WAEC 2021 past questions

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 23 October 2026

We hold 864 questions from the 2021 WAEC papers in 20 subjects, each with the answer and an explanation. Below are ten of them, from ten subjects, and then every 2021 paper we hold.

Ten WAEC 2021 questions with answers

1. From the English Language paper

   1.

   From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol.

   /æ/

   1. A
      coat
   2. B
      cart
   3. C
      cut
   4. D
      cat
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   The symbol /æ/ represents the short, front vowel sound heard in words like "man", "bag" and "cat" — the mouth is opened wide with the tongue low and forward.

   "cat" is pronounced /kæt/, which contains exactly this sound, so it is correct.

2. From the Mathematics paper

   2.Find, correct to two decimal places, the mean of 1½, 2⅔, 3¾, 4⅘, and 5⅚.
   1. A
      3.71
      Correct
   2. B
      4.10
   3. C
      4.20
   4. D
      3.72
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   Convert each mixed number to decimal: 1½ = 1.5, 2⅔ = 8/3 ≈ 2.6667, 3¾ = 3.75, 4⅘ = 4.8, 5⅚ = 35/6 ≈ 5.8333.

   Sum = 90/60 + 160/60 + 225/60 + 288/60 + 350/60 = 1113/60 = 18.55.

   Mean = 18.55 ÷ 5 = 3.71 (correct to two decimal places).

3. From the Physics paper

   3.

   Which of the following factors is not among that determines the resistance of a wire?

   1. A
      temperature
   2. B
      color of insulation
      Correct
   3. C
      length of the wire
   4. D
      cross-sectional area
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   Wire resistance depends on material properties (resistivity), length, and cross-sectional area. Insulation color is cosmetic and doesn't affect resistance.

4. From the Chemistry paper

   4.

   Which of the following statements about elements in Group VII is correct?

   1. A
      They all form +1 ions in reactions
   2. B
      Their atomic radii decrease down the group
   3. C
      Their oxidizing power increases down the group
   4. D
      They all have 7 valence electrons
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   All elements in Group VII (the halogens — F, Cl, Br, I, At) have 7 electrons in their outermost energy level. This is the defining characteristic of the group and explains their similar chemical behaviour, including the tendency to gain one electron to form a stable −1 ion.

   Atomic radii increase down the group as more electron shells are added. Oxidizing power decreases down the group because the outer electrons are further from the nucleus and the atom is less able to attract an additional electron. Halogens form −1 (not +1) ions by gaining one electron.

5. From the Biology paper

   5.

   A sample of human blood was put in a test tube and allowed to spin in a centrifuge. The components of the blood sample were clearly separated.
   (a) List the four main components of blood that would be in the test tube.
   (b) Name the component of the blood that: (i) would form the top layer in the test tube, (ii) destroys pathogens; (iii) is biconcave in shape (iv) would be relatively low in a haemophilic condition (v) is produced in the bone marrow: (vi) is a thrombocyte; (vii) is nucleated.
   (c) Mention three chemical substances transported by the blood component named in 1(b)(i).
   (d) List four diseases associated with blood.
   (e) Explain briefly why a disease of the blood could be dangerous.

   1. A
      Red blood cells
   2. B
      Plasma
      Correct
   3. C
      White blood cells and platelets
   4. D
      Fibrinogen
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   When blood is centrifuged, it separates into layers by density. The plasma forms the top (least dense) layer, appearing as a clear yellowish fluid. Plasma constitutes about 55% of blood volume and consists mainly of water (90%) with dissolved proteins (albumin, globulins, fibrinogen), ions, glucose, hormones, and waste products.

6. From the Government paper

   6.

   The action plan by African countries under the New partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) aimed at tackling the following issues except

   1. A
      Strengthening democratic governance and accountability
   2. B
      Addressing infrastructure deficits and building human capacity
   3. C
      Developing Africa's space exploration and satellite programme
      Correct
   4. D
      Reducing poverty and promoting economic growth
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   NEPAD's agenda, adopted in 2001, focused on poverty eradication, economic growth, good governance, peace and security, human development, and infrastructure improvement. Space exploration was not part of NEPAD's action plan. The initiative aimed at attracting investment and development assistance by demonstrating African ownership of a reform programme, not at technological prestige projects like space missions.

7. From the Economics paper

   7.

   A measure that can be adopted to correct a country's balance of payments deficit is ____________

   1. A
      increasing government expenditure to stimulate domestic demand for imports
   2. B
      expanding the money supply to lower the cost of credit for importers
   3. C
      reducing interest rates to encourage more consumer borrowing and spending
   4. D
      devaluing the domestic currency to make exports cheaper and imports more expensive
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   A balance of payments deficit means the country is spending more on foreign goods, services, and capital outflows than it is receiving. Devaluation corrects this by:

   • Making exports cheaper for foreign buyers → increasing export demand and foreign exchange earnings.
   • Making imports more expensive for domestic buyers → reducing import volumes and foreign exchange outflow.

   Other corrective measures include:

   • Deflationary fiscal and monetary policy (raising taxes, cutting spending, raising interest rates) to reduce aggregate demand and hence import demand.
   • Import controls (tariffs, quotas).
   • Export promotion policies.

8. From the Civic Education paper

   8.Paying our taxes and assisting the government in the fight against crime are examples of
   1. A
      political rights
   2. B
      civic responsibilities
      Correct
   3. C
      economic privileges
   4. D
      social entitlements
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   Paying taxes and supporting government efforts against crime are duties expected of every citizen, which is what civic responsibility means.

9. From the Christian Religious Studies paper

   9.

   The gospel which states that the spirit immediately drove Jesus into the wilderness after His baptism to be tempted is

   1. A
      Luke
   2. B
      Matthew
   3. C
      John
   4. D
      Mark
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   Mark 1:12 uses the word 'immediately' (Greek: euthus) — 'The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness' — a term characteristic of Mark's urgent, action-packed style that distinguishes his account from Matthew's and Luke's more measured descriptions.

10. From the Financial Accounting paper

    10.

    Net profit of a sole proprietor is transferred to the

    1. A
       Drawings account
    2. B
       Capital account
       Correct
    3. C
       Suspense account
    4. D
       Trading account
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: B

    Net profit of a sole proprietor is transferred to the capital account.

    Because a sole proprietorship has only one owner, there is no need for an appropriation account (that is used where profit must be shared, as in a partnership). Instead, the net profit shown in the profit and loss account is simply added to the owner's capital, since it belongs entirely to the owner and increases their stake in the business.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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