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WAEC English Language objectives: free practice with answers
The objective paper of WASSCE English Language tests lexis and structure: synonyms and antonyms, sentence completion, concord, tenses, prepositions, idioms, sentence interpretation, register, and Oral English (vowels, consonants, stress and rhymes). CrackIt practises this objective part on a CBT screen with grades from A1 to F9.
The WASSCE English objective paper usually has 80 questions in about 1 hour. Confirm the time on your own timetable.
CrackIt has 115 original English Language questions across 19 syllabus topics (43 easy, 47 medium, 25 hard), each with an explanation in English and Pidgin.
5 free WAEC English Language practice questions
Original questions from our bank, written to the syllabus. Tap “Show answer” to check yourself.
Q1. Lexis: synonyms
From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the word in CAPITALS.
'The old bridge was so FRAGILE that the council banned heavy vehicles from using it.'
- Adelicate
- Bwide
- Cstrong
- Dexpensive
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Answer: A. delicate
FRAGILE means easily broken or weak, hence 'delicate'. The bridge could easily collapse, which is why heavy vehicles were banned, so the sentence supports weakness, not strength.
Pidgin: FRAGILE mean say e fit break quick quick, na weak thing. Na why dem ban heavy motor from the bridge, so 'delicate' na the correct answer, no be 'strong'.
Q2. Lexis: antonyms
The road leading to Mr. Eze's farm was so NARROW that two vehicles could not pass through it at the same time. Choose the option that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word in capitals.
- ASmooth
- BShort
- CWide
- DLong
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Answer: C. Wide
Narrow means having a small width. Wide means having a large width, so it is the correct opposite of narrow in this context.
Pidgin: Narrow mean say the road no big reach. Wide mean say e big well-well, so na im be the opposite.
Q3. Sentence completion: vocabulary
The governor's campaign speech was full of ______ promises that nobody believed again.
- Aheavy
- Bempty
- Cfirm
- Dsolid
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Answer: B. empty
'Empty promises' is a common expression meaning promises that will not be kept. 'Heavy', 'solid' and 'firm' do not collocate with 'promises' in this idiomatic sense.
Pidgin: 'Empty promises' na common expression wey mean promise wey no go happen. 'Heavy', 'solid' and 'firm' no dey normally follow 'promises' like that.
Q4. Sentence completion: structure and grammar
Choose the option that best completes the sentence: If Tunde ___ harder for the mock examination, he would have made better grades.
- Ahad studied
- Bhas studied
- Cstudied
- Dstudies
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Answer: A. had studied
This is a type 3 conditional sentence about an unreal past situation. It needs 'if + past perfect' followed by 'would have + past participle'.
Pidgin: This na type 3 conditional, e dey talk about something wey no happen for past. E suppose be 'if + past perfect' and 'would have + past participle', so 'had studied' correct.
Q5. Concord
Many a trader at Oyingbo market ___ lost goods during the flood.
- Ahave
- Bare
- Chas
- Dwere
Show answer
Answer: C. has
The phrase "many a" is always followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, even though the meaning is plural in sense. So "has" is correct.
Pidgin: "Many a" dey always follow wit singular noun and singular verb, even though e dey mean plenty. So na "has" correct.
Topics covered
- Lexis: synonyms (7)
- Lexis: antonyms (7)
- Sentence completion: vocabulary (7)
- Sentence completion: structure and grammar (5)
- Concord (7)
- Tenses and verb forms (4)
- Prepositions and phrasal verbs (7)
- Idioms and idiomatic expressions (6)
- Sentence interpretation (7)
- Pronouns, question tags and determiners (6)
- Register: vocabulary of fields (6)
- Word classes, phrases and clauses (6)
- Spelling and punctuation (4)
- Oral English: vowel sounds (7)
- Oral English: consonant sounds and clusters (7)
- Oral English: word stress (7)
- Oral English: emphatic stress and intonation (7)
- Oral English: rhymes and homophones (7)
- Comprehension: a short original passage written into the question (1)
How to score higher in English Language
- Never leave a question blank: there is no negative marking on the objective paper.
- Register questions (the vocabulary of fields like banking, medicine or law) come up every year. Learn a few words from each field.
- Mark your Oral English weak spots in practice and repeat only those. It is the fastest way to add marks.
Need five credits? CrackIt tracks your grade (A1 to F9) in every subject and plans each day until the exam.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in WAEC (WASSCE) English Language?
The WASSCE English objective paper usually has 80 questions in about 1 hour. Confirm the time on your own timetable.
Are these real past questions?
No. CrackIt's 115 English Language questions are original, written to the official WAEC syllabus, and each has a worked explanation. CrackIt is not affiliated with JAMB, WAEC or NECO.
Is CrackIt free and does it work offline?
Yes. Practice by topic, timed tests and the Daily 10 are free, and once the app has loaded it works without data.
Can I read the explanations in Pidgin?
Yes. Every English Language explanations have a Pidgin version: tap “Pidgin” under the answer.