BECE 2026 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. Your parents are not inferior........ mine in any way.
   1. A. with
   2. B. to
   3. C. than
   4. D. from
   Answer: B
2. After the quarrel, Awo refused to reconcile........ her brother.
   1. A. with
   2. B. to
   3. C. for
   4. D. by
   Answer: A
3. The students will ........ the entrance examination next year.
   1. A. sitting
   2. B. sit
   3. C. set
   4. D. seat
   Answer: B
4. I wish the driver ....... earlier.
   1. A. returns
   2. B. returned
   3. C. is returning
   4. D. has returned
   Answer: B
5. May I have ........ sugar in my porridge?
   1. A. little more
   2. B. few more
   3. C. a little more
   4. D. a few more
   Answer: C
6. Nobody will live on this earth forever, ........?
   1. A. won't they
   2. B. will they
   3. C. don't they
   4. D. do they
   Answer: B
7. The oxen ........ in the field since morning.
   1. A. is being grazed
   2. B. have been grazing
   3. C. has been grazing
   4. D. are being grazed
   Answer: B
8. The neighbour's dog ........ in our kitchen last night.
   1. A. lied
   2. B. lain
   3. C. lay
   4. D. laid
   Answer: C
9. Most people now enjoy ........ by air.
   1. A. travelling
   2. B. travelled
   3. C. to travelling
   4. D. to travel
   Answer: A
10. It turned ........ that he was the Pastor's son.
    1. A. up
    2. B. out
    3. C. down
    4. D. around
    Answer: B

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11. He received a prize .......
    1. A. very first for the time
    2. B. the very first for time
    3. C. for the very first time
    4. D. first for the very time
12. ........ he came late, he was admitted.
    1. A. Though
    2. B. Since
    3. C. Even
    4. D. As
13. A crying baby does not allow its parents ........ enough sleep.
    1. A. to have had
    2. B. to have
    3. C. have
    4. D. had
14. The teacher gave the pupils their marked books.
    1. A. Their marked books have been given to the pupils by the teacher
    2. B. Their marked books had been given to the pupils by the teacher
    3. C. The pupils were given their marked books by the teacher
    4. D. The pupils are given their marked books by the teacher
15. "I can't help you now, but I'll call later," Afua informed Ayuba. Afua informed Ayuba that she couldn't help
    1. A. him then but would call him later
    2. B. him now but would call him later
    3. C. you then but would call you later
    4. D. you now but will call you later

Section B: NEAREST IN MEANING

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

16. The followers vehemently protested against their leader's arrest.
    1. A. loudly
    2. B. forcefully
    3. C. dangerously
    4. D. angrily
17. The agitated workers have planned to hold a meeting tomorrow.
    1. A. upset
    2. B. tired
    3. C. suffering
    4. D. excited
18. It is my ambition to become the President of Ghana one day.
    1. A. decision
    2. B. calling
    3. C. career
    4. D. aspiration
19. Gold trade flourished in ancient Ghana.
    1. A. started
    2. B. spread
    3. C. increased
    4. D. boomed
20. Students should strive to achieve success.
    1. A. work
    2. B. steal
    3. C. endure
    4. D. endeavour

Section C: BEST EXPLAINS

In each of the following sentences, a group of words has been underlined. Choose from the options A to D, the one that best explains the underlined group of words.

21. We should not allow anger to have the better of us. This means that we should not let anger........
    1. A. divide us
    2. B. deceive us
    3. C. control us
    4. D. keep us sad
22. The soldiers' visit to the town kept us on our toes. This means that the soldiers' visit......
    1. A. motivated us to work harder
    2. B. made us run away
    3. C. filled us with excitement
    4. D. caused us to be alert
23. The prefect showed his true colours soon after he was elected. This means that he
    1. A. revealed his real character
    2. B. gave a true victory speech
    3. C. began working very hard
    4. D. became very proud
24. Foli and Asare decided to bury the hatchet. This means that they decided to
    1. A. keep their thoughts and plans to themselves
    2. B. hide their true feelings for each other
    3. C. fight in order to know who was stronger
    4. D. end their quarrel and become friends again
25. Joe is known for always building castles in the air. This means that he always .......
    1. A. has goals that are impossible to achieve
    2. B. expresses his view openly and frankly
    3. C. chooses to travel by plane
    4. D. does things that everyone talks about

Section D: OPPOSITE IN MEANING

Choose from the options A to D the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word to fill the gap in each sentence.

26. The measures put in place by the district assembly have adverse than ....... effects on the traders.
    1. A. profitable
    2. B. positive
    3. C. harmless
    4. D. beneficial
27. Regions with abundant rainfall are different from those having ....... moisture.
    1. A. uncertain
    2. B. scanty
    3. C. reduced
    4. D. negative
28. Their father's broken-down vehicle should be disposed of forthwith instead of..........
    1. A. suddenly
    2. B. next
    3. C. later
    4. D. immediately
29. It is hard to tell when it began or where it ceased.
    1. A. resided
    2. B. remained
    3. C. felled
    4. D. ceased
30. Some exercises may seem easy in theoretical terms but can be really difficult in .......... aspects.
    1. A. practical
    2. B. natural
    3. C. logical
    4. D. actual

