BECE Past Questions

BECE 2002 (Paper B) English Language Past Questions and Answers

40 objective questions and 4 theory questions from the 2002 (Paper B) BECE English Language paper. Answers and worked solutions for questions 1 to 10 are below; the rest are free in the app.

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Paper 1: Objectives

Section A: COMPREHENSION

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

When Suzzie’s mother told her that she would attend school in Ghana, she wept bitterly because she had learned that Ghana was a backward country with no good schools, no good roads and little food. She would miss not only her parents but also her friends and wonderful things in America. But her father insisted that she must leave for Ghana because it was necessary for her to learn the culture and language of her motherland, in addition to those of her fatherland if she should have a balanced education. So, Suzzie left for school in Ghana. Suzzie had been enrolled in international school for only a year, but she already had a lot of influence on her schoolmates. Her arrival on the first day had caused much excitement. Although her mother was black, her skin was as white as her father’s. In fact, she was the only white girl in the school and this attracted many of the girls to her, while some of the boys avoided her. In the early days, her mates found it difficult to understand her American brand of English while she also wondered how they could so easily dance to the beat of the local drums. But as time passed they learned from one another and Suzzie’s white skin ceased to be odd. They ate together, played together, and enjoyed school together. Soon Suzzie began to dread the thought that she might be asked to go back to her parents. She had become a complete Ghanaian and hoped they would not ask her to return to America.
  1. Suzzie did not want to leave America because she believed that ......
    1. A. Ghana was not her country.
    2. B. She would not be accepted.
    3. C. She might not be able to return to America.
    4. D. Ghana was under developed.
    Answer: D
  2. Which of the following is true?
    1. A. The boys did not like Suzzie.
    2. B. Suzzie was eager to make friends.
    3. C. Suzzie enjoyed Ghana very much.
    4. D. Suzzie was anxious to return to her fatherland.
    Answer: C
  3. Odd in the passage means ......
    1. A. Strange.
    2. B. Bad.
    3. C. Beautiful.
    4. D. Natural.
    Answer: A
  4. From the passage, we learned that ......
    1. A. Suzzie's parents wanted her to return to Ghana.
    2. B. Suzzie's mates found dancing difficult.
    3. C. Suzzie's parents wanted her to have a good education.
    4. D. Suzzie was eager to return to her fatherland.
    Answer: C
  5. Suzzie and her classmates learnt to ......
    1. A. Play the drums.
    2. B. Live in harmony.
    3. C. Like the country.
    4. D. Dance together.
    Answer: B

Passage 2

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

Boham woke up from a deep sleep in a hospital bed. A young doctor was examining him while another man stood near. A nurse was also beside his bed. Boham looked at the doctor, then gazed painfully at the other man who he gradually but happily recognized as Kankam, his own brother. 'Brother, what has happened? Why am I here?' 'Calm down, I’ll tell you.' 'Then do so, at once!' 'Listen, brother, the results of the lotto draw gave you a great shock as you and Joe had stalked heavily. The tension that had been built in you before the announcement made you faint on hearing the winning numbers. Luckily, a good Samaritan brought you to this hospital.' 'And Joe? Where's he, then?' 'Joe went crazy upon hearing the results. He walked up and down the streets like a madman and got himself into some trouble.' 'How? What trouble?' 'As Joe walked about in despair, throwing his arms about, he hit somebody’s breast pocket. Thinking that Joe was about to snatch his money, the man shouted, 'Thief! Thief!' Joe was instantly surrounded by many people who took him for a pick-pocket and nearly lynched him. A policeman intervened, arrested and sent him to the police station where he is still being detained for his own safety.'
  1. Boham was in hospital because he had ......
    1. A. suddenly fallen ill.
    2. B. fallen into a deep sleep.
    3. C. fainted upon hearing the news.
    4. D. been under severe tension.
    Answer: C
  2. Boham could not at first recognize his brother because ......
    1. A. he was still in great pain.
    2. B. the doctor was examining him.
    3. C. he had not woken up fully.
    4. D. he had not totally regained consciousness.
    Answer: D
  3. Joe was in trouble because he had ......
    1. A. been walking about the streets.
    2. B. heard a man shout, 'Thief, thief!!'.
    3. C. been suspected of attempting to steal money.
    4. D. thrown his arms about carelessly.
    Answer: C
  4. A policeman saved Joe from possible death by ......
    1. A. taking him away.
    2. B. warning him.
    3. C. beating him.
    4. D. pleading with his attackers.
    Answer: A
  5. The word lynched means to be killed ......
    1. A. slowly.
    2. B. for stealing.
    3. C. instantly.
    4. D. without a trial.
    Answer: D

Section B

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

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    1. The priest resisted the temptation to steal.
      1. A. withheld
      2. B. refused
      3. C. withstood
      4. D. refuted
    2. The man was irritated by his son's disobedience.
      1. A. uneasy
      2. B. disappointed
      3. C. shocked
      4. D. angry
    3. The headmaster had the privilege to shake hands with the chief.
      1. A. luck
      2. B. chance
      3. C. honour
      4. D. capability
    4. The excessive speeding made the accident inevitable.
      1. A. fatal
      2. B. certain
      3. C. likely
      4. D. unfortunate
    5. Ama broadcast the rumour about the man's death.
      1. A. spread
      2. B. dispersed
      3. C. revealed
      4. D. scattered

    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.

