WAEC English Language 2018 Theory Past Questions

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Number 20, Adebowale Close, Alakija Street, Ipaja, Lagos. 17th November, 2018. Dear Shola, How are you doing? Remember I told you that representatives from your school would walk with tails in between their legs at the debate competition? Well, that is just a tip of the iceberg as we're set to show you more in the forthcoming Science competition. I've been reflecting on my school practices after my short visit to one of the best international schools in Nigeria. This experience has made me evaluate the practices and policies of my school. I discovered that 21st century education is exclusively a learner-centered approach, as opposed to the teacher-centered method in which the teacher is the hub and nucleus of the learning experiences of the students. Research has shown that a student-inclusive system is the ideal and suitable practice in today's learning culture, as education is primarily designed to meet the individual academic needs of each student. Unfortunately, my school still relies heavily on ancient and obsolete materials which cannot make us relevant in the dynamic world of today. Furthermore, the use of chalkboards to teach is an obsolete and conservative practice which requires immediate intervention. Interactive White Boards are the order of the day, allowing for the use of technology in the classroom. Also, talk-less teaching should be the norm, as the teacher is not expected to be the dominant player in the classroom, but there should be active involvement of students in class discussions. Significantly, prefectship selection in my school is based solely on academics. However, concentrating only on the cognitive ability of a child discourages the making of a total child; character, moral values, extra-curricular activities and leadership qualities should also be the yardsticks for prefectship selection. Also, the method of assessment in my school needs to be reviewed — a single examination should not decide the academic capability of a child; there should be a series of tests to bring about objectivity in students' assessments. Finally, corporal punishment should be reduced if not eliminated, as it diminishes the self-worth of a child. Other disciplinary measures that would not abuse a child physically and emotionally should be introduced. I believe you also can advocate for these novel practices in your school. Till when next we see, be good. Best, Shade

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THE HIGH COST OF LIVING The poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer, goes the popular aphorism. The indigents, who constitute the larger fraction of the population, are bitterly gnashing their teeth because of the exorbitant prices of goods and services, which are making their lives unbearable. Unfortunately, there have been puzzling consequences of the high cost of living on the common man. There has been a high dropout of students from schools because they could not keep up with the financial obligations of their education; disheartened, these young minds resort to pilfering and other sinister acts as their auspicious future has been blighted. Parents can barely afford two meals for their children, resulting in a malnourished and underfed teeming population who need urgent medical attention, else mortality rates will snowball. Vices like gambling, cybercrime and robbery have become the order of the day for the Nigerian youths, the supposed future of the nation. This pathetic situation precipitates a clarion call on the government to intervene promptly or risk an imminent catastrophe. The government needs to get their priorities right by focusing only on the important and facing off the inconsequential. The budget needs to be thoroughly appraised so as to cut down frivolous expenditures and conscientiously maximize funds to help the poor and the downtrodden. Huge investment needs to be given to the agricultural sector, as this would in no small measure alleviate the pathetic condition of the populace. Investment in agriculture would make food items (a basic necessity) available in large quantity and also at affordable rates, reducing to the barest minimum cases of malnutrition and mortality. The presence of food heralds the emergence of a booming economy. Monopoly of certain resources and products needs to be discouraged — deregulation of these products/resources would encourage competition and reduce prices for easy affordability by the rank and file of the country. More so, the minimum wages of workers need to be reviewed so that they can have the financial wherewithal to meet expedient obligations, live decent lives and not succumb to nefarious activities due to poor remuneration. Loans should be given to indigent people with little or no interest, as this would give them the needed empowerment to break free from the shackles of poverty. The government should encourage local investors to invest in the country so that indigenous products can be produced, which would undoubtedly have a positive effect on the economy. I am optimistic that if these measures are undertaken, the high cost of living would be a thing of the past. Adebiyi Opeyemi SS3F (Social Prefect)

