WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 40

In the following sentence, there is one underlined word and one gap. From the list of words lettered A to D…

Question

In the following sentence, 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. Success is the reward of _________, not indolence.

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

A.prudence
B.attentiveness
C.diligence
D.sharpness

Answer: C. diligence

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

The sentence is "Success is the reward of ___, not indolence." The word to look at is indolence. We need a word that is opposite in meaning to "indolence" and that also fits the gap.

Explain the concept

Indolence means laziness, or a dislike of work or effort. Its antonym is a word describing hard work or steady effort.

This is a "antonym + fill-in-the-gap" question. The sentence uses "not" to contrast the two ideas, so the gap needs the opposite of indolence.

Step-by-step solution

A. Prudence means carefulness or good judgment. It is not the opposite of laziness.
B. Attentiveness means paying close attention. It is not the opposite of laziness either.
C. Diligence means hard work and careful, persistent effort. It is the direct opposite of indolence.
D. Sharpness means keenness or cleverness. It does not fit as an opposite.

Check by reading it back: "Success is the reward of diligence, not indolence." The sentence is meaningful, and the contrast is exact.

Answer: C. diligence

Exam tip

Learn these pairs together:

indolence ↔ diligence / industry
idle ↔ busy
lazy ↔ hardworking

When a sentence says "X, not Y", the gap almost always needs the opposite of Y.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.