“Prepare for English Language exams with this comprehensive guide featuring 100 past questions and answers. Covering grammar, lexis, oral English, comprehension, and essay writing, this resource ensures success in your exams.”
Mastering English Language Past Questions and Answers
The English Language is a critical subject for all WAEC (West African Examinations Council) and JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) candidates. It is not just a requirement for admission into higher institutions but also the foundation for effective communication and academic excellence.
To excel in English Language, it is important to understand the exam structure, study frequently asked questions, and practice regularly. This blog will provide you with tips, key topics, and sample past questions and answers to enhance your preparation.
WAEC and JAMB English Language Exam Structure
WAEC English Language:
- Paper 1 (Objective): Multiple-choice questions on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- Paper 2 (Essay): Essay writing, letter writing, and comprehension passages.
- Paper 3 (Oral English): Phonetics, stress patterns, intonation, and speech sounds
JAMB Use of English:
- Comprehension Passages
- Lexis and Structure
- Oral Forms
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Sentence Completion
- Questions from Literary Texts (Recommended Novels).
Tips for Success in English Language
- Practice Reading Comprehension:
Regularly read passages and practice answering questions to improve understanding and speed. - Master Grammar Rules:
Focus on sentence structure, tenses, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation. - Expand Your Vocabulary:
Learn new words daily, their meanings, synonyms, and antonyms. - Practice Essay Writing: Develop your writing skills by practicing essays, letters, and summaries.
- Learn Oral English Basics: Familiarize yourself with stress, intonation, and phonetic symbols.
Key Topics for WAEC/JAMB English Language
- Grammar and Lexis
- Sentence Completion
- Comprehension Passages
- Essay Writing
- Summary Writing
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
- Oral English (Phonetics, Stress, Intonation).
Study Also
- Agricultural Science Past Questions and Answers
- Economics Past Questions and Answers for Exam preparation
Here’s a detailed list of 100 English Language past questions and answers, covering all major topics for WAEC and JAMB.
1. Grammar and Lexis
- Choose the correct option:
“He behaves as if he ___ the owner of the company.”
A. was
B. were
C. is
D. has been
Answer: B. were - Fill in the blank:
“Neither the teachers nor the students ___ responsible for the missing items.”
A. is
B. are
C. were
D. have
Answer: A. is - Choose the correct sentence:
A. Everyone should bring their books.
B. Everyone should bring his or her book.
C. Everyone should bring their book.
D. Everyone should bring his book.
Answer: B. Everyone should bring his or her book. - Correct the sentence:
“I don’t have no money.”
Answer: “I don’t have any money.” - Choose the correct option:
“Each of the players ___ expected to arrive early for practice.”
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. has been
Answer: C. is
2. Sentence Completion
- “I would have come if I ___ about the meeting earlier.”
A. know
B. knew
C. had known
D. have known
Answer: C. had known - “Hardly ___ the teacher entered the classroom when the students stood up.”
A. had
B. have
C. has
D. did
Answer: A. had - “The child cried because he ___ his toy.”
A. lose
B. loses
C. had lost
D. has lost
Answer: C. had lost - “By the time we arrived, the guests ___ .”
A. had left
B. left
C. were leaving
D. will leave
Answer: A. had left - “If I ___ you, I wouldn’t make that mistake.”
A. am
B. was
C. were
D. be
Answer: C. were
3. Comprehension Passages
(For these, use sample passages with context-dependent questions.)
11. Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
Answer: The main idea will depend on the passage provided.
- Question: Why did the author use the phrase “time waits for no one”?
Answer: To emphasize the importance of using time wisely. - Question: What does the word “meticulous” in the passage mean?
A. Careful
B. Hasty
C. Unplanned
D. Lazy
Answer: A. Careful - Question: According to the passage, what was the major challenge faced by the protagonist?
Answer: The answer depends on the passage. - Question: What tone does the author use in the passage?
A. Sarcastic
B. Humorous
C. Serious
D. Melancholic
Answer: This depends on the passage’s context.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
- Choose the synonym for “benevolent”:
A. Kind
B. Mean
C. Cruel
D. Selfish
Answer: A. Kind - Choose the synonym for “obsolete”:
A. Modern
B. Outdated
C. Relevant
D. Useful
Answer: B. Outdated - Choose the antonym for “vivid”:
A. Clear
B. Faint
C. Bright
D. Sharp
Answer: B. Faint - Choose the antonym for “expensive”:
A. Cheap
B. Costly
C. Valuable
D. Luxurious
Answer: A. Cheap - Choose the synonym for “tranquil”:
A. Noisy
B. Peaceful
C. Disturbed
D. Loud
Answer: B. Peaceful
5. Essay Writing
(Write based on these prompts.)
