THE WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL GHANA

Basic Education Certificate Examination

English Language 2003

2002 All English Language years 2004

OBJECTIVE TEST

Passage I

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

Question 1

The children changed their song because

A.the guns would be fired.

B.it was going to rain.

C.their parents had seen the fetish priest.

D.they did not like their teacher's song.

Question 2

The parents also sang and danced because

A.they wanted to be happy.

B.the children were return from school.

C.it started to rain.

D.they believed it would rain.

Question 3

Which of the following is true?

A.The people beat the fetish priest.

B.It had rained for six months.

C.There was little water to drink.

D.The children did not want the rain.

Question 4

_Abruptly_ in the passage means

A.soon.

B.totally.

C.slowly.

D.suddenly.

Question 5

The people wanted to lynch the fetish priest because ......

A.there was famine.

B.the streams had dried up.

C.they did not perform the sacrifices.

D.he had deceived them.

Question 6

From the passage we learnt that

A.the children were innocent.

B.man cannot fully rely on nature.

C.adults play like children.

D.it had not rained for several days.

Passage II

Question 7

The expression, _Variety is the spice of life_ means life

A.has its ups and downs.

B.is like a tasty food.

C.should be taken seriously.

D.is full of different and interesting things.

Question 8

The students called Teacher Amu 'God made them all' because ......

A.it was his favourite saying.

B.he always looked up.

C.his pep-talks were funny.

D.he liked preaching.

Question 9

Kofi Abre did not like the jokes because he ......

A.hated his classmates.

B.was afraid of his teacher.

C.loved his teacher's words.

D.was lazy.

Question 10

The word scolded in the passage means

A.reminded.

B.annoyed.

C.rebuked.

D.questioned.

Question 11

Teacher Amu punished Kofi Abre because he ......

A.did not do his homework.

B.did not behave well.

C.did not like pep-talks.

D.shook his head.

SECTION B

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

Question 12

Abass was not selected to play because he had little stamina

A.love.

B.potential.

C.endurance.

D.skill.

Question 13

The town was deserted after the war.

A.destroyed.

B.built.

C.quiet.

D.abandoned.

Question 14

The police interrogated the suspect at the police station.

A.warned.

B.questioned.

C.detained.

D.beat.

Question 15

John was impressed with Joana's gift.

A.moved.

B.deceived.

C.calmed.

D.pleased.

Question 16

Most doctors are cautious in treating patients.

A.careful.

B.good.

C.experienced.

D.friendly.

SECTION C

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

Question 17

The chairman was disturbed because only fifteen members turned up for the meeting. This means that fifteen members ...... the meeting.

A.attended.

B.avoided.

C.postponed.

D.disturbed.

Question 18

Tony held his tongue for an hour before speaking. This means that Tony

A.was angry.

B.was happy.

C.smiled for a while.

D.kept quiet.

Question 19

Jones will let the cat out of the bag if he is invited. This means he will ......

A.cause trouble.

B.confuse everybody.

C.reveal the secret.

D.release the cat.

Question 20

The P.T.A chairman cleared the air about the increase in dues. This means that he

A.explained why there was an increase.

B.announced the increase.

C.published the increase in the papers.

D.was sorry about the increase.

Question 21

Charles Taylor's shot missed its target by a hair's breadth. This means that

A.he shot wide.

B.the goal was disallowed.

C.he nearly scored a goal.

D.the keeper caught the ball.

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.

Question 22

Applying cocoa butter to the skin makes it smooth.

A.soft.

B.rough.

C.warm.

D.dark.

Question 23

Do not despise poor people because you are rich.

A.cheat.

B.avoid.

C.admire.

D.annoy.

Question 24

Hearing is an involuntary action.

A.difficult.

B.slow.

C.quick.

D.intentional.

Question 25

Iddrisu swore that he would rather be a spendthrift than a ......

A.miser.

B.pauper.

C.weakling.

D.thief.

Question 26

Our friends gave us a cordial welcome.

A.plain.

B.hostile.

C.calm.

D.steady.

SECTION D

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

Question 27

The youth are advised to abstain ...... sex.

A.in.

B.on.

C.from.

D.through.

Question 28

Daddy writes beautifully ...... he?

A.would.

B.wouldn't.

C.doesn't.

D.didn't.

Question 29

Bulky goods are transported ...... sea.

A.through.

B.to.

C.on.

D.by.

Question 30

Life Skills ...... my favourite subject when I was in school.

A.has been.

B.were.

C.was.

D.have been.

Question 31

'Would you mind if I borrowed your pen?' 'Yes, I do' 'Yes, I mind' 'No, I don't' 'No, I wouldn't'

A.Yes, I do.

B.Yes, I mind.

C.No, I don't.

D.No, I wouldn't.

Question 32

'Has Sister Edith ...... her glass of water this evening?'

A.drunk.

B.drink.

C.drinks.

D.drank.

Question 33

If my uncle had come I ...... have had some money.

A.may.

B.will.

C.shall.

D.would.

Question 34

Newspapers are ...... magazines.

A.cheap as.

B.cheaper than.

C.cheapest of.

D.cheap than.

Question 35

I have discovered a new ...... rhyme.

A.children.

B.childrens'.

C.children's.

D.childrens.

Question 36

I told mum I ...... take my breakfast later.

A.will.

B.can.

C.would.

D.shall.

Question 37

The final match was played ...... three and five o'clock in the afternoon.

A.by.

B.toward.

C.from.

D.between.

Question 38

The girl told her mother that she ...... from church.

A.comes.

B.had come.

C.has come.

D.has been coming.

Question 39

...... I joined the class late I could pass the examination.

A.Since.

B.As.

C.Despite.

D.Although.

Question 40

The book was ...... difficult to read.

A.much.

B.too.

C.little.

D.so.

THEORY

Essay Writing

Answer two questions in all: one question from each section. Each composition should contain at least 200 words Credit will be given for clarity of expression and orderly presentation of material

Question 1

You need a better playing field in your school. Write a letter to your District Chief Executive asking for assistance.

Question 2

You want to further your education after leaving junior secondary school (JSS). Write a letter to your uncle giving him at least three reasons why you need his help.

Question 3

Your school is planning an excursion to a place of interest in your district.

Question 4

Write an article for publication in the Junior Graphic on the topic: Why candidates should not cheat in examinations.

SECTION A[30 marks]

Answer one question only from this section

Questions for this section are in the printed paper.

SECTION B[30 marks]

Answer one question only from this section

Questions for this section are in the printed paper.

2002 All English Language years 2004