How to Answer Questions on Emphatic Stress in Use of English Exams

It is very rare to see a Secondary School English exam without questions on Emphatic Stress. WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or JAMB makes sure that their objective test questions on Use of English don't get to candidates without the inclusion of questions on Emphatic Stress. That is why students sitting for either of these exams must understand this topic.

Questions on Emphatic Stress are the simplest, but students still fail them. This is because they are yet to understand the topic (Emphatic Stress), hence the need for this tutorial.

Emphatic stress is a stress placed on a particular word in a phrase or clause for clarity or emphasis. In WAEC's, NECO's, NABTEB's and JAMB's Use of English exams, the word that is emphasized or the word that carries the emphatic stress is usually capitalized.

Example:

Tammy's girlfriend is always STUNNING.

In the example above, "stunning" carries the emphatic stress.

How Does WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or JAMB Set Their Questions on Emphatic Stress?

Questions on emphatic stress by these examination bodies take the same format. For instance, you might be asked to choose the option that carries the emphatic stress in the question below.

Tammy's girlfriend is always STUNNING.

A. Is Emeka's wife always stunning?

B. Is Tammy's sister always stunning?

C. Is Tammy's wife always beautiful?

D. Is Tammy's wife occasionally stunning?

How Do I Know the Correct Option in the Options Above?

It is very simple. Since the word that has the emphatic stress is "stunning", the option that does not have "stunning" becomes the correct answer. In the question above, the emphasis is on "stunning", so the answer will be an option without "stunning". Therefore, the answer is C. 

If the emphasis was on "Tammy's", then the answer would be A. If the emphasis was on "wife", the answer would be B. If the emphasis was on "always", the answer would be D.

Things to Note while Choosing Your Answer.

In order to choose your answers correctly, it is very important you take note of the following:

1. Take note of the word that is emphasized in the question. The word that is emphasised is usually capitalised.

2. When choosing your answer, choose the option that does not have the capitalised word. All the options except one carry the capitalised word in the question. The one without the capitalised word is the correct option.

3. You are good to go.

Are you still confused, kindly use the comment box to ask your question(s).

I wish you the best!