100+ Free WASSCE English Language Practice Questions
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Key Facts: WASSCE English Language Exam
80 questions
Paper 1 (Objective) for Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia candidates
WAEC English Language syllabus
40 + 40
Paper 1 splits into 40 lexical and 40 structural multiple-choice items
WAEC English Language syllabus
1 hour
Time allowed for the objective Paper 1
WAEC English Language syllabus
A1 to F9
WAEC reports subject grades on a nine-point scale
West African Examinations Council
C6 credit
A credit pass is C6 or better and is required by most universities
West African Examinations Council
Compulsory
English Language is a core subject for all WASSCE candidates
West African Examinations Council
3 papers
Objective (Paper 1), Essay and Comprehension (Paper 2) and Test of Orals (Paper 3)
WAEC English Language syllabus
100
Free original objective-style practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
The WASSCE English Language examination is the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) school-leaving test in English, compulsory for all candidates. Paper 1 is an objective multiple-choice paper answered in 1 hour, with 80 questions for candidates in Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia, split into 40 lexical (vocabulary) and 40 structural (grammar) items plus comprehension. Paper 2 covers essay, comprehension and summary, and Paper 3 is the Test of Orals. WAEC grades on a nine-point scale from A1 to F9, with C6 or better counted as a credit pass that most universities require. This 100-question bank provides original objective-style practice in lexis, structure, comprehension and register.
Sample WASSCE English Language Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your WASSCE English Language exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word: The committee reached a UNANIMOUS decision.
2Choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: The negotiations were ARDUOUS but successful.
3Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The teacher asked the noisy pupils to ____ their voices.
4From the field of MEDICINE, choose the word associated with the others: stethoscope, prescription, diagnosis, ____
5Choose the interpretation that best fits the sentence: 'Hardly had the bell rung when the pupils rushed out.' This means that the pupils rushed out:
6Choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: His explanation was rather AMBIGUOUS.
7Choose the option that best completes the sentence: Neither the headmaster nor the teachers ____ aware of the change.
8Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word: The road conditions were HAZARDOUS.
9Choose the correct preposition: She has been living in this town ____ 2010.
10Choose the word nearest in meaning to the idiom underlined: The two brothers are always at LOGGERHEADS.
About the WASSCE English Language Exam
The WASSCE English Language examination is set by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for candidates completing senior secondary education in Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia. English Language is a compulsory core subject. The examination has three components: Paper 1, an objective multiple-choice paper; Paper 2, an essay, comprehension and summary paper; and Paper 3, the Test of Orals. Paper 1 for candidates in Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia contains 80 questions answered in 1 hour, divided into 40 lexical (vocabulary) questions and 40 structural (grammar) questions, with comprehension and register items. WAEC grades each subject on a nine-point scale from A1 to F9, and most tertiary institutions require a credit pass (C6 or better) in English Language. This 100-question bank gives original objective-style practice across lexis, structure, comprehension and register.
Assessment
Paper 1 (Objective): 80 multiple-choice questions for candidates in Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia, split into 40 lexical and 40 structural items plus comprehension. Paper 2 is essay, comprehension and summary; Paper 3 is the Test of Orals.
Time Limit
Paper 1 (Objective) is 1 hour. The English Language examination is a composite paper sat at one sitting, with Paper 2 (about 2 hours) and the Test of Orals administered separately.
Passing Score
No single pass mark. WAEC reports subject grades on a nine-point scale from A1 (Excellent) down to F9 (Fail). A credit pass is C6 or better; tertiary admissions usually require a credit (C6 or above) in English Language.
Exam Fee
Examination fees vary by country and are set annually by each national WAEC office. School candidates pay through their schools and approved channels; private candidates register and pay separately for the WASSCE for Private Candidates. (West African Examinations Council (WAEC))
WASSCE English Language Exam Content Outline
Lexis (Vocabulary)
About 40 of the 80 objective items test vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, word meaning in context, idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, collocations and choosing the word that best fits a sentence. Practice here builds breadth of vocabulary and precision in word choice at SSCE level.
Structure (Grammar)
About 40 of the 80 objective items test grammar and usage: tenses, concord (subject-verb agreement), prepositions, articles, pronouns, sentence completion, interpretation of sentences and correct English structures. Practice here covers the rules most often examined in Paper 1.
Comprehension and Register
Short passages with comprehension questions, summary skills and register items that ask which field (such as law, medicine, commerce, sports or religion) a word or expression belongs to. Practice here develops fast, accurate reading and recognition of formal and informal usage.
How to Pass the WASSCE English Language Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No single pass mark. WAEC reports subject grades on a nine-point scale from A1 (Excellent) down to F9 (Fail). A credit pass is C6 or better; tertiary admissions usually require a credit (C6 or above) in English Language.
- Assessment: Paper 1 (Objective): 80 multiple-choice questions for candidates in Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia, split into 40 lexical and 40 structural items plus comprehension. Paper 2 is essay, comprehension and summary; Paper 3 is the Test of Orals.
- Time limit: Paper 1 (Objective) is 1 hour. The English Language examination is a composite paper sat at one sitting, with Paper 2 (about 2 hours) and the Test of Orals administered separately.
- Exam fee: Examination fees vary by country and are set annually by each national WAEC office. School candidates pay through their schools and approved channels; private candidates register and pay separately for the WASSCE for Private Candidates.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
WASSCE English Language Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on WASSCE English Language Paper 1?
For candidates in Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia, Paper 1 (Objective) has 80 multiple-choice questions answered in 1 hour, divided into 40 lexical (vocabulary) questions and 40 structural (grammar) questions, each with four options A to D.
Is WASSCE English Language Paper 1 multiple choice?
Yes. Paper 1 is the objective paper and is entirely multiple choice. Essay writing, comprehension and summary are tested in Paper 2, and speaking and listening skills are tested in Paper 3, the Test of Orals.
What grade do I need to pass WASSCE English Language?
WAEC grades each subject from A1 (Excellent) to F9 (Fail). A credit pass is C6 or better. Most universities and colleges require at least a credit (C6 or above) in English Language for admission.
What is the difference between lexis and structure questions?
Lexis questions test vocabulary, such as synonyms, antonyms, idioms and word meaning. Structure questions test grammar and usage, such as tenses, concord, prepositions and sentence interpretation. Paper 1 has about 40 of each.
What is a register question on WASSCE English?
A register question asks which field or context a word or expression belongs to, for example law, medicine, commerce, sports or religion. It tests whether you recognise specialised or appropriate vocabulary for a given subject area.
Are these official WAEC past questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions modelled on the WASSCE English Language objective syllabus. WAEC publishes its own past papers and the official syllabus separately.