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Number 4, Falade Street, Elegushi Close, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos. 14th December, 2018. The Chairman, The Environmental Protection Agency, Ikeja, Lagos. Dear Sir, THE EFFECTS OF ILLEGAL FELLING OF TREES I write as a concerned citizen about the illegal felling of trees, which is not only disconcerting but requires immediate intervention from your end, so that our precious environment will not be sacrificed for the purpose of profit. The culture of deforestation has had tremendous consequences, as everyone is seriously affected by the act. Deforestation has led to the extinction of some endangered species and made millions of species lose their natural habitats, invariably leading to loss of biodiversity. Also, there has been a disruption of the water cycle due to the felling of trees, as deforestation has made us susceptible to increased greenhouse gas emissions, which is inimical to everyone. Furthermore, soil erosion, flooding and global warming are the attendant consequences of indiscriminate felling of trees. This culture needs to be addressed, as its side-effects are enormously sinister. However, perpetrators of this act might have reasons for their actions, as some claim to use these trees for wood, paper, timber and fuel products. Also, some fell trees so as to convert the lands for farming purposes, construction of ranches, and other industrial and commercial purposes like mining and oil exploration. While these reasons may sound plausible, we must understand that we must never sacrifice our environment for the purpose of profit, as the natural beauty of an environment is hugely fostered by trees. Hence, the following suggestions are proffered to prevent indiscriminate felling of trees. Firstly, there should be an aggressive sensitisation on various media outlets to enlighten people about the consequences of felling trees. Adequate enlightenment would make people have the requisite knowledge about the consequences of their actions, as no one would hide under the canopy of ignorance because deforestation encourages flooding, soil erosion and disruption of the water cycle, which are phenomena that have negative effects on us. More so, people need to be encouraged to start the culture of planting trees; this can be fostered when people in authority, religious leaders, and leaders in various industries plant trees and preach about it, which would have a ripple effect on people within their sphere of influence who would follow their footsteps. Children have huge influence on their parents and are thus veritable tools of influence. Teachers and school authorities should teach and inculcate the act of tree planting in their students and encourage them to practice this act in their respective homes. With this, parents would learn the culture, and there would be a system of continuity as children become worthy ambassadors of tree planting to the younger and future generation. Areas that continually fell trees should be sanctioned, as that would serve as a deterrent to future perpetrators. For those who would want to fell trees for paper reasons, they could be advised to go paperless and recycle their products. I am persuaded that if these suggestions are religiously adhered to, our environment will continue to flourish, and everyone will see it as a duty to safeguard their environment, as we are our environment. Yours faithfully, Sulieman Danjuma

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CHILDREN OF LITERATE PARENTS PERFORM BETTER IN SCHOOL THAN THOSE OF ILLITERATE PARENTS Good day the Moderator, Panel of Judges, Accurate Time-Keeper and my Co-debaters. I am Kentebe Laye, and I am here to passionately support the motion that children of literate parents perform better in school than those of illiterate parents. You can't give what you don't have goes the popular saying, and this has an effect on the motion. Literate parents understand and value the significance of education, as they are products of it and have seen its significance; hence they would undoubtedly encourage their children to attain the zenith of their education because they know education is light. From the foregoing, children of literate parents would perform better in school than children of illiterate parents because they would constantly monitor the progress of their children and know the requisite intervention they need to take, especially in situations when the child is not performing satisfactorily. This might not be the case for illiterate parents, who might be stranded in coming up with the suitable mechanism to assist their children academically. Homework is correctly supervised by literate parents, as these are subject matters they are not strange to. However, illiterate parents are oblivious of these subject matters and stand a high chance of being deceived and hoodwinked by their children. Furthermore, literate parents can call at their children's school anytime, as they understand what the children are expected to be taught, and if there is an issue, they can easily detect it. Also, they understand, from the assessment reports of their children, their strengths and weaknesses, and can proffer necessary intervention to move them to their expected or targeted levels. This cannot be so for illiterate parents, because those concepts would be strange to them. Literate parents can assist their children with projects, debates, quiz preparations, etc. They also know the right incentives to give to children to spur them on the part of excellence. My opponents might argue that literate parents might not have the time to assist their children with their academic needs; however, a literate parent who understands the value of education will know that while teachers are important in a child's destiny, the home is the bedrock in shaping children's destiny and in achieving the necessary academic milestone of a child. More so, literate parents understand the importance of a child's exposure to what they learn in class. They are enthusiastic about their children going on trips, vacations, excursions, etc. which would further aid learning. However, illiterate parents might see this as meaningless adventures which are not worthy of attention or significance. Literate parents are empathetic towards their children, as they celebrate their successes and encourage their areas of shortcomings; this is so because they have passed through that stage before and understand that it is not always rosy. This might not be the case for illiterate parents, whose main preoccupation might be result-oriented and thus over-stretch their children above their limits, resulting in depression and low self-esteem. Literate parents have a high tendency to detect relationships that might destroy their children and thus act timely to prevent such; illiterate parents might not, as they might not understand the language of communication of their children with their friends, especially those who are not literate in the English Language. Finally, literate parents know which device or gadget can affect their children's concentration and thus would take proactive measures to either reduce it or eliminate it completely. This might not be the case for illiterate parents, who are usually tossed around by their children and feel that if they give their children all that they ask, they may do well in their studies — and this is not necessarily so. I believe with these cogent facts I have been able to assert convincingly that children of literate parents perform better than children of illiterate parents.

