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WAEC: ENGLISH LANGUAGE

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  1. Free WAEC English Language Past Questions & Answers
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  2. OBJECTIVES - PAPER 1

    WAEC English Language Objective Past Questions (Paper 1)
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  3. ORAL ENGLISH - PAPER 2
    WAEC Oral English Past Questions (Paper 2)
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  4. PAST EXAMINATIONS
    2023 WAEC (WASSCE) English Language Past Questions
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  5. 2022 WAEC (WASSCE) English Language Past Questions
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  7. 2020 WAEC (WASSCE) English Language Past Questions
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  8. 2019 WAEC (WASSCE) English Language Past Questions
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  12. 2015 WAEC (WASSCE) English Language Past Questions
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  13. 2014 WAEC (WASSCE) English Language Past Questions
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Content:

SECTION A – ESSAY 

NOTE: The essay section of this paper is scored under the following aspects:

View Essay Scoring Guide

Answer one question only from this section. All questions carry equal marks. Your answer should not be less than 450 words .

You are advised to ...

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ESSAY SCORING GUIDE FOR WAEC ENGLISH

NOTE: The essay section of this paper is scored under the following aspects for each. These aspects are:

  • Content — 10 marks
  • Organisation — 10 marks
  • Expression — 20 marks
  • Mechanical Accuracy — 10 marks

TOTAL — 50 marks

 

1. CONTENT

The ideas presented in your writing must be relevant to the central theme of the question.

 

2. ORGANISATION

Your writing (essays or letters) must-have features of whatever it is intended to be: an article, a speech, a letter, an argument, a debate etc. It must have a suitable opening, adequate development, good paragraphing, balance, coherence and a suitable conclusion.

 

3. EXPRESSION

The following qualities should be taken note of:

  1. Your expression should be clear;
  2. Your expression should be appropriate to the style of writing;
  3. Your expression should have a variety of sentence structure and type;
  4. There should be judiciary use of figurative language;
  5. There should also be the skilful and proper use of punctuation.

 

4. MECHANICAL ACCURACY

Take note of the following categories of error and avoid such errors in your writing;

  1. errors in grammar;
  2. punctuation errors;
  3. abbreviations;
  4. spelling errors.

Note that half a mark (1/2) is deducted for each error up to the maximum allowed for this aspect. (Mechanical Accuracy – 10 marks).

 

Errors In Grammar  

  • The omission of an essential sentence element (e.g. subject, predicator, complement);
  • Wrong tense;
  • Misuse of modal operators (may/might, can/could, will/would etc.);
  • Misuse or omission of articles (a, an etc.);
  • Confusion or ambiguity in the use of pronouns;
  • Misuse of countable and uncountable nouns;
  • Wrong prepositions;
  • Misuse of relatives, subordinators and conjunctions;
  • Errors in concord;
  • Misrelated participles;
  • Intransitive verb for the transitive verb and vice versa;
  • Active for passive and vice versa;
  • Errors in comparative constructions etc.

 

Punctuation Errors

  • Omission or wrong use of full stop, question mark or exclamation mark.
  • Misuse or omission of question marks (Both single and double question marks are accepted, but there must be consistency in use).
  • The inserting a comma between subject and object, verb and complement in simple sentences only.
  • The insertion of a comma between adjective and noun, or verb and adverb.
  • The omission of a comma used to separate items in a list of words, phrases or clauses.
  • The use of the small letter for the personal pronoun “I”;
  • The use of a small letter at the beginning of a proper noun (Where a proper noun consists of more than one element, each is expected to begin with a capital letter. E.g. Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

Abbreviations

  • Initials letters: in conformity with modern practice, initials with or without the full stop are accepted, e.g. O.A.U or OAW, W.A.E.C or WAEC.
  • First and last letters: Both forms are accepted e.g. Dr. and Dr; Mrs and Mrs., Ltd and Ltd.

 

Spelling Errors

  • British or American spellings are accepted (if consistent in any of them).

 

Length of Composition

  • The required length is 450 words.
  • When the composition falls appreciably short of the required length, the maximum mark (10 marks) for mechanical accuracy is proportionately reduced.
  • There is no penalty for a long composition but the whole composition is taken into account for reward or penalty under content, organisation and expression.

 

NOTE: The candidate is expected to answer only one question in this section (Section A); if he attempts more than one question, only the first attempted question will be marked.

Question 1

A friend of yours wants to study in your school and has written to you for information and advice: Write a reply to him, telling him all that he needs to know about the school.

 

CONTENT – 10 MARKS

You are required to reply to a letter from your friend seeking information and advice from you to enable him to study in your school.

