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WAEC English Language 2016 Objective Past Questions

All 140 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) English Language 2016 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.

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English Language 2016 Objective — Question 1

That road which used to be wide now appears ___ because of the new drainage.

  • A. A. winding
  • B. B. limited
  • C. C. narrowCorrect
  • D. D. reduced

Explanation

'Narrow' is the direct opposite of 'wide'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 3

Rather than being sensitive to the plight of the workers, the manager remained ___.

  • A. A. disdainful
  • B. B. curious
  • C. C. negligent
  • D. D. indifferentCorrect

Explanation

'Indifferent' (not caring) is opposite to 'sensitive'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 4

A keen student makes progress but the ___ one hardly does well.

  • A. A. inactive
  • B. B. lowly
  • C. C. nervous
  • D. D. reluctantCorrect

Explanation

'Reluctant' (unwilling/slow to act) is the opposite of 'keen'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 10

It is only natural to feel nervous when you first take the stage but you soon become ___.

  • A. A. balanced
  • B. B. peaceful
  • C. C. normal
  • D. D. composedCorrect

Explanation

'Composed' (calm) is opposite to 'nervous'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 12

The members of parliament tabled an ___ to the constitution.

  • A. A. adjustment
  • B. B. amendmentCorrect
  • C. C. enactment
  • D. D. annulment

Explanation

'Amendment' is the standard term for a change proposed to a constitution.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 13

His ___ to violent video games is something to worry about.

  • A. A. devotion
  • B. B. attachment
  • C. C. commitment
  • D. D. addictionCorrect

Explanation

'Addiction' best fits an unhealthy attachment worth worrying about.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 14

Most people think that ___ punishment should be abolished, even in murder cases.

  • A. A. fatal
  • B. B. capitalCorrect
  • C. C. severe
  • D. D. corporal

Explanation

'Capital punishment' is the death penalty, the term intended here.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 15

The President made a ___ appeal for calm in the face of the crisis.

  • A. A. passionate
  • B. B. zealous
  • C. C. tactfulCorrect
  • D. D. sensitive

Explanation

'Tactful' fits an appeal made carefully to avoid upsetting people further.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 16

What I gave you was supposed to ___ your monthly earnings.

  • A. A. expand
  • B. B. enlarge
  • C. C. complete
  • D. D. augmentCorrect

Explanation

'Augment' means to add to/increase, fitting supplementing earnings.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 18

We ... the meeting indefinitely because we could not form a quorum.

  • A. A. postponed
  • B. B. reconvened
  • C. C. adjournedCorrect
  • D. D. ended

Explanation

'Adjourned' means postponed to another time, matching 'indefinitely'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 19

The policeman tried to ___ money from the motorist.

  • A. A. exert
  • B. B. extortCorrect
  • C. C. exact
  • D. D. extract

Explanation

'Extort' means obtain by force or threat, fitting a corrupt policeman's demand.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 20

They were given an ___ to either pay the rent or vacate the premises.

  • A. A. ultimatumCorrect
  • B. B. injunction
  • C. C. admonition
  • D. D. undertaking

Explanation

'Ultimatum' is a final warning of consequences if demands are not met.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 21

My school carried the day in the debate. This means that my school ___.

  • A. A. missed the debate
  • B. B. won the debateCorrect
  • C. C. chose the date for the debate
  • D. D. had very good points

Explanation

'Carry the day' means to be victorious.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 22

We covered much ground yesterday. This means that we ___.

  • A. A. discussed some issues
  • B. B. treated many issuesCorrect
  • C. C. argued about many things
  • D. D. used a lot of space

Explanation

'Cover much ground' means to deal with many issues/matters.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 23

We saw Ada, of all people, dancing. This means that ___.

  • A. A. we saw Ada for the first time
  • B. B. we saw Ada dancing with everyone
  • C. C. Ada didn't want us to see her dancing
  • D. D. we were surprised to see Ada dancingCorrect

Explanation

'Of all people' expresses surprise that it was specifically Ada.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 24

There are clear indications that Buba backed the wrong horse. This means that Buba ___.

  • A. A. supported the wrong personCorrect
  • B. B. argued blindly
  • C. C. abandoned his position
  • D. D. bet on a losing horse

Explanation

'Back the wrong horse' means to support the wrong (losing) side/person.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 25

I knew that they were being economical with the truth. This means that I knew more than they were prepared to say.

  • A. A. they were being economical with the truth
  • B. B. they did not know enough about the matter
  • C. C. I knew more than they were prepared to sayCorrect
  • D. D. I did not know the truth

Explanation

'Economical with the truth' means deliberately withholding facts; the listener sensed more was known than said.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 26

My mother wanted to know what was eating him. This means she wanted to find out ___.

  • A. A. what he had made him become lean
  • B. B. what he was spending his money on
  • C. C. why he was ignored
  • D. D. why he was upsetCorrect

Explanation

'What's eating somebody' informally asks why they are upset/angry.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 28

After several attempts to claim the child, he threw in the towel. This means that he ___.

