WAEC 2010 English Language · Question 59

We thought that Uncle Sam's health had improved but it had rather …

Question

In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences. We thought that Uncle Sam's health had improved but it had rather................

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

A.persisted
B.deteriorated
C.deepened
D.decreased

Answer: B. deteriorated

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question The sentence says Uncle Sam's health had "improved" (the underlined word, presumably "improved"). We need a word that:

Is most nearly opposite in meaning to "improved", and
Fits the gap grammatically and logically: "...but it had rather __."

Explain the concept This is an antonym-in-context question. The word must work as an opposite and also make sense in the sentence. "Rather" signals a contrast: we thought it got better, but actually it got worse.

Solution

A. persisted: means continued. It is not the opposite of "improved", and "health had persisted" is incomplete without saying what persisted.
B. deteriorated: means became worse. It is the direct opposite of "improved", and "his health had rather deteriorated" is natural and correct.
C. deepened: used for things like crises, mystery or sorrow, not health. It is not an antonym of "improved".
D. decreased: means became less. It is used for quantities, not for health, so it does not fit well.

The sentence reads: "We thought that Uncle Sam's health had improved but it had rather deteriorated."

Tip In "opposite meaning plus gap" questions, first find the direct antonym of the underlined word, then test it in the sentence. For health, collocations such as "improved ↔ deteriorated" or "worsened" are commonly tested. Remember that "deteriorate" means to get progressively worse.

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