You are expected to tell him/her all that he/she needs to know about your school.

There are two parts to the question; information about the school and your advice to him as regards studying in your school. Both parts must be adequately discussed for a good mark.

Under content (at least 3 points). If you dwell on only one aspect, you will not score higher than 4 marks here.

 

ORGANIZATION – 10 MARKS

This is an informal letter and the following features are mandatory;

i.        Address of writer and date;
ii.       Dear + first name of friend;
iii.      Yours sincerely;
iv.      First name of writer.

All formal features must be present. Material should be logically presented with due regard given to paragraphing and coherence of ideas.

 

EXPRESSION – 20 MARKS

This is a letter to a friend, therefore the language should be chatty, and friendly and reflect the warmth of a close relationship between you and your friend. Contracted forms and slang are acceptable here and there should be a variety of sentence patterns. You may also use emotive language but should be controlled.

 

MECHANICAL ACCURACY – 10 MARKS 

Half a mark would be deducted for each error of grammar, spelling and punctuation up to a maximum of 10 marks, that is (20) errors. Errors of punctuation include:

1. All the wrong uses of the comma.

2. The omission or wrong use of

a. The full stop;

b. The question mark;

c. The Inverted comma;

d. The Exclamation mark.

3. The use of a small letter at the beginning of a sentence, a proper noun, or for the personal pronoun ‘I’

4. The splitting of a word that is normally written as one word and the wrong syllabification of a word.

Question 2

Some core values in your society have been eroded by modernization. Write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper on the need to revive these values for a better society.

 

CONTENT – 10 MARKS

You are required to write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper on some core values in your society that have been eroded by modernization and the need to revive these values for a better society.

There are two aspects to the question; discussion on some core values in your society that have been eroded by modernization (at least three core values) and the need to revive these values for a better society.

The proffered reason/reasons to revive these values must be convincing enough for a good mark. If you discuss only the core values in your society that have been eroded by modernization and do not proffer reasons to revive these values, you would not score higher than 4 marks.

 

ORGANIZATION – 10 MARKS

This is an article and the following features are mandatory;

  1. Title/heading/caption
  2. Name of writer after the heading or at the end of the article

Paragraphs must be well developed and the material logically presented.

 

EXPRESSION – 20 MARKS

This is an article; therefore, the language must be formal. Slang, colloquialism and contracted forms are not expected to use appropriate vocabulary and a variety of sentence patterns.

 

MECHANICAL ACCURACY – 10 MARKS

Half a mark would be deducted for each error of grammar, spelling and punctuation up to a maximum of 10 marks, that is (20) errors. Errors of punctuation include:

1. All the wrong uses of the comma.

2. The omission or wrong use of

a. The full stop;

b. The question mark;

c. The Inverted comma;

d. The Exclamation mark.

3. The use of a small letter at the beginning of a sentence, a proper noun, or for the personal pronoun ‘I’

4. The splitting of a word that is normally written as one word and the wrong syllabification of a word.

Question 3

The Parent-Teacher Association of your school has decided to transform the school into a single-sex school. As the Senior Prefect, write a letter to the Chairman giving, at least, three reasons why you disagree with the decision.

 

CONTENT – 10 MARKS

You are required to write a letter, as the Senior Prefect of your school, to the Chairman of the Parent–Teacher Association of your school, giving at least three reasons why you disagree with the decision to transform the school into a single-sex school.

The reason given must be cogent enough to convince the Chairman to rescind the decision. You may conclude by appealing to the Chairman to rescind the decision.

 

ORGANIZATION – 10 MARKS

The official letter format is mandatory here;

i.        Address of writer;
ii.       Date;
iii.      Designation and full address of the recipient;
iv.       Dear sir;
v.        Title;
vi.      Yours faithfully;
vii.     Signature of writer;
viii.    Full name of writer

Paragraphs should be well-developed and properly linked.

 

EXPRESSION – 20 MARKS

The language should be formal, slang, colloquialism and contracted forms are out of place here. Ideas should be strongly and clearly expressed in varied sentence patterns.

 

MECHANICAL ACCURACY – 10 MARKS

Half a mark would be deducted for each error of grammar, spelling and punctuation up to a maximum of 10 marks, that is (20) errors. Errors of punctuation include:

1. All the wrong uses of the comma.

2. The omission or wrong use of

a. The full stop;

b. The question mark;

c. The Inverted comma;

d. The Exclamation mark.

3. The use of a small letter at the beginning of a sentence, a proper noun, or for the personal pronoun ‘I’

4. The splitting of a word that is normally written as one word and the wrong syllabification of a word.

Question 4

You are the main speaker in a debate on the topic: Education is the best legacy a parent can give a child. Write your arguments. for or against the motion.

