WAEC 2017 English Language · Question 10

The prescribed textbooks are difficult to find in the bookshops.

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. The prescribed textbooks are difficult to find in the bookshops.

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

A.highlighted
B.right
C.actual
D.recommended

Answer: D. recommended

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined word is "prescribed" in the sentence "The prescribed textbooks are difficult to find in the bookshops." We need the word closest in meaning to "prescribed" as used here.

Explain the concept: "Prescribe" means to officially recommend or require something to be used or followed. Doctors prescribe drugs, and schools or examination bodies prescribe textbooks. In this context, "prescribed textbooks" are the books officially set or recommended for students to study, such as the WAEC or JAMB recommended literature texts.

Step-by-step solution:

A. highlighted means emphasized or marked out. Textbooks are not described this way here, so it does not fit.
B. right means correct or proper. A book may be right for a course, but this is not what "prescribed" means.
C. actual means real or genuine. It has nothing to do with being officially set.
D. recommended means officially advised or set for use. This matches "prescribed" exactly.

Answer: The sentence means "The recommended textbooks are difficult to find in the bookshops." The meaning is preserved, so the answer is D.

Tip: Link "prescribe" with a doctor's prescription: something officially advised for you to use. In exams, plug each option back into the sentence and see which one keeps the meaning unchanged.

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