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SECTION 1

In each of the following sentences, there is one underlined word and gap. 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 will at the same time, correctly fill the gap.

1. Good teaching stimulates the interest of students, whereas bad teaching __________ it

A. dampens

B. encourages

C. supersede

D. retracts.

2. Some youths of this generation are often hard-heaerted compared to those of past generations who were _________

A. indifferent

B. fastidious

C. proficient

D. compassionate

3. The doctor does not thing the patient will recover, the signs aer ominous rather thatn ________

A. encouraging

B. feasible

C. obvious

D. gloomy

4. The purpose of education is to enhance progress and not to __________ it

A. proscribe

B. intercept

C. impede

D. confuse

5. The teacher gave him high marks and wrote complimentary remarks in the margin, which surprisingly gave him _________ feelings.

A. doubtful

B. secret

C. unpleasant

D. serious

ANSWERS

6. Many people find cod liver oil disgusting but soldiers find it __________

A. refreshing

B. medicinal

C. pleasant

D. bitter

7. The investigators relied solely on conjectures which were not as reliable as _________

A. fact

B. hearsay

C. figures

D. fabrications.

8. It was obvious that Modou committed the crime, but his friends were still ________

A. unhappy

B. doubtful

C. suspicious

D. confident

9. The government was blamed for implementing policies that favoured the elite at the expense of the ________________

A. workers

B. wealthy

C. masses

D. oppressed

10. His suggestion on how to deal with thief was invaluable, but the police considered it ________

A. useless

B. impossible

C. necessary

D. timely

ANSWERS

SECTION 2

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

11. The woman’s behavior clearly shows that her love for her husband was merely __________

A. superstitious

B. superlative

C. elusive

D. superficial

12. The man was told in his own interest to ________________ the statement he had made.

A. cancel

B. recast

C. erase

D. retract

13. Mum made soothing remarks in order to _________________dad

A. incense

B. pacify

C. rekindle

D. protect

14. Ebou maintained his stand in _________________ of the principal’s orders

A. defiance

B. deference

C. obedience

D. defence

15. The outgoing president warned his successor to beware of ___________ who praise every action of government, good or bad.

A. enthusiasts

B. sycophants

C. radicals

D. favourites

ANSWERS

16. Salimata came into _____ when she won the beauty contest.

A. public

B. limelight

C. focus

D. view

17. The current economic crisis has led to the ______ of many workers

A. rejection

B. retrenchment

C. isolation

D. ejection

18. We all agree that the television is a more powerful _________ of communication than the radio

A. agent

B. way

C. instrument

D. medium

19. He won the election by a _____ of 500 votes

A. consensus

B. margin

C. surplus

D. gap

20. Daylight armed-robbery is common ______ in big cities

A. plan

B. site

C. exercise

D. phenomenon

ANSWERS

SECTION 3

After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentences.

21. When Joe was threatened with suspension he made a clean breast of his offence.

A. ran away

B. made friends with the other offenders

C. told the whole truth

D. pleaded innocence.

22. When Eunice was discharged from hospital she was a shadow of her former self. This means that she

A. look like a shadow

B. was withdrawn

C. had changed a little

D. was thin and weak

23. Chinwe can be stubborn yet I have a soft spot for her. This means that I

A. am fond of Chinwe even though she is stubborn

B. alone know how to control Chinwe

C. dislike Chinwe for stubbornness

D. have a cure for her stubbornness.

24. The principal is high-handed with his staff. This means that the principal

A. respects his staff highly

B. is very friendly and easy-going with his staff

C. dislike Chinwe for stubbornness

D. have a cure for her stubbornness

25. The loan was taken on a gentleman’s agreement. This means that

A. there was no documentation of the loan

B. two gentlemen witnessed the loan

C. the loan was granted

D. the loan was not to be repaid.

ANSWERS

26. Constructing the road along the coast was difficult but the men had already broken the back of the work before the rains. This means that they had

A. completed the preparations

B. completed the most difficult part of it

C. completed it altogether

D. broken the road.

27. Whenever Nkoyo finds herself at a loose end, she goes visiting people. This means that Nkoyo goes visiting people whenever she

A. is happy

B. feels worried and confused

C. ahs nothing to occupy her

D. has no visitors.

28. Kola will get the job because his father will surely pull strings for him. This means that his father will

A. give him useful information

B. remove some of his difficulties

C. influence the right people

D. attract attention towards him.

29. To give a bronze medal to the athlete who was deliberately intercepted on the track was cold comfort. This means that the bronze medal was

A. acceptable to him

B. too cold

C. not adequate compensation

D. rejected by him

30. The students planned to confront the principal with their grievances but as they got closer to his office, they developed cold feet. This means that

A. they could no longer walk

B. they lost courage

C. the lost interest

D. their feet became numb.

ANSWERS

SECTION 4

From the words lettered A to D, below each the following sentences,

choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.