21. Write an essay on “The Importance of Education in National Development.”
22. Write a letter to your principal requesting a repair of school facilities.
23. Write an article on “The Effects of Social Media on Youths.”
24. Write a debate on “Technology has done more harm than good.”
25. Write a story that ends with “I realized it was all a dream.”
6. Summary Writing
- Summarize a passage on pollution and its effects on the environment in five sentences.
- Summarize a passage discussing the benefits of teamwork in four sentences.
7. Oral English
- Identify the stressed syllable in “photograph.”
Answer: The first syllable. - Identify the vowel sound in “cat.”
Answer: /æ/ - Which word has the same vowel sound as “bird”?
A. Bed
B. Herd
C. Bad
D. Hard
Answer: B. Herd
English Language Past Questions and Answers (continued)
8. Grammar and Lexis
- Choose the correct sentence:
A. He don’t like the movie.
B. He doesn’t likes the movie.
C. He doesn’t like the movie.
D. He didn’t liked the movie.
Answer: C. He doesn’t like the movie. - Fill in the blank:
“The lecturer asked the students to stop ___ noise in the class.”
A. make
B. making
C. makes
D. made
Answer: B. making - Correct the error in this sentence:
“She said she can sings very well.”
Answer: “She said she can sing very well.” - Choose the correct option:
“Neither the manager nor his assistants ___ available at the moment.”
A. is
B. are
C. were
D. have been
Answer: A. is - Choose the correct sentence:
A. The boy who stole the book has been arrested.
B. The boy whom stole the book has been arrested.
C. The boy which stole the book has been arrested.
D. The boy that stole the book have been arrested.
Answer: A. The boy who stole the book has been arrested.
9. Sentence Completion
- “We will start the program as soon as the chairman ___ .”
A. arrives
B. arrived
C. will arrive
D. is arriving
Answer: A. arrives - “If they had worked harder, they ___ the match.”
A. would have won
B. will have won
C. may win
D. can win
Answer: A. would have won - “The teacher advised him ___ harder.”
A. to work
B. work
C. working
D. worked
Answer: A. to work - “We have waited here ___ 8:00 AM.”
A. since
B. for
C. by
D. on
Answer: A. since - “No sooner ___ he arrived than the program started.”
A. has
B. had
C. have
D. was
Answer: B. had
10. Comprehension Passages
(These questions depend on the passage provided.)
- Question: What is the author’s purpose in the passage?
Answer: To inform, entertain, or persuade (based on the passage). - Question: What is the meaning of the word “profound” as used in the passage?
A. Superficial
B. Deep
C. Simple
D. Obvious
Answer: B. Deep - Question: According to the passage, what is the main solution to the problem discussed?
Answer: This depends on the specific passage. - Question: What does the phrase “a blessing in disguise” mean as used in the passage?
Answer: A good thing that initially seemed bad. - Question: What can be inferred from the passage?
Answer: (Answer will depend on the context of the passage.)
11. Synonyms and Antonyms
- Choose the synonym for “astute”:
A. Foolish
B. Clever
C. Ignorant
D. Weak
Answer: B. Clever - Choose the synonym for “melancholy”:
A. Joyful
B. Sad
C. Cheerful
D. Excited
Answer: B. Sad - Choose the antonym for “generous”:
A. Kind
B. Selfish
C. Giving
D. Humble
Answer: B. Selfish - Choose the antonym for “ancient”:
A. Old
B. Modern
C. Historic
D. Traditional
Answer: B. Modern - Choose the synonym for “meticulous”:
A. Careful
B. Reckless
C. Hasty
D. Thoughtless
Answer: A. Careful
English Language Past Questions and Answers (continued)
12. Essay Writing Prompts
- Write a speech on “The Importance of Youth Empowerment in National Development.”
- Write a report to your school principal on the need for improved sanitation facilities.
- Write a story that begins with “It was the happiest day of my life…”
- Write an article on “The Dangers of Examination Malpractice.”
- Write a debate on “Boarding schools are better than day schools.”
13. Oral English
- Identify the stressed syllable in “committee.”
Answer: The second syllable. - Identify the vowel sound in “book.”
Answer: /ʊ/ - Which word has the same consonant sound as “phone”?
A. Van
B. Fan
C. Pan
D. Ban
Answer: B. Fan - Identify the diphthong in “toy.”
Answer: /ɔɪ/ - Which word has the same initial sound as “cat”?
