NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral English Questions and Answers
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer ALL questions in this section. Read each question carefully before answering. Write your answers clearly in the spaces provided. Support your responses with relevant references to the prescribed texts where necessary. Credit will be awarded for clear expression, accurate interpretation, and a good understanding of the themes, characters, literary devices, and dramatic techniques.
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers
PAPER I – OBJECTIVE TEST (ORIGINAL PRACTICE PAPER)
Time Allowed: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Note: This is an original practice paper designed to reflect the NECO English Language syllabus and examination style. It is intended for revision and is not an official 2026 examination paper.
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
SECTION A: LEXIS AND STRUCTURE
Choose the option that best completes each sentence.
1. If I _____ the answer yesterday, I would have told you.
A. know
B. knew
C. had known
D. have known
Answer: C
2. The principal, together with the teachers, _____ attending the meeting.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C
3. Neither the students nor the teacher _____ aware of the announcement.
A. were
B. are
C. is
D. have
Answer: C
4. My brother is interested _____ learning French.
A. on
B. at
C. in
D. with
Answer: C
5. The manager asked us to submit the report _____ Monday.
A. in
B. by
C. with
D. from
Answer: B
6. We arrived _____ the airport before sunrise.
A. at
B. on
C. in
D. into
Answer: A
7. She speaks English more fluently _____ her sister.
A. from
B. than
C. with
D. to
Answer: B
8. The committee _____ its report yesterday.
A. submit
B. submitted
C. submitting
D. submits
Answer: B
9. The boy denied _____ the window.
A. break
B. broke
C. breaking
D. to break
Answer: C
10. Hardly had the rain started _____ the electricity went off.
A. than
B. when
C. before
D. while
Answer: B
11. The new policy will benefit everyone, _____?
A. won’t it
B. isn’t it
C. doesn’t it
D. will it
Answer: A
12. He is one of the best players _____ our school.
A. at
B. among
C. in
D. into
Answer: C
13. The information _____ useful to the investigators.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C
14. We have lived here _____ five years.
A. since
B. from
C. for
D. during
Answer: C
15. She prefers tea _____ coffee.
A. than
B. over
C. to
D. with
Answer: C
SECTION B: VOCABULARY
16. Choose the word nearest in meaning to “diligent.”
A. Lazy
B. Careful
C. Hardworking
D. Slow
Answer: C
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers
17. Choose the word opposite in meaning to “scarcity.”
A. Poverty
B. Plenty
C. Need
D. Famine
Answer: B
18. A person who writes dictionaries is called a
A. Biographer
B. Lexicographer
C. Novelist
D. Journalist
Answer: B
19. Choose the correctly spelt word.
A. Accomodation
B. Accommodation
C. Acommodation
D. Accommondation
Answer: B
20. The opposite of “expand” is
A. Increase
B. Enlarge
C. Contract
D. Stretch
Answer: C
21. Which word best completes the sentence?
“The athlete displayed great _____ during the competition.”
A. endurance
B. jealous
C. educate
D. sickness
Answer: A
22. The word “transparent” means
A. difficult to understand
B. able to be seen through
C. dangerous
D. expensive
Answer: B
23. The synonym of “commence” is
A. stop
B. begin
C. delay
D. conclude
Answer: B
24. Choose the odd word.
A. Mango
B. Orange
C. Banana
D. Carrot
Answer: D
25. A person who repairs electrical wiring is an
A. electrician
B. architect
C. pharmacist
D. accountant
Answer: A
SECTION C: IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS
26. If someone “spills the beans,” the person
A. prepares food
B. reveals a secret
C. wastes money
D. tells lies
Answer: B
27. To “hit the nail on the head” means to
A. strike a nail correctly
B. speak exactly about the issue
C. build a house
D. injure someone
Answer: B
28. To “once in a blue moon” means
A. every day
B. very often
C. very rarely
D. every month
Answer: C
29. If a person “adds fuel to the fire,” the person
A. makes a situation worse
B. puts out a fire
C. starts cooking
D. builds a fireplace
Answer: A
30. To “burn the midnight oil” means to
A. waste fuel
B. sleep late
C. study or work late into the night
D. repair a lamp
Answer: C
SECTION D: LEXIS AND STRUCTURE
Choose the option that best completes each sentence.