31. The woman stifled a cry of astonishment as she discovered the identity of the robber

A. suppressed

B. shouted

C. forced

D. hid

32. That rock is a potential danger to fishing boats.

A. a possible

B. an unexpected

C. an obvious

D. a serious

33. His contribution to the development programme in the village remains unrivalled

A. unbroken

B. unparallel

C. undisputed

D. unknown

34. Members of the party agreed that some serious thinking is required before a final decision can be taken.

A. meeting

B. consultation

C. consideration

D. appraisal

35. Our chief is very intelligent but he could be parchail in his judgment.

A. deep

B. broad

C. narrow-minded

D. kind-hearted.

ANSWERS

36. All that was left after the riot were the charred remains of the victims.

A burnt

B. clack

C. broken

D. scattered

37. The incessant chatter of the pupils irritated the visitor.

A. unceasing

B. meaningless

C. excited

D. loud

38. Musa won the debate because he articulated his arguments convincingly.

A. pronounced

B. presented

C. arranged

D. summarized

39. I was surprised at the gallantry of the Senegalese peace-keepers.

A cowardice

B. strength

C. bravery

D. height

40. The clerk was dismissed for dereliction of duty

A. ignorance

B. lateness

C. carelessness

D. negligence

ANSWERS

SECTION 5

From the words or group of words, lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completed each of the following sentences

41. This is bad case, _______ hard you try to defend the accused

A. however

B. whatever

C. whichever

D. whenever

42. __________ pain has been taken to make the party a success

A. such

B. much

C. every

D. many

43. School children are advised to refrain _______ smoking

A. with

B. against

C. to

D. from

44. the principal, as well as the teachers, _________ in school

A. is

B. were

C. all are

D. are all

45. Fatima ___________ come to work today since she is still sick

A. needn’t had

B. needn’t have

C. needn’t has

D. needn’t to

ANSWERS

46. Aminata has ___________ her engagement to Sule.

A broken off

B. broken up

C. broke away

D. broken down

47. __________ who knows the times will not open his door to strangers at night

A. somebody

B. nobody

C. anybody

D. everybody

48. All the final year students will attend ____________ part.

A. tomorrow’s

B. tomorrows’

C. tomorrows

D. tomorrow

49. My friend’s son stole the _______ briefcase

A. director’s-general

B. director-general’s

C. directors’ general

D. director-generals’

50. This isn’t your ring it is your _____________

A. daughter-inlaw

B. daughter-in-law’s

C. daughters-in-law

D. daughter-in-laws

ANSWERS

51. He brought us ____________

A. a good news

B. many good news

C. some good news

D. several

52. I was asked whether I ____________ to go on the outing

A. would intend

B. intended

C. have intended

D. intend

53. Our teacher is leaving our school in July to _______ a new job.

A. take in

B. take to

C. take on

D. take on

54. The old woman had no children and no real friends __________

A. too

B. again

C. either

D. neither

55. Certain tasks may be unpleasant at first, but gradually one may get ________ them.

A. to liking

B. to like

C. to be liking

D. to have liked

ANSWERS

56. _____________ in their youth is a source of pleasurable reminiscence for elderly persons

A. to be traveling

B. to travel

C. by travelling

D. to have travelled

57. The ministers told his congregation that one day __________ would be rewarded

A. the faithful

B. the faithful

C. any faithful

D. a faithful

58. Maram liked the exhibits at the trade fair but she really enjoyed _____________ the most

A. the amusements

B. amusements

C. the amusement

D. amusement

59. The jury gave ________ verdict of guilty in the murder case

A. it’s

B ‘tis

C. it

D. its

60. The room in ______________ they lived was quite large and well-lit

A. where

B. that

C. which

D. there

ANSWERS

61. The great gates of the ancient palace were ___________

A. beautiful pieces of iron works

B. the beautiful pieces of iron works

C. beautiful pieces of iron work

D. a beautiful pieces of iron works

62. The report said that although the country was rich _________ formed a substantial part of the population

A. old and neglected

B. the old and neglected

C. some old and some neglected

D. the olds and neglected

63. I had a phone call from her yesterday, so she ______ have found out my telephone number

A. can

B. could

C. must

D. might

64. I cannot imagine that a man _____ his standing could stoop so low as to accept bribes.

A. with

B. at

C. of

D. on

65. Lamin and Michael washed _________ but mummy washed Yeanle

A. himself

B. themselves

C. one another

D. the other

ANSWERS

66. The principal has gone to Freetown and will come back in _______________ time.

A. two weeks

B. two week

C. two week’s

D. two weeks’

67. The students have not come back from their school farms._____________________?

A. isn’t it

B. hadn’t they

C. don’t they

D. have they

68. We haven’t confirmed _______ signature this is.

A. what

B. whose

C. who’s

D. which

69. I said “John saw Mary,” ______________?

A. didn’t I

B. didn’t he

C. hadn’t he

D. do I

70. The moon seemed to be sailing through the clouds ____________ a ship thrusting its way through a stormy ocean.

A. as

B. as to

C. as for

D. like

ANSWERS

71. the school’s high jump champion has been _______________

A. off very much form most of the time

B. very much off-form most of the time

C. very much form most of the time

D. of-form most of the time very much

72. The new bridge was a complete waste of money and __________ built in the first place

A. need not have been

B. needs not have been

C. needed not to have been

D. need not to have been

73. Araba took up an appointment as a part-time instructor as a means ___________ his meager income.

A. to supplement

B. of supplementing

C. to supplementing

D. for supplementing

74. __________ opportunity we now have to rid the nation of corruption!

