BECE 1994 English Language Past Questions and Answers

Paper 1: Objectives

Section A: COMPREHENSION

Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow.

1. Why did men not complain about their condition? Because they ......
   1. A. thought fire was too hot.
   2. B. were afraid of Eagle.
   3. C. were satisfied with what they had.
   4. D. enjoyed darkness.
   5. E. did not like water.
   Answer: B
2. Crow released the stolen treasure to the world in the following order:
   1. A. sun, moon, water, fire
   2. B. sun, fire, water, moon
   3. C. moon, water, fire, sun
   4. D. sun, water, moon, fire
   5. E. sun, moon, fire, water
   Answer: A
3. Which of the following actions was a deliberate one by Crow? The ......
   1. A. dropping of water to the ground
   2. B. appearance of violent winds
   3. C. burning of his beak
   4. D. hanging of the sun in the sky
   5. E. blowing of smoke over his feathers
   Answer: D
4. Thrilled in the passage means ......
   1. A. afraid
   2. B. excited
   3. C. surprised
   4. D. thankful
   5. E. popular
   Answer: B
5. Eagle's action can best be described as
   1. A. clever
   2. B. dangerous
   3. C. famous
   4. D. kindly
   5. E. selfish
   Answer: E

Passage 2

Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow.

6. The writer's family were preparing for ......
   1. A. a birthday party.
   2. B. an extraordinary supper.
   3. C. a celebration.
   4. D. their usual supper.
   5. E. a family.
   Answer: B
7. The handsome stranger stopped at the writer's house because ......
   1. A. he did not know the way to his village.
   2. B. he was hungry.
   3. C. it was very late in the night
   4. D. there was no transport.
   5. E. he wanted to meet her family
   Answer: D
8. Their customary generosity in the passage tell us that the parents were usually ......
   1. A. proud
   2. B. strict
   3. C. attentive.
   4. D. kind
   5. E. inquisitive
   Answer: D
9. How many people had their meal in the dining room?
   1. A. four
   2. B. five
   3. C. six
   4. D. seven
   5. E. eight
   Answer: D
10. Which of the following is true according to the order in which the roasted chicken was shared in the passage?
    1. A. head, feet, wings, body, neck
    2. B. head, wings, neck, body, feet
    3. C. head, neck, wings, feet, body
    4. D. head, neck, feet, wings, body
    5. E. head, feet, wings, neck, bod
    Answer: C

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11. Mr. Anang's behaviour can best be described as ......
    1. A. mean and clever.
    2. B. talkative but generous.
    3. C. honest and generous.
    4. D. jovial but proud.
    5. E. dinteresting but fooling.
12. How did the writer's family respond to the way the roasted chicken was shared? They ......
    1. A. were annoyed.
    2. B. wept over it.
    3. C. were shocked.
    4. D. disagreed.
    5. E. wanted to ask questions.

Section B

Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence

13. It is always good to be modest in your demands.
    1. A. cheerful
    2. B. humble
    3. C. pleasant
    4. D. smart
    5. E. truthful
14. There is no need to do rash work.
    1. A. speedy
    2. B. lazy
    3. C. busy
    4. D. hasty
    5. E. funny
15. Kofi spent all his time staring at the madman.
    1. A. smiling
    2. B. shouting
    3. C. laughing
    4. D. hooting
    5. E. gazing
16. This mountain is rather too risky to climb
    1. A. rough
    2. B. steep
    3. C. difficult
    4. D. dangerous
    5. E. broad
17. This thief will have to plead for mercy.
    1. A. beg
    2. B. speak
    3. C. apply
    4. D. stand
    5. E. whisper

Section C

In each of the following sentences a word or group of words has been underlined. Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one that best explains the underlined word or group of words.

