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. Before the interview, the young officers seemed to be diffident, but the seasoned ones were quite …… .
A. hilarious
B. excited
C. confident
D. elated
Answer: C. confident
Explanation:: The word diffident means shy, hesitant, or lacking self-confidence. The word most nearly opposite in meaning is confident, which means self-assured and certain of one’s abilities.
2. During the campaign the assembly man spoke humbly; after winning the election, he became ………
A. difficult
B. versatile
C. indifferent
D. arrogant
Answer: D. arrogant
Explanation:: To speak humbly means showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance. The opposite is arrogant, which means having or displaying an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or superiority.
3. Apo is close-fisted while his brother is ……….
A. generous
B. cunning
C. extraordinary
D. complacent
Answer: A. generous
Explanation:: The idiomatic adjective close-fisted describes someone who is stingy or unwilling to part with money. Its direct opposite is generous, meaning willing to give and share freely.
4. Some accidents are avoidable: quite a number of them are ……….. .
A. manageable
B. ineligible
C. plausible
D. inevitable
Answer: D. inevitable
Explanation:: An avoidable event is one that can be prevented from occurring. Its exact opposite is inevitable, meaning certain to happen and impossible to prevent or avoid.
5. Deep colours tend to be repulsive, but can be ………… when properly blended.
A. passive
B. attractive
C. charming
D. permanent
Answer: B. attractive
Explanation:: The word repulsive means causing strong dislike, distaste, or aversion. The word opposite in meaning that completes the contrast introduced by ‘but’ is attractive, meaning pleasing or appealing.
6. While Mary is forgiving, her sister is ……….
A. rude
B. abusive
C. vindictive
D. inflexible
Answer: C. vindictive
Explanation:: A forgiving person is inclined to pardon offenses and overlook mistakes. The opposite is vindictive, which describes someone who holds grudges and seeks revenge.
7. The school prefect’s speech was ……… , not rehearsed
A. informal
B. unseen
C. inappropriate
D. impromptu
Answer: D. impromptu
Explanation:: A rehearsed speech is prepared, practiced, and planned in advance. The word opposite in meaning is impromptu, which means delivered without prior preparation or rehearsal.
8. The knife was sharp but you have now made it ………
A. dull
B. unusable
C. blunt
D. crude
Answer: C. blunt
Explanation:: A sharp cutting tool has a thin, keen edge that cuts easily. The opposite of sharp is blunt, meaning dull or having an unsharpened edge.
9. Aba has refined manners, but Kojo’s are ………..
A. unfriendly
B. uncouth
C. unpleasant
D. unacceptable
Answer: B. uncouth
Explanation:: The word refined indicates cultured, polished, and polite manners. The direct opposite is uncouth, which means lacking manners, refinement, or grace.
10. The sun was rising just as the moon was ……….
A. falling
B. fading
C. declining
D. weakening
Answer: B. fading
Explanation:: As the sun was rising and growing in prominence, the moon was fading, meaning gradually losing its brightness and disappearing from view.
From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that best completes each of the following sentences.
11. Chinua Achebe is a literary …………. .
A. performer
B. master
C. jewel
D. genius
Answer: D. genius
Explanation:: A genius is a person endowed with exceptional intellectual or creative ability. In literature, a master storyteller of extraordinary caliber is fittingly referred to as a literary genius.
12. After a long stay abroad, Mr . ……… to return home.
A. liked
B. aimed
C. yearned
D. felt
Answer: C. yearned
Explanation:: The verb yearned means felt a deep, intense longing or desire, and it idiomatically collocates with the infinitive: yearned to return home.
13. Your meaning is still ………….. ; explain it further.
A. open
B. obscure
C. dull
D. double
Answer: B. obscure
Explanation:: The adjective obscure means unclear, vague, or difficult to understand. The instruction to ‘explain it further’ indicates that the intended meaning is not yet clear.
14. After much investigation, the suspect was ………. from the charges.
A. exonerated
B. exempted
C. liberated
D. acquitted
Answer: A. exonerated
Explanation:: To be exonerated means to be officially absolved and declared free from blame, liability, or criminal charges (exonerated from the charges).
15. The building of the A380 Airbus is an engineering …………… .
A. magic
B. feat
C. task
D. device
Answer: B. feat
Explanation:: A feat is an accomplishment or achievement that demonstrates great skill, ingenuity, or courage. Constructing a monumental aircraft like the A380 Airbus is celebrated as an engineering feat.
