WAEC English Language Essay/Theory
SECTION A: ESSAY WRITING
Answer one question from this section. All answers must be written in clear, coherent English.
- Write a letter to the Chairman of your Local Government Area discussing the poor condition of roads in your community and the effects on residents. Suggest at least two possible solutions.
- You are the Labour Prefect of your school. Write a speech you would deliver during the school assembly on the topic: “The Importance of Environmental Cleanliness in Schools.”
- Write a story that ends with the statement: “It was at that moment that I understood the value of patience.”
- Write an article for publication in your school magazine on the dangers of cultism among youths. Suggest ways to prevent students from joining cult groups.
- Your school recently held an inter-house sports competition. Write a report to your principal describing the events of the day, the behaviour of students, and the lessons learned from the competition.
SECTION B: COMPREHENSION
Read the passage below carefully and answer all the questions that follow. Your answers must be in complete sentences.
PASSAGE
In recent years, the excessive use of mobile phones among teenagers has become a growing concern for parents, teachers, and health experts. While mobile phones provide easy access to information and communication, their misuse has created several social and academic problems. Many students spend long hours on social media platforms, neglecting their studies and reducing meaningful face-to-face interactions with family and friends. In addition, constant exposure to screens may lead to poor sleep habits, eye strain, and reduced concentration in class. Some teenagers also become victims of cyberbullying and online fraud due to careless internet use. Despite these concerns, experts believe that mobile phones can still be beneficial when used responsibly for educational purposes, research, and communication. They therefore recommend proper parental guidance, digital literacy education, and reasonable limits on screen time to ensure healthy phone usage among young people.
QUESTIONS
(a) According to the passage, mention two problems caused by excessive mobile phone use among teenagers.
(b) Why has the use of mobile phones become a concern to parents and teachers?
(c) In one sentence, state the writer’s opinion about the usefulness of mobile phones.
(d) constant exposure to screens may lead to poor sleep habits” — What does the word exposure mean as used in the passage?
(e) Give the meanings of the following words as used in the passage:
(i) neglecting
(ii) beneficial
(f) Mention two solutions suggested by experts to encourage healthy phone usage among teenagers.
(g) What danger may teenagers face as a result of careless internet use?
SECTION C: SUMMARY
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. All answers must be written in your own words.
PASSAGE
Poor reading culture among students has become a serious issue in many schools today. One major cause of this problem is the increasing dependence on social media and entertainment platforms, which consume much of students’ free time. In addition, many homes do not provide a suitable environment for reading, as there may be noise, lack of books, or little encouragement from parents. Another factor is the declining interest in libraries and academic activities among young people. Some students also believe that reading is stressful and boring, preferring to spend time on games and videos instead. The effects of poor reading habits are far-reaching. Students with weak reading culture often perform poorly in examinations, struggle with communication skills, and find it difficult to think critically or express themselves clearly.
To improve reading culture, teachers and parents are encouraged to motivate students by providing interesting books and creating regular reading schedules. Schools should also organize reading competitions, debates, and literary activities that make learning enjoyable. Furthermore, libraries should be improved to attract more students and encourage independent learning.
QUESTIONS
- In three sentences, summarize the causes of poor reading culture among students as discussed in the passage. (3 marks)
- In two sentences, state the solutions suggested by the writer to improve reading culture. (2 marks)
- Mention one effect of poor reading culture stated in the passage. (1 mark)
WAEC English Language Essay writing Number 2
WAEC ENGLISH LANGUAGE QUESTIONS (ESSAY/THEORY ONLY) 2026
SECTION A: ESSAY WRITING
Answer one question from this section. All answers must be written in clear and coherent English.
- Write a letter to the Editor of a national newspaper discussing the causes and effects of examination malpractice in your country. Suggest at least two solutions.
- You are the Senior Prefect of your school. Write a speech you would deliver at the PTA meeting on the topic: “The Role of Parents in Shaping Students’ Academic Morale.”
