WAEC 2010 English Language · Question 53

What do you intend to do with these inanimate objects?

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. What do you intend to do with these inanimate objects?

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

A.lively
B.fascinating
C.precious
D.lifeless

Answer: D. lifeless

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You are asked for the word closest in meaning to inanimate.

Explain the concept: Break the word into parts:

in- = not
anim- = life or living (from Latin anima, "breath, soul"; compare animal, animate, animation)

So inanimate means "not alive", "without life".

Solution, option by option:

A. lively: This means full of life and energy. It is almost the opposite of inanimate, so it is wrong.
B. fascinating: This means very interesting. It has nothing to do with being alive or not, so it is wrong.
C. precious: This means valuable. It is unrelated to life, so it is wrong.
D. lifeless: This means having no life. It matches inanimate exactly.

Put into the sentence: "What do you intend to do with these lifeless objects?" The sentence still makes sense and keeps the same meaning.

Tip: In vocabulary questions, split the word into prefix and root. Here, in- (not) + anim- (life) = "not living". Also watch for options that mean the opposite, like "lively". Examiners often include them as traps.

Related words to remember: animate (living), animation (bringing to life), animal (a living creature).

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.