16. The cook ran short of butter and so served margarine as a …………… .
A. replacement
B. makeshift
C. standby
D. substitute
Answer: D. substitute
Explanation:: A substitute is a person or thing that serves or is used in place of another. Margarine served to replace the unavailable butter, functioning as a substitute.
17. The mayor ordered the ………. of all unauthorized structures along the highway.
A. devastation
B. demolition
C. eradication
D. depletion
Answer: B. demolition
Explanation:: The noun demolition refers to the deliberate act of pulling down, leveling, or destroying buildings and unauthorized structures.
18. Slavery was ………… in the nineteenth century.
A. abrogated
B. abolished
C. abridged
D. adjudged
Answer: B. abolished
Explanation:: To abolish is to formally and officially bring an end to a system, practice, or institution, such as the historical abolition of slavery in the 19th century.
19. The news of Lucky Dube’s death is ………… true
A. fanatically
B. absolutely
C. decisively
D. tangibly
Answer: B. absolutely
Explanation:: The intensifying adverb absolutely means totally, completely, and beyond doubt, appropriately modifying the non-gradable adjective true.
20. The school regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . that rioters should be dismissed.
A. decides
B. adduces
C. stipulates
D. indicts
Answer: C. stipulates
Explanation:: The verb stipulates means to demand or specify a requirement as part of a binding regulation or agreement. A school rule explicitly stipulates conditions and penalties.
Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or expression in each sentence.
21. Many organizers are pessimistic about the future of the agency.
A. frightened
B. sceptical
C. Enter equations to be typeset separated by blank lines:
D. hesitant
Answer: B. sceptical
Explanation:: Being pessimistic means harboring doubts and anticipating negative outcomes. The option nearest in meaning is sceptical, which describes having reservations and doubts.
22. Aba’s statement was corroborated by her aunt..
A. introduced
B. typified
C. influenced
D. confirmed
Answer: D. confirmed
Explanation:: To corroborate a statement means to verify, authenticate, or confirm its truth with supporting testimony. Therefore, confirmed is nearest in meaning.
23. Toure is not only hardworking but also meticulous.
A. optimistic
B. profound
C. resolute
D. painstaking
Answer: D. painstaking
Explanation:: The adjective meticulous means showing great care, precision, and thoroughness. The word nearest in meaning is painstaking, which denotes careful and diligent effort.
24. It was a rather startling revelation.
A. timely
B. disturbing
C. surprising
D. disappointing
Answer: C. surprising
Explanation:: The word startling means causing sudden surprise, shock, or astonishment. Thus, surprising is the closest synonym.
25. The police officer acted on definite clues.
A. clear
B. specialized
C. concrete
D. deduced
Answer: A. clear
Explanation:: In this context, definite means clearly defined, unmistakable, and unambiguous. The nearest equivalent is clear.
26. It is an issue of vital importance.
A. confidential
B. paramount
C. high
D. pretentious
Answer: B. paramount
Explanation:: Something that is vital is indispensable, crucial, and of supreme importance. The word paramount means superior to all others in importance, making it nearest in meaning.
27. Our entreaties were met with a rebuff.
A. contemptuous refusal
B. conditional acceptance
C. peculiar arrogance
D. strong misunderstanding
Answer: A. contemptuous refusal
Explanation:: A rebuff is a blunt, unkind rejection or disdainful refusal of a request, which corresponds directly to a contemptuous refusal.
28. Work done by indolent people is not always thorough
A. strange
B. unfriendly
C. contemporary
D. lazy
Answer: D. lazy
Explanation:: The word indolent means habitually inactive and avoiding work or effort. The closest synonym is lazy.
29. For peace to reign, racial integration must be give top priority.
A. description
B. sovereignty
C. harmony
D. characteristics
Answer: C. harmony
Explanation:: In social and racial dynamics, integration promotes unity, mutual acceptance, and peaceful coexistence, which is best represented by harmony.
30. It was predicted that businesses would flourish next year
A. blossom
B. originate
C. recover
D. merge
Answer: A. blossom
Explanation:: To flourish means to thrive, prosper, and grow vigorously. Metaphorically, to blossom means to develop successfully and achieve prosperity.
WASSCE English Language 2008 Past Question (Paper 1)
By Lawrence Ephrim • October 29, 2026