WAEC SSCE English Language Paper 2 (Sample) 2022
Reading comprehension and linguistic analysis aren't just exam skills—they're the core of how examiners judge your command of English at the senior secondary level. This sample paper mirrors the real WAEC Paper 2 structure: you'll tackle a narrative passage for comprehension and summary, analyse vocabulary and grammar patterns, and demonstrate your understanding of English phonetics and speech sounds. The 15 questions span three topic areas—comprehension, lexis and structure, and oral English—exactly as they appear on test day. Work through this paper and you'll build the muscle memory to spot inference clues in a passage in under two minutes, confidently pick the synonym that fits the context, and explain why a word carries stress on a particular syllable.
Questions in this quiz
Answers hidden — play to find out.
- Question 1
Read the passage: 'The old merchant, weathered by decades of trade, sat quietly in his warehouse, reflecting on the ruins of his once-prosperous business. His competitors had seized the advantage through modern marketing, leaving him with nothing but memories and regret.' What is the implicit message of this passage?
- Question 2
In the passage above, the phrase 'weathered by decades of trade' serves primarily to show:
- Question 3
Which of the following best summarizes the passage in one sentence?
- Question 4
Read the new passage: 'The teacher noticed that Maria had not submitted her assignment for two weeks. Rather than criticize her immediately, he arranged a quiet meeting with Maria to understand her circumstances. He learned that she was caring for a younger sibling while her mother recovered from illness, and she had no time to study. The teacher then offered her a revised deadline and a study plan.' What can be inferred about the teacher's character?
- Question 5
In the context of 'his mother recovered from illness', which word could replace 'recovered' without changing the meaning?
- Question 6
Identify the grammatically correct sentence:
- Question 7
Which sentence uses the phrase 'in light of' correctly?
- Question 8
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: 'The merchant's inability to compete was _______________ to his refusal to embrace modern technology.'
- Question 9
In the word 'comprehension', which syllable carries the primary stress?
- Question 10
Which of the following words contains the vowel sound /ɪ/ (as in 'sit')?
- Question 11
True or False: The consonant /θ/ (as in 'think') is a voiced sound.
- Question 12
Which word is the stress pattern CORRECTLY marked for emphasis?
- Question 13
True or False: The words 'accept' and 'except' are homophones.
- Question 14
In the sentence 'The committee has decided to meet next week,' which word is the subject?