WAEC 2019 English Language · Question 108

The trader tried to cash in … the customer's ignorance.

Question

choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences: The trader tried to cash in________the customer's ignorance.

A.by
B.at
C.on
D.with

Answer: C. on

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The sentence uses the phrasal verb "cash in", and we need the correct preposition to follow it.

Explain the concept: In English, "cash in on something" is an idiom meaning to take advantage of a situation for profit or personal benefit. The preposition that goes with it is always on.

Examples:

Many Nigerian businesses cash in on festive seasons like Christmas.
Some politicians cash in on the poverty of the masses.

Solution, step by step:

The phrasal verb is "cash in", meaning to exploit or profit from something.
When it takes an object (the thing being exploited), it needs the preposition "on".
Test each option: • A. "cash in by" is not an idiom. • B. "cash in at" is not used with this meaning. • C. "cash in on" is the correct idiom. • D. "cash in with" is not a standard expression.
The completed sentence is: The trader tried to cash in on the customer's ignorance. It means the trader tried to take advantage of the customer's lack of knowledge.

Tip: Remember "cash in on" as if you are putting your hand on an opportunity to grab it. Other idioms that follow the same pattern include "capitalize on", "bank on", and "prey on". In WASSCE, preposition questions often test fixed idioms, so learn them as whole phrases.

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