After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the…

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence uses an idiom, "out of the blue." You are asked what it means when the letter came "out of the blue."

Step 2: Explain the concept An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning is not found by reading the words literally. "Out of the blue" comes from the idea of something appearing suddenly from a clear blue sky, with no warning. So it means unexpectedly or without any warning.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. by air: This takes "blue" to mean the sky. It is a literal reading, and the idiom doesn't mean this.
• B. in a blue envelope: This takes "blue" as the colour of the envelope. That is a literal reading and is wrong.
• C. came unexpectedly: This matches the idiom's meaning. The student did not expect the letter or the invitation.
• D. by sea: This has no connection to the idiom, although the sea is blue.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C, came unexpectedly.

Tip: In idiom questions, WAEC often includes literal distractors such as "by air" or "in a blue envelope." Ask yourself whether the phrase is meant literally. If it is a fixed expression, choose the figurative meaning. Related idioms to learn include "once in a blue moon" (very rarely) and "a bolt from the blue" (a sudden shock).