WAEC 2018 English Language · Question 18

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

Question

After the following sentence, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation that is most appropriate for the sentence. Don't tell me another cock and bull story. This means that the speaker does not want to.

A.be further baffled
B.hear the same old story
C.hear another drab story
D.be further deceived

Answer: D. be further deceived

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

The sentence uses the idiom "cock and bull story." We need the option that best captures what the speaker does not want.

Explain the concept

A cock and bull story is an absurd, far-fetched, unbelievable tale, usually told as an excuse or explanation to mislead or deceive someone. It is not just boring or repeated. The key idea is falsehood and untruthfulness.

Step-by-step solution

A. be further baffled: "Baffled" means confused. A cock and bull story may confuse, but confusion is not its main point. ✗
B. hear the same old story: This suggests repetition, which is not what the idiom means. ✗
C. hear another drab story: "Drab" means dull. A cock and bull story is not defined by being dull, but by being implausible and false. ✗
D. be further deceived: The speaker has already been fed unbelievable, untrue stories and refuses to be misled again. This matches the meaning of the idiom. ✓

Correct answer: D. be further deceived

Exam tip: For idiom questions, focus on the core meaning of the idiom, not just words that sound similar. Remember: cock and bull = a made-up, unbelievable story meant to deceive. Also notice that the word "another" in the sentence suggests the speaker has already been deceived once, which fits "further deceived."

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