WAEC 2021 English Language · Question 5

The office has taken stringent measures to protect its facilities.

Question

choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence. The office has taken stringent measures to protect its facilities.

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

A.suitable
B.right
C.strict
D.complete

Answer: C. strict

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word closest in meaning to "stringent" as used in the sentence: "The office has taken stringent measures to protect its facilities."

Explain the concept: Stringent is an adjective meaning strict, severe, or rigorously enforced. It is often used with words like rules, regulations, measures, conditions, and laws. For example: "stringent security checks" means very strict security checks.

Solution, step by step:

Look at the context: the office is protecting its facilities, so the measures must be firm and serious.
Test each option in the sentence: • A. suitable measures: this means appropriate, but it does not carry the idea of severity. • B. right measures: this means correct, which is not the same as strict. • C. strict measures: this fits perfectly, since strict rules or actions are tightly enforced. • D. complete measures: this means whole or thorough, which is not the meaning of stringent.
The closest meaning is strict.

Answer: C. strict

Exam tip: Link stringent with strict and tight. The word even sounds like "string," which you can picture as pulled tight. Whenever you see "stringent rules/measures/conditions," think "strict."

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