WAEC 2023 English Language · Question 112

The … scientist has discovered a cure for cancer.

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. The .......scientist has discovered a cure for cancer.

A.brilliant young Nigerian
B.Nigerian brilliant young
C.young brilliant Nigerian
D.young Nigerian brilliant

Answer: A. brilliant young Nigerian

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: This tests the order of adjectives before a noun. When several adjectives come before a noun, English follows a set order.

Explain the concept: The usual order is: Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Colour → Origin/Nationality → Material → Purpose → Noun

A handy memory aid is OSASCOMP (Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Colour, Origin, Material, Purpose).

Solve step by step:

Identify each adjective's type: • brilliant is an opinion (it describes a quality or judgment) • young is age • Nigerian is origin/nationality
Arrange them in the correct order: Opinion → Age → Origin • brilliant → young → Nigerian
Insert them before the noun: "The brilliant young Nigerian scientist has discovered a cure for cancer."

Check the other options:

B: "Nigerian brilliant young" puts origin first, which is wrong.
C: "young brilliant Nigerian" puts age before opinion, which is wrong.
D: "young Nigerian brilliant" puts opinion last, which is wrong.

Answer: A. brilliant young Nigerian

Exam tip: Nationality or origin words (Nigerian, Ghanaian, Chinese) sit closest to the noun. Opinion words (beautiful, brilliant, lovely) come first. Using this rule alone will often eliminate two or three options quickly.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.