WASSCE English Paper 1: what is in it and how to practise
WASSCE English Paper 1 is the objective paper: 80 multiple-choice questions on lexis (what words mean) and structure (grammar). Each question has four options and one right answer, so steady daily practice pays off here more than anywhere else.
Updated 22 October 2026 by the Sabi team.
How many questions are in WASSCE English Paper 1?
80 multiple-choice questions, according to the WAEC English syllabus. Every question has four options, A to D.
What topics are in Paper 1?
Paper 1 tests lexis and structure. Lexis covers word meanings, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and words used in fields like health, farming and sports. Structure covers grammar: concord, tenses, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions and word forms.
How are the questions asked?
In the real exam, the word or expression being tested is underlined. On Sabi, it is in CAPITALS. These are the common question types:
- Synonyms: choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word. Practise synonyms.
- Antonyms: choose the option most nearly opposite in meaning that also fills the gap. Practise antonyms.
- Idioms: choose the option that best explains the underlined expression. Practise idioms.
- Sentence completion: choose the option that best completes the sentence. Practise lexis and structure and concord.
Think yu sabi?
Play 5 free questions on SabiFree. No download. Play your padi or the Sabi Bot, and see why every answer is right.
How do I practise for Paper 1?
Do a few questions every day, and read why each wrong answer is wrong. Then learn the traps: look-alike words, the same-meaning word in antonyms, and the word-for-word option in idioms.
Play 5 free questions on Sabi: it explains every answer you miss.
Are Sabi's questions 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 Paper 1.