  • A. A. accepted defeatCorrect
  • B. B. gained confidence
  • C. C. succeeded finally
  • D. D. became indifferent

Explanation

'Throw in the towel' means to give up/accept defeat.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 29

This is their third defeat in a row. This means that they have been defeated ___.

  • A. A. defeated three teams
  • B. B. been defeated by three teams
  • C. C. suffered three consecutive defeatsCorrect
  • D. D. three teams suffered three consecutive defeats

Explanation

'In a row' means consecutively, one after another.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 30

The company has been under siege from the public. This means that the company is being ___.

  • A. A. applauded
  • B. B. picketedCorrect
  • C. C. criticized
  • D. D. shielded

Explanation

'Under siege' (surrounded by an armed force in the idiom's origin) here means picketed.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 32

I really hope Beatrice would be kind enough to let us stay the night.

  • A. A. generousCorrect
  • B. B. polite
  • C. C. gracious
  • D. D. gentle

Explanation

'Kind' is nearest in meaning to 'generous' in this context.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 37

Bravery is Victor's most dominant trait.

  • A. A. admirable
  • B. B. outstandingCorrect
  • C. C. suitable
  • D. D. influential

Explanation

'Dominant' (most prominent) is nearest in meaning to 'outstanding'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 40

The management applauded the staff for their hard work.

  • A. A. adored
  • B. B. commendedCorrect
  • C. C. encouraged
  • D. D. recommended

Explanation

'Applauded' (praised) is nearest in meaning to 'commended'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 42

I didn't tell my parents about the trip because they would be ___ themselves with worry.

  • A. A. at
  • B. B. uponCorrect
  • C. C. within
  • D. D. beside

Explanation

'Upon oneself with worry' is the idiomatic phrase for extreme worry.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 44

She claims ___ someone jump over the fence.

  • A. A. seeing
  • B. B. to have seenCorrect
  • C. C. having seen
  • D. D. to be seeing

Explanation

'Claim' followed by an infinitive requires 'to have seen' for a past event.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 50

Everyone wants to be the ___ favourite.

  • A. A. school principal
  • B. B. school's principal
  • C. C. school principal'sCorrect
  • D. D. school's

Explanation

The possessive marker follows the noun 'principal': 'school principal's'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 53

___ in this town for many years, I can tell you a lot about its people.

  • A. A. Having livedCorrect
  • B. B. To have lived
  • C. C. Living
  • D. D. Have lived

Explanation

An -ing participial (dependent) clause correctly starts with 'Having lived'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 55

The coach, as well as the players, ___ given fantastic gifts last month.

  • A. A. wasCorrect
  • B. B. were
  • C. C. are
  • D. D. is

Explanation

With 'as well as', the first subject ('the coach') controls the singular verb 'was'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 57

Had she told me, I ___ you.

  • A. A. will have stopped
  • B. B. would have stoppedCorrect
  • C. C. would stop
  • D. D. must have stopped

Explanation

An unreal past conditional ('Had she told me...') takes 'would have stopped'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 58

Since his transfer to Banjul, my brother ___ our hometown.

  • A. A. had not been
  • B. B. has not visitedCorrect
  • C. C. has not been
  • D. D. was not visiting

Explanation

An action begun in the past and still relevant now takes the present perfect: 'has not visited'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 60

I was barely halfway home when darkness ___.

  • A. A. set out
  • B. B. set inCorrect
  • C. C. set up
  • D. D. set off

Explanation

'Set in' (of weather/darkness) means to begin and appear likely to continue.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 63

They told her that we would solve the problem ___.

  • A. A. herself
  • B. B. himself
  • C. C. ourselvesCorrect
  • D. D. themselves

Explanation

The reflexive pronoun 'ourselves' correctly refers back to the subject 'we'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 66

If your grades don't improve, I shall have no option ___ to move you to another school.

  • A. A. butCorrect
  • B. B. except
  • C. C. besides
  • D. D. than

Explanation

'No option but to' is the fixed idiomatic collocation.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 70

You ___ be ashamed of yourself for saying such a thing before the principal.

  • A. A. will
  • B. B. shouldCorrect
  • C. C. might
  • D. D. shall

Explanation

'Should' expresses that something was expected of the subject (an obligation not met).

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 71

Cloze passage — 'The young doctor looked sprightly in his white coat. Displaying ___(71)___ very conspicuously on his neck...'

  • A. A. chain
  • B. B. badge
  • C. C. stethoscopeCorrect
  • D. D. watch

Explanation

A stethoscope worn around the neck fits a doctor's typical equipment.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 72

'...he walked through the ___(72)___, greeting each of the...'

  • A. A. aisle
  • B. B. office
  • C. C. room
  • D. D. wardCorrect

Explanation

A hospital 'ward' is where a doctor would walk greeting patients.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 73

'...greeting each of the ___(73)___ who greeted him in return.'

