The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) English Language exam evaluates students’ proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, summary, essay writing, and oral English.
Every year, certain WAEC top repeated topics and questions for English appear frequently.
This article provides a detailed guide on WAEC English topics, including frequently repeated questions, area of concentration for WAEC English theory, and effective tips to score A1.
By focusing on common WAEC English topics and practicing past questions, students can improve their preparation and achieve excellent results.
WAEC Top Repeated Topics for English
The WAEC English exam consists of different sections, including Essay Writing, Comprehension, Summary, Lexis and Structure, and Oral English.
Below are the frequently tested topics:
1. Essay Writing
Essay writing carries the highest marks in the WAEC English exam.
Candidates are usually given five options and must choose one to write on.
Frequently Repeated Essay Topics
1. Formal Letters (Letter to the principal, governor, or newspaper editor)
2. Informal Letters (Letter to a friend or relative)
3. Argumentative Essays (Debates on societal and political issues)
4. Narrative Essays (Personal experiences, life lessons, or imaginative stories)
5. Descriptive Essays (Description of an event, a place, or a person)
6. Expository Essays (How-to essays, factual reports, or explaining concepts)
Frequently Repeated Essay Questions
1. Write a letter to your principal, suggesting ways to improve discipline in your school.
2. Write an article for a newspaper on the dangers of drug abuse among students.
3. Write a story that ends with the sentence, “That was the most valuable lesson I ever learned.”
4. Debate: “Education is more important than wealth.”
5. Describe your first day at school or a memorable event in your life.
2. Comprehension Passage
The comprehension section tests students’ ability to understand and interpret written texts. Questions focus on:
Main ideas and supporting details
Synonyms and antonyms
Figures of speech
Deductive reasoning
Frequently Repeated Comprehension Topics
1. The importance of education and literacy
2. Environmental issues and climate change
3. Leadership and good governance
4. Health and hygiene
5. The impact of technology on society
3. Summary Writing
In the summary section, candidates read a passage and summarize its key points concisely.
Frequently Repeated Summary Topics
1. Causes and effects of corruption
2. Ways to maintain good health and hygiene
3. The importance of time management
4. Problems of youth unemployment
5. The benefits of agriculture
Frequently Repeated Summary Questions
1. Summarize the writer’s view on environmental pollution.
2. What are the main ideas discussed in the passage?
3. Summarize the benefits of reading books.
4. Lexis and Structure
This section tests students’ grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
Frequently Repeated Topics
1. Synonyms and antonyms
2. Concord (subject-verb agreement)
3. Idiomatic expressions
4. Sentence correction and completion
5. Figures of speech
Frequently Repeated Questions
1. Replace the underlined word with its closest synonym.
2. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
3. Identify the grammatical error in the sentence.
5. Oral English
Oral English tests pronunciation, stress patterns, intonation, and phonetic transcription.
Frequently Repeated Topics
1. Vowel and consonant sounds
2. Word stress and intonation
3. Phonetic transcription
4. Sentence stress and rhythm
5. Homophones and homonyms
WAEC Top Repeated Questions for English
WAEC follows a pattern when setting English Language questions.
Frequently repeated questions on English
1. Write a letter to your governor on how to improve security in your state.
2. Debate: “Technology is a blessing, not a curse.”
3. Write a descriptive essay on “A day I will never forget.”
4. Read a passage and answer comprehension questions based on it.
5. Summarize a passage in five sentences.
6. Identify the correct synonym or antonym of a given word.
7. Choose the correct answer to complete a sentence.
8. Identify the correct pronunciation of a word.
Area of Concentration for English WAEC Theory
For students preparing for WAEC English 2024, focus on these areas:
Essay Writing – Practice all types of essays (formal, informal, descriptive, argumentative, narrative, and expository).
Comprehension Passages – Read different types of passages and improve analytical skills.
Summary Writing – Learn how to extract key points from a passage.
Lexis and Structure – Improve vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
Oral English – Practice pronunciation, stress patterns, and phonetics.
How to get A1 in WAEC English
Scoring A1 in WAEC English requires dedication, strategic preparation, and effective study habits. Follow these tips:
1. Read and Understand the WAEC English Syllabus
The WAEC syllabus outlines important topics to focus on. Study each section carefully.
2. Master the Rules of Grammar and Vocabulary
A strong understanding of sentence structure, tenses, punctuation, and word usage is essential.
3. Practice Essay Writing Daily
Since essay writing carries the most marks, practice writing different types of essays under timed conditions.
4. Solve Past Questions Regularly
WAEC repeats questions frequently. Reviewing past questions helps you understand the exam pattern.
5. Read Books, Newspapers, and Articles
Expanding your vocabulary improves your writing and comprehension skills.
6. Improve Your Time Management Skills
During the exam, allocate time wisely:
Essay Writing: 45 minutes
Comprehension: 25 minutes
Summary Writing: 25 minutes
Lexis and Structure: 25 minutes
7. Take Mock Tests
Practice full-length WAEC English papers to simulate exam conditions.
Do They Repeat Questions in WAEC?
Yes, WAEC repeats questions frequently, although they may modify the wording.
Reviewing past questions is one of the best strategies for preparation.
How Can I Study English in WAEC?
To study effectively for WAEC English, follow these steps:
1. Read the syllabus and focus on key topics.
2. Practice writing essays and learn how to structure them properly.
3. Improve your comprehension and summary skills by reading and analyzing passages.
4. Study grammar rules and expand your vocabulary.
5. Listen to spoken English to improve pronunciation for the Oral English section.
How Many Questions Are to Be Answered in WAEC?
In the WAEC English exam, candidates must answer:
Paper 1 (Objective Questions) – 60 multiple-choice questions
Paper 2 (Essay, Comprehension, and Summary Writing) – 6 questions (answer 4)
Paper 3 (Oral English) – 50 questions (for candidates in applicable regions)
Conclusion
To excel in WAEC English, students should focus on frequently repeated topics and questions, practice past WAEC questions, and develop strong essay writing, comprehension, and summary skills.
By following strategic study techniques, improving grammar and vocabulary, and managing time effectively, students can score A1 in WAEC English and achieve academic success.