WAEC English Language questions: Sentence interpretation

19 questions with answers and explanations. Tap an option to check yourself.

1. Question 1· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'The governor's speech fell flat.' This means the speech

   • Awas very successful
   • Bfailed to impress the audience
   • Cwas delivered lying down
   • Dwas too long

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2. Question 2· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'Unless you hurry, you will miss the bus.' This means that

   • Athe bus has already left
   • Byou will miss the bus even if you hurry
   • Cyou will miss the bus if you do not hurry
   • Dyou do not need to hurry

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   Explanation and discussion

3. Question 3· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'Had the driver been careful, the accident would not have happened.' This means that

   • Athe accident was not the driver's fault
   • Bthe driver was careful
   • Cthere was no accident
   • Dthe driver was not careful and the accident happened

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   Explanation and discussion

4. Question 4· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'The student's excuse did not hold water.' This means that the excuse

   • Awas written down
   • Bwas not convincing
   • Cwas very wet
   • Dwas accepted

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5. Question 5· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'The doctor is not a little worried about the patient.' This means the doctor is

   • Anot worried
   • Bslightly worried
   • Cvery worried
   • Dhappy

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6. Question 6· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   Which option best explains the sentence 'Tolu was all ears as the teacher explained the topic'?

   • ATolu was bored
   • BTolu could not hear
   • CTolu listened attentively
   • DTolu asked many questions

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7. Question 7· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'Musa is as good as dead.' This means Musa

   • Ais a good man
   • Bis almost certain to die
   • Cis already dead
   • Dis very healthy

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8. Question 8· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'No sooner had she arrived than she started complaining.' This means that she

   • Abegan to complain immediately after arriving
   • Bcomplained before arriving
   • Cdid not arrive
   • Darrived late

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9. Question 9· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   Which option best explains the sentence 'Musa is a man of his word'?

   • AMusa talks a lot
   • BMusa keeps his promises
   • CMusa is a good speaker
   • DMusa tells the truth only sometimes

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10. Question 10· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'Hardly had we sat down when the lights went off.' This means that

    • Awe did not sit down
    • Bthe lights went off immediately after we sat down
    • Cthe lights were off before we sat
    • Dwe stood for a long time

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11. Question 11· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    Which option best explains the sentence 'Ada's success has gone to her head'?

    • AShe has become proud because of it
    • BShe has become cleverer
    • CShe is worried about it
    • DShe has forgotten about it

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12. Question 12· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'My uncle is a man of means.' This means that my uncle

    • Ais wise
    • Bis mean
    • Cis hardworking
    • Dis wealthy

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13. Question 13· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'Ngozi would rather starve than beg.' This means Ngozi

    • Ais starving now
    • Blikes begging
    • Cwill beg if hungry
    • Dprefers starving to begging

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14. Question 14· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    Which option best explains the sentence 'The principal gave the latecomers a piece of her mind'?

    • AShe scolded them
    • BShe advised them
    • CShe forgave them
    • DShe praised them

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15. Question 15· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    Which option best explains the sentence 'The manager said the proposal was a non-starter'?

    • AIt was excellent
    • BIt would start later
    • CIt was the first proposal
    • DIt had no chance of succeeding

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16. Question 16· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'Tunde is still green in the job.' This means that Tunde

    • Ais jealous
    • Bis inexperienced
    • Cis very hardworking
    • Dis ill

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17. Question 17· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'The principal turned a deaf ear to our complaints.' This means that the principal

    • Apunished us
    • Bcould not hear well
    • Clistened carefully
    • Dignored our complaints

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18. Question 18· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'Ade spoke off the cuff at the meeting.' This means that Ade

    • Aspoke angrily
    • Bspoke without preparing
    • Cspoke for too long
    • Drefused to speak

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19. Question 19· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    Which option best explains the sentence 'The thief took to his heels when he saw the police'?

    • AHe hid
    • BHe surrendered
    • CHe ran away
    • DHe fought back

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    Explanation and discussion