WAEC 2023 English Language · Question 7

following sentences, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it…

Question

From the words lettered A to D below each of the. following sentences, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence Police officers holding batons impounded the banker's car.

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

A.collected
B.banned
C.banished
D.seized

Answer: D. seized

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question You're asked to find the word closest in meaning to the underlined word, which is impounded, as used in the sentence: "Police officers holding batons impounded the banker's car."

Step 2: Explain the concept To impound means to take legal possession of something and hold it in official custody, usually because a law has been broken. For example, a car parked illegally or used in a crime may be impounded by the police.

Step 3: Check each option

A. collected: This only means gathered or picked up. It has no sense of legal authority or force, so it is too weak.
B. banned: This means prohibited. The car was not prohibited, it was taken.
C. banished: This means sent away or exiled, and it is used for people, not objects.
D. seized: This means taken by force or legal authority. It matches impounded closely.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. seized. The police used their authority to take the banker's car into custody.

Tip: In English "nearest in meaning" questions, ask yourself, "Who is doing the action, and with what authority?" Police plus a car points to legal confiscation, so think seize, confiscate, or take into custody. Also watch out for look-alike distractors such as banned and banished.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.