WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 52

After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretaion that is…

Question

After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretaion that is most appropriate for the sentence. You must square up to your problems. This means that you have to

  1. A.deal with your problems effectively
  2. B.consider your problems from all angles
  3. C.forget your problems
  4. D.arrange your problems

Answer: A. deal with your problems effectively

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You are asked for the meaning of the idiom "square up to" in the sentence "You must square up to your problems."

Explain the concept: The phrasal verb square up to means to face a difficult situation or person directly, with courage and determination, instead of avoiding it. It comes from boxing, where a fighter "squares up" by standing firm and facing the opponent.

Examples:

  • "She decided to square up to the bully."
  • "He must square up to the fact that he failed the exam and work harder."

Solution, option by option:

  • A. deal with your problems effectively: This fits. Facing problems head-on means confronting them and handling them. ✔
  • B. consider your problems from all angles: This means thinking carefully about them, which is not the same as confronting them.
  • C. forget your problems: This is the opposite of facing them.
  • D. arrange your problems: This takes "square" literally as "neat" or "orderly" and is a distractor.

Answer: Option A is the closest in meaning, since "square up to" means to confront a problem and deal with it boldly.

Tip: In idiom questions, don't take the words literally. Ask yourself what the situation suggests. "Square up to" belongs with other "face it" idioms like face up to, come to grips with, and take the bull by the horns.

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