BECE 2006 English Language Past Question and Answers
Answer all questions in this section.
Each question is followed by four options lettered A to D. Find the correct answer for each question.
Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions which follow.
“Amma, Amma, get up and sweep the compound!” Maa Tee shouted. However, Amma had decided she wasn‟t going to work that day.
“What do I do to escape these chores?” Amma asked
“I‟ll pretend to be ill, then Mama can‟t insist that I do any work. This is a brilliant idea. I‟m not so daft after all,” she thought.
When Amma told Maa Tee about her headache, MaaTee suspended everything she was doing and ordered her to get ready for the hospital. Poor Amma, her plan had backfired!
On their way to the hospital Amma prayed that the doctor would be absent, but she was out of luck that day. The doctor examined Amma and found her as fit as a fiddle. He then guessed that Amma had feigned illness because she wanted to dodge her usual Saturday morning chores.
“I‟m sorry MaaTee, Amma is very ill. Take her to the injection room for three injections. They will …”
Before the doctor could finish speaking, Amma rushed out of the consulting room with lightening speed and would not stop anywhere till she reached home. The doctor then looked at Maa Tee and burst out laughing as he asked MaaTee to go home. By the time MaaTee got home Amma had finished all the household chores.
1. MaaTee suspended everything she was doing because
Solution: MaaTee stopped her activities to take Amma to the hospital after hearing about her headache.
2. The word daft in the passage means
Solution: Daft means silly or unintelligent, showing Amma's self-mockery about her plan.
3. According to the passage Amma
Solution: The doctor confirmed Amma was healthy, proving she faked illness.
4. From the passage it can be said that MaaTee was a ……….. mother
Solution: MaaTee's immediate concern for Amma's health shows she was caring.
5. Amma rushed out of the consulting room because she
Solution: Amma fled to avoid the threatened injections, revealing her fear.
Grandpa is a robust centenarian. At his age, his eyesight is as clear as a child‟s and his memory as equally sharp. We have always wondered what has kept him going all these years. “I have a secret theory of life,” is the reply he gives to anyone who asks.
Grandpa‟s secret theory is, after all, quite simple when he explains it. He talks of a joyful attitude to life. He says that joy begets enthusiasm and a burning desire to encourage others. He never walks anyone away who needs help, even though Grandpa can never be described as rich.
Grandpa believes that as we see ourselves in a mirror, so do others see us. The mirror merely reflects what is before it. So if we are wicked, people will see us as wicked and if we are honest, we will not suspect others of being deceitful.
One part of Grandpa‟s secret theory that he holds dearest is his love for truth. He thinks that truth enables one to live a free life devoid of stress and worries. “Let your nay be nay,” he says, whenever he finds one of us telling a lie in order to avoid trouble. He believes that if we tell lies, we will have to create more lies to cover them. On the other hand truth never changes.
6. Which of the following is true? Grandpa is …………..man.
Solution: The passage describes Grandpa as a "robust centenarian" (very old but healthy).
7. People …………..Grandpa
Solution: Grandpa's wisdom and kindness make him admired.
8. Devoid of in the passage means
Solution: Devoid of means "free from" or "without" stress.
9. According to the passage the mirror ………what a person is.
Solution: The mirror metaphor reflects (reproduces) one's true character.
10. Grandpa advises us to be true to ourselves in order
Solution: His philosophy links self-honesty to avoiding lies.
Choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word.
11. All the pupils are skilful at using the computer.
Solution: Skilful means highly proficient (expert).
12. The parent who donated the books to our school wants to remain anonymous.
Solution: Anonymous means unidentified or unknown.
13. Kofi is the most popular man in the village.
Solution: Popular means widely liked.
14. The PTA meeting has been postponed.
Solution: Postponed means rescheduled for later (delayed).
15. Issah is gentle but his sister is arrogant.
Solution: Arrogant means overly proud.
Choose the one that best explains the underlined words.
16. "My father bought his [car] for a song." This means the car was
Solution: For a song means purchased very cheaply.
17. "His friend had a loose tongue." This means his friend
Solution: Loose tongue refers to someone who reveals secrets.
18. Adzo is the black sheep of the family. This means Adzo is a
Solution: Black sheep denotes a disgraced family member.
19. Mr. Asah put me up for the night. This means he
Solution: Put up means provided lodging.
20. The Education Ministry takes the lion’s share of the budget. This means it gets the
Solution: Lion’s share refers to the majority or largest part.
Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
21. We had a fruitful discussion.
Solution: Fruitful (productive) vs. useless.
22. The work was tedious.
Solution: Tedious (tiring) vs. easy.
23. They rushed to the nearest entrance.
Solution: Entrance vs. exit (direct opposites).
24. Fusena is guilty of the crime.
Solution: Guilty vs. innocent.
25. Mrs. Addo is our hostess.
Solution: Hostess vs. guest.
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
26. Mary and Comfort are ………arriving this weekend.
Solution: Both refers to two people.
27. Abukari prefers dancing ………swimming.
Solution: Prefers is followed by to.
28. All ………you are saying is true.
Solution: All that is the correct phrase.
29. You are ………for his liking.
Solution: Too slow conveys excess.
30. Panyin is ………taller than Kakra.
Solution: Much emphasizes the degree.
31. Baby Tee has been missing ………Saturday.
Solution: Since marks the start time.
32. Akua, could you ………me your English book?
Solution: Lend means to give temporarily.
33. Kofi insisted ………painting the house.
Solution: Insist on is the correct phrase.
34. This book is mine and that is ……….
Solution: Yours is the possessive pronoun.
35. If Asi had gone to Beseasi, she ………her mother.
Solution: Third conditional requires would have met.
36. You had too much to eat, ………?
Solution: Past tense tag question.
37. He came in while I ………my dinner.
Solution: Past continuous (was having) for interrupted actions.
38. The prisoner would neither talk ………eat.
Solution: Neither...nor is the correct pair.
39. Afote gave his friend ……… of his bread.
Solution: Some indicates an unspecified portion.
40. John and Anita have always loved ……………
Solution: Each other is used for two people