BECE 2011 English Language Past Questions and Answers

Paper 1: Objectives

Section A: LEXIS AND STRUCTURE

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

1. The jury acquitted the man ............ murder.
   1. A. from
   2. B. of
   3. C. on
   4. D. with
   Answer: B
2. Ama's essay is superior ............ that of Adzo.
   1. A. from
   2. B. over
   3. C. than
   4. D. to
   Answer: D
3. I would study hard for the examination if I ............ you.
   1. A. am
   2. B. be
   3. C. was
   4. D. were
   Answer: D
4. I cannot tell you ............
   1. A. what about the story is.
   2. B. what about is the story.
   3. C. what is the story about.
   4. D. what the story is about.
   Answer: D
5. That troublesome friend of ............ is here again.
   1. A. he
   2. B. him
   3. C. his
   4. D. himself
   Answer: C
6. I told you to leave my office, ............ I
   1. A. aren't
   2. B. didn't
   3. C. don't
   4. D. wasn't
   Answer: B
7. Kofi traveled five days ............
   1. A. ago.
   2. B. hence.
   3. C. now.
   4. D. since.
   Answer: A
8. Kwame's uncle, with his three friends, ............ coming home tomorrow.
   1. A. are
   2. B. is
   3. C. were
   4. D. would be
   Answer: B
9. I am afraid I cannot make you ............
   1. A. in
   2. B. on
   3. C. out
   4. D. up
   Answer: C
10. The plane takes ............ at noon.
    1. A. from
    2. B. of
    3. C. off
    4. D. to
    Answer: C

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11. Please, can I have ............ salt in my soup?
    1. A. little more
    2. B. a few more
    3. C. a little more
    4. D. few more
12. I wish I ............ my friend next week.
    1. A. can visit
    2. B. am visiting
    3. C. shall visit
    4. D. could visit
13. By September 2007, I ............ school for nine years.
    1. A. had attended
    2. B. have attended
    3. C. have been attending
    4. D. shall have attended
14. ............ Aso runs short of money, what would she do?
    1. A. If
    2. B. In case
    3. C. Should
    4. D. Were
15. Human beings will not live forever, ............
    1. A. will they
    2. B. isn't it
    3. C. does it
    4. D. shall they
16. I saw Esi ............ a new pair of shoes.
    1. A. bought
    2. B. buy
    3. C. buys
    4. D. to buy
17. Let us have a cup of tea, ............?
    1. A. do we
    2. B. shall we
    3. C. should we
    4. D. would we

Section B

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

18. The headteacher's arrival in the classroom was sudden.
    1. A. quick
    2. B. strange
    3. C. unexpected
    4. D. unusual
19. It is rude to talk loudly in the presence of elderly people.
    1. A. impolite
    2. B. incorrect
    3. C. improper
    4. D. unwise
20. The pupils grumbled about the assignment.
    1. A. bothered
    2. B. complained
    3. C. talked
    4. D. questioned
21. The victim could not identify the thief.
    1. A. discover
    2. B. find
    3. C. know
    4. D. recognize
22. Armed robbery is a very risky undertaking.
    1. A. dangerous
    2. B. dreadful
    3. C. unacceptable
    4. D. uncertain

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.

23. For all his brilliance, Kofi could not solve the problem. This means that Kofi failed to solve the problem
    1. A. as he was clever enough.
    2. B. even though he was clever.
    3. C. as he was too clever.
    4. D. for he was still clever.
24. The manager's decision on the matter is cut and dried. This means that the manager's decision is
    1. A. clear.
    2. B. simple.
    3. C. unchangeable.
    4. D. unknown.
25. Abla made an ass of herself at the party. This means that Abla behaved
    1. A. foolishly.
    2. B. shamefully.
    3. C. uncontrollably.
    4. D. unpleasantly.
26. In spite of his boasting, Mensah proved to be a chicken-hearted fellow. This means that Mensah was
    1. A. cowardly.
    2. B. mean.
    3. C. stupid.
    4. D. weak.
27. Efua can always talk her way out of trouble. This means that Efua
    1. A. is troublesome.
    2. B. can defend herself.
    3. C. can avoid trouble.
    4. D. is talkative.

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.

