BECE 2011 English Language Past Questions

PART I

LEXIS AND STRUCTURE
SECTION A
1 - 17
From the alternatives lettered A to D, choose the one which most suitably completes each sentence.

1. The jury acquitted the man .... murder.
A. from
B. of
C. on
D. with

2. Ama’s essay is superior.... that of Adzo.
A. from
B. over
C. than
D. to

3. I would study hard for the examination if I....you.
A. am
B. be
C. was
D. were

4. I cannot tell you....
A. what about the story is
B. what about is the story
C. what about what is the story about
D. what the story is about

5. That troublesome friend of .... is here again.
A. he
B. him
C. his
D. himself

6. I told you to leave my office,....I?
A. aren’t
B. didn’t
C. don’t
D. wasn’t

7. Kofi travelled five days....
A. ago
B. hence
C. now
D. since

8. Kwame’s uncle, with his three friends, .... coming home tomorrow
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. would be

9. I am afraid I cannot make you ....
A. in
B. on
C. out
D. up

10. Please, can I have .... salt in my soup?
A. from
B. of
C. off
D. to

11. Please, can I have .... salt in my soup?
A. little more
B. a few more
C. a little more
D. few more

12. I wish I .... my friend next week
A. can visit
B. am visiting
C. shall visit
D. could visit

13. By September 2007, I.... school for nine years.
A. had attended
B. have attended
C. have been attending
D. shall have attended

14. .... Aso runs short of money, what would she do?
A. If
B. in case
C. Should
D. Were

15. Human beings will not live forever, ....?
A. will they
B. isn’t it
C. does it
D. shall they

16. I saw Esi .... a new pair of shoes.
A. bought
B. buy
C. buys
D. to buy

17. Let us have a cup of tea, .... ?
A. do we
B. shall we
C. should we
D. would we

SECTION B

18 - 22
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.
A. quick
B. strange
C. unexpected
D. unusual

19. It is rude to talk loudly in the presence of elderly people.
A. impolite
B. incorrect
C. improper
D. unwise

20. The pupils grumbled about the assignment.
A. bothered
B. complained
C. talked
D. questioned

21. The victim could not identify the thief.
A. discover
B. find
C. know
D. recognize

22. Armed robbery is a very risky undertaking
A. dangerous
B. dreadful
C. unacceptable
D. uncertain

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

23. For all his brilliance, Kofi could not solve the problem. This means that Kofi failed to solve the problem
A. as he was clever enough.
B. even though he was clever.
C. as he was too clever.
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
A. clear.
B. simple.
C. unchangeable.
D. unknown.

25. Abla made an ass of herself at the party. This means that Abla behaved
A. foolishly.
B. shamefully.
C. uncontrollably.
D. unpleasantly.

26. In spite of his boasting, Mensah proved to be a chicken-hearted fellow. This means that Mensah was
A. cowardly.
B. ean.
C. stupid.
D. weak.

27. Efua can always talk her way out of trouble. This means that Efua
A. is troublesome.
B. can defend herself.
C. can avoid trouble.
D. is talkative.

SECTION D

28 - 32
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 friends welcomed my suggestion
A. changed
B. discussed
C. disliked
D. rejected

29. Unlike his sister, Ackah is stingy.
A. friendly
B. generous
C. selfless
D. sympathetic

30. Serwaa’s dress was decent.
A. dirty
B. old
C. shabby
D. ugly

31. It is compulsory for all pupils to be school uniform for the ceremony.
A. considerate
B. optional
C. unnecessary
D. expected

32. Aminata is boastful
A. careless
B. humble
C. modest
D. uneasy

PART II

LITERATURE

33. A metaphor achieves the same effect as a/an
A. alliteration
B. metonymy
C. paradox
D. simile

34. One of the following gives a clue to a character’s nature:
A. what he thinks.
B. how he feels.
C. what he says.
D. how he moves about.

Read the following extract carefully and answer Questions 35 and 36.
The fair breeze blew; the white foam flew,
The furrow followed free;
We were the first that burst
Into the silent sea.

35. The dominant sound device used in the extract is
A. alliteration
B. onomatopoeia
C. pun
D. rhyme

The fair breeze blew; the white foam flew,
The furrow followed free;
We were the first that burst
Into the silent sea.
36. The device in the extract helps to express the
A. silence of the sea.
B. smoothness of the movement.
C. whiteness of the foam.
D. fairness of the weather.

37. A good novel or play both entertains and
A. condemns.
B. preaches.
C. teaches.
D. warns.

38. A character that develops in a play or novel in the course of the work is known as
A. complete.
B. flat.
C. round.
D. sound.

39. Which of the following best help(s) to develop the plot of a novel or play?
A. Characters
B. Literary devices
C. Setting
D. Style

40. A lyric is usually fairly short and
A. tells a short story.
B. praises a dead person.
C. expresses thoughts and feelings.
D. is sung to send a child to sleep.