BECE 2024 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 options A to D, choose the one which most suitably completes each sentence.
1. If Azameti had won gold, Ghanaians ....
Solution: This is a third conditional sentence, which describes a hypothetical past situation. The correct structure is "would have + past participle."
2. We were served a ... meal at that cosy restaurant.
Solution: The correct order of adjectives is opinion (delicious), physical quality (spicy), and origin (Spanish).
3. Ali’s parents have not bought ... of the two recommended books.
Solution: "Either" is used to refer to one of two options in negative sentences.
4. Adwoa’s daughter is allergic ... dust.
Solution: The correct preposition to use with "allergic" is "to."
5. Dauda saw the thief ... out of the shop.
Solution: After verbs of perception like "saw," the base form of the verb (run) is used.
6. Konlaan suggested that it was time they ...... for the meeting.
Solution: The phrase "it was time" is followed by the past tense to indicate that something should have been done earlier.
7. Last Wednesday, it rained heavily ... the match was played.
Solution: "Yet" is used to show contrast, indicating that despite the heavy rain, the match still took place.
8. You haven’t met each other before, ...... you?
Solution: The sentence is in the present perfect tense ("haven’t met"), so the correct question tag is "have you?"
9. At my last interview, I faced ... panel.
Solution: Hyphenated adjectives like "seven-member" are used before nouns to describe them.
10. Which of the ... fragrance(s) is milder?
Solution: The comparative "milder" is used when comparing two items.
11. Last month, there was ...
Solution: "The sun" is a unique celestial body, so "the" is used, and "an eclipse" is the correct indefinite article.
12. Among the participants for the competition, Eugenia got here ... early.
Solution: "Most" is the superlative form, indicating that Eugenia arrived earlier than all other participants.
13. Afiba’s aunt, ... lives in Tamale spoke to us very courteously.
Solution: "Who" is used to refer to a person (Afiba’s aunt) as the subject of the relative clause.
14. The correct reported speech for the sentence: “I will keep my word”, promised Kende.
Solution: In reported speech, the verb shifts to the past tense ("promised"), and the future "will" becomes "would" (implied here).
15. The correct passive form of the sentence: For winning the first position in the Essay Competition, the school gave Linda a laptop. For winning the first position in the Essay Competition, Linda ... given a laptop by the school.
Solution: The sentence is in the past tense, so the passive form is "was given."
Choose from the options A to D, the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence.
16. Little Asabea wondered why her grandfather walked so slowly.
Solution: "Wondered" means to be curious or inquisitive about something.
17. We’re so excited because Amuzu’s proposal has been accepted.
Solution: A "proposal" is a plan or suggestion put forward for consideration.
18. Mama said, “You can only fight off bullies if you are assertive”.
Solution: "Assertive" means confident and bold in expressing oneself.
19. The rampant destruction of property must be checked.
Solution: "Rampant" means something that is unchecked or widespread in a harmful way.
20. The salient points of the topic have been thoroughly discussed.
Solution: "Salient" refers to the most noticeable or important features.
In each of the following sentences a group of words has been underlined. Choose from the options A to D, the one that best explains the underlined group of words.
21. The chief advised his subjects not to allow anger to get the better of them. This means that they should not let anger ... them.
Solution: "Get the better of" means to gain control over someone or something.
22. “Do not be such a wet blanket, Afua. Your brother needs all the support you can give him”, Auntie Araba chided her daughter. This means that Afua ... her brother:
Solution: A "wet blanket" is someone who discourages or dampens enthusiasm.
23. Asuo had to eat his words when Asante Kotoko lost to Tano Bofoakwa FC. This means that Asuo ...
Solution: "Eat one’s words" means to retract or admit that what one said was incorrect.
24. The fraudster was paid back in his own coins. This means that he was ...
Solution: "Paid back in his own coins" means to retaliate or punish someone in the same way they harmed others.
25. Yaaba hit the nail on the head when she told us that we could only succeed through hardwork. This means that Yaaba ...
Solution: "Hit the nail on the head" means to describe exactly what is true or needed.
Choose from the options A to D, the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence.
26. Due to the ongoing road construction, our shops have been temporarily closed down.
Solution: The opposite of "temporarily" is "permanently."
27. Some exercises may seem easy in theoretical terms but can be really difficult in ... aspects.
Solution: The opposite of "theoretical" is "practical."
28. It is good to get a cure for a disease, but it is better to ... the disease.
Solution: The opposite of "cure" (treating a disease) is "prevent" (stopping it from occurring).
29. It is hard to tell when this began or where it will ...
Solution: The opposite of "began" is "cease" (to stop).
30. Regions with abundant rainfall are different from those having ... moisture.
Solution: The opposite of "abundant" (plentiful) is "scanty" (very little).
In the following passage, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage are four options A to D. For each numbered gap, choose from the options provided, the word that is most suitable.
31. The Chairman asked if there were any corrections to be made to the minutes. Then one member complained that after checking the -31- list, he realised that his name had been wrongly spelt.
Solution: An "attendance list" is a record of people present at a meeting.
32. Two -32- were proposed and voted on.
Solution: In formal meetings, proposals are called "motions."
33. At the end of the discussions, the Chairman asked a member to -33- for the closure of the meeting.
Solution: In parliamentary procedure, a member "moves" for a decision or action.
34. Tettch Oko did and he was -34- by Adjoa Mansa.
Solution: In meetings, a motion is "seconded" when another member supports it.
35. The meeting was then -35- to a new date.
Solution: "Adjourned" means to suspend a meeting to resume later.
Choose from the options A to D, the one which has the same consonant sound as the word underlined in the sentences below.
36. Those two are arch rivals.
Solution: Both "arch" and "patch" contain the /tʃ/ sound.
37. Prosper is the new chef.
Solution: Both "chef" and "scheme" contain the /ʃ/ sound.
38. Lariba sprang to her feet.
Solution: Both "sprang" and "struck" contain the /spr/ and /str/ consonant clusters, respectively.
Choose from the options A to D, the one which has the same vowel sound as the word underlined in the sentences below.
39. Whole grains are healthier than polished ones.
Solution: Both "whole" and "goal" contain the /əʊ/ sound.
40. The heir to the British throne was the Duke of Cornwall.
Solution: Both "heir" and "air" contain the /ɛə/ sound.