WAEC English Language 2015 Theory Past Questions

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35, Crescent Street, Ikeja, Lagos. 20th May, 2015. Hello Sade, How have you been? I received your letter asking me to share the secret behind my school's recent 100% success in WASSCE and NECO. Firstly, we have qualified, experienced and dedicated teachers who go for regular short courses to strengthen their teaching skills, supported by counselling and motivation for students at the end of every term. Exceptional teachers are further rewarded with training and facilities that make their work worthwhile. Secondly, at the end of every term, students give feedback assessing each teacher's punctuality, commitment and style of teaching, so teachers stay accountable and continually improve. Thirdly, my school places huge priority on teamwork - students are grouped into small teams to read together, solve past questions together, and are assessed as a team, with everyone regrouped periodically so that each student develops good interpersonal relationships with others. These reasons have made my school excel in academic work. I hope to hear from you soon. Your best friend, Olawale

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THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL A National Sports Festival is a platform for young talented sportsmen and women to make their national debut, giving a nation the chance to discover, train and showcase raw talent to the international scene. The festival fosters strong inter-ethnic interaction, as people from different parts of the country meet, build friendships and relationships. This can encourage inter-ethnic marriages and business exchanges that promote national peace, unity and integration. It also serves as a platform where the crafts, clothing, food and other resources of different ethnic groups are showcased, helping communities appreciate one another's uniqueness and reducing animosity between groups. Physically challenged individuals are also given a sense of belonging through events similar to the Paralympics, allowing them to feel part of a nation that cares about their progress. Finally, the festival is a source of revenue for government and private individuals, and a platform to encourage local entrepreneurship. In conclusion, the Federal Government should consider holding the festival more frequently so more Nigerians can showcase their talents on the international stage.

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Royal Standard College, Dugbe, Ibadan. 20th May, 2015. The Principal, Royal Standard College, Dugbe, Ibadan. Dear Sir, NOMINATION FOR SCHOOL HERO AWARD I write to nominate Abubakar Bolanle for the School Hero Award. I recommend her for three key reasons. First, she has demonstrated exemplary leadership as captain of the undefeated school female volleyball team, and has represented both her school and Nigeria (and Oyo State) with distinction in national and international debate, mathematics and aerospace competitions. Second, she single-handedly revived the school press club, leading it to become the best in the local government and ensuring the club continues to thrive through the leadership structure she built. Third, she has shown selfless service - persuading students' parents to help refurbish the school library, organising tutorials for junior students preparing for their JSSCE examinations, and personally teaching Islamic Studies when the school lacked a teacher. Bolanle's humility, discipline and sacrificing heart make her a most deserving candidate for this award. Yours faithfully, Jacob Fawale (Senior Prefect)

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(Sample arguments AGAINST the motion, i.e. arguing that urban schools have more advantages) Good day, Mr Chairman, Panel of Judges and my fellow debaters. I oppose the motion because urban schools have greater access to the resources needed to develop a student fully. Firstly, teachers are the bedrock of any school. Urban schools attract qualified, degree-holding teachers, while rural schools often rely on inexperienced corps members teaching outside their specialty, which reduces effectiveness. Secondly, urban schools have better facilities - up-to-date libraries and laboratory equipment that make learning practical and engaging, while rural schools often lack these entirely. Thirdly, urban schools offer recreational and extra-curricular facilities and clubs (press, debate, literary societies) that build students' communication, confidence and interpersonal skills, which are largely absent in rural areas due to a lack of instructors. Finally, WASSCE, NECO and JSSCE results consistently show higher failure rates in rural areas compared to urban ones. For these reasons, I urge the house to reject the motion, as schooling in urban areas offers clear advantages over rural schooling.

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(Sample story) WE APOLOGISED TO EACH OTHER AND RECONCILED Paul, a forty-year-old, handsome and well-to-do civil engineer, had remained unmarried despite pressure from his family. One afternoon, while shopping at a mall, he ran into Ada, his first love from his secondary school and NYSC days, whom he had lost touch with for years. In their reunion over a meal, old memories resurfaced. Paul apologised for the abrupt way their relationship had ended years before, when as a Commissioner had forced himself between them during Ada's youth service in Calabar, leading Paul to believe Ada had betrayed him by marrying someone abroad shortly after. Ada explained that she had never wanted to hurt him - she had been manipulated by circumstances beyond her control and had always regretted losing contact with Paul, refusing to marry anyone else until she heard from him again. As the truth finally came out, years of misunderstanding melted away. We apologised to each other and reconciled.

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People regarded Chief Koko as an untouchable, ruthless being who could go to any length to destroy anyone who dared to step on his toes.

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It tells us that the governor is a courageous, strong-willed public official who could go to any length to achieve his aim, fearing no one, even a man as feared as Chief Koko.

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It was necessary to demolish the buildings in order to widen all the major roads in the capital city, as part of the governor's road expansion project.

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He implied that he did not want his children to be fatherless at such a tender age; he feared he might die or be harmed carrying out the dangerous task and did not want to leave his children without a father so early in their lives.

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It was a shocker because the governor did not just send the driver to demolish the mansion; he personally showed up at the site and asked to take the driver's place at the controls of the bulldozer, risking his own life for what people saw as a suicidal task.

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People expected Chief Koko to carry out his earlier threat and kill anyone who dared to step on his toes - in other words, they expected the driver, and even the governor, to be killed for defying him.

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It is an adverbial phrase of time.

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Its function is to modify the verb 'had' - it tells us when the action described in the sentence took place.

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'The mansion collapsed like a pack of cards.' A simile compares two unlike things using markers such as 'like' or 'as'; here the mansion's collapse is compared to a falling pack of cards.

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(i) assumed - believed, thought, accepted (ii) retreat - going back, pulling back, withdrawal, backing out (iii) specified - defined, laid down, prescribed, stipulated, marked out (iv) showed up - appeared, arrived, emerged, turned up (v) collapsed - crumbled, crashed, went down, fell apart, fell down

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(i) Robots can be made to perform any task assigned to them. (ii) Robots work under any condition because they are always capable and never complain or show attitude. (iii) Robots do not need any motivation, incentive or reward to work, and their damaged parts can always be replaced to keep them working effectively.

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(i) Human beings are sensitive, flexible and thinking beings who can control their own actions. (ii) Human beings can take the initiative in many things, including learning from what goes on around them and modifying their behaviour. (iii) Human beings can face and reason through unexpected challenges and crises, which a robot cannot do since it can only act on what it has been programmed to do.