    1. The boy rather poured oil on the flames with his reply to the teacher's question. This means his reply made the teacher more ......
      1. A. confused.
      2. B. angry.
      3. C. careful.
      4. D. interested.
    2. The harsh economic situation has forced many families to live from hand to mouth. This means many families ......
      1. A. do manual work.
      2. B. live dangerously all the time.
      3. C. spend all their money on food.
      4. D. are unhappy.
    3. In spite of the chairman's harsh words Kwame kept his head throughout the meeting. This means Kwame ......
      1. A. was bold and confident.
      2. B. was alert.
      3. C. remained silent.
      4. D. remained calmed.
    4. Afia rose to the occasion when she was called to give the vote of thanks. This means ......
      1. A. got up promptly to speak.
      2. B. proved she could do well.
      3. C. trembled all over.
      4. D. accepted the offer.
    5. I have heard from the horse's own mouth that he will be transferred. This means that ...... that he will be transferred.
      1. A. people are saying
      2. B. it is rumoured
      3. C. he himself says
      4. D. it has been announced.

    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.

    1. Hunters are always careful in catching wild animals.
      1. A. tame
      2. B. confined
      3. C. calm
      4. D. free
    2. It is compulsory for all citizens to take part in communal labour.
      1. A. advisable
      2. B. optional
      3. C. good
      4. D. unnecessary
    3. The film was so boring that I feel asleep.
      1. A. exciting
      2. B. ordinary
      3. C. disorderly
      4. D. long
    4. The classroom is surprising chaotic today.
      1. A. busy
      2. B. dirty
      3. C. hectic
      4. D. orderly
    5. Our friends gave us a warm welcome.
      1. A. plain
      2. B. calm
      3. C. hostile
      4. D. steady

    Section E

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

    1. There was not much sense in all ...... the man said.
      1. A. those
      2. B. which
      3. C. what
      4. D. that
    2. My father does not object ...... my giving you the book.
      1. A. to
      2. B. on
      3. C. for
      4. D. at
    3. You walk ...... fast that I cannot catch up with you.
      1. A. quite
      2. B. very
      3. C. so
      4. D. to
    4. The referee's partial decision sparked ...... the fighting.
      1. A. on
      2. B. out
      3. C. up
      4. D. off
    5. No sooner had my uncle left the house ...... my aunt arrived.
      1. A. when
      2. B. before
      3. C. than
      4. D. then
    6. Have you ever heard Kwesi ...... a lie?
      1. A. to tell
      2. B. told
      3. C. tells
      4. D. tell
    7. John has gone to bed early because he ...... a headache.
      1. A. has
      2. B. has been having
      3. C. will be having
      4. D. is having
    8. Appiah is not playing table tennis today because he doesn't want ......
      1. A. it
      2. B. so
      3. C. to
      4. D. that
    9. She arrived at the party late, ......?
      1. A. didn't she
      2. B. isn't it
      3. C. didn't it
      4. D. wasn't she
    10. ...... as Musah did, he could not get the correct answer.
      1. A. Tried
      2. B. Trying
      3. C. Try
      4. D. To try
    11. The candidates were called ...... turns to meet the panel.
      1. A. on
      2. B. in
      3. C. at
      4. D. by
    12. Only by working hard ...... this examination well
      1. A. a candidate can pass
      2. B. can pass a candidate
      3. C. a candidate pass can
      4. D. can a candidate pass
    13. Your writing is ...... than mine.
      1. A. worst
      2. B. worse
      3. C. bad
      4. D. poor
    14. Our teacher is ...... man that we all like him.
      1. A. such kind a
      2. B. such a kind
      3. C. a such kind
      4. D. a kind such
    15. Ibrahim visited the zoo after he ...... his breakfast.
      1. A. had
      2. B. have had
      3. C. have
      4. D. had had

    Paper 2: Theory

    1. You have been absent from school for two weeks. Write a letter to the Head of your school explaining why you were absent.
    2. Write a letter to your younger brother giving at least three reasons why you like your friend.
    3. Give an account of a memorable event in your life.
    4. It has been suggested that parents should buy textbooks for their school children. Give at least three reasons why you agree or disagree with this suggestion.

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