WAEC Grammatical Name Past Questions and Answers (PDF)

The WAEC past questions on grammatical names and functions in this post are a valuable resource for students and teachers preparing for any English Language test, including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The focus is on questions set in this section of the WAEC/WASSCE/SSSCE and GCE English Language Comprehension paper.

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However, you can use this helpful resource if you’re preparing for any other high school or undergraduate English test from any other country.

We will provide answers regarding the grammatical name and function of a word or group of words in each case, based on the question below. It is what WAEC repeats almost every year.

The question is in two parts.

• What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage?
• State its function.

Definition of “Grammatical Name”

Below is a working definition of the term “grammatical name”.

Grammatical name is the name given to a word or group of words depending on its function and structure in a given clause or sentence.

Whenever it is a single word, your WASSCE question in this section typically asks you to state the PART OF SPEECH of the word in question.

It is usually underlined in the comprehension passage. In this case, you will have to state if the underlined word is a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction or preposition.

On the other hand, when it is a group of words, the regular WASSCE comprehension question here is expected to ask for the grammatical name of the expression.

WAEC/WASSCE RESULT CHECKER

Over here, too, you are required to perform two separate tasks to get your answer right.

First, you must ascertain whether the group of words is a PHRASE or a CLAUSE.

Secondly, you must be clear in your mind if that phrase or clause is adjectival, adverbial or nominal/noun in its function.

Definition of “Grammatical Function”

Grammatical function refers to the syntactic role a word or group of words is performing within a given clause or sentence.

Please note that without any reference to the sentence (the context), you will find it difficult (if not impossible) to identify both the grammatical name and function of a word or expression.

Thus, grammatical function is all about the behaviour of a word or group of words about others in a given clause or sentence.

What I’m saying is this: Avoid the habit of taking the underlined word or group of words in isolation and then struggling to get what its grammatical name and/or function are/is.

Grammatical Name and Function Questions and Answers

TEASER GRAMMATICAL NAME QUESTION:

• What is the grammatical name of ‘legal profession’ in the sentence, The legal profession ranks among the most respected professions in Nigeria.?
• State its function.

SOLUTION:

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the subject of the verb ‘ranks’.

Fun Quiz for You

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Questions 1-20

Study carefully the answers to these grammatical name and function past questions. There are over 100 questions in all. Be sure to get to the end.

Are you ready? Let’s do it!

1. He was full of trepidation as he went to see the head of department, who looked at Alade solemnly and enquired about his parents and his studies. (June 2024 WASSCE English Language Past Questions)

Grammatical Name (GN): Adverbial Clause

Function (F): It modifies the verb ‘was’.

2. Proceeds from the farm would be enough to procure the necessary sports equipment. (June 2023 WASSCE English Language Past Questions)

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the subject of the verb ‘be’ (It is the subject of the verb phrase ‘would be’)

3. After some time, they stopped to ferret out whatever animal was inside the hole. (June 2022 WASSCE English Language Past Questions)

Grammatical Name (GN): Noun Clause

Function (F): It is the object of the phrasal verb ‘ferret out’.

4. When they talked or swore, their minds showed a bright pink. NOVEMBER 2014.

Grammatical Name (GN): Adverbial Clause of Time

Function (F): It modifies the verb “showed”.

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5. Not long after the government’s official proclamation, newspaper reporters had a field day. JUNE 2015.

GN: Adverbial Phrase

F: It is modifying the verb “had”.

6. They needed to buy saucepans and pieces of cloth to prepare for marriage when they returned home. JUNE 2013.

GN: Adverbial Clause

F: It is modifying the verb “prepare”.

7. People who speak the same language feel related to one another. NOVEMBER 2009.

GN: Adjectival Clause

F: It is qualifying the noun, “people”.

8. Here he was, inviting contributions on an issue that was not on the agenda. NOVEMBER 2009.

GN: Adjectival Clause

F: It is qualifying the noun phrase, “an issue”.

9. In the waiting room, he met other applicants for the interview, which had been slated for 9:00 am. NOVEMBER 2015.

GN: Adjectival Clause/Non-defining Relative Clause

10. In Niger, for example, the absence of wetlands has forced the men to break new ground with a fish farming technique which is proving very successful. NOVEMBER 2005.

GN: Noun Phrase

F: It is the subject of the verb phrase, “has forced” (or the verb, “forced”).

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11. What you put in your mouth can change your mood, alertness, memory and clarity of thought. NOVEMBER 1999.

GN: Noun Clause

F: It is the subject of the verb phrase, “can change” (or the verb, “change”)

12. But you have made a sad mistake and must suffer the consequences. NOVEMBER 1999.

GN: Noun Phrase

F: It is the object of the verb phrase, “have made” (or the verb, “made”)

13. Akua was already there, desperately hurling through a window whatever she thought could be salvaged from the pool she stood in. PART OF SPEECH JULY 2003.