- Write a story that ends with the statement: “From that day on, I realized that honesty truly is the best policy.”
- Write an article for publication in your school magazine on the importance of discipline among students. Suggest ways to improve discipline in schools.
- You recently witnessed a motor accident on your way to school. Write a report to your principal detailing the cause of the accident, what you saw, and your recommendations for preventing future occurrences.
SECTION B: COMPREHENSION
Read the passage below carefully and answer all the questions that follow. Your answers must be written in complete sentences.
PASSAGE
The menace of plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in oceans, rivers, and landfills, causing irreversible damage to ecosystems and human health. Unlike organic materials, plastics take hundreds of years to decompose, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate water sources and enter the food chain. Marine animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to starvation, suffocation, and death. Furthermore, the production of plastic releases greenhouse gases, contributing significantly to climate change. Despite growing awareness of these dangers, global plastic production continues to rise, driven by consumer demand for single-use packaging and inexpensive goods. Governments and environmental organizations have called for urgent action, including bans on single-use plastics, improved recycling technologies, and public education campaigns. However, experts argue that without a fundamental shift in consumer behavior and corporate responsibility, the plastic crisis will only worsen.
QUESTIONS
(a) According to the passage, what are two ways plastic waste damages marine life?
(b) Why do plastics pose a long-term threat to the environment compared to organic materials?
(c) In one sentence, state the writer’s view on the effectiveness of current efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
(d) “breaking down into microplastics that contaminate water sources” — What does the word contaminate mean as used in the passage?
(e) Give the meanings of the following words as used in the passage:
(i) irreversible
(ii) fundamental
(f) List two measures proposed to address plastic pollution according to the passage.
(g) What, according to the passage, is driving the continued rise in global plastic production?
SECTION C: SUMMARY
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. All answers must be written in your own words.
PASSAGE
Youth unemployment remains a critical challenge in many developing countries, including Nigeria. Several factors contribute to this problem. First, there is a significant mismatch between the skills taught in educational institutions and the skills demanded by employers. Many graduates leave school with theoretical knowledge but lack practical, job-ready skills. Second, the slow pace of industrial growth means that formal job opportunities are not expanding quickly enough to absorb the growing number of young job seekers. Third, corruption and nepotism often determine who gets hired, leaving qualified but less-connected youths unemployed. Fourth, inadequate access to capital and credit facilities makes it difficult for young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. The consequences are severe: unemployed youths face poverty, low self-esteem, and an increased risk of engaging in crime or other social vices.
To address this problem, stakeholders have proposed several solutions. These include reforming educational curricula to focus on vocational and technical skills, providing soft loans and mentorship to young entrepreneurs, enforcing merit-based hiring in both public and private sectors, and encouraging industries to establish internship and apprenticeship programmes that lead directly to employment.
QUESTIONS
- In three sentences, summarize the factors responsible for youth unemployment as discussed in the passage. (3 marks)
- In two sentences, state the solutions proposed by the writer to tackle youth unemployment. (2 marks)
- Mention one consequence of youth unemployment stated in the passage. (1 mark)
WAEC ENGLISH LANGUAGE QUESTIONS (ESSAY/THEORY ONLY)
SECTION A: ESSAY WRITING
Answer one question from this section. All answers must be written in clear, coherent English.
- Write a letter to the Commissioner for Education in your state discussing the challenges students face in public schools. Suggest at least two ways these problems can be solved.
- You are the Health Prefect of your school. Write a speech you would deliver during the school assembly on the topic: “The Importance of Personal Hygiene Among Students.”
- Write a story that ends with the statement: “I never imagined that such a small decision would change my life forever.”
- Write an article for publication in your school magazine on the importance of hard work and determination in achieving academic success. Suggest ways students can remain focused on their studies.
- Your community recently experienced a serious flood disaster. Write a report to your Local Government Chairman describing the causes of the flood, the damage caused, and measures that can prevent future occurrences.