31. Had she studied harder, she _____ the examination.
A. passes
B. passed
C. would pass
D. would have passed
Answer: D
32. The students were advised to concentrate _____ their studies.
A. on
B. in
C. with
D. for
Answer: A
33. Everyone in the class, including the prefects, _____ present yesterday.
A. were
B. was
C. have been
D. are
Answer: B
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers
34. We look forward to _____ from you soon.
A. hear
B. heard
C. hearing
D. be hearing
Answer: C
35. The chairman, together with his secretary, _____ arrived.
A. have
B. has
C. were
D. are
Answer: B
36. One of the boys _____ selected for the competition.
A. were
B. are
C. was
D. have
Answer: C
37. Neither the driver nor the passengers _____ injured.
A. was
B. is
C. were
D. has
Answer: C
38. The teacher asked the pupils _____ quietly.
A. sit
B. sitting
C. to sit
D. sat
Answer: C
39. The committee has submitted _____ report.
A. its
B. their
C. his
D. her
Answer: A
40. We have known each other _____ childhood.
A. since
B. for
C. during
D. at
Answer: A
SECTION E: VOCABULARY
Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word.
41. The manager was reluctant to approve the proposal.
A. eager
B. unwilling
C. happy
D. excited
Answer: B
42. The witness gave a credible account of the incident.
A. believable
B. doubtful
C. false
D. brief
Answer: A
43. The opposite of generous is
A. kind
B. selfish
C. cheerful
D. faithful
Answer: B
44. Choose the correctly spelt word.
A. Priviledge
B. Privilege
C. Privelage
D. Privillige
Answer: B
45. A person who designs buildings is an
A. Engineer
B. Builder
C. Architect
D. Surveyor
Answer: C
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers
SECTION F: REGISTERS
Choose the option most appropriate to the profession or field.
46. In Banking, money deposited into an account is called
A. specimen
B. credit
C. diagnosis
D. catalyst
Answer: B
47. In Medicine, a doctor’s written instruction for medication is called a
A. prescription
B. petition
C. quotation
D. receipt
Answer: A
48. In Law, a person who gives evidence in court is a
A. spectator
B. witness
C. juror
D. registrar
Answer: B
49. In Agriculture, young domestic birds are known as
A. calves
B. chicks
C. cubs
D. foals
Answer: B
50. In Journalism, a newspaper headline is designed mainly to
A. decorate the page
B. attract readers’ attention
C. increase paper size
D. identify the printer
Answer: B
SECTION G: IDIOMS AND PROVERBS
51. If someone is under the weather, the person is
A. travelling
B. ill
C. confused
D. unemployed
Answer: B
52. To call it a day means to
A. begin work
B. continue working
C. stop working
D. travel home
Answer: C
53. The proverb “A stitch in time saves nine” means
A. sewing is important
B. prompt action prevents bigger problems
C. clothes should be repaired
D. tailors work quickly
Answer: B
54. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” advises people not to
A. keep poultry
B. expect success before it is certain
C. eat eggs
D. buy chickens
Answer: B
55. “Actions speak louder than words” means
A. talking is better than working
B. what people do is more important than what they say
C. silence is always best
D. speeches are unnecessary
Answer: B
SECTION H: SENTENCE INTERPRETATION
Choose the option that best explains each sentence.
56. “The examination was a piece of cake.”
This means that the examination was
A. delicious
B. very easy
C. very difficult
D. badly organized
Answer: B
57. “James finally broke the ice.”
This means James
A. damaged something
B. started a friendly conversation and removed the initial tension
C. entered a cold room
D. became angry
Answer: B
58. “The principal turned down our request.”
This means the principal
A. accepted the request
B. postponed the request
C. rejected the request
D. forgot the request
Answer: C
59. “Ngozi kept her fingers crossed.”
This means Ngozi
A. injured her fingers
B. hoped for good luck or a positive outcome
C. folded her hands
D. was feeling cold
Answer: B
60. “The suspect was caught red-handed.”
This means the suspect was
A. painted red
B. arrested while committing the offence
C. questioned by the police
D. released immediately
Answer: B
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers
PAPER III
TEST OF ORALS (ORIGINAL PRACTICE PAPER)
Instructions
Choose the option that has the same vowel sound, consonant sound, stress pattern, or intonation as required in each question.
SECTION A: VOWEL SOUNDS (Questions 1–10)
