer house gave him a hot chase. 
At first, bemused by-standers rained curses on the fleeing man, wondering why a man in his right senses would in broad daylight rob a house of God. They obviously mistook the man for a robber fleeing from the scene of his crime. But he was not. Minutes later, he was caught and chained hands and feet, despite his struggle against his captors who intermittently lashed him with horse-whip. As he was being violently dragged along the street, the man ceaselessly muttered incomprehensible words that sounded like the muttering of a colony of baboons. Then, a clear picture of the situation dawned on the on-lookers. The man, after all, was not a thief and had stolen nothing; rather, his ability to think and reason properly had taken flight of him. Simply put, he was mentally deranged. 
      The above incident is a common occurrence in many parts of the country. It aptly underscores the devastating mental health conditions plaguing a sizeable number of people in recent times. It also points to the unspeakable and inhuman treatment which people with such health disorders suffer at the hands of self-styled spiritualists. This is the usual lot of mental patients whose family members refuse to take advantage of orthodox treatment. 
(a) What brought the people to the prayer house?
(b) State the functions of the superintendent of the prayer house. 
(c) What was wrong with the on-lookers' assessment of the run-away man? 
(d) Mention two instances of inhuman treatment in the passage. 
(e) What is the writer's attitude towards the treatment of lunatics at prayer house? 
(f)"... like the muttering of a colony of baboons." What figure of speech is contained in this expression? 
(g) "... Whose family member refuse to take advantage of orthodox treatment." (I) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage? (ii) What is its function? 
(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage. 

(i) intractable ; (ii) supplications; (iii) wobbly; (iv) bemused; (v) intermittently (vi) deranged. 

Your country's public transport system is not functioning properly. Write a letter to the Minister of Transport, highlighting the causes and suggesting at least two measures to remedy the situation.

Write an article for publication in a national newspaper on the topic: Vocational Training is the answer to unemployment among the youths.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

      Miss Williamson announced in class one day that she wanted one of us to live with her to help her with her domestic work after school. There was a rush to volunteer which took her completely by surprise. When she recovered and had quietened our excited shouting, there was a moment during which none of us dared breathe, as she scanned the eager faces. What made her choose me i had never found out, but i had noticed before that she was partial to me. "All right Karimu," she said. "You can come, but first run along and get your father's consent"

      My parents were only too glad to have one mouth fewer to feed and my brothers and sisters to see the back of one who inevitably, had begun to assume an air of superiority in talking to them. Miss Williamson's bungalow was a stone's throw from school. That very evening saw me installed on a mat in a corner of her back veranda. I was unable to sleep, excited at the thought of the good fortune that had come my  way. To be within earshot of Miss Williamson's English all day, to have access to her books, to nurse the possibility, overwhelming even in thought, of going with her frequently of Rofunkti - all these visions kept my eyes wide open and my brain racing until very late that night. With my "lapa" pulled right over my head and happy beyond all description in my heart, I smiled myself to sleep.

      I learnt a very great deal in Miss Williamson's bungalow. Apart from improving my English, I learnt about the world outside and began to sense that were barriers much higher and much less easily gauged than those of mere language and colour, between my own people and those from whom she sprang. The smiling teacher in the daytime often became the brooding restless, ill-tempered spinster in the evening. Her bungalow was shared by another lady, a doctor, also a Scot, who traveled to and fro between the villages on a bicycle. I noticed that when not at their work or talking about it, these women showed no signs of being happy. As I grew up with them, i found myself wondering what had made them leave their country and come to live among a people whose ways were totally different from theirs.

(a) Why was Miss Williamson completely surprised?

(b) Why was Karimu's family happy to see him go to stay at the bungalow?

(C) State the overwhelming thought that kept Karimu awake.

(d) What did Karimu find difficult to understand about the two ladies?

(e) Mention the identical trait in these two ladies behaviour.  

(f) "What made her choose me. ."

(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage? ;

(ii) What is its function?

(g) "I smiled myself to sleep."What is the meaning of this expression?

(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage: (i) scanned; (ii) inevitably; (iii) nurse; (iv) vision; (v)gauged; (vi) brooding.

You are the Chief Speaker in a debate on the topic: The youths of today are more interested in the pursuit of pleasure than in academic work. Write your speech for or against the topic.
      

You have recently moved into a new neighbourhood with your parents. Write a letter to your sister who is studying overseas giving, at least, three reasons for disliking the new place. 

Write a story to illustrate the saying: A good name is better than riches.