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A BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH Adebimpe is known for her intelligence, persistence and sense of dutifulness. She is undoubtedly a role model to her colleagues, as they all look up to her. She is not only focused but determined and would not relax until a task is performed in a perfect manner. While everyone extols her virtues, values and strength, Adebimpe has a weakness — she has a rivalry and competitive spirit, and this had a huge repercussion on her. From high school to college, Adebimpe was always topping the honour's roll; she devises crafty means to outsmart her competitors. Unfortunately for her, it is a different ball game in the labour market. In her workplace, which is a multinational company, she realises that she cannot use the same tactics she used in school. Interestingly, her company is inundated with a cluster of brains from different universities in the world. Rather than have a learning disposition, she continues to compete. On a beautiful Monday morning, the Human Resource Manager announced that some individuals would be sent abroad for a one-year course so as to strengthen their technical skills, which they would utilise when they return. To Adebimpe's surprise, her name was not mentioned, which embittered her greatly. She stormed into the HR's office after the meeting. 'This is really unfair, after all I have done for this company. You decided to sideline me... Is it because I am a lady?' she said furiously. The Human Resource Manager, who is a female, responded, 'No Ms. Adebimpe, you are scheduled to go next year, as we need you to train the newly recruited in the art of digital marketing,' she said convincingly. 'It is not a matter of gender, but the right timing, next year is your time — just relax,' she said reassuringly. Adebimpe was unconvinced; she was enraged and could not imagine her colleagues coming back and being promoted to be her superior. She paced her office for ten minutes and went straight to the Managing Director's office. 'Sir, I would like to be considered for the same course with my colleagues,' she said confrontationally. 'I won't mind sponsoring myself if the company is not disposed to; I just want an assurance that my job will remain when I return, as I can't stand to stay here while my colleagues blossom, for crying out loud. I am better qualified than them. My appraisals are excellent,' she screamed. 'Ms. Adebimpe, the management has decided you go next year; we want you to mentor the new recruits,' the MD said. Adebimpe decided to resign her appointment and go for the course on her own bill. She thought she would top the class and come back, and by then she would be wooed back, but things did not turn out as planned. She travelled to the United States of America, and to her surprise the fees were tripled. She only paid the first installment; she borrowed to pay the second installment, but unfortunately, few days to her exams, she heard that her Mum had suffered a heart attack, and she had to forfeit her studies and money, which was not refundable. By the time she came back to Nigeria, she was totally insolvent, as she had sold all she had. She went back to her company for reconsideration but was refused bluntly. She then realised the saying that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

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(a) The show was held in an open place, under the Iroko tree, suggesting that it was free (no gate/entry structure implied). (b) Aside from the magician, the drummers and the magician's three aides were involved in the show, showing it was a collaborative performance. (c) He was sure that the guns had no bullets — only gunpowder. (d) He wanted to prove that the magician was not actually bulletproof. (e) The magician would have been dead / the American would likely have been shot or killed attempting the act himself. (f) It means that the magician ran away (fled quickly). (g)(i) It is a relative clause. (ii) It qualifies the noun 'feats'. (h)(i) feats — stunts, acts. (ii) aides — assistants, supporters. (iii) steadied — positioned, prepared. (iv) mystified — bewildered, astonished. (v) unscathed — unhurt, unharmed, uninjured. (vi) hasty — sudden, unexpected, quick.

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(a)(i) Individuals who abuse drugs suffer medical and psychological problems, including irreversible damage from the abuse of drugs, memory loss, brain damage and depression. (ii) The families of drug addicts suffer abuse, financial loss and stigmatization in their communities due to the addiction. (iii) The society at large suffers increasing crime rates, accidents and deprivation of additional social amenities, as huge resources that could provide social amenities are instead used to fight drug-related crime. (b)(i) People need to be better educated/sensitised about the effects of drug addiction on themselves and their families, and children should be taught in schools and at home to stay away from drugs. (ii) Law-enforcement agencies should be better empowered and resourced to apprehend dealers and curtail the availability of drugs in circulation. (iii) Drug addicts should receive timely and specific treatment, tailored to the specific drug the individual is addicted to.