GN: Adverb

F: It is modifying the verb “was”.

14. Although the child’s parents are his earliest and most important models, he is exposed to many other potent influences: siblings, television, school, celebrities and so on. JUNE 2008.

GN: Adverbial Clause (of concession)

F: It is modifying the verb phrase, “is exposed” (or the verb, “exposed”)

15. This reminded me of another father I came across many years ago. JUNE 2008.

GN: Adjectival Clause (or Zero Relative Clause: Note that the relative pronoun, WHOM/WHO, introducing this clause is omitted. It should have come just after “father” and before “I”)

F: It is qualifying the noun phrase, “another father” (or noun, “father”).

16. He was not a hard-hearted man who would cherish denying a man in distress a favour, but the deplorable condition his car was in made him behave that way. JULY 2004.

GN: Noun Clause (or infinitive -ing clause)

F: It is the object of the verb, “cherish” (or verb phrase, “would cherish”)

17. Perhaps no other historical figure exhibited this leadership characteristic better than Richard the Lionheart, the twelfth-century English King, who always led his army personally into battles, always maintaining the front position. NOVEMBER 1998.

GN: Adverbial Phrase

F: It is modifying the verb “led”.

18. I only steeled myself for the rebuke from Mr. Nyamekye who never countenanced ill-prepared papers such as the one I had written. NOVEMBER 1998.

GN: Adjectival Clause

F: It is qualifying the noun, Mr. Nyamekye.

19. The community centre was brimful of expectant citizens when the chief came in. NOVEMBER 2002.

GN: Noun Phrase

F: It is the subject of the verb “was”.

20. As she had done on previous occasions, she got out, stood by her car, and donned her poor-defenceless-woman look. PART OF SPEECH. GCE JUNE 1997.

GN: Adjective

F: It is qualifying the noun, “look”. (Note that the word “look” as used in the above sentence is a noun and not a verb.)

Grammatical Name Past Questions 21-40

21. Although some people like talking about the “good old days”, few are ready to give up the many time-and-labour-saving devices that they have come to take for granted. GRAMMATICAL NAME GCE JUNE 1996.

GN: Adjective

F: It is qualifying the noun, “devices”.

22. Here, that truth is that a victim can tolerate the person who actively inflicts an injury on him quite readily, but finds it much more difficult to forgive the bystander who encourages that offender to carry on inflicting his misdeed. GRAMMATICAL NAME AND FUNCTION, GCE JUNE 1998.

GN: Relative Pronoun

F: It introduces the adjectival clause (or relative clause) “who encourages that offender”

23. Apart from his two new cassocks, Father John owned hardly anything to write home about. GRAMMATICAL NAME AND FUNCTION, GCE JUNE 1998.

GN: Noun Phrase

F: It is the object of the verb, “owned”.

24. Yet, it is the only organ that never really rests. JUNE 2013.

GN: Adjectival Clause

F: It is qualifying the noun, “organ” (or the noun phrase, “the only organ”).

25. It was in that room that I met, for the first time, the commander who was to me an independent ally.

GN. Adjectival Clause

F. It is qualifying the noun, “commander”.

26. He pronounced a curse against moving his bones.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the object of the verb, “pronounced”

27. They heard a brief strange noise from the room behind them.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the object of the verb “heard”.

28. I’ve already asked her to show them where it is weighed.

GN. Noun Clause

F. It is the object of the verb “show”.

29. Kindly place it where it is weighed.

GN. Adverbial Clause (of place)

F. It is modifying the verb “place”.

30. The affluent of past decades would marvel at the sheer volumes of money today’s rich people have.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the subject of the verb, “marvel” (or of the verb phrase, “would marvel”).

31. She sidestepped the less important ideas.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the object of the verb “sidestepped”.

32. Those little children in the house need our care and attention.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the subject of the verb “need”. (In other words, it is the subject of the sentence)

33. The regulation of the earth’s temperature remains one key function of the oceans.

GN. Noun Phrase

   F. It is the subject of the verb, “remains”.

34. That definitely is a threat to our environment.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is a complement to the verb “is”

35. Using words to express ideas was not a recent development in the history of human communication.

GN. Noun Clause

F. It is the subject of the verb, “was”

36. Before I could recover from the shock, she landed a second blow on the other side of my face.

GN. Adverbial Clause (of time)

