English Language · Lesson 6

Sentence interpretation & cloze passages

JAMBWAECNECO

What the syllabus asks

JAMB: Lexis and structure: sentence interpretation, idioms in context, cloze test (filling gaps in a passage)

WAEC: Lexis and structure: interpretation of sentences (literal and figurative), cloze tests (completing passages with appropriate words)

NECO: Lexis and structure: interpretation of sentences (literal and figurative), cloze tests (completing passages with appropriate words)

What you will learn

Explain the meaning of sentences containing idioms and figurative expressions.
Interpret sentences with negatives, limiting words and conditionals.
Recognise tone such as irony and sarcasm.
Use grammar clues to fill cloze gaps.
Use collocation, register and connector clues in cloze passages.
Apply an efficient exam strategy to both question types.

Key points

Paraphrase the sentence in your own words before reading the options.
Decide if the sentence is literal or figurative; idioms are never read word for word.
Watch small words: hardly, scarcely, only, even, but for, no sooner, not until.
Past perfect conditionals describe what did NOT happen: reverse both parts.
Use context to detect irony, sarcasm, hyperbole and understatement.
Eliminate literal, sound, opposite, extra-information and too-strong traps.
For cloze: grammar, collocation, register and logic must all fit.
Read the whole passage first; re-read each completed sentence.

Start here: What sentence interpretation tests

In WAEC, NECO and JAMB you will meet questions like this: "Choose the option that best explains the information conveyed in the sentence." The examiner gives you one sentence and four possible explanations. Only one option says the same thing as the sentence. The others are traps: some repeat words from the sentence but change the meaning, some go too far, and some say the opposite.

The skill being tested is understanding. You must look past the surface words to the message. A student who reads quickly and picks the option with the most familiar words will often be wrong.

Golden rule: before you look at the options, say the meaning of the sentence to yourself in plain, simple words. Then find the option that matches your paraphrase.

Worked example 6.1

"Chidi’s promotion was a foregone conclusion."

A. Chidi was promoted after a long debate. B. Everyone was sure Chidi would be promoted. C. Chidi forgot about his promotion. D. Chidi’s promotion came at the end of the year.

Paraphrase: "a foregone conclusion" is a result that is certain before it happens.
So the sentence means: it was certain that Chidi would be promoted.
A adds a debate that is not there. C plays on the word "forgone/forgot" (a sound trap). D plays on "conclusion = end".

Notice how each wrong option was built: one used a wrong idea of "conclusion", one used the sound of "foregone". This is how distractors are made, so learn to spot them.

⚠️ Common mistake: choosing the option that repeats the most words from the question. Repeated words are often the bait.

Try it yourself. "The new principal runs a tight ship." What does it mean?

Show solution

The principal is strict and keeps everything well organised. It has nothing to do with boats.

A worked routine you can copy

Read the sentence once slowly. Underline any idiom, limiting word or conditional. Cover the options with your hand and write a short paraphrase, even three or four words, on your question paper. Uncover the options and compare each with your paraphrase. Reject options with a one-word reason. Choose the option that matches your paraphrase without adding or removing ideas. This routine takes about thirty seconds once practised, and it protects you from options that look attractive only because they reuse words from the question.

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Practice questions

1. "The new manager is a square peg in a round hole." This means the manager

is unsuited to the job
is very strong
is honest
works too hard

Show answer

A: is unsuited to the job
A misfit.

2. "Ada has a sweet tooth." This means Ada

has good teeth
talks sweetly
has toothache
likes sugary foods

Show answer

D: likes sugary foods
An idiom.

3. "The minister gave the project the green light." This means he

criticised it
painted it
approved it
stopped it

Show answer

C: approved it
Permission to go ahead.

4. "Chidi is all ears." This means Chidi is

asleep
listening attentively
deaf
talkative

Show answer

B: listening attentively
Ready to listen.

5. "The exam was a piece of cake." This means it was

very easy
very difficult
delicious
unfair

Show answer

A: very easy
Idiomatic.

Key words

Interpretation: Explaining the real meaning of a sentence or expression.
Literal meaning: The ordinary, word-for-word meaning.
Figurative meaning: A meaning beyond the literal words, as in idioms and metaphors.
Paraphrase: To say the same thing in different words.
Implication: Something suggested but not stated directly.
Cloze test: A passage with words removed, to be filled with suitable words.
Collocation: Words that naturally go together, e.g. heavy rain, make a decision.
Register: The special vocabulary of a field, e.g. banking, farming, medicine.
Connector: A linking word such as however, therefore, although.
Irony: Saying the opposite of what is meant, or a result opposite to what is expected.
Sarcasm: Mocking irony meant to hurt or criticise.
Distractor: A wrong option designed to look attractive.

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