WAEC 2011 English Language · Question 74

All the children were inoculated … polio.

Question

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences: All the children were inoculated.............polio.

A.from
B.by
C.against
D.for

Answer: C. against

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: This tests your knowledge of prepositions, specifically which one correctly follows the verb "inoculate" when naming a disease.

Explain the concept: To inoculate (or vaccinate, immunize) someone means to give them a vaccine so they are protected from a disease. The correct pattern is:

> inoculate + person + against + disease

"Against" shows protection from, or opposition to, something harmful.

Solution:

A. from: "inoculated from polio" is not the standard collocation. "From" suggests origin or separation, not protection through a vaccine.
B. by: "by" would introduce the person or method doing the inoculating (e.g., "inoculated by the nurse"), not the disease.
C. against: correct. "All the children were inoculated against polio."
D. for: "inoculated for polio" is not standard in formal English.

Exam tip: Remember the pattern: vaccinate / inoculate / immunize against a disease. Similar fixed phrases to learn: protect against, guard against, fight against. For disease and vaccine questions, think "against" as in "standing against the illness."

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