Mr Uche was trying to … a list of his debtors

Analyze the question: We need the word that best fits "Mr Uche was trying to _ a list of his debtors." The action is gathering names together to make a list.

Explain the concept: This is a vocabulary-in-context question. The key is the collocation: which verb normally goes with "list"?

• Compare means to examine how two or more things are alike or different. You compare two lists, but you don't compare a list of people.
• Compose means to create a piece of writing or music, such as a letter, poem, song or essay. It is not normally used for a list.
• Compound means to combine things, or to make a problem worse (for example, "to compound the problem"). It doesn't fit here.
• Compile means to collect information from various sources and put it together in an organised form, such as a list, report, directory or register.

Solution: Mr Uche is gathering the names of the people who owe him money and putting them together into one list. That is exactly what "compile" means.

"Mr Uche was trying to compile a list of his debtors."

Answer: D (compile)

Tip: Remember the pairing "compile a list/report/record". Words like compose go with letters, songs and poems. In WASSCE lexis questions, think of the word that usually sits beside the noun.