WASSCE English antonyms: practice questions with answers
In WASSCE English Paper 1, an antonym question gives you a sentence with one underlined word and a gap. You choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning that also fills the gap. Here are 10 practice questions with answers. Tap an option to check yourself.
How to answer it
Read the word in capitals and say its opposite in your head. Then look at the options and pick the one that matches.Saidu is STRONG, but his little brother is ____. Think "not strong". Answer: "weak".
Examiners often hide a word with the same meaning in the options. Do not pick it. You want the opposite.Christiana is CAREFUL, but her brother is ____. Answer: "careless".
The opposite must also make sense in the sentence. Read the whole sentence with your answer in the gap.Abu's room is TIDY, but his brother's room is ____. Answer: "messy".
10 practice questions
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
Do not PULL the door; you have to it to open it.
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Answer: C. push
“Pull” means to move something towards you. “Push” means to move it away from you.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
Sierra Leone must IMPORT rice, but it can cocoa and coffee to other countries.
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Answer: C. export
“Import” means to bring goods into a country. “Export” means to sell goods out to other countries.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
The classroom was NOISY before the teacher came in, but it became when she entered.
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Answer: C. quiet
“Noisy” means full of loud sounds. “Quiet” means with little or no sound. “Quietly” is an adverb, so it does not fit.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
Abu is OPTIMISTIC about the exam, but his sister is and thinks she will fail.
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Answer: A. pessimistic
“Optimistic” means expecting good things. “Pessimistic” means expecting bad things.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
Sorie's first idea for the class project was REJECTED, but his second idea was .
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Answer: B. accepted
“Rejected” means turned down. “Accepted” means taken or agreed to.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
The new water bottles are TRANSPARENT, but the old ones were and hid what was inside.
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Answer: A. opaque
“Transparent” means you can see through it. “Opaque” means you cannot see through it.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
The new classroom is SPACIOUS, but the old one was and hot.
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Answer: A. cramped
“Spacious” means having a lot of space. “Cramped” means having too little space.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
Feeding the poor is a LAUDABLE act, but stealing from them is .
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Answer: A. shameful
“Laudable” means deserving praise. “Shameful” means deserving blame and bringing shame.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
Mariama and Fatu CONCUR on most things, but on football they .
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Answer: C. differ
“Concur” means to agree. “Differ” means to have a different opinion.
Choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capitals that also fills the gap:
The chief lives an AUSTERE life, but his son prefers a one with fancy clothes and cars.
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Answer: C. lavish
“Austere” means very simple, without comfort or luxury. “Lavish” means rich and costly, the opposite.
Tap an option on any question to check yourself.
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Questions students ask
What is an antonym?
An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning. "Hot" and "cold" are antonyms. So are "early" and "late".
How do I answer antonym questions in WASSCE English?
Say the opposite of the underlined word in your head first. Then pick the option that matches it and also fits the gap in the sentence.
What is the most common mistake in antonym questions?
Picking a word with the same meaning. It feels right because you know it is linked to the word, but the question asks for the opposite.
Are these real WASSCE past questions?
No. They are our own WASSCE-style questions, written on the same syllabus topics and in the same format as the real exam.