BECE 2025 English Language Past Questions and Answers

Paper 1: Objectives

Section A: LEXIS AND STRUCTURE

Choose from the options A to D, the one which most suitably completes each sentence.

1. Our dog ...... barking since the stranger entered the house.
   1. A. has been
   2. B. is
   3. C. was
   4. D. would be
   Answer: A
2. Enrolment has increased ...... the new classroom was built.
   1. A. since
   2. B. until
   3. C. when
   4. D. while
   Answer: A
3. To ...... did you deliver the message?
   1. A. who
   2. B. whoever
   3. C. whom
   4. D. whomever
   Answer: C
4. Put the books on the shelf, ......?
   1. A. do you
   2. B. have you
   3. C. will you
   4. D. may you
   Answer: C
5. Amina prepared a delicious meal for her ......
   1. A. sisters-in-law
   2. B. sister's-in-law
   3. C. sisters-in-laws
   4. D. sisters'-in-law
   Answer: A
6. We always ...... the lights before going to bed.
   1. A. off
   2. B. put off
   3. C. put out
   4. D. out
   Answer: C
7. We saw ...... people in the room.
   1. A. a little
   2. B. much
   3. C. plenty
   4. D. many
   Answer: D
8. The laptop is ...... than the other two.
   1. A. expensive more rather
   2. B. expensive rather more
   3. C. more expensive rather
   4. D. rather more expensive
   Answer: D
9. The gardener was ..... old to work.
   1. A. even
   2. B. so
   3. C. too
   4. D. very
   Answer: C
10. The coach advised the two players to cooperate with ......
    1. A. each other
    2. B. each one
    3. C. ourselves
    4. D. themselves
    Answer: A

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11. If it rained, the farmer ...... his seeds.
    1. A. will have sowed
    2. B. will sow
    3. C. would have sowed
    4. D. would sow
12. Although there were ten beautiful bags in the shop, Sandra liked ...... of them.
    1. A. both
    2. B. each
    3. C. neither
    4. D. none
13. Selfish people always consider ...... first.
    1. A. herself
    2. B. myself
    3. C. ourselves
    4. D. themselves
14. Amarh asked Tettey, 'did you see the new student yesterday?' Amarh asked Tettey ......
    1. A. did he see the new student the previous day
    2. B. whether he saw the new student yesterday
    3. C. if he had seen the new student the previous day
    4. D. if he had seen the new student yesterday
15. Had they completed the project before the deadline? ...... the project been completed by them before the deadline?
    1. A. Were
    2. B. Has
    3. C. Had
    4. D. Was

Section B

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

16. His dubious attitude has made him lose all his good friends.
    1. A. deceitful
    2. B. disrespectful
    3. C. untrue
    4. D. unforgiving
17. The boy's account of the incident was elaborate.
    1. A. clear
    2. B. detailed
    3. C. interesting
    4. D. realistic
18. Nobody paid any attention to the workers' demands.
    1. A. agitations
    2. B. complaints
    3. C. objections
    4. D. requests
19. It was forecast that there would be thunderstorm in the evening.
    1. A. broadcast
    2. B. calculated
    3. C. observed
    4. D. predicted
20. Paul purposely left the door open.
    1. A. carelessly
    2. B. hurriedly
    3. C. intentionally
    4. D. occasionally

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.

21. On seeing the angry mob approaching the school, our school prefect told us to take to our heels.
    1. A. hurry up
    2. B. join them
    3. C. run away
    4. D. walk gracefully
22. The two boys have often been at loggerheads with each other. This means that they ......
    1. A. are usually seen walking together
    2. B. have often exchanged ideas
    3. C. have often had strong disagreements
    4. D. usually have the same views on issues
23. I learnt to paddle my own canoe. This means that I ......
    1. A. am independent and need no help from others
    2. B. do not interfere in other people's matters
    3. C. have no help in my fishing business
    4. D. work hard to feed myself and my family
24. She tried to throw dust in our eyes. This means that she tried to ......
    1. A. cheat us
    2. B. deceive us
    3. C. fight us
    4. D. make us blind
25. Aminu is full of himself. This means that Aminu is ......
    1. A. arrogant
    2. B. dangerous
    3. C. greedy
    4. D. quarrelsome

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.

26. He loves taking hasty decisions so he never makes ...... moves.
    1. A. calculated
    2. B. smart
    3. C. delayed
    4. D. final
27. Though we expected ......, the judge handled the case with partiality.
    1. A. fairness
    2. B. happiness
    3. C. patience
    4. D. seriousness
28. The policeman was reported to have concealed the evidence, but ...... it to the Jury.
    1. A. disclosed
    2. B. gathered
    3. C. found
    4. D. planted
29. The minister publicly rebukes his assistant and always ...... his secretary.
    1. A. advises
    2. B. commends
    3. C. embraces
    4. D. harasses
30. Those children think their uncle is miserly yet he is ...... to strangers.
    1. A. friendly
    2. B. generous
    3. C. strict
    4. D. wicked

Section E

In the following passage, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage are four options lettered A to D. For each numbered gap, choose from the options provided, the word that is most suitable.

