WAEC 2020 English Language · Question 56

We do not accept the punishment … the boy.

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. We do not accept the punishment__________the boy.

A.meted to
B.meted on
C.meted out to
D.meted in to

Answer: C. meted out to

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence is: "We do not accept the punishment __ the boy." We need the correct phrasal verb that goes with "punishment" and "the boy."

Step 2: Explain the concept The verb mete is almost always used in the phrasal verb "mete out", meaning to give or administer (a punishment, justice, or treatment). The person who receives the punishment is introduced with "to".

So the correct pattern is: mete out + punishment/justice + to + person

Examples:

The judge meted out a harsh sentence to the offenders.
The principal meted out severe punishment to the students.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

A. meted to: "mete" needs the particle "out," so this is incomplete.
B. meted on: the wrong preposition, and "out" is missing.
C. meted out to: correct, because it uses the full phrasal verb "mete out" plus "to" for the recipient.
D. meted in to: "mete in" does not exist.

Step 4: Correct sentence "We do not accept the punishment meted out to the boy."

Tip: Remember the pattern "mete OUT to." Whenever you see mete, think of out. It is almost never used alone. Similar phrasal verbs for giving things to people include dish out to and hand out to.

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