F. It is modifying the verb “landed”.

37. We would sit there, watching the men who had come to beg for favours.

GN. Adjectival Clause

F. It is qualifying the noun, “men”.

38. Foreigners who speak the same language bond together quite easily.

GN. Adjectival Clause

F. It is qualifying the noun, “foreigners”

39. We never thought that he would agree to run the state.

GN. Noun Clause

F. It is the object of the verb, “thought”.

40. It is becoming increasingly clear that if care is not taken, something terrible may happen before she leaves office.

GN. Adverbial Clause (of condition)

F. It is modifying the verb “happen”. (or the verb phrase, “may happen”)

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Grammatical Name and Function Past Questions 41-60

41. If my mother had had more money, she would have assisted me.

GN. Adverbial Clause (of Condition)

F. It is modifying the verb, “assisted” (or the verb phrase, “would have assisted”)

42. If you read, you would pass.

GN. Adverbial Clause (of condition)

F. It is modifying the verb “pass”.

43. It was the most devastating moment for the entire troop.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the complement of the verb “was”.

44. If society could be understood at all, it would happen in later years.

GN. Adverbial Clause of Condition

F. It is modifying the verb “happen” (or the verb phrase, “would happen”).

45. It raised an instant alarm.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the object of the verb, “raised”.

46. The materials last for ages when they are used properly.

GN. Adverbial Clause

F. It is modifying the verb “last”.

47. Using words to express ideas is a primary function of language.

GN. Noun Clause (ing-infinitive nominal clause)

F. It is the subject of the verb, “is”. (or subject of the sentence).

48. They finally agreed to send him to the native doctor who alone knew how to cure lunatics.

GN. Adjectival Clause

F. It is qualifying the noun phrase, “native doctor”.

49. This disease will soon disappear like a miracle.

GN/Part of Speech: Adjective

F. It is qualifying the noun, “disease”.

50. Most human beings use at least one and sometimes two or more languages.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the subject of the verb “use”.

51. The two hands rested gently on the child’s head.

GN. Noun Phrase

F. It is the subject of the verb, “rested”.

52. If he is lucky, nothing happens to him.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Condition)

Function: It modifies the verb “happens”

53. You begin to lose appetite because you automatically feel too full.

Grammatical Name. Adverbial Clause (of Reason)

Function: It is modifying the verb “begin”.

54. They would have escaped easily had a stray dog not given them away.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Condition)

Function: It is modifying the verb, “escaped” (or verb phrase, “would have escaped”)

55. Anyone that had come in contact with the patient went into quarantine.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It is qualifying the pronoun, “anyone”.

56. She was a witness that had no say in the matter.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It is qualifying the noun, “witness”.

57. All they could get from him were inaudible and evasive answers.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the complement of the verb “were”.

58. The plumber whose young wife was pregnant with their first baby came forward.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It is qualifying the noun, “plumber”.

59. Since the beginning of this century,  this relative equilibrium of Nigeria’s agricultural societies has been disturbed.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Time)

Function: It is modifying the verb, “disturbed” (or the verb phrase, “has been disturbed”).

60. If social man is to be understood at all, we must start by questioning the theories about the origin of the human species.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Condition)

Function: It is modifying the verb, “start” (or the verb phrase, “must start”)

Questions 61-80

61. Any health worker that had come into contact with the patient was not spared.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It is qualifying the noun, “worker”.

62. Four years after the incident, she continued to blame herself for it.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Phrase

Function: It is modifying the verb “continued”.

63. An interesting feature of this all is that nothing is allowed to stand in its way.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the subject of the verb “is”.

64. The whole community concluded that I was missing.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause

Function: It is the object of the verb, “concluded”.

65. They told us why they abandoned the idea.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause

Function: It is the object of the verb “told”.

66. Her ambition was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause

Function: It is the complement of the verb “was”.

67. I would like to know how WAEC sets their questions.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause

Function: It is the object of the verb “know”.

68. The good news is you’re at liberty to do as you please.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause

Function: It is the complement of the verb “is”.

68. I mistakenly thought she was mine.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause

Function: It is the object of the verb, “thought”.

69. Salaries paid to workers have been woefully inadequate.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It is qualifying the noun, “salaries”.

70. In the past few months, I’ve suffered a lot.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Phrase (of Time)

Function: It is modifying the verb, “suffered” (or the verb phrase, “have suffered”)

71. These days mark the beginning of her professional blogging career.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the subject of the verb, “mark”.

72. That baby hardly sleeps these days.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Phrase (of Time)

Function: It is modifying the verb “sleeps”.

73. People on the road seem to care very little about the rest of us.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Phrase

Function: It is qualifying the noun, “people”.

74. She then realized how ignorant she had been all along.

Part of Speech: Adverb (of Time)

Function: It modifies the verb “realized”.

75. The goldsmith left it there for you.

Part of Speech: Adverb (of Place)

Function: It modifies the verb “left”.