1. Which word contains the same vowel sound as seat?
A. sit
B. set
C. beat
D. said
Answer: C
2. Which word has the same vowel sound as book?
A. boot
B. look
C. moon
D. food
Answer: B
3. Which word contains the same vowel sound as cat?
A. cart
B. cut
C. bat
D. coat
Answer: C
4. Which word has the same vowel sound as bird?
A. bed
B. beard
C. word
D. board
Answer: C
5. Which word has the same vowel sound as food?
A. good
B. mood
C. blood
D. flood
Answer: B
6. Which word contains the same vowel sound as pen?
A. pin
B. pan
C. ten
D. pain
Answer: C
7. Which word has the same vowel sound as cup?
A. pull
B. cut
C. cope
D. cool
Answer: B
8. Which word contains the same vowel sound as late?
A. let
B. light
C. gate
D. lot
Answer: C
9. Which word has the same vowel sound as cot?
A. coat
B. caught
C. hot
D. cut
Answer: C
10. Which word has the same vowel sound as time?
A. team
B. tame
C. climb
D. trim
Answer: C
SECTION B: CONSONANT SOUNDS (Questions 11–20)
11. Which word begins with the same consonant sound as chair?
A. church
B. chemist
C. chorus
D. character
Answer: A
12. Which word begins with the same consonant sound as judge?
A. giant
B. goat
C. game
D. give
Answer: A
13. Which word ends with the same consonant sound as sing?
A. sink
B. wing
C. think
D. bank
Answer: B
14. Which word begins with the same consonant sound as phone?
A. photograph
B. phase
C. fish
D. All of the above
Answer: D
15. Which word begins with the /θ/ sound?
A. this
B. then
C. thin
D. those
Answer: C
16. Which word begins with the /ð/ sound?
A. thank
B. thick
C. this
D. thought
Answer: C
17. Which word ends with the /ʃ/ sound?
A. wash
B. was
C. watch
D. wage
Answer: A
18. Which word begins with the /z/ sound?
A. zip
B. sip
C. ship
D. chip
Answer: A
19. Which word begins with the /ʒ/ sound?
A. measure
B. pleasure
C. genre
D. All of the above
Answer: D
20. Which word contains the /ŋ/ sound?
A. finger
B. singer
C. fan
D. fine
Answer: B
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers
SECTION C: STRESS (Questions 21–30)
Choose the syllable that receives the primary stress.
21. EXamination
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: B
22. eduCAtion
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: C
23. ecoNOmic
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: C
24. poLICE
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: B
25. hoTEL
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: B
26. aBOVE
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: B
27. inforMAtion
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: C
28. photoGRAPHic
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: C
29. responSIbility
A. Second
B. Third
C. Fourth
D. Fifth
Answer: C
30. engiNEER
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: C
SECTION D: INTONATION (Questions 31–40)
31. Which sentence is most likely spoken with falling intonation?
A. Are you coming?
B. Where are you going?
C. Will you help me?
D. Is she at home?
Answer: B
32. Yes/No questions usually take
A. Falling intonation
B. Rising intonation
C. Level intonation
D. Mixed intonation
Answer: B
33. WH-questions generally take
A. Rising intonation
B. Falling intonation
C. Level intonation
D. No intonation
Answer: B
34. “Can you swim?” is best spoken with
A. Rising intonation
B. Falling intonation
C. Flat intonation
D. Circumflex intonation
Answer: A
35. “Close the door.” is normally spoken with
A. Rising intonation
B. Falling intonation
C. Question intonation
D. Hesitant intonation
Answer: B
36. Which sentence usually ends with rising intonation?
A. Sit down.
B. I finished the work.
C. Did you see him?
D. He has arrived.
Answer: C
37. “What is your name?” normally ends with
A. Rising intonation
B. Falling intonation
C. Level intonation
D. Broken intonation
Answer: B
38. Which punctuation mark is most commonly associated with rising intonation?
A. Full stop
B. Comma
C. Question mark in a yes/no question
D. Colon
Answer: C
39. Statements are generally spoken with
A. Rising intonation
B. Falling intonation
C. High rising intonation
D. Broken intonation
Answer: B
40. “Have you completed the assignment?” should normally be spoken with
A. Rising intonation
B. Falling intonation
C. Flat intonation
D. No intonation
Answer: A
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers
PAPER II – ESSAY (ORIGINAL PRACTICE PAPER)
Time Allowed: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Maximum Marks: 100
Instructions
- Answer Question 1 (Comprehension) and Question 2 (Summary).
- Answer ONE question from Section A (Essay Writing).
- Write your answers in clear and correct English.
- Pay attention to grammar, organization, punctuation, and spelling.
SECTION A – ESSAY WRITING (50 MARKS)
Question 1 – Formal Letter
You are the Senior Prefect of your school. Write a letter to the Commissioner for Education in your state requesting the renovation of your school’s science laboratories and library. Explain the current condition of the facilities, how they affect learning, and suggest practical improvements.
Marking Guide
- Address and date
- Appropriate salutation
- Clear subject matter
- Logical organization
- Formal language and tone
- Conclusion
- Grammar and mechanics
Question 2 – Informal Letter
Write a letter to your elder brother, who is studying abroad, describing your experience during the last school holiday and explaining how you prepared for your forthcoming NECO examination.