  • A. A. patientsCorrect
  • B. B. clients
  • C. C. invalids
  • D. D. customers

Explanation

'Patients' is the correct term for people in a hospital ward.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 74

'Then suddenly, his eyes caught a woman on a nearby ___(74)___.'

  • A. A. stretcher
  • B. B. bedCorrect
  • C. C. wheelchair
  • D. D. bench

Explanation

A woman being observed in a ward would typically be on a 'bed'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 75

'He went closer, held her hand, feeling for her ___(75)___...'

  • A. A. breathing
  • B. B. pulseCorrect
  • C. C. response
  • D. D. pressure

Explanation

Holding a patient's hand to check is feeling for the 'pulse'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 78

'Even the ___(78)___ who had been supervising her treatment were amazed.'

  • A. A. orderlies
  • B. B. matrons
  • C. C. midwives
  • D. D. attendantsCorrect

Explanation

'Attendants' fits hospital staff supervising a patient's care.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 81

[Test of Orals] Choose the word with the same vowel sound as represented by the letter(s) underlined: chick

  • A. A. breath
  • B. B. pickCorrect
  • C. C. hike
  • D. D. heard

Explanation

'Chick' and 'pick' share the short vowel /ɪ/.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 96

[Test of Orals] Choose the word with the same consonant sound(s) as represented by the letter(s) underlined: bat

  • A. A. limb
  • B. B. dumb
  • C. C. subtle
  • D. D. nimbleCorrect

Explanation

The 'b' in 'bat' is pronounced; letter 'b' does not represent any sound in the other options.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 116

[Test of Orals] Choose the option with the correct stress of the given word: autocracy

  • A. A. Au-to-cra-cy
  • B. B. au-TO-cra-cyCorrect
  • C. C. au-to-CRA-cy
  • D. D. au-to-cra-CY

Explanation

'Autocracy' is stressed on the second syllable.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 121

[Test of Orals] All the words except one have the same stress pattern; identify the one with the DIFFERENT stress pattern: dinner, current, divide, number

  • A. A. dinner
  • B. B. current
  • C. C. divideCorrect
  • D. D. number

Explanation

'Divide' is stressed on the second syllable, unlike the other words which are stressed on the first.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 122

consequent, ingredients, aggravate, possibly

  • A. A. consequent
  • B. B. ingredientsCorrect
  • C. C. aggravate
  • D. D. possibly

Explanation

'Ingredients' is stressed on the second syllable, unlike the others which are stressed on the first.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 123

assuage, confer, decide, format

  • A. A. assuage
  • B. B. confer
  • C. C. decide
  • D. D. formatCorrect

Explanation

'Format' is stressed on the first syllable, unlike the others which are stressed on the second.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 125

constructive, technical, necessary, beautiful

  • A. A. constructiveCorrect
  • B. B. technical
  • C. C. necessary
  • D. D. beautiful

Explanation

'Constructive' is stressed on the second syllable, unlike the others which are stressed on the first.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 126

[Test of Orals] The word in capitals receives emphatic stress. Which question fits: Stella likes reading NOVELS.

  • A. A. Does Stella like reading magazines?Correct
  • B. B. Does Esther like reading novels?
  • C. C. Does Stella dislike reading novels?
  • D. D. Does Stella like buying novels?

Explanation

Emphasis on NOVELS implies a contrast with another type of reading material, e.g. magazines.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 127

Amina MISINTERPRETED my statement.

  • A. A. Did Amodu misinterpret my action?
  • B. B. Did Amina misinterpret my action?
  • C. C. Did Amina understand my statement?Correct
  • D. D. Did Amina misinterpret your statement?

Explanation

Emphasis on MISINTERPRETED implies a contrast with 'understand'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 128

There are FIFTY people at the rally.

  • A. A. Are there thirty people at the rally?
  • B. B. Are there twenty people at the rally?Correct
  • C. C. Were there fifty people at the rally?
  • D. D. Are there fifty people at the meeting?

Explanation

Emphasis on FIFTY implies a contrast with another number, e.g. twenty.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 129

The government paid old salaries.

  • A. A. Did the government pay new salaries?Correct
  • B. B. Did the principal pay new salaries?
  • C. C. Did the government pay new allowances?
  • D. D. Did the government tax new salaries?

Explanation

Emphasis on OLD implies a contrast with 'new'.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 130

In some COUNTRIES, many citizens are unemployed.

  • A. A. Are few citizens unemployed?
  • B. B. Are many youths unemployed in some countries?
  • C. C. Are many citizens employed in some countries?
  • D. D. Are many citizens unemployed in some states?Correct

Explanation

Emphasis on COUNTRIES implies a contrast with another term, e.g. states.

English Language 2016 Objective — Question 131

[Test of Orals] Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol: /iː/

  • A. A. spill
  • B. B. seizeCorrect
  • C. C. pretty
  • D. D. funny

Explanation

'Seize' contains the long vowel /iː/.

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