18. The students were advised to stop building castles in the air. This means that the students should ......
    1. A. not build any more castles.
    2. B. be serious and realistic.
    3. C. not worry about castles.
    4. D. be serious and hardworking
    5. E. not think about building now
19. Even though I don't talk to her, I give the devil his due. This means I will ...... her.
    1. A. agree with
    2. B. confess to
    3. C. reward
    4. D. be kind to
    5. E. forgive
20. Kwasi is head over heels in love with Ama. This means ......
    1. A. Kwasi looks at his heels when he sees Ama.
    2. B. Kwasi's love for Ama is abnormal.
    3. C. Kwasi can't control himself when he sees Ama.
    4. D. Kwasi is deeply in love with Ama.
    5. E. Kwasi has hurt his head and heel by following Ama.
21. The chief told his linguist not to beat about the bush. This means the linguist must ......
    1. A. not stammer.
    2. B. go straight to the point.
    3. C. not enter the bush.
    4. D. conclude the case.
    5. E. clear the bush.
22. When mother returned, Kwame let the cat out of the bag. This means that Kwame ......
    1. A. told mother to go out.
    2. B. took the cat from the bag.
    3. C. told mother what had happened.
    4. D. removed the cat from the bag.
    5. E. told mother he had a cat in his bag.

Section D

From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word underlined in each sentence.

23. This room is too dim.
    1. A. lit
    2. B. shining
    3. C. bright
    4. D. light
24. This baby is very energetic for his age.
    1. A. dull
    2. B. simple
    3. C. bulky
    4. D. tall
25. The flower is made from artificial materials.
    1. A. natural
    2. B. preserved
    3. C. wonderful
    4. D. new
26. All the accused persons were convicted.
    1. A. executed
    2. B. identified
    3. C. addressed
    4. D. freed
27. There are guards on our border because the government wants to eliminate smuggling.
    1. A. notice
    2. B. encourage
    3. C. manage with
    4. D. investigate

Section E

From the alternatives lettered A to D, choose the one which most suitably completes each sentence.

28. It all depends ...... your being hardworking.
    1. A. by
    2. B. with
    3. C. in
    4. D. upon
29. We should always be proud ...... our motherland.
    1. A. in
    2. B. of
    3. C. for
    4. D. by
30. ...... hearing the news, he jumped high for joy.
    1. A. Over
    2. B. On
    3. C. With
    4. D. In
31. A thief was caught ...... the house yesterday.
    1. A. through
    2. B. up
    3. C. outside
    4. D. over
32. I object ...... your joining our school team.
    1. A. to
    2. B. by
    3. C. at
    4. D. on
33. The lady did not see ...... in the house.
    1. A. somebody
    2. B. no one
    3. C. anybody
    4. D. someone
34. This is the book ...... I picked from the floor.
    1. A. whom
    2. B. whose
    3. C. what
    4. D. which
35. The man ...... house was burnt down is in hospital.
    1. A. who's
    2. B. whom
    3. C. whose
    4. D. which
36. ...... boys are very happy with the toys.
    1. A. They
    2. B. These
    3. C. That
    4. D. This
37. Have a bottle of coke, will you? No, ......
    1. A. I don't
    2. B. please
    3. C. thank you
    4. D. I won't
38. Let's go out and play, ......?
    1. A. shall we
    2. B. do we
    3. C. will we
    4. D. would we
39. Kofi will not meet his father at home if he ...... not here by 5:00 p.m.
    1. A. was
    2. B. were
    3. C. isn't
    4. D. is
40. The baby needs a bath, doesn't it? ......
    1. A. no, it needs
    2. B. no, it does
    3. C. yes, it doesn't
    4. D. yes, it does

Paper 2: Theory

1. Your cousin has invited you to spend your forthcoming holidays again with him or her. Write a letter to accept the invitation and tell your cousin what you want to see and do this time.
2. Your class will like to visit a very important and interesting place. As the Class Prefect, write a letter to the one in charge of the place and give three reasons why you want to visit the place.
3. You were present when a senior student bullied a junior one. Describe what happened to the teacher on duty.
4. Describe your favourite teacher.

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