A. what excellent

B. what an excellent

C. how excellent

D. so excellent an

ANSWERS

SECTION 6

In the following passages, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list 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.

PASSAGE A

One of the indicators of – 76 – under development in this country is the backward state of the transport sector. This is typified by the poor state of the railway – 77 –. In advanced countries, commuter trains carry passengers from city to city and within suburbs. The – 78 – train goes a lot faster connecting major cities and eve states such trains have – 79 – only. In the intra-city trains, it is only shelter and seats that are provided. There are no – 80 . – In some cases, and because of the long hours of service of inter-city or inter-state trains, - 81 – and – 82 – are available in addition to coaches. Apart from the very fast electric trains, there are passenger trains that are – 83 – powered. There are others that use cola or steam as – 84 –. Some trains offer – 85 – services, transporting goods. Such trains stop as specific – 86 – to deliver goods or to refuel. Most trains have – 87 – to push or pull them to prevent them from turning around.

ANSWERS

76. A. Structural B. Infrastructural C. Fiscal D. Systematic

77. A. System B. Framework C. Industry D. Business

78. A. Intra-city B. In-city C. Inter-city D. Sub-city

79. A. Wagons B. Coaches C. Cabins D. Decks

80. A. Bookshops and libraries B. Gyms and clubs C. Meals and refreshments D. Parks and salons

81. A. Dinning B. cars C. Lunch tables D. Refectories Bars

82. A. Closets B. Sleeping cars C. Clock rooms D. Control suites

83. A. Battery B. Engine C. Diesel D. Solar

84. A. Petrol B. Alternative C. Converter D. Fuel

85. A. Freight B. Delivery C. Postal D. Courier

86. A. Checkpoints B. Duty-posts C. Stations D. Centers

87. A. Gadgets B. Locomotives C. Compasses D. Bearings

ANSWERS

PASSAGE B

It is interesting to watch a modern – 88 – spring up and get completed in a matter of months. A few months ago, a building comma brought some – 89 – to the virgin forest next to our school. The tress were – 90 – the ground was cleared and – 91 – and the workers brought out various – 92 – with which they measured and marked the – 93 –. Then the – 94 – was dug and the – 95 were brought from somewhere else, - 96 – was made from a mixture of sand, cement and water, and the walls grew before our very eyes. Before the end of the second month, we realized it was not going to be a – 97 – but a store yard building. The – 98 – was cast in only one day by the workers who – 99 – for the whole day. Thereafter, things moved even faster. By the end of the third month, the whole – 100 – was in place.

ANSWERS

88. A. Construction B. Building C. Erection D. Fabrication

89. A. Trailers B. Bull-dozers C. Tractors D. Machines

90. A. Felled B. Pulled C. Cut D. Broken

91. A. Leveled B. Paved C. Demolished D. Destroyed

92. A. Apparatus B. Items C. Machinery D. Equipment

93. A. Plan B. Trenches C. Ground D. Space

94. A. Base B. Foundation C. Pavement D. Gutter

95. A. Boreholes B. Lintels C. Fences D. Blocks

96. A. Concoction B. Gravel C. Mortar D. Compound

97. A. Basement B. Mansion C. Bungalow D. Sky-scraper

98. A. Roofing B. Decking C. Floor D. Beam

99. A. Struggled B. Grumbled C. Suffered D. Toiled

100. A. Roof B. Structure C. Wall D. Apartment

WASSCE JUNE 2008 ENGLISH LANGUAGE OBJECTIVE TEST

ANSWERS

1.A 2.D 3.A 4.C 5.C 6.C 7.A 8.B 9.C 10.A 11.D 12.D 13.B 14.A 15.B 16.B 17.B 18.D 19.B 20.D 21.C 22.D 23.A 24.D 25.A 26.B 27.C 28.C 29.C 30.B 31.A 32.A 33.B 34.C 35.C 36.A 37.A 38.B 39.C 40.D 41.A 42.B 43.D 44.D 45.B 46.A 47.C 48.A 49.B 50.B 51.A 52.B 53.D 54.C 55.B 56.D 57.A 58.C 59.D 60.C 61.C 62.B 63.C 64.C 65.B 66.A 67.D 68.B 69.A 70.D 71.B 72.D 73.B 74.B 75. 76.B 77.A 78.C 79.B 80.C 81.C 82.C 83.D 84.D 85.D 86.C 87.C 88.B 89.B 90.A 91.A 92.D 93.C 94.B 95.D 96.C 97.C 98.B 99.D 100.B

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