Ghana BECE 2002 ENGLISH PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1) Antobam‟s first day in senior secondary school was the day he would never forget. That morning he got up earlier than usual ready for his father to take him to the new school. With the help of his father‟s houseboy, his trunk and chop box were packed into his father‟s car. At exactly eleven o‟clock, the car sped off as Antobam happily waved goodbye to his brothers and sisters.

After about one and a half hours‟ drive, they arrived at the school. Antobam beamed with smiles as the car pulled up in front of the administration block. Some huge boys rushed to the car shouting, “Hommo, welcome; hommo, welcome!” Antobam misunderstood this for a warm welcome, but he was soon proved wrong.

From the list of newcomers displayed on the notice board, Antobam‟s father saw his son‟s name under House Two and wanted to take the luggage there. But one of the boys politely said, “Daddy, stop. We have a tradition here.” Before he knew what was happening, two of the boys had lifted his trunk and chop box and put them on Antobam‟s head. He had never carried any load on his head before, but here he was with the arduous task of carrying two heavy boxes. Tears started flowing as his father looked on in disbelief. He later left the school very disturbed, wondering what was going to happen to his beloved son.

1. Antobam got up early that morning because he …..

2) Antobam arrived at his new school at half past ……….

3) The senior boys made Antobam carry his boxes because they …………

4) Arduous in the passage means

5) Antobam‟s father left the school ……

6) Every year, thousands of African school leavers from the rural areas rush to the urban areas to seek employment. Apart from leaving the countryside thinly populated, these youths cause overcrowding in the cities. They cannot get any house to live in so they are found sleeping in market places and on verandas.

Most of our youths regard agriculture as a poor man‟s business. They prefer white-collar jobs to farming and forget that one can gain fame or wealth through agriculture. Most of these youths are greatly disappointed in the townships. Lack of jobs and money force them to join bad companies, break into houses at night or snatch people‟s bags at lorry parks or in the street during the day. They often wear dirty clothes and are seen in the streets trying to find something to eat.

One way of checking this movement is by setting up factories in the rural areas and establishing large farms where the school leavers can easily find work. Other ways are providing good means of transport and communication. Libraries, medical services and post offices are equally important amenities necessary in rural areas.

These facilities together with good drinking water and electricity will make these areas attractive enough for the youth to remain and help grow food and cash crops for the country. They can also produce raw materials for our industries.

6. School leavers migrate to the cities and towns to …….

7) One of the results of the movement of the youth in the rural areas is that the

8) White-collar jobs as used in the passage means ………

9) The word snatch means ……….

10) When the youth come into the cities ………

11) When the youth remain in the rural areas they can help produce ………

12) The students listened to the headmaster with rapt attention.

13) Sam was appointed the office boy because of his faithfulness.

14) We were taught that banks give credit to needy businessmen.

15) Most men normally do not wear costly jewellery.

16) The wall clock in the assembly hall is a white elephant. This means that the clock

17) The wall clock in the assembly hall is a white elephant. This means that the clock

18) His clothes are always out of date. This means that his clothes are …………

19) When it comes to honesty, Kweku is the odd one out. This means that Kweku

20) I stopped going out with Joe because he is light-fingered. This means that Joe is a

21) The manager‟s strange behaviour made the workers smell a rat. This means that the workers became..…

22) My former headmaster has consented to be my referee.

23) Th e suspect was guilty.

24) We could see that mother was very proud of her dark complexion.

25) The car needs a hard push in order to start.

26) The doctor advised the patient to stay away ……..alcohol.

27) You have not paid your fees, ……..?

28) When school starts the national flag is hoisted.

29)  His pair of trousers ……..torn.

30) I prefer honey ………sugar.

31) James was so wicked that all his mates abhorred him.

32) If it rains I …………..my crops.

33) I can …………time for my homework.

34) Have you heard the national anthem ………..in your language?

35) This bag is ……….heavy for a child to carry.

36) ………..you dislike the girl, you shouldn‟t beat her.

37) Ghana is over forty years, therefore she …………of age.

38) To be a teenager is indeed great ………..?

39) Alf and Pat look so identical that it is difficult to pick the ………of the two.

40) Uncle Ebo brought a carpenter who easily climbed ………..the roof to repair the leakage.