WAEC 2011 English Language · Question 59

The official who disclosed the information he was supposed to … was sacked

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. The official who disclosed the information he was supposed to ..............was sacked

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

A.cover
B.protect
C.conceal
D.allow

Answer: C. conceal

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined word is "disclosed" (the underline isn't visible here, but the word is clearly "disclosed"). We need a word that:

Is opposite in meaning to "disclosed", and
Fits the gap grammatically and logically: "the information he was supposed to __."

Concept: To disclose means to reveal, make known, or let out information. Its antonym is to hide or keep secret.

Step-by-step check of the options:

A. cover: It means to hide, but "supposed to cover the information" is awkward. The natural phrase would be "cover up". It is not the best fit.
B. protect: It means to guard from harm. You can protect information, but it is not the direct opposite of "disclose".
C. conceal: It means to hide or keep secret. It is the direct opposite of "disclose", and "the information he was supposed to conceal" fits perfectly.
D. allow: It means to permit. It is not the opposite of disclose, and it does not fit the sense.

Full sentence: "The official who disclosed the information he was supposed to conceal was sacked."

Answer: C. conceal.

Tip: In antonym questions with a gap, first find the direct opposite (disclose ↔ conceal), then read the sentence aloud to confirm it flows. Useful pairs to memorize: reveal/conceal, expose/hide, divulge/withhold.

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