NECO 2026 English Language Objective & Essay & Test of Oral Questions and Answers

Etima Harrison July 11, 2026

1,923 13 minutes read

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

Answer Questions 1–30.
Each question is followed by four options labeled A–D.
Choose the option that best completes the sentence or answers the question.
Each question carries one mark.

REAL ANSWERS LOADING….

JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP https://chat.whatsapp.com/KgIfz9cevVFK6nUwwZn9Cr

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)

Time: 45 Minutes

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 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

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.