BECE 2011 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.
From the alternatives lettered A to D, choose the one which most suitably completes each sentence.
1. The jury acquitted the man ......murder.
Solution: The correct preposition with "acquitted" is "of" (acquitted of a crime).
2. Ama’s essay is superior ......that of Adzo.
Solution: "Superior to" is the correct comparative phrase.
3. I would study hard for the examination if I ......you.
Solution: In hypothetical situations, "were" is used for all subjects (subjunctive mood).
4. I cannot tell you ......
Solution: This is the correct indirect question structure.
5. That troublesome friend of ......is here again.
Solution: The possessive pronoun "his" is required (friend of his = his friend).
6. I told you to leave my office, ......I?
Solution: The tag question matches the past tense ("told").
7. Kofi travelled five days ......
Solution: "Ago" is used for past time references from now.
8. Kwame’s uncle, with his three friends, ......coming home tomorrow.
Solution: The subject ("uncle") is singular, so the verb agrees ("is").
9. I am afraid I cannot make you ......
Solution: "Make out" means to understand or discern.
10. The plane takes ......at noon.
Solution: "Takes off" is the phrasal verb for aircraft departure.
11. Please, can I have ......salt in my soup?
Solution: "A little" is used with uncountable nouns ("salt").
12. I wish I ......my friend next week.
Solution: "Could" is used after "wish" for hypothetical future actions.
13. By September 2007, I ......school for nine years.
Solution: Past perfect ("had attended") is used for actions completed before another past time.
14. ......Aso runs short of money, what would she do?
Solution: "If" introduces a conditional clause.
15. Human beings will not live forever, ......?
Solution: Negative statement ("will not") takes affirmative tag ("will they").
16. I saw Esi ......a new pair of shoes.
Solution: After perception verbs ("saw"), use the base form ("buy").
17. Let us have a cup of tea, ......?
Solution: "Let’s" suggestions use "shall we" in the tag.
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.
Solution: "Sudden" implies something happening without warning.
19. It is rude to talk loudly in the presence of elderly people.
Solution: "Rude" means lacking manners or courtesy.
20. The pupils grumbled about the assignment.
Solution: "Grumbled" means to express discontent.
21. The victim could not identify the thief.
Solution: "Identify" means to establish the identity of someone.
22. Armed robbery is a very risky undertaking.
Solution: "Risky" means involving potential danger.
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.
Solution: "For all his brilliance" contrasts his intelligence with his failure.
24. The manager’s decision on the matter is cut and dried. This means that the manager’s decision is
Solution: "Cut and dried" means decided or settled in advance.
25. Abla made an ass of herself at the party.
Solution: "Made an ass of herself" means to behave stupidly.
26. In spite of his boasting, Mensah proved to a chicken-hearted fellow. This means that Mensah was
Solution: "Chicken-hearted" means lacking courage.
27. Eftia can always talk her way out of trouble. This means that Efua
Solution: The phrase means to use words to escape a difficult situation.
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.
Solution: "Welcomed" (accepted) is opposite to "rejected."
29. Unlike his sister, Ackah is stingy.
Solution: "Stingy" (unwilling to spend) is opposite to "generous."
30. Serva’s dress was decent.
Solution: "Decent" (appropriate) is opposite to "shabby" (worn-out).
31. It is compulsory for all pupils to be in school uniform for the ceremony.
Solution: "Compulsory" (required) is opposite to "optional."
32. Aminata is boastful about her beauty.
Solution: "Boastful" (showing off) is opposite to "modest."
From the options lettered A to D, choose the one that correctly answers the questions or completes the sentence.
33. A metaphor achieves the same effect as a/an ......
Solution: Both metaphors and similes compare things, but similes use "like" or "as."
34. One of the following gives a clue to a character’s nature:
Solution: Dialogue often reveals a character’s personality.
35. The dominant sound device used in the extract is
Solution: Repetition of initial consonant sounds (e.g., "fair breeze blew").
36. The device in the extract helps to express the
Solution: Alliteration mimics the flowing motion of the sea.
37. A good novel or play both entertains and
Solution: Literature often aims to educate or impart lessons.
38. A character that develops in a play or novel in the course of the work is known as
Solution: A "round" character undergoes development.
39. Which of the following best help(s) to develop the plot of a novel or play?
Solution: Characters’ actions and decisions drive the plot.
40. A lyric is usually fairly short and
Solution: Lyrics are personal and emotional expressions.