A. Chair
B. Kite
C. Charcoal
D. Church
Answer: B. Kite
14. Summary Writing Prompts
- Summarize a passage discussing the impact of technology on education in four sentences.
- Summarize a passage about global warming in five sentences.
15. Additional Grammar and Vocabulary
- Fill in the blank:
“The book ___ by the time I reached the library.”
A. was borrowed
B. had been borrowed
C. is borrowed
D. will be borrowed
Answer: B. had been borrowed - Correct the sentence:
“She go to school every day.”
Answer: “She goes to school every day.” - Choose the correct option:
“This is the boy ___ father is a doctor.”
A. who
B. whom
C. whose
D. which
Answer: C. whose
16. Sentence Completion
- “The doctor advised him to desist ___ smoking.”
A. in
B. from
C. with
D. on
Answer: B. from - “I cannot find the book I ___ yesterday.”
A. bought
B. buy
C. buying
D. was bought
Answer: A. bought - “By next week, I ___ in Lagos for five years.”
A. have been
B. will be
C. will have been
D. had been
Answer: C. will have been - “This is the best movie I ___ this year.”
A. have seen
B. had seen
C. saw
D. am seeing
Answer: A. have seen - “I don’t know where he is. He ___ to the market.”
A. must have gone
B. should go
C. is going
D. has been going
Answer: A. must have gone
English Language Past Questions and Answers (continued)
17. Synonyms and Antonyms
- Choose the synonym for “persevere”:
A. Persist
B. Quit
C. Delay
D. Neglect
Answer: A. Persist - Choose the antonym for “transparent”:
A. Clear
B. Opaque
C. Bright
D. Glassy
Answer: B. Opaque - Choose the synonym for “hasten”:
A. Delay
B. Hurry
C. Stop
D. Pause
Answer: B. Hurry - Choose the antonym for “magnify”:
A. Enlarge
B. Reduce
C. Highlight
D. Expand
Answer: B. Reduce - Choose the synonym for “adversity”:
A. Problem
B. Fortune
C. Opportunity
D. Comfort
Answer: A. Problem
18. Grammar
- “No one was late, ___?”
A. wasn’t they
B. were they
C. was he
D. were he
Answer: B. were they - “The man, as well as his children, ___ playing in the garden.”
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. have been
Answer: B. is - “He has neither apologized ___ admitted his mistake.”
A. or
B. nor
C. and
D. but
Answer: B. nor - “The child hid ___ the table during the game.”
A. under
B. beneath
C. on
D. in
Answer: A. under - “She is ___ hardworking ___ she often skips meals to complete her tasks.”
A. so / that
B. too / to
C. as / as
D. very / than
Answer: A. so / that
19. Oral English
- Identify the consonant sound in “measure.”
Answer: /ʒ/ - Which of these words contains a diphthong?
A. Seat
B. Coat
C. Cat
D. Sit
Answer: B. Coat - What is the correct intonation for a question like “Are you coming?”
Answer: Rising intonation. - Which syllable is stressed in the word “economy”?
Answer: The second syllable. - Which word has the same vowel sound as “bean”?
A. Bin
B. Been
C. Tin
D. Seen
Answer: D. Seen
20. Sentence Correction
- Identify the error: “The boy run faster than his classmates.”
Answer: Replace “run” with “runs.” - Identify the error: “Each of the students have a pen.”
Answer: Replace “have” with “has.” - Identify the error: “She doesn’t knows the answer.”
Answer: Replace “knows” with “know.” - Identify the error: “The news are good.”
Answer: Replace “are” with “is.” - Identify the error: “Neither of them were ready.”
Answer: Replace “were” with “was.”
21. Comprehension Practice
- Question: According to the passage, what is the writer’s main concern?
Answer: (Context-dependent.) - Question: What does the word “inevitable” mean in the passage?
A. Optional
B. Certain
C. Avoidable
D. Doubtful
Answer: B. Certain - Question: What example does the author use to support their argument?
Answer: (Context-dependent.) - Question: What lesson can be learned from the passage?
Answer: (Context-dependent.) - Question: What is the writer’s tone in this passage?
Answer: Serious, humorous, persuasive, etc. (based on passage).
22. Essay Writing Prompts
- Write an essay on “The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture.”
- Write a formal letter to your local government chairman requesting improved security in your area.
- Write a story that ends with “I couldn’t believe it was all over.”
- Write a debate on “Private universities are better than public universities.”
- Write an article on “The Benefits of Learning a Second Language.”
With this comprehensive set of 100 English Language past questions and answers, you’re well-prepared for both WAEC and JAMB exams.