WAEC 2012 English Language · Question 90

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word that is nearest in…

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 In order to keep the peace, I had to retract my statement

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

A.alter
B.refine
C.withdraw
D.deny

Answer: C. withdraw

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You need the word closest in meaning to the underlined word, retract, in the sentence "In order to keep the peace, I had to retract my statement."

Explain the concept: To retract a statement means to take it back, that is, to say you no longer stand by what you said. The Latin root helps: re- (back) + trahere (to draw), so "draw back." Its closest synonym is withdraw.

Check each option:

A. alter: means to change or modify. Retracting is not changing the statement, it is taking it back entirely. ✗
B. refine: means to improve or make more precise. ✗
C. withdraw: means to take back. "I had to withdraw my statement" keeps the same meaning as the original sentence. ✓
D. deny: means to say something is untrue. It is close, but denying is different from retracting. You can deny something you never said, whereas retracting means taking back something you did say. ✗

Answer: The correct option is C. withdraw.

Tip: Link "re-" with "back." Retract, recall, recede and revoke all carry the idea of going back or undoing. Also be careful with deny. It often appears as a tempting distractor, but it does not mean "take back."

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