THE WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL GHANA

Basic Education Certificate Examination

English Language 2009

2008 All English Language years 2010

OBJECTIVE TEST

Passage I

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

Question 1

What made the writer wake up?

A.The father crashing into the pillar

B.The noise made by his father

C.The attack by the armed robbers

D.The shouting of the tenants

Question 2

The writer's father was holding his forehead because he

A.had fallen flat on his back.

B.had hit his head against the pillar.

C.wanted to stop the blood from flowing.

D.was thinking of what to do.

Question 3

The purpose of the ice cubes was to

A.stop the bleeding.

B.heal the cut.

C.manage the cut.

D.reduce the swelling.

Question 4

Pathetic in the passage means

A.naughty.

B.merciless.

C.sad.

D.strange.

Question 5

What happened to the tenant?

A.He opened the door.

B.He was killed by the robbers.

C.He fell down heavily.

D.He saw a pathetic scene.

Passage II

Question 6

According to the passage, members of the choir can sing without difficulty because they

A.are born good singers.

B.easily learn to sing.

C.have good songs.

D.have to sing.

Question 7

The male songbirds sing

A.to instruct others.

B.four notes at a time.

C.to attract the females.

D.what others have composed.

Question 8

According to the passage, birds sing

A.only in the breeding season.

B.some of the sweetest songs.

C.to invite the bachelors.

D.only one note.

Question 9

Unique in the passage means

A.suitable.

B.similar.

C.exciting.

D.special.

Question 10

The writer suggests that

A.human beings sing better than birds.

B.birds can interpret notes better.

C.birds make louder noise than human beings.

D.birds compose more interesting songs.

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 11

The house by the sea has been abandoned.

A.deserted

B.destroyed

C.infested

D.robbed

Question 12

Most Ghanaians were optimistic about the Black Stars winning the African Cup.

A.reasonable

B.happy

C.concerned

D.hopeful

Question 13

The indigenous people provided the labour during the building of the school.

A.skilled

B.native

C.expatriate

D.urban

Question 14

The effort of the watchman which led to the arrest of the thieves was laudable.

A.quick

B.real

C.constant

D.praiseworthy

Question 15

Our parents deserve our appreciation.

A.assistance

B.gratitude

C.concern

D.encouragement

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 16

Mr. Taiwoo took the clerk to task for losing the letters. This means that Mr. Taiwoo

A.sacked the clerk.

B.blamed the clerk.

C.called the clerk a criminal.

D.gave the clerk another work.

Question 17

The quarrel got out of hand. This means that the quarrel

A.became uncontrollable.

B.was prolonged.

C.became boring.

D.was unhealthy.

Question 18

On seeing the headmaster, the girl took to her heels. This means that the girl

A.fainted.

B.felt frightened.

C.ran away.

D.hid herself.

Question 19

Joseph lives within a stone's throw from the station. This means that Joseph

A.lives in a stony house.

B.lives very close to the station.

C.goes to the station.

D.often throws stones at the station.

Question 20

All his plans for building a new theatre came to naught. This means that

A.the theatre was built.

B.his plans were unsuccessful.

C.the building collapsed.

D.there was nothing in the theatre.

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 21

My father has a cordial relationship with all his neighbours.

A.harsh

B.hostile

C.scornful

D.different

Question 22

John's latest play is rather dull.

A.interesting.

B.informative.

C.sensible.

D.educative.

Question 23

The feeble old man spoke for about three hours.

A.bold

B.strong

C.bright

D.successful

Question 24

The thief descended the stairs hurriedly.

A.consciously

B.lazily

C.slowly

D.noisily

Question 25

The diligent student won a prize.

A.careless

B.lucky

C.playful

D.proud

SECTION D

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

Question 26

My father wanted to find out how Abu was getting ...... at school.

A.on

B.down

C.back

D.up

Question 27

If the boat had been maintained properly it ...... capsized.

A.have not

B.will not have

C.would not have

D.might have not

Question 28

The white horse is ...... than the black one.

A.faster

B.very fast

C.fast

D.more fast

Question 29

They thought he would become a businesswoman, ......?

A.wouldn't they

B.didn't they

C.wasn't they

D.isn't they

Question 30

There were only two of us who ...... any idea of the answer.

A.have

B.had

C.has

D.would

Question 31

He had boarded a taxi, ......?

A.wouldn't he

B.hadn't he

C.isn't it

D.won't he

Question 32

Mrs. Mensah ...... in Saltpond since 1970.

A.was living

B.has been living

C.has lived

D.is living

Question 33

The booking clerk made him ...... a deposit.

A.to pay

B.paid

C.to be paying

D.pay

Question 34

Although all the dresses were beautiful, she liked ...... of them.

A.any

B.none

C.neither

D.both

Question 35

Kwesi and Ama are in love with ......

A.themselves.

B.one another.

C.each other.

D.ourselves.

Question 36

It is ...... to attempt in one day.

A.too long and difficult a journey

B.the journey too long and difficult

C.long and difficult too a journey

D.too long and difficult the journey

Question 37

The rain shouldn't deter you ...... going out.

A.for

B.on

C.by

D.from

Question 38

Ben is leaving ...... Takoradi this morning.

A.for

B.to

C.by

D.from

Question 39

Yesterday I met the man ......

A.the car of whom I bought.

B.whose car I bought.

C.I bought his car.

D.whom I bought his car.

Question 40

No sooner had the Minister opened the bank ...... he bank was filled to capacity.

A.when

B.for

C.as

D.than

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

An annual festival has recently been celebrated in your area. Write a letter to your friend in another part of the country, describing the festival and how you enjoyed it.

Question 2

Your teachers have complained about acts of indiscipline being practised in your school. As Senior Prefect, write a letter to the headmaster, describing two of such acts and suggesting ways of correcting them.

Question 3

You are a speaker in a debate on the motion: The use of mobile phones in school by students should be banned. Write your contribution for or against the motion.

Question 4

Your school performed very well in the inter-zonal athletics competition held recently. As Sports Prefect, write a report on the competition to your headmaster.

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.

2008 All English Language years 2010