WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 68

It would have been my pleasure to accept your invitation but I have to … it because of a previous engagement.

Question

From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence. It would have been my pleasure to accept your invitation but I have to ________ it because of a previous engagement.

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

A.jettison
B.defer
C.suspend
D.decline

Answer: D. decline

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The sentence says the speaker would have been pleased to accept the invitation, but a previous engagement prevents it. The word that fills the gap must therefore mean "refuse." The underlined word is presumably "accept," and the answer must be its opposite.

Concept: Accept means to receive or agree to something offered. Its antonym is decline, refuse or reject. When we turn down an invitation, the correct verb is "decline."

Checking each option:

A. jettison means to throw something overboard or discard it. It is not used for invitations.
B. defer means to postpone. It is not the opposite of accept, and it doesn't fit the idea of refusing because of a previous engagement.
C. suspend means to put on hold temporarily or to hang. It does not fit.
D. decline means to politely refuse. It is the direct opposite of "accept" and fits the gap: "I have to decline it because of a previous engagement."

Answer: D. decline.

Tip: In "opposite meaning plus fill the gap" questions, first read the sentence for its logic ("would have accepted, but..." signals refusal). Then check that the word also works with the object. We decline an invitation, offer or request. Remember: Accept ↔ Decline.

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