BECE 2015 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. Ntim’s careless driving resulted ……… a fatal road accident.
Solution: The correct preposition with "resulted" is "in" to show consequence.
2. Abibatu takes ……….. her mother in many ways.
Solution: "Take after" means to resemble someone (usually a family member).
3. Araba goes to school ……….. foot.
Solution: The correct phrase is "on foot" (walking).
4. The doctor advised the patient to abstain ……….. smoking.
Solution: "Abstain from" means to avoid something.
5. The relationship ……… group A and group B is cordial.
Solution: "Between" is used for two distinct groups/items.
6. Edwin prefers fish ……….. meat.
Solution: "Prefer X to Y" is the correct comparative structure.
7. His neighbor complained that the radio was ………..loud.
Solution: "Too loud" means excessively loud (negative connotation).
8. The white horse is ………..than the black one.
Solution: "Very much faster" is the grammatically correct comparative phrase.
9. I ………..him; then I changed my mind.
Solution: Past progressive ("was going to") shows an uncompleted intention.
10. By the end of the day, I ………..the house.
Solution: Future perfect ("shall have painted") indicates completion by a future time.
11. You are a member of the society, ………..?
Solution: The question tag for "You are" is "aren’t you?" (positive statement → negative tag).
12. Our captain is not a very reliable person, ………..?
Solution: Negative statement ("is not") → positive tag ("is he?").
13. You have been to Lagos, ………..?
Solution: Positive present perfect statement → negative tag ("haven’t you?").
14. Joseph is the ………..in the class.
Solution: Superlative form ("cleverest") compares Joseph to all others in the class.
15. The triplets love ……………very much.
Solution: Reflexive pronoun ("themselves") refers back to the subject "triplets."
16. ……………the watch is old, it is still working.
Solution: "Although" introduces a contrast between the watch's age and functionality.
17. The students set ……………early on their journey.
Solution: "Set out" means to begin a journey.
Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence.
18. If you are a true friend you will not disclose a secret.
Solution: "Disclose" means to make known, synonymous with "reveal."
19. As John waited for the interview, he was very nervous.
Solution: "Nervous" implies anxiety, matching "uneasy."
20. Patricia was satisfied with the results of the examination.
Solution: "Satisfied" means content or pleased.
21. The attitude of the gateman was very hostile.
Solution: "Hostile" means antagonistic or unfriendly.
22. It was not his intention to hurt his younger brother.
Solution: "Intention" means purpose or aim.
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. Ibrahim registered for the course at the eleventh hour.
Solution: "At the eleventh hour" means at the last possible moment.
24. Bob lives within a stone’s throw of the Jubilee Park.
Solution: "Within a stone’s throw" means a short distance away.
25. When James heard the sound of gun-shots, his hair stood on end.
Solution: "Hair stood on end" indicates extreme fear.
26. Mary has gone to cheer up her friend.
Solution: "Cheer up" means to comfort or uplift someone.
27. The teacher’s abrupt question threw the pupil off balance.
Solution: An "abrupt question" is unexpected, causing confusion.
From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence.
28. While the majority voted for a change, the ………were against any change.
Solution: The opposite of "majority" is "minority."
29. Imported rice is expensive these days.
Solution: The opposite of "expensive" is "cheap."
30. The student was condemned for his poor work.
Solution: The opposite of "condemned" (criticized) is "praised."
31. Although he had applied for a permanent post, he was only given a ………one.
Solution: The opposite of "permanent" is "temporary."
32. Some people pay much attention to their physical needs.
Solution: The opposite of "physical" (bodily) is "spiritual."
From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that correctly answers each question or completes the sentence.
33. A comedy is a play that
Solution: A "comedy" typically has a humorous or happy ending.
34. The main female character in a play is the ………..
Solution: The female lead is called the "heroine."
35. Expressions that appeal to the senses are collectively called ………..
Solution: "Imagery" uses vivid language to evoke sensory experiences.
36. The purpose of a comic relief is to ………
Solution: "Comic relief" lightens the mood in serious works.
37. A play is better enjoyed when ………..
Solution: Plays are meant to be performed ("acted").
Read the following extract below and answer Questions 39 and 40.
So fair art thou my bonnie lass So deep in luve am I And I will luve thee still my dear Till all the sea gang dry
38. A narrative poem usually ………
Solution: A "narrative poem" recounts events like a story.
39. The last line ("Till all the sea gang dry") is a/an ………..
Solution: Exaggeration ("sea drying up") is "hyperbole."
40. The rhyme scheme of the stanza is ………..
Solution: The second and fourth lines rhyme ("I" and "dry"), creating an "abcb" pattern.