WAEC 2014 English Language · Question 4

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. Mathematics is a closed book to me. This means that I

  1. A.do not have to study Mathematics
  2. B.do not understand Mathematics
  3. C.have never passed Mathematics
  4. D.cannot avoid studying Mathematics

Answer: B. do not understand Mathematics

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence "Mathematics is a closed book to me" uses an idiom. We need to find what it means.

Step 2: Explain the concept The idiom "a closed book to someone" means a subject or thing that the person knows nothing about or cannot understand. Think of it literally: a book that is closed cannot be read, so its contents stay a mystery to you.

Step 3: Test each option

  • A. do not have to study Mathematics: The idiom says nothing about obligation or necessity. Wrong.
  • B. do not understand Mathematics: This matches the idiom, since the subject is a mystery to the speaker. Correct.
  • C. have never passed Mathematics: This is about exam results. Someone could fail and still understand the subject, or pass without deep understanding. The idiom is about understanding, not results. Wrong.
  • D. cannot avoid studying Mathematics: This is about compulsion, not understanding. Wrong.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. do not understand Mathematics.

Tip: In idiom questions, picture the literal image first. A closed book cannot be read, so the subject is not understood. Compare the related idiom "an open book," which means someone or something that is easy to understand and has nothing hidden.

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