WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 105

A group of experts was brought in to verify the authenticity of the evidence.

Question

From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to underlined word as it used in the sentence. A group of experts was brought in to verify the authenticity of the evidence.

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

A.support
B.improve
C.correct
D.ascertain

Answer: D. ascertain

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined word is "verify" (the word is inferred from the sentence, since the underline doesn't show in plain text). We need the word closest in meaning to "verify" as used in the sentence.

Explain the concept: To verify means to check or confirm that something is true, accurate, or genuine. The sentence says experts were brought in to "verify the authenticity of the evidence." This means they came to check whether the evidence was genuine.

Solve step by step:

A. support - To back up or help. Experts checking authenticity are not there to back it up, but to test it. Not the best fit.
B. improve - To make better. Evidence is not being made better. Wrong.
C. correct - To fix errors. The experts are checking, not fixing. Wrong.
D. ascertain - To find out for certain, or establish the truth of something. This matches "verify" very closely.

Answer: D. ascertain

Tip: For vocabulary-in-context questions, replace the underlined word with each option and see which keeps the sentence's meaning. "Brought in to ascertain the authenticity of the evidence" works perfectly. Also remember the related words: verify = confirm = establish = ascertain = check.

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