Section E: PASSAGE COMPLETION

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

31. Almost everyone in the world today accesses social media. One ---31--- that makes access to social media very easy is the mobile phone.
    1. A. gadget
    2. B. tool
    3. C. facility
    4. D. infrastructure
32. A common ---32--- used is WhatsApp.
    1. A. framework
    2. B. basis
    3. C. platform
    4. D. page
33. One can read ---33--- from friends and family here.
    1. A. jokes
    2. B. messages
    3. C. reports
    4. D. chats
34. One can also watch videos of ---34---, but then, one must have ---35--- connection to enjoy these.
    1. A. adverts
    2. B. serials
    3. C. games
    4. D. events
35. One must have ---35--- connection to enjoy these.
    1. A. bundle
    2. B. credit
    3. C. units
    4. D. internet

Section F: Unit I

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

36. The march to the Revolution Square was a slow one.
    1. A. chap
    2. B. huts
    3. C. heart
    4. D. batch
37. The athletes were fit and ready for the games.
    1. A. whim
    2. B. riot
    3. C. laid
    4. D. heat

Section F: Unit II

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

38. Salts of different textures were on display.
    1. A. stalls
    2. B. sands
    3. C. cults
    4. D. carts
39. Nenyi is good in sprints.
    1. A. skills
    2. B. stints
    3. C. springs
    4. D. shrills
40. "He is here." Which of the following is suggested by using a rising tone?
    1. A. Emphasis
    2. B. Determination
    3. C. Doubt
    4. D. Certainty

Paper 2: Theory

PART A ESSAY WRITING

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

1. You are not allowed to watch television after seven o'clock in the evening, but your favourite programme is shown at that time. Write a letter to your father asking for an extension of the time and give two benefits you will gain from the programme.
2. Your school has qualified for the 2026 National Debate Competition. As the main speaker of your school's debate team, write your speech for or against the motion, "The Basic Education Certificate Examination should be abolished."
3. Your best vacation was when you visited a friend in another part of the country. Describe two differences you noticed between his/her community and yours.

PART B READING COMPREHENSION

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

4. There is a very interesting debate going on in the society. It is between two main groups: the older and younger generations. The former claim that they are not happy with the behaviour and general comportment of the latter.
   
   According to the older generation, the mode of dressing and the mannerisms of the younger ones are appalling. They cite the case of the male youngsters who wear their trousers so low as to expose their pants and waists. They also say that the case of the young females is even worse as they wear dresses which expose their vital parts. This, according to the older generation, usually gets them into trouble. In sum, the accusation against the younger ones is that they lead carefree lives and snub the advice of their parents and guardians.
   
   The younger generation reply all these criticisms rather politely, for obvious reasons. Their argument is that the members of the older generation are not being fair to them. Their main point is that their parents and guardians should accept the fact that times have changed and the days of the older generation are gone. They even make fun of the hairstyles and clothes of their parents and guardians in family albums. However, they are quick to admit that the mode of dressing and haircuts was acceptable in those days.
   
   All said and done, the difference between the two generations will always be there; and it should not create any problem. Parents and guardians will just have to continue to give advice and directions to the young ones to save them from all sorts of vices. The plea of the youth is that the elders should be patient enough to give them good reasons and explanations for pieces of advice they give.
   
   (a) According to the older generation, what could be the effect of the young females' mode of dressing?
   (b) How do the younger ones tease their elders?
   (c) In what two ways do the younger ones defend themselves against what the older ones say against them?
   (d) "the difference... will always be there" What does this mean for the future?
   (e) Explain in your own words the following expressions as used in the passage:
   (i) the mode of dressing;
   (ii) obvious reasons;
   (iii) all said and done.
   (f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:
   (i) appalling;
   (ii) expose;
   (iii) vital;
   (iv) snub.
   (g) In two sentences of not more than eight words each, summarize the accusations against the younger generation.

PART C LITERATURE

Answer all the questions in this part.

5. AMA ATAA AIDOO: The Dilemma of a Ghost
   
   [Next morning: Petu enters with a wooden bowl full of white and oiled oto (mashed yam), Akroma comes behind him carrying a brass tray containing a herbal concoction and a kind of sprinkling broom. They go round the courtyard sprinkling the walls and the floor first with oto, then with the potion. The gong man beats the gong behind them. They circle thrice round the courtyard...]
   
   (a) What are Petu, Akroma and the gong man doing in the extract?
   (b) The extract is an example of instructions called .......................
   
   MERRILL CORNEY: Debbie, Sandy and Pepe
   
   "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God."
   
   (c) Where are the above words written?
   (d) How does reading the words in the extract affect Debbie?
   
   THERESA ENNIN: Makola
   
   "The runny-nose baby at her back is supported with a faded ATL cloth."
   
   (e) Whose baby is mentioned in the above expression?
   (f) A picture of ....................... is painted in the above expression.
   
   KOBENA EYI ACQUAH: A Wreath of Tears
   
   "from the garden of memory
   suddenly blooming as with first rains"
   
   (g) The poem is a tribute to .......................
   (h) What does the underlined refer to?
   
   KAAKYIRE AKOSOMO NYANTAKYI: The Generous Hunter
   
   "Come with me, Mr Hunter," the snake said. Asempa obeyed. The snake showed him a yellowish-green leaf.
   
   (i) How did the yellowish-green leaf help Asempa at the end of the story?
   (j) The literary device used in "the snake said" is .......................

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