76. That was a blatant lie.

Part of Speech: Noun

Function: It is the complement of the verb “was”.

77. The atmosphere that now prevails on the campus is not conducive to academic work.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It is qualifying the noun, “atmosphere”.

78. This is all your making.

Part of Speech: Pronoun

Function: It is the subject of the verb “is”.

79. She knows too well that she could have done better.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Phrase (of Manner)

Function: It modifies the verb “knows”.

80. The one who has cheated will not escape punishment.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It qualifies the pronoun “one”.

Questions 81-100

81. That dog believes barking can get it out of trouble.

Part of Speech: Noun (Gerund/Verbal Noun)

Function: It is the subject of the verb, “get” (or verb phrase, “can get”).

81. A barking partner is the greatest enemy of any peaceful relationship.

Part of Speech: Adjective

Function: It qualifies the noun “partner”.

82. Tell me whose cake is the best.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause

Function: It is the object of the verb “tell”.

88. The contestant whose cake is the best will receive a cash reward from the organizers.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It is qualifying the noun, “contestant”.

89. The end of the road was not what we thought it would be.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the subject of the verb “was”.

90. Doing this will take you nowhere.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause (“-ing infinitive nominal clause” – For higher level students of grammar)

Function: It is the subject of the verb, “take” (or verb phrase, “will take”).

91. They simply gave him the lifeline of another man.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the object of the verb “gave”.

92. Manoeuvring a tanker poses many challenges.

Grammatical Name: Noun Clause (Non-finite Nominal ing-clause/Gerund Clause)

Function: It is the subject of the verb, ‘poses’.

93. This situation arises if the head sees himself as a boss.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Condition)

Function: It is modifying the verb ‘arises’.

94. The lorry we caught was old and slow.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause (Note that ‘that’ or ‘which’ has been omitted at the beginning of the clause. The sentence should have read, ‘The lorry that/which we caught was old and slow’.)

Function: It is qualifying the noun, ‘lorry’.

95. These concerns which emerged in the mid-western region of Nigeria have largely remained unresolved.

Grammatical Name: Adjectival Clause

Function: It qualifies the noun ‘concerns’ (or noun phrase ‘these concerns’)

96. If care is not taken, Israel’s surprise attack on Iran will result in World War III.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Condition)

Function: It modifies the verb ‘result’ (the verb phrase ‘will result’)

97. The current high inflation rate may worsen next year unless we take the right steps well ahead of time.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Concession)

Function: It modifies the verb ‘worsen’. (the verb phrase ‘will worsen’)

98. Children who are growing up need more parental care and attention.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the subject of the verb ‘need’.

99. The visiting schools incurred no expenses during the tournament.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the object of the verb ‘incurred’.

100. I called to inform them I had arrived when I got to school.

Grammatical Name: Adverbial Clause (of Time)

Function: It modifies the verb ‘called’.

Grammatical Name Past Questions 101-105

As time goes on, I will add more past questions on grammatical names and functions to this list. I encourage you to return soon for more. Let’s add the rest for now.

101. Then she turned round to the elders and chuckled in spite of herself and her smarting face. GRAMMATICAL NAME. YES. GCE JUNE 1997.

GN: Adjective

F: It is qualifying the noun, “face”.

102. There was an unknown woman, Madame Legros, who ran a small tailoring shop, in France during the French Revolution. NOVEMBER 2001.

GN: Adjectival Clause (or Non-defining relative clause)

F: It is qualifying the noun, “Madame Legros”.

103. In addition to this false sense of well-being, the poor who eventually find their way up the financial ladder do not read enough to utilize the health information available in the media and other sources of information to help them adopt a healthier lifestyle. NOVEMBER 2001.

GN: Adjectival Clause

F: It is qualifying the noun phrase, “the poor”.

104. The courage to fail is a key quality found in high achievers.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the subject of the verb ‘is’.

105. The end of the day always marked the beginning of her anguish.

Grammatical Name: Noun Phrase

Function: It is the subject of the verb ‘marked’.

What to do next

There are several steps you can take to consolidate your understanding of grammatical names and functions. Here are my recommendations to help you leverage these past questions and answers on grammatical names and functions for an outstanding performance in your English Language tests.

You can begin by taking as many practice tests as you can here at AOne English College (AOEC).

Also, access past questions on Reading Comprehension. Study the suggested answers thoroughly so you can give similar solutions during the examination.

Remember that the English Language test paper will also feature questions on essay writing, summary writing, lexis and structure. Therefore, you need to work hard on these aspects.

We provide both free and premium learning resources for all English Language students at AOne English College. Search for anything you want and keep working to excel in your English Language examination.