Marking Guide
- Friendly tone
- Correct informal letter format
- Relevant details
- Good paragraphing
- Correct grammar
Question 3 – Article Writing
Write an article for publication in your school magazine on the topic:
“The Importance of Digital Skills for Secondary School Students.”
Your article should discuss:
- Essential digital skills
- Benefits to students
- Possible dangers of misuse
- Recommendations for responsible use
Marking Guide
- Suitable title
- Logical organization
- Balanced discussion
- Clear conclusion
- Appropriate language
Question 4 – Speech Writing
As the Head Prefect, prepare a speech to be delivered during your school’s assembly on the topic:
“Discipline as the Foundation of Academic Excellence.”
Discuss:
- The meaning of discipline
- Importance in school
- Consequences of indiscipline
- Ways students can cultivate self-discipline
Marking Guide
- Proper salutation
- Introduction
- Development of ideas
- Persuasive conclusion
- Appropriate speech style
Question 5 – Narrative Essay
Write a story that ends with the statement:
“That experience changed my life forever.”
OR
Question 6 – Descriptive Essay
Describe a memorable cultural festival you have attended. Explain the atmosphere, activities, people, and what made the occasion unforgettable.
Marking Guide
- Originality
- Organization
- Rich vocabulary
- Appropriate tense
- Effective conclusion
NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral English Questions and Answers
SECTION B – COMPREHENSION (20 MARKS)
Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Passage
The rapid growth of technology has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life. Students can now attend online classes, conduct research through digital libraries, and communicate instantly with teachers and classmates. While these developments have created new opportunities for learning, they have also introduced fresh challenges.
One major concern is distraction. Many students spend more time on entertainment than on academic work. Social media platforms, online games, and streaming services compete for their attention, reducing the time available for meaningful study. Without proper self-discipline, technology can become more of a hindrance than a benefit.
Despite these challenges, technology remains an indispensable educational tool. Teachers can present lessons using multimedia resources, students can collaborate on projects regardless of location, and educational materials are more accessible than ever before. The key lies in using technology responsibly and purposefully.
Ultimately, success in the digital age depends not only on access to technological devices but also on the ability to use them wisely. Students who combine digital skills with discipline, critical thinking, and good study habits are better prepared for higher education and the modern workplace.
Answer the Following Questions
(a)
Why does the writer consider technology indispensable to education?
Model Answer
Because it provides access to learning resources, enables collaboration, improves teaching through multimedia, and supports research and communication.
(b)
According to the passage, what is one major disadvantage of technology?
Model Answer
It can distract students through social media, online games, and entertainment, reducing study time.
(c)
Identify two qualities students need to succeed in the digital age.
Model Answer
- Self-discipline
- Critical thinking
(Also acceptable: good study habits, responsible use of technology.)
(d)
What does the expression “indispensable educational tool” mean as used in the passage?
Model Answer
An educational resource that is essential and very important.
(e)
For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same as it is used in the passage.
i. transformed
ii. opportunities
iii. distraction
iv. accessible
v. responsibly
Suggested Answers
i. changed
ii. chances
iii. interruption
iv. available
v. carefully
SECTION C – SUMMARY (30 MARKS)
Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Passage
Reading remains one of the most valuable habits a student can develop. Regular reading improves vocabulary, enhances comprehension, strengthens critical thinking, and broadens general knowledge. Students who read consistently often perform better in examinations because they understand questions more easily and express their ideas more clearly.
Unfortunately, many students now spend more time on entertainment than on reading. Television, social media, and online games consume hours that could have been devoted to study. As a result, reading habits have declined in many schools.
Parents, teachers, and school administrators all have important roles to play in reversing this trend. Schools should establish functional libraries, encourage reading competitions, and create reading clubs. Parents should provide books at home and monitor their children’s reading habits. Students must also develop personal discipline by setting aside regular time for reading every day.
Summary Questions
(a)
In two sentences, summarize the benefits of regular reading.
Expected Points
- Improves vocabulary.
- Enhances comprehension.
- Develops critical thinking.
- Broadens knowledge.
- Improves examination performance.
(b)
In two sentences, summarize the measures that can improve students’ reading habits.
Expected Points
- Schools should provide libraries and reading programmes.
- Parents should encourage reading and provide books.
- Students should cultivate disciplined daily reading habits.
SUGGESTED MARKING SCHEME
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing | 50 |
| Comprehension | 20 |
| Summary | 30 |
| Total | 100 |
Essay Assessment Breakdown
| Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|
| Content | 10 |
| Organization | 10 |
| Expression | 20 |
| Mechanical Accuracy (Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation) | 10 |
This practice paper is designed to reflect the skills assessed in NECO English Language: effective communication, coherent organization of ideas, accurate grammar, reading comprehension, and concise summary writing.
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