31. Akuba was trained as an accountant. After graduation, she went out to ---31--- employment.
    1. A. seek
    2. B. request
    3. C. search
    4. D. look
32. She visited several firms but was ---32--- in securing a job.
    1. A. unlucky
    2. B. disappointed
    3. C. unfortunate
    4. D. unsuccessful
33. Afiba, her friend, finally advised her to read the newspapers for ---33--- of vacant positions.
    1. A. advertisements
    2. B. announcements
    3. C. information
    4. D. notices
34. Fortunately, a reputable company was looking for a ---34--- accountant.
    1. A. professional
    2. B. certified
    3. C. skilled
    4. D. responsible
35. Who was ---35--- in financial reporting.
    1. A. proficient
    2. B. specialized
    3. C. knowledgeable
    4. D. competent

Section F: Unit I

Choose from the options A to D, the one which has the same consonant sound as the word underlined in the sentences below.

36. She received a beautiful psalm.
    1. A. shall
    2. B. palm
    3. C. sand
    4. D. page
37. The car sped around the curve.
    1. A. chain
    2. B. cell
    3. C. ciao
    4. D. colonel
38. We won the game easily.
    1. A. giant
    2. B. general
    3. C. gentle
    4. D. goat

Section F: Unit II

Choose from the options A to D, the one which has the same vowel sound as the word underlined in the sentences below.

39. The city grew quieter with each passing hour.
    1. A. bowl
    2. B. your
    3. C. tour
    4. D. owl
40. The queue moved slowly, yet no one seemed to mind.
    1. A. fee
    2. B. cool
    3. C. quest
    4. D. few

Paper 2: Theory

PART A ESSAY WRITING

Answer one question only from this part. Your composition should be about 250 words long.

1. A new curriculum has been introduced for Junior High Schools, but your school offers only a limited number of subjects. Write a letter to your headteacher suggesting two new subjects that should be taught in your school. Give two reasons for your choices.
2. The government has announced the addition of new public holidays. Write an article to be published in a national newspaper on two effects of public holidays on teaching and learning.
3. You once doubted your abilities, but an experience changed your mindset completely. Write your story, ending with the statement, "I will never compare myself with anyone again."

PART B COMPREHENSION

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

4. I was twelve years when I came across the words "loyalty" and "decorum". I asked my father to explain them to me. His explanation impressed me so I resolved to make them my hallmarks. I tried to be as good as my words. Anytime I was rude or showed disloyalty to someone, I promptly regretted it. Soon, loyalty and decorum became characteristic of me.
   
   Having completed Junior High School, my uncle, Gidi, approached my father and requested that I lived with him temporarily as his children were in America in search of greener pastures. With Daddy's consent, I went and stayed with him. However, he refused to let me return to my parents after Senior High School. Why? Daddy impressed on me the value of hard work so I lived up to expectation.
   
   Uncle decided to visit his children for the best part of a year and left his mansion and other properties under the stewardship of Lugu, his security man, and me due to the trust he reposed in us. This notwithstanding, Lugu suggested we connive with some miscreants to burgle Uncle Gidi's house and share the proceeds with them. Though he persistently attempted to persuade me, I never bought into that idea. Eventually, he fled the mansion sensing I might expose him as a traitor.
   
   Uncle returned and heard about Lugu's plan which I did not succumb to and promised to reward me substantially. However, this never materialized until the unexpected happened. His children returned and told me that when Uncle Gidi was about to go to eternity, he instructed them to reward me with a three-bedroom house and a car. All I said was "oh! loyalty."
   
   (a) What is the difference between the narrator and Lugu?
   (b) Why didn't the narrator's uncle let him return to his parents after SHS?
   (c) Why didn't the narrator agree to Lugu's suggestion?
   (d) "Until the unexpected happened" – What do you think happened?
   (e) Explain the following:
   (i) Be as good as my words
   (ii) In search of greener pastures
   (iii) The best part of a year
   (f) Give synonyms:
   (i) Promptly
   (ii) Stewardship
   (iii) Burgle
   (iv) Substantially
   (g) In two sentences of not more than ten words each:
   (i) Summarize a lesson the narrator learnt
   (ii) Give a suitable title to the passage.

PART C LITERATURE

Answer all the questions in this part.

5. AMA ATA AIDOO: The Dilemma of a Ghost
   
   Nana: Yes, I am sitting here. So you thought I was dead?
   No, I am not. Go home, good neighbours and save your tears for my funeral. It cannot be long now ...
   
   (a) Who are the good neighbours?
   (b) Why does Nana think she will die soon?
   (c) Nana is in a/an ...... mood.
   
   KOBENA EYI ACQUAH: A Wreath of Tears
   
   Your funeral was so quiet, and small — almost too small, it is said for a man your stature
   You must have preferred it that way
   
   (d) This poem is an example of a/an ......
   (e) The lines show that the dead person was ......
   
   EVELYN TOOLEY HUNT: Mama is a Sunrise
   
   When she come slip-footing through the door, she kindles us like lump coal lighted and we wake up glowing.
   She puts a spark even in Papa's eyes and turns out all our darkness.
   
   (f) The literary device in 'turns out all our darkness' is ......
   (g) 'Mama is a Sunrise' is an example of which literary device?
   
   ERNEST HEMINGWAY: A Day's Wait
   
   I thought perhaps he was a little light-headed and after giving him the prescribed capsules at eleven o'clock, I went out for a while.
   
   (h) One thing that made Schatz's father think the boy was light-headed is ......
   (i) What did the writer do when he "went out for a while"?
   (j) How did Schatz feel at the end of the story?

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