2018 WASSCE - ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1

LEXIS AND STRUCTURE

SECTION I
In each of the following sentences, there is a word underlined and one gap. From the list of words
lettered A to D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word
and that will at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence.

1. The wilting plants were ………. by the recent rains.

A. destroyed
B. cleared
C. revived
D. drowned

2. The tranquility of the rural areas contrasts with the ……….in the cities.
A. pollution
B. panic
C. unease
D. noise

3. The greedy man took advantage the woman’s ………….

A. naivety
B. generosity
C. calmness
D. vulnerability

4. While the children were agitated by the news, their parents were very …….
A. indifferent
B. happy
C. composed
D. satisfied.
5. There will not be any more food shortage after the……… harvest.
A. vast
B. satisfactory
C. bumper
D. average

6. Do not scatter the books on the table. ………. them neatly on the shelves.
A. pack
B. keep
C. arrange
D. mount

7. The manager will lay off the experienced staff and ……. new ones.
A. promote
B. accept
C. recommend
D. engage

8. The chief executive officer is strict with his staff, while the deputy is ………
A. co-operate
B. nice
C. lax
D. sympathetic

9. Do not indulge in this malpractice anymore; …………. from it.

A. withdraw
B. depart
C. resist
D. abstain

10. Rather than ……. the issues, his comments confused the audience the more.
A. resolve
B. clarify
C. clear
D. solve
 SECTION II
From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that best completes each of the following sentences.

11. Aba’s mother ……… her for being rude.

A. angered
B. rebuked
C. incriminated
D. abused

12. Every year, the armed forces ……… thousands of persons into the army.
A. enlists
B. hires
C. accepts
D. admits

13. That pastor always preaches sermons that will win more ……….
A. activists
B. adherents
C. converts
D. convicts

14. The children ………… their laughter when they saw the look on their father’s face.
A. constrained
B. subjugated
C. censored
D. suppressed

15. Lions are ………… eaters.

A. vivacious
B. voracious
C. veracious
D. voluminous
16. A ………… housewife never cooks more food than is needed.
A. frugal
B. fruitful
C. grudging
D. greedy

17. After eating for the tenth time, those boys finally …………
A. gave off
B. gave up
C. rounded up
D. rounded off

18. ………. his inefficiency, he was a successful business man.

A. But for
B. Except for
C. Contrary to
D. In spite of

19. There are certain ………. between the two accounts of the incidence.
A. diversities
B. distortions
C. discrepancies
D. discriminations

20. His natural modesty always inclined him to …………. his own achievements.
A. play down
B. play back
C. play up
D. play on
SECTION III
Choose from the alternatives A to D, the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or
expression in each sentence.

21. The aftermath of the disaster is still with us.

A. cause
B. result
C. climax
D. conclusion

22. Mabel’s statement corroborated the evidence before the judge.

A. explained
B. supported
C. collaborated
D. contradicted

23. He found the proposal distasteful.

A. unappealing
B. tasteless
C. disagreeable
D. discouraging

24. They refused to divulge their plans.

A. tell
B. reveal
C. denounce
D. voice

25. The police officers are relentless in their efforts to maintain peace.
A. inhumane
B. untiring
C. answering
D. merciless
26. The opinion expressed by that panelist was quite controversial.
A. debatable
B. serious
C. important
D. superficial

27. The landlord had to eject the tenant from his house.
A. expel
B. debar
C. remove
D. evict

28. Selma is a good girl; she is not one of the incorrigibleones.

A. stubborn
B. hard
C. wild
D. incredulous

29. The students felt dejected when their favourite teacher was transferred.
A. rejected
B. disappointed
C. frustrated
D. suppressed

30. Hermits are not interested in secular matters.

A. physical
B. trivial
C. worldly
D. religious
 SECTION IV
After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of all or part of the sentence
is given. Choose the interpretation you consider most appropriate for each sentence.

31. The traders are cashing in on the increased number of buyers to prices. This means that
A. the traders brought along a lot cash.
B. the traders have more cash to import goods.
C. the traders are taking advantage of the numerous buyers.
D. the traders have become very rich.

32. Although Jones had no leadership abilities, be refused to play second fiddle in the group. This means
Jones
A. saw himself as leader.
B. was made the leader.
C. took a subordinate position.
D. co-operated with others.

33. Koku’s father’s colleagues always recognize him because he is a chip off the old block. This means that
Koku is
A. not like his father.
B. an image of his father
C. older than they thought.
D. co-operated with others.

34. AdjoaAkoto was admonished to paddle her own canoe. This means the AdjoaAkoto should.
A. be in charge of the business
B. place her interest first.
C. manage her own affairs.
D. be more serious with life

35. The opportunity slipped through my fingers. This means that I

A. did not make use of it.
B. preferred another option.
C. expected something better.
D. wanted to be more careful.

36. I did all I could to amuse him but he kept a straight face. This means that he
A. was not convinced.
B. remained adamant.
C. refused to laugh.
D. did not listen to me

37. Who to lead the group, became our bone of contention. This means
A. there was a quarrel.
B. there was no consensus.
C. there was a postponement.
D. there was no appointment

38. The new salary increases were across the board. This means that the increases
A. were very impressive.
B. affected all workers

39. The auctioneer sold the Jeep for a song. This means that the Jeep.
A. was sold at high price.
B. did not attract many bidders.
C. was sold very cheaply.
D. was sold off very quickly

40. Nii Ankrah’s limousine has seen better days. This means that Nii Ankrah’s car
A. has been refurbished.
B. is now old.
C. used to break down.
D. has served him well.
 SECTION V
In the following passage, the number gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the in
the list below the passage, four choices are offered in columns lettered A to D. For each numbered
gap, choose from the options provided for that number, the word is most suitable to fill the gap.

Countries all over the world, rely on their -41- resources for their development. Those resources vary
from country to country. The discovery of crude oil -42- in any country is greeted with excitement because
it is considered a valuable source of -43- for the government.
Once it has been discovered by -44-, who would have been prospecting for it, an oil -45- is drilled until the
petroleum reservoir is reached.
Natural -46-, another valuable resource, may be found at the same time. -47- oil is usually conveyed
through a -48- directly to the -49- where it is processed. Here, petrol, diesel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum
gas, and lubricants are produced for domestic and industrial use. Scientists have obtained other -50-
substances from petroleum, for example, man-made fibres like nylon which may be woven into beautiful
fabrics for clothes.

A B C D

41 Rich Profitable Natural Vast

42 Reserves Stocks Preserves Stores

43 Savings Revenue Salary Accounts

44 Geologists Ecologists Anthropologists Archaeologists

45 Rig Well Plant Hole

46 Liquid Gas Carbon Chemical

47 Undiluted Crude Unfinished Raw

48 Tunnel Tube Hose Pipeline

49 Purifier Factory Industry Refinery

50 Artificial Authentic Synthetic Inferior