WAEC 2024 English Language · Question 2

In spite of their shortcomings, we cannot … admire them.

Question

From the words or group of words lettered A-D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences. In spite of their shortcomings, we cannot _____ admire them.

A.yet
B.though
C.but
D.however

Answer: C. but

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question The sentence is "In spite of their shortcomings, we cannot _ admire them." We need a word that completes an idiom.

Explain the concept The expression "cannot but + verb" means "cannot help but" or "have no choice except to." For example:

"I cannot but laugh." (I can't help laughing.)
"We cannot but agree with you."

Here, "but" works like "except" or "otherwise." The phrase therefore carries a double-negative sense that is still correct in formal English.

Step-by-step solution

The blank sits between "cannot" and the verb "admire."
The pattern is: cannot + ___ + base verb, which matches "cannot but admire."
Test the options: • A. "cannot yet admire" means we are not able to admire them so far. This does not fit the meaning "in spite of their shortcomings." • B. "cannot though admire" is ungrammatical. • C. "cannot but admire" means we have no choice except to admire them. This fits the contrast with "in spite of their shortcomings." • D. "cannot however admire" is awkward and does not make sense here.

So the sentence means: Despite their flaws, we have to admire them.

Answer: C. but

Exam tip Memorize the phrase "cannot but + infinitive" (also written "cannot help + -ing"). WASSCE, NECO and JAMB often test this idiom. Look for a blank right after "cannot" and before a verb, and think "but."

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