WAEC 2013 English Language · Question 57

After the sentence below, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that you…

Question

After the sentence below, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for the sentence. Fatou's awkward behavior shows that she is a green horn. This means that Fatou is

  1. A.arrogant
  2. B.inexperienced
  3. C.inattentive
  4. D.cautious

Answer: B. inexperienced

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the meaning of the idiom "greenhorn" as used in the sentence. The clue is in the context: her awkward behavior is evidence that she is a greenhorn.

Step 2: Explain the concept A greenhorn is a person who is new to an activity or situation and lacks experience. The word comes from a young animal whose horns have not yet fully developed, so it suggests someone who is raw, untrained, or naive. Because such people don't yet know how things are done, they often act clumsily or awkwardly.

Step 3: Test each option

  • A. arrogant means proud and overbearing. Awkward behavior does not imply this.
  • B. inexperienced means lacking experience. This fits both the idiom and the clue of awkward behavior.
  • C. inattentive means not paying attention. This is not what "greenhorn" means.
  • D. cautious means careful. This does not match awkward behavior or the idiom.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. inexperienced.

Tip: In idiom questions, use the context clue. Here, "awkward behavior" points to someone who is new to things. Also remember that "green" often suggests newness or immaturity (for example, "green" in "a green recruit"). Related words include novice, rookie, and tenderfoot.

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