Lexis, Idioms, and Structure (WAEC Paper 2)

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Lesson Overview

WAEC English Paper 2 focuses on Lexis (vocabulary), Idiomatic expressions, and the structural elements of English. Mastery of this chapter ensures students can recognize meanings, use vocabulary accurately, understand figurative language, and construct grammatically correct sentences.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

  1. Understand and apply general vocabulary in daily life (home, school, society).
  2. Use specialized vocabulary from areas like commerce, politics, science, religion, sports, and technology.
  3. Recognize and use idiomatic expressions correctly.
  4. Identify collocations and phrasal verbs and use them appropriately.
  5. Understand figurative language: similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification.
  6. Analyze sentence structures, word forms, tenses, and grammatical patterns.
  7. Apply structural rules of English in multiple-choice and written exercises.

Lesson Notes

1. Vocabulary Development (Lexis)

a) Vocabulary of Daily Life

  • Home: furniture, household items, chores (sofa, broom, cooking, cleaning).
  • School: subjects, classroom items, activities (mathematics, notebook, lecture, recess).
  • Society: community, social interactions (neighbor, festival, market, law).

b) Specialized Vocabulary

  • Commerce & Finance: accountant, invoice, profit, stock exchange
  • Politics & Government: democracy, legislation, campaign, election
  • Science & Technology: microscope, chemical reaction, solar energy
  • Religion: worship, pilgrimage, faith, scripture
  • Sports & Entertainment: tournament, referee, choreography, award

2. Idiomatic Expressions

  • Definition: Phrases whose meanings cannot be inferred from individual words.
  • Examples:
    • Hook, line, and sinker → completely deceived
    • Every Tom, Dick, and Harry → everyone
    • Break the ice → ease tension in a social situation
  • Usage Tips:
    • Always match idiom to context.
    • Avoid literal interpretations.

3. Collocations & Phrasal Verbs

  • Collocations: Words that frequently go together (make a decision, heavy rain, fast food).
  • Phrasal Verbs: Verb + preposition/adverb (look after, break down, set up).
  • Practice: Recognize correct usage and avoid mixing collocations.

4. Figurative Language

  • Simile: Comparison using like or as (She is as brave as a lion).
  • Metaphor: Direct comparison without like/as (Time is a thief).
  • Hyperbole: Exaggeration for effect (I’ve told you a million times).
  • Personification: Giving human traits to non-human things (The sun smiled at us).
  • Tips: Identify the effect on meaning and tone.

5. Structural Elements of English

  • Word Forms: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs; singular/plural; tense.
  • Sentence Patterns: Subject + Verb + Object; complex and compound sentences.
  • Tenses: Present, past, future; continuous and perfect aspects.
  • Agreement: Subject-verb, pronoun-antecedent.
  • Prepositions, Articles, Determiners, Conjunctions: Correct usage in context.

Key Points / Summary

  • WAEC Paper 2 tests knowledge of vocabulary, idioms, phrasal verbs, figurative language, and grammar structure.
  • Vocabulary must be accurate for general life and specialized areas.
  • Idioms and figurative expressions enhance comprehension and writing.
  • Structural rules are essential for correct sentence formation and tense usage.

Practice Questions (30)

Section A – Vocabulary (Daily Life & Specialized Areas)

  1. Choose the correct word: The _______ is used for sweeping the floor. (broom / brush / mop)
  2. Identify the school-related word: lecture, invoice, tournament
  3. Select the political term: legislation / microscope / choreography
  4. Choose the finance word: profit / pilgrimage / referee
  5. Pick the scientific term: solar energy / neighbor / festival
  6. Fill in: The referee blew the whistle to start the ______. (match / lecture / sermon)

Section B – Idioms

  1. Hook, line, and sinker means:
    a) A fishing technique
    b) Completely deceived
    c) Hardworking
    d) Careless
  2. Break the ice means:
    a) Start a conversation
    b) Shatter ice
    c) Fail a test
    d) Be angry
  3. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry refers to:
    a) Select individuals
    b) Everyone
    c) Friends only
    d) Leaders
  4. Use the idiom bite the bullet in a sentence.
  5. Explain the idiom cost an arm and a leg.

Section C – Collocations & Phrasal Verbs

  1. Correct collocation: make a decision / do a decision / take a decision
  2. Correct collocation: fast food / quick food / speedy food
  3. Phrasal verb: look after → use in a sentence.
  4. Phrasal verb: break down → use in a sentence.
  5. Identify correct usage: set up / put up / take up a business.

Section D – Figurative Language

  1. Identify the simile: He ran like the wind.
  2. Identify the metaphor: The classroom was a zoo.
  3. Identify hyperbole: I’ve walked a thousand miles today.
  4. Identify personification: The flowers danced in the breeze.
  5. Write a metaphor for friendship.
  6. Write a simile to describe courage.

Section E – Structure & Grammar

  1. Choose the correct verb form: She ______ to school every day. (go / goes / went)
  2. Identify the subject and predicate: The teacher praised the students.
  3. Correct the tense error: He eat breakfast and went to school.
  4. Choose the correct preposition: She is good _____ mathematics. (in / at / on)
  5. Combine into a compound sentence: I studied hard. I failed the test.
  6. Identify the error: There is many books on the table.
  7. Write a sentence using subject-verb agreement correctly.
  8. Recast the sentence in passive voice: The committee approved the project.

Answer Key / Guidelines

Section A – Vocabulary

  1. broom
  2. lecture
  3. legislation
  4. profit
  5. solar energy
  6. match

Section B – Idioms

  1. b) Completely deceived
  2. a) Start a conversation
  3. b) Everyone
  4. Example: He didn’t want to apologize but had to bite the bullet.
  5. Meaning: Very expensive

Section C – Collocations & Phrasal Verbs

  1. make a decision
  2. fast food
  3. Example: I look after my younger brother.
  4. Example: The car broke down on the highway.
  5. set up a business

Section D – Figurative Language

  1. He ran like the wind → Simile
  2. The classroom was a zoo → Metaphor
  3. I’ve walked a thousand miles today → Hyperbole
  4. The flowers danced in the breeze → Personification
    21–22: Accept logical and creative responses.

Section E – Structure & Grammar

  1. goes
  2. Subject → The teacher, Predicate → praised the students
  3. He ate breakfast and went to school.
  4. at
  5. I studied hard, but I failed the test.
  6. many → much
  7. Example: The students play football every day.
  8. The project was approved by the committee.

Chapter 6 Summary

  • Mastering lexis, idioms, phrasal verbs, figurative language, and grammar is essential for WAEC Paper 2.
  • Practice using vocabulary in context and identify figurative expressions.
  • Apply correct grammar and sentence structures consistently.
  • Regular exercises, multiple-choice questions, and practice passages improve accuracy and confidence.

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