WAEC 2015 English Language · Question 9

from the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the…

Question

In each of the following sentences, there is one underlined word and one gap. from the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence The honour that was conferred on the general has been....

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

A.withdrawn
B.confirmed
C.rejected
D.destroyed

Answer: A. withdrawn

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

The sentence is "The honour that was conferred on the general has been ____." The underlined word is probably "conferred" (the text doesn't show the underline, but "conferred" is the most likely candidate). We need a word that:

is most nearly opposite in meaning to "conferred", and
fits the gap grammatically and logically.

Explain the concept

"Confer" means to grant or bestow (a title, honour, or degree) on someone. Its opposite is to take away, revoke, or withdraw.

Step-by-step solution

A. withdrawn: To withdraw an honour is to take it back. This is the direct opposite of conferring it, and "The honour that was conferred on the general has been withdrawn" is natural and correct.
B. confirmed: This means to affirm or ratify. It is close in meaning to "conferred", not opposite.
C. rejected: A recipient can reject an honour, but the one who confers the honour does not "reject" what they have granted. It is not the true opposite, and it fits the sense poorly.
D. destroyed: An honour is abstract and cannot literally be destroyed. It is not an antonym of "conferred" either.

Answer

The correct option is A. withdrawn.

Tip

In antonym-with-gap questions, check both conditions: the meaning must be opposite, and the word must fit the sentence. Link "confer" with "give" and "withdraw" with "take back". Honours, titles, and awards are typically conferred and then withdrawn or revoked.

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