28. My friend welcomed my suggestion.
    1. A. changed
    2. B. discussed
    3. C. disliked
    4. D. rejected
29. Unlike her sister, Ackah is stingy.
    1. A. friendly
    2. B. generous
    3. C. selfless
    4. D. sympathetic
30. Serwaa's dress was decent.
    1. A. dirty.
    2. B. old.
    3. C. shabby.
    4. D. ugly.
31. It is compulsory for all pupils to be in school uniform for the ceremony.
    1. A. considerate
    2. B. optional
    3. C. unnecessary
    4. D. expected
32. Aminata is boastful about her beauty.
    1. A. careless
    2. B. humble
    3. C. modest
    4. D. uneasy

Section E

From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that correctly answers each question or completes the sentence.

33. A metaphor achieves the same effects as a/an ............
    1. A. alliteration.
    2. B. metonymy.
    3. C. paradox.
    4. D. simile.
34. One of the following gives a clue to a character's nature:
    1. A. what he thinks.
    2. B. how he feels.
    3. C. what he says.
    4. D. how he moves about.
35. The fair breeze blew; the white foam flew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that burst Into the silent sea.
    
    The dominant sound device used in the extract is.............
    1. A. alliteration.
    2. B. onomatopoeia.
    3. C. pun.
    4. D. rhyme.
36. The fair breeze blew; the white foam flew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that burst Into the silent sea.
    
    The device in the extract helps to express the............
    1. A. silence of the sea.
    2. B. smoothness of the movement.
    3. C. whiteness of the foam.
    4. D. fairness of the weather.
37. A good novel or play both entertain and............
    1. A. condemns.
    2. B. preaches.
    3. C. teaches
    4. D. warns
38. A character that develops in a play or novel in the course of the work is known as.............
    1. A. complete.
    2. B. flat.
    3. C. round
    4. D. sound
39. Which of the following best help(s) to develop the plot of a novel or play?
    1. A. Characters
    2. B. Literary devices
    3. C. Setting
    4. D. Style
40. A lyric is usually fairly short and............
    1. A. tells a short story.
    2. B. praises a dead person.
    3. C. expresses thoughts and feelings.
    4. D. is sung to send a child to sleep.

Paper 2: Theory

1. Write a letter to your District Director of Education giving at least, two reasons why caning should be banned in schools.
2. Write a story which ends with the expression: '................ what a dream!'
3. As secretary of the Friends of the Environment club, write a speech you would give to the students of your school on the need to keep the environment clean.
4. Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.
   
   Ali set out the house that morning in high spirits knowing well that he was going to meet his childhood friend Kofi. He had heard that his friend was occupying a very high position in a reputable company. Kofi could hardly recognize Ali when the latter entered the former's office.
   
   'So you can't recognize me, Kofi, your classmate, Sikakrom J.H.S? Does money blind people and erase their memory? Can ten short years change you so completely as to make you forget an intimate friend?'
   
   Kofi then suddenly recognized him. 'Sorry, Ali. You've changed so much I couldn't make you out. Please, sit down. What can I do for you?'
   
   Ali reluctantly sat down. He admired Kofi's tidy office and person - the well-groomed hair, the attractive shirt and tie. Ali removed a small bottle from the breast pocket of his dust-covered shirt, poured out some white substance in his palm and sniffed it greedily.
   
   Kofi noticed all that but suppressed his anger. 'I learn that luck has given you great wealth, Kofi,' Ali said.
   
   'Indeed, some people are lucky!' he added, and pulled out a crumpled cigarette and a box of matches.
   
   'I'd rather you didn't smoke here. I keep my air fresh,' Kofi politely ordered. Ali was shocked. 'Hei, Kofi, what a complete change! What bird must have lent you its wings for you to soar so high? Oh, Luck, you can really change people! Just ten short years!'
   
   'Look here, Ali, leave luck out of this. I worked very hard for seven years to acquire a good degree and a job. I never relied on luck for success.'
   
   Questions:
   
   a) What did Ali expect as he left the house to meet Kofi?
   
   b) Why did Kofi fail to recognize Ali?
   
   c) What does the passage tell us about Ali's habits?
   
   d) i) According to Ali, what has made Kofi successful?
   
   ii) What actually helped Kofi to succeed?
   
   e) Explain the following expressions in your own words:
   
   i) in high spirits;
   
   ii) erase their memory;
   
   iii) I couldn't make you out.
   
   f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:
   
   i) reputable;
   
   ii) intimate;
   
   iii) tidy;
   
   iv) attractive;

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