WAEC 2010 English Language · Question 38

I woke up feeling rather queer

Question

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word. I woke up feeling rather queer

In the original paper part of this question is underlined. The underline isn't shown here: see the explanation below.

A.fine
B.strange
C.strong
D.tried

Answer: B. strange

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question You are asked to find the word closest in meaning to "queer" as used in the sentence: "I woke up feeling rather queer."

Step 2: Explain the concept "Queer" is an older English word meaning odd, strange, or unusual. In sentences like this one, "feeling queer" means feeling unwell, faint, or not quite normal. This is a common usage in WASSCE vocabulary questions. The key is to use the context: waking up and feeling "rather queer" suggests something is off, not that the person is doing well.

Step 3: Test each option

A. fine: This means the opposite. Feeling queer is not feeling fine. ✗
B. strange: This matches. "Feeling strange" means feeling odd or not normal. ✓
C. strong: This is unrelated. Queer does not mean physically powerful. ✗
D. tried: This is probably a distractor for "tired", and even "tired" would not be a synonym for queer. ✗

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. strange.

Step 5: Exam tip When you meet a word you only half know, ask whether the sentence is positive or negative. "Rather queer" after waking up is clearly negative or odd, so you can immediately eliminate "fine" and "strong". Also watch for spelling traps like "tried" and "tired" in the options.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.