Standard WAEC Questions on Report Writing

In the WAEC English Language examination (Paper 2 – Essay), candidates are usually given the option to attempt one question from a variety of essay types such as letter writing, speech writing, article writing, story writing, debate writing, and report writing.

Among these, report writing is a very common and important option. WAEC uses it to test students’ ability to write in a clear, logical, and factual manner. Reports are often expected to follow a formal tone, be well-organized, and address a specific audience such as a school principal, the police, a youth organization, or a government body.

Reports are of two main types in WAEC:

1. Newspaper Report – Written as if it will be published in the press.
2. Official Report – Written for an authority such as the principal, commissioner, or chairman of an organization.

Students often lose marks because they mix up report writing with speech or letter writing. To score high, one must understand the correct format and structure.

 

How WAEC Expects a Report to Be Structured

1. Heading/Title

• For official reports: Use a clear heading, e.g., “A Report on the Inter-House Sports Competition Held in Our School.”
• For newspaper reports: A catchy headline, e.g., “Flood Sweeps Away 20 Houses in Abakaliki.”

2. By-line (for newspaper reports)

• Example: By John Adeyemi, Staff Reporter.
• For official reports, no by-line is needed — just start after the heading.

3. Introduction/Opening Paragraph

• State what the report is about, where, when, and why it happened.
• Keep it factual, not emotional.

4. Body of the Report

• Present details in a logical sequence (chronological order or thematic order).
• Cover who, what, where, when, why, and how (the 5Ws and H).
• For official reports, include findings, problems observed, and recommendations.

5. Conclusion/Recommendations

• End with a short, firm conclusion.
• For official reports, give clear recommendations/solutions.

6. Language & Tone

• Must be formal, objective, and factual.
• No slang, jokes, or unnecessary greetings.

 

30 Standard WAEC Report Writing Questions

Here are 30 carefully selected past WAEC-style report questions that reflect the patterns often set in exams:

1. As the senior prefect, write a report to the principal on the causes of indiscipline in your school and suggest ways of curbing it.
2. Write a report for publication in your school magazine on the most memorable day in your school.
3. As a secretary of your school’s health club, write a report to the Ministry of Health on the outbreak of cholera in your area.
4. You are the games prefect. Write a report to the principal on the just concluded inter-house sports competition in your school.
5. As a youth leader, write a report to the chairman of your local government on the causes of youth unemployment in your community.
6. You are a school correspondent. Write a report for publication in a national newspaper on a road accident you witnessed.
7. As the head of a school delegation, write a report to the principal on the educational excursion your group undertook.
8. Write a report on the last Parents–Teachers Association (PTA) meeting held in your school.
9. As the senior prefect, write a report to the principal on the damage caused by a rainstorm in your school.
10. Write a newspaper report on the graduation ceremony of your school.
11. As the secretary of the debating club, write a report to the principal on the just concluded debate competition.
12. Write a report for publication in your school magazine on the dangers of examination malpractice.
13. As the timekeeper, write a report to your school principal on lateness to school among students.
14. As a member of the school disciplinary committee, write a report to the principal on cases of bullying in the hostel.
15. Write a newspaper report on the fire outbreak in a popular market in your town.
16. You are the environmental prefect. Write a report to the principal on the poor sanitary condition of your school.
17. Write a report for publication in a national newspaper on the installation of a new traditional ruler in your community.
18. As a school prefect, write a report to the Ministry of Education on the challenges facing your school.
19. Write a report for your school magazine on the negative effects of drug abuse among students.
20. You are the chairman of the organizing committee. Write a report on the success and challenges of your school’s cultural day celebration.
21. Write a report for publication in a local newspaper on the high rate of traffic accidents in your town.
22. As the library prefect, write a report to your principal on the poor state of your school library.
23. Write a report to the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the football competition held in your zone.
24. As the food prefect, write a report on the poor quality of meals served in the school dining hall.
25. Write a newspaper report on the flooding that affected your community.
26. As the senior prefect, write a report to the principal on the problem of noise-making in your school.
27. Write a report for publication in your school magazine on the importance of extracurricular activities.
28. As a member of the press club, write a report for publication in your school magazine on the annual prize-giving day.
29. You are a youth corps member. Write a report to the NYSC state coordinator on the challenges you face in your place of primary assignment.
30. Write a report for a national newspaper on the successful conduct of elections in your state.

With these 30 WAEC report questions, plus the breakdown above, students now have a complete guide on how to tackle report writing confidently in the exam.