 

CONTENT – 10 MARKS

As the main speaker in a debate, you are required to write your argument for or against the motion: “Education is the best legacy a parent can give a child”.

You are expected to show your understanding of the term “legacy” in your opening/introduction. You are also expected to provide a topic sentence that captures your stand/position of the argument in your opening/introduction.

At least three good points adequately developed, for or against the motion, would be enough for a good mark. You would not earn higher than 4 marks if you discuss fewer than three points here. You would not score higher than 3 marks if you fail to take a stand.

 

ORGANIZATION – 10 MARKS

You are expected to start with the usual vocatives e.g. Chairman, Panel of Judges, Ladies and Gentlemen.

You may number your points for clarity (if you wish). Coherent and logical sequences of ideas are expected here. There must be a conclusion in support of your stand or position.

 

EXPRESSION – 20 MARKS

Your ideas should be clearly expressed. The use of correct register and speech techniques would attract a good mark.

Rhetorical questions may be used but there is no room for slang. Exaggeration, if used for emphasis would be accepted provided it is not overdone. Contracted forms may also be used. Ideas should be expressed in a variety of sentence patterns.

 

MECHANICAL ACCURACY – 10 MARKS

Half a mark would be deducted for each error of grammar, spelling and punctuation up to a maximum of 10 marks, that is (20) errors. Errors of punctuation include:

1. All the wrong uses of the comma.

2. The omission or wrong use of

a. The full stop;

b. The question mark;

c. The Inverted comma;

d. The Exclamation mark.

3. The use of a small letter at the beginning of a sentence, a proper noun, or for the personal pronoun ‘I’

4. The splitting of a word that is normally written as one word and the wrong syllabification of a word.

Question 5

Write a story to illustrate the saying: Pride goes before a fall.

 

CONTENT – 10 MARKS

You are required to write a story to illustrate the saying: “Pride goes before a fall”. The story may be real or imaginary. Stories with animal characters are not acceptable.

Your story should reflect your understanding of the saying: “Pride goes before a fall”. You would score zero if you write a story that does not illustrate the saying.

 

ORGANIZATION – 10MARKS

A well-organized story has a beginning, a climax and a conclusion. In addition to a good plot, paragraphs should be well developed and ideas properly linked. Dialogue is acceptable if successfully used.

 

EXPRESSION – 20 MARKS

You are expected to express yourself clearly, and also use vocabulary that reflects the atmosphere of your story. Your ideas should be expressed in a variety of sentence types to make your story interesting.

 

MECHANICAL ACCURACY – 10 MARKS

Half a mark would be deducted for each error of grammar, spelling and punctuation up to a maximum of 10 marks, that is (20) errors. Errors of punctuation include:

1. All the wrong uses of the comma.

2. The omission or wrong use of

a. The full stop;

b. The question mark;

c. The Inverted comma;

d. The Exclamation mark.

3. The use of a small letter at the beginning of a sentence, a proper noun, or for the personal pronoun ‘I’

4. The splitting of a word that is normally written as one word and the wrong syllabification of a word.

Question 6

Answers:

a.        The writer’s father warned the boys against going out at night because it was risky or unsaved/dangerous.

 

b.        “A stone throw (from ours)”

 

c.        The powerful headlamps of the teachers enabled him to discover the boys.

 

d.        The writer hurried to get down and so, lost his balance and fell.

 

e.         The writer’s father refused to open the door because he thought/believed that his son was sleeping peacefully in his room.

 

f.

(i).     It is a noun phrase
(ii).     It is the subject of the verb “raised”.

 

g.

(i).    Simile
(ii)    It means very fast

 

h.

(i)    Recent – latest, current

(ii)      Delicious – sweet, tasty, mouthwatering, luscious

(iii)     Stealthily – quietly, covertly, secretly, unnoticed, surreptitious

(iv)     Approaching – incoming, advancing

(v)      Spotted – sighted, noticed, seen, caught sight of, recognized

(vi)     Verify – ascertain, confirm, find out, establish

Question 7

Answers:

(a)

i.    Medical core has improved greatly

ii.       The spread of education has contributed to the rapid increase in world population.

iii.      Improved agricultural practices have made food readily available to more people.

iv.      The world is more peaceful today/in recent times

 

(b)

i.    Continuing rapid population growth may make planet Earth too small to accommodate mankind

OR

The planet Earth may be overpopulated.

ii.       Continuing rapid population growth may result in environmental pollution.

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