WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 87

It was a long poem, but Rasheed learnt it …

Question

From the words or group of words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences. It was a long poem, but Rasheed learnt it________

A.from memory
B.to memory
C.by heart
D.to heart

Answer: C. by heart

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question The sentence asks which phrase correctly completes "Rasheed learnt it __." This tests knowledge of English idioms, specifically the one used for memorising something.

Explain the concept In English, the idiom for memorising something so well that you can recite it without looking is "learn by heart." Let's check each option:

A. from memory: "From memory" means recalling something without a written source (e.g., "He drew the map from memory"). You recite or draw from memory, but you don't learn something "from memory."
B. to memory: This is not a standard English idiom. The correct expression is "commit to memory," not "learn to memory."
C. by heart: This is the correct idiom. "Learn by heart" means to memorise thoroughly.
D. to heart: "Take something to heart" means to be deeply affected by it. "Learn to heart" does not exist.

Solution "It was a long poem, but Rasheed learnt it by heart."

This makes sense because the sentence stresses that the poem was long, yet he still managed to memorise it fully.

Answer: C. by heart

Exam tip Remember these idiom pairs:

learn by heart = memorise
commit to memory = memorise
say/draw from memory = recall without notes
take to heart = be deeply affected

If you see "learn" in the sentence, look for "by heart."

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