Comprehension

The comprehension questions is the second part of paper 1 for WAEC. Here, you are given a passage and asked to answer a total of 8 questions. The first 5 test your understanding of the passage, question F tests your knowledge on figures of speech, g tests your knowledge of different phrases and clauses and h tests your ability to produce different synonyms for 6 words in the passage.

Steps to answer the comprehension

1. Repeat the question in your answer. This doesn’t have to be word-for-word but should be clear enough so someone reading the answer understands the question being addressed.
2. Support your answer with details from the story or text. Avoid relying solely on your opinion; include factual evidence to back up your response.
3. Make connections and ensure your answer ties all relevant details together. Example: How is wind dangerous in a hurricane? Wind is dangerous in a hurricane because it can reach very high speeds, sending debris flying through the air, which could injure or kill people.
4. Use complete sentences. Ensure each sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a period. The sentence should be grammatically correct and sound natural.
5. Ensure your answer makes sense. It must directly address the question and be logical and coherent.
6. Read the question carefully and answer all parts of it. Pay close attention to multi-part questions to ensure a complete response.
7. Avoid vague words like it, that, this, stuff, thing, like, she, he, them, they. Be specific. Example: Instead of She was scared that they were going to take it, write Katie was scared that the rebels were going to take the trunk she was hiding in.
8. Take your time. Reread the text if necessary, and review your answer to ensure it fully addresses the question and reflects your best effort.

Noun Phrase

A noun phrase is a group of words that has a noun or an indefinite pronoun as its head word (main word).

Features of a Noun Phrase

A noun phrase often begins with one or more of the following:

• Determiners (e.g., the, a, some)
• Possessives (e.g., my, their)
• Demonstratives (e.g., this, those)
• Adjectives (e.g., beautiful, little)
• Numerals (e.g., two, several)
• Or a combination of the above

Grammatical Functions of a Noun Phrase

A noun phrase performs the same grammatical roles as a noun in a sentence. These functions include:

1. Subject of the verb: The little girl is playing outside.
2. Object of the verb: He bought a new car.
3. Subject complement: She is a talented singer.
4. Object complement: They made him the team leader.
5. Appositive: My friend, a skilled artist, won the competition.
6. Complement of a preposition: He is interested in modern architecture.

Adjective Phrase

An adjective phrase is a group of words that describe a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It can appear before or after the noun or pronoun.

Structure of an Adjective Phrase

The first word of an adjective phrase is typically:

• An adverb
• A preposition
• An adjective

Functions of an Adjective Phrase

• An adjective phrase describes the noun before it.
• It can serve as an object complement when it provides additional information about an object.

Prepositional Phrase

A prepositional phrase shows the relationship between a noun phrase or a pronoun and other words in a sentence.

Examples:

• We sat under the tree.
• I heard the sound of chirping birds.

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. This noun, pronoun, or noun phrase is called the ‘object of the preposition’.

Examples of Prepositional Phrases:

• After the meeting
• Near the old bridge
• With great enthusiasm

Functions of a Prepositional Phrase

1. It performs the function of an adverb.

• Before sunset, we packed our bags. (Adverb of time)
• The cat hid behind the couch. (Adverb of place)
• He traveled to the city last week. (Adverb of place)
• Despite the rain, they continued the game. (Adverb of concession)

2. It performs the function of an adjective.

• The car with tinted windows belongs to Jake.
• All the students in the library are preparing for the test.
• The painting on the wall is breathtaking.

3. It functions as the complement of a verb.

• They rely on teamwork. (Complement of the verb ‘rely’)
• She believes in hard work. (Complement of the verb ‘believes’)

4. It functions as the complement of an adjective.

• We are grateful for your support. (Complement of the adjective ‘grateful’)
• She is known for her kindness. (Complement of the adjective ‘known’)

Figures of Speech

Figures of speech occur when words are used in a non-literal way to create emphasis, freshness, or clarity.

Metaphor

A metaphor is a direct comparison between two objects without using "like" or "as."

• Example 1: The skies of his future began to darken. (Darkness symbolizes difficulty, implying hard times ahead.)
• Example 2: The teacher planted the seed of wisdom.

Simile

A simile compares two unlike things using "like" or "as…as."

• Example 1: My dog is like a tornado.
• Example 2: That man is as strong as a horse.

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement used for emphasis.

• Example 1: Her forehead was bigger than the sky.
• Example 2: He said a thousand and one words before keeping quiet.

Irony

Irony occurs when words are used in a way that their intended meaning is different from their actual meaning. It involves saying one thing but meaning another.

• Example 1: The butter is as soft as a marble piece.
• Example 2: Ronke won’t fail the examinations; she doesn’t need to read her books before passing.

Personification

Personification gives human qualities to inanimate (non-living) things.

• Example 1: I heard the wind saying, ‘The storm is over.’
• Example 2: The flower is dancing in the wind.
• Example 3: Hunger pushed him into the fire.

Apostrophe

Apostrophe is a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent person or a non-human object, often used in poetry.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in quick succession within a group of words to create sound effects.

• Example 1: A plantain planter planted plantain in his plantain plantation.
• Example 2: He gave the child a last long lingering look.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part.

• Example 1: To refer to a boat as a “sail”
• Example 2: to refer to the violins, violas, etc. in an orchestra as “the strings.”

Vocabulary Questions

Vocabulary questions are designed to test your understanding of key words used in a passage. These questions require more than just knowing the dictionary meaning of a word—you must determine its meaning based on how it is used in the passage.

When answering, you need to find another word or phrase that has the same meaning and can replace the original word in the given context. This is known as a contextual synonym, rather than just any synonym.

Example:

Consider the word man in the following sentences:

• (i) Musa is a man. (Meaning: an adult male human being)
• (ii) Musa was asked to man the engine room. (Meaning: control or take charge of)

In sentence (ii), the correct replacement for "man" would be "control", since it matches the meaning as used in the passage.

To answer vocabulary questions correctly, always examine the word's usage in the passage before selecting a suitable replacement.

Guide to selecting a suitable Replacement

1. The replacement must be in the same tense: For example, If you are asked to replace the verb "slice", your replacement must also be a present tense verb, such as cut.
2. The replacement must be the same Figure of Speech: For example, If you asked to replace "Creation", you cant't use produce as a substitute. You must use another noun such as Production.