WAEC 2013 English Language · Question 31

The students were told to review their assignments.

Question

From the words lettered A to D below,choose the word or groups of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence. The students were told to review their assignments.

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

A.re-examine
B.recount
C.inspect
D.return

Answer: A. re-examine

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word closest in meaning to "review" as used in "The students were told to review their assignments."

Explain the concept: "Review" comes from "re-" (again) + "view" (look). In an academic context, to review means to look over something again in order to check it, study it, or improve it. So we want a word that carries the idea of examining again.

Check each option:

A. re-examine: To examine again. This matches the meaning of "review" in a school setting, where students go over their work once more.
B. recount: To narrate or tell a story, or to count again. It doesn't fit "assignments".
C. inspect: To look at something closely, usually officially (e.g., a school inspector). It lacks the "again" idea, and students are not normally told to "inspect" their own assignments.
D. return: To give back or go back. This is a different meaning altogether.

Answer: The best choice is A. re-examine.

Tip: When you see a word starting with "re-", think "again". "Review" = "view again" = "re-examine". In vocabulary-in-context questions, always substitute each option into the sentence: "The students were told to re-examine their assignments" makes perfect sense.

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