Ghana BECE 2005 ENGLISH PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

PASSAGE I
They are approaching the school building, holding hands as they walk to school. Ayele and Esinam are friends who attend the same school and are in the same class. Today, Ayele is not talking, though Esinam expects her to say something about her new bag. “So is that how you are? You‟re not passing any comment about my schoolbag? Dad gave it to me when he returned from America yesterday.” Ayele‟s reply is a mere grunt, but Esinam is in no mood to be unhappy. Ignoring her friend‟s mood, she breaks into a song about her parents‟ many acts of love. „Mum and Dad buy me dresses, shoes and anything I wish for, if I ask. It’s great to be young!‟

1) Ayele is strapping on her back an old school bag once used by her elder sister. The brown colour has faded because she washes it too many times. When she breaks her silence she speaks solemnly and without regret. “I‟ve grown used to the old dresses, bags and shoes Mum buys. She says she can‟t do more. I trust and love her.” There is a tremble in her voice, as though she is about to cry. But her eyes gradually brighten up as she speaks on: „I‟m in JSS 3, like you, and we are both doing well. It‟s great to look to the future with hope.‟ Esinam nods her agreement as the school bell rings and breaks their walk into a gallop.

1. Why is Ayele not talking today?

2) Fo r Esinam, It’s great to be young means

3) We learnt from the passage that Ayele‟s parents are ……

4) In the passage, Ayele comes across as one who is …..

5) The word tremble means

6) PASSAGE II

There are two questions that people often ask about laughter. These are: what makes people laugh, and what laughter does to them.

When you try to think of what makes people laugh or what they consider funny you start thinking about how one person behaves towards another in different situations. For example, why do people laugh when they see others behaving awkwardly, or see some kind of weakness in other person?

The explanation is often quite simple. We laugh when we see people behaving or acting in an odd manner. For example, if on your way to work or to school you see a big fat man in a leafy green suit, wearing a tiny straw hat, or at a party, you encounter a very short man dancing with a big tall woman, you will naturally laugh, won‟t you? These things are funny and queer.

Apart from the strange things that make people laugh, laughter is good for our body and health. It is good for our lungs and allows us to release extra energy. It also has a great social value. If you enjoy laughter you invite good company. Indeed, in most societies, laughter is used as a way of keeping people who do not do the right things in check. Thus laughter is a way of ensuring discipline.

6. According to the passage, people laugh when they ………

7) From the passage we learn that laughter makes people look ….

8) People who laugh a lot …..

9) Societies can use laughter to …………

10) The word awkwardly in the passage means

Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in
each sentence

11) 11. Our dependable goalkeeper saved us from disgrace.

12) A neutral referee handled the final match.

13) The pupils were jubilating because they had passed their examinations.

14) Kuuki‟s dream is to become a celebrated musician.

15) Appiah is a talented football player.

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 words

16) 16. Andy returned to school after playing truant for three days. This means that Andy was………

17) Ama was the only one who was close-lipped about the theft. This means that Ama………

18) Issah was asked to toe the line or quit the team. This means that Issah was asked to………..

19) The students were advised to give up smoking. This means that the students were asked to ……..smoking

20) Mrs. Vesa has a heart of gold. This means that Mrs. Vesa is very ……….

21) 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

My grandfather is a robust ninety-year-old.

22)  I consented to his suggestion because it was useful

23) A sharp cutlass is one of the items on the prospectus

24)  The JSS students are reading the abridged version of Shakespeare‟s Macbeth

25) The best pupil was awarded a prize.

26) From the alternatives lettered A to D, choose the one which most suitably completes each sentence.

Ashia is used to ……….her parents every weekend.

27) ……………..students were present.

28) Jenny has ……………..on her head.

29) Korkoi is a ……………….of twelve.

30) The man of God preached that we should love…………

31) Mansah is ………..beautiful than any of her three sisters

32) Appiah was appointed prefect of his class,……………

33) Anytime Ataa went to school she………into trouble

34)  My dream school is for …………only

35)  Sam, have you ever …………in this river?

36) Susie and Tim are friends; they like………..

37) Aunt Ekua …………..be able to solve the problem.

38) For one week I went to school …………foot.

39) The committee has been meeting over the case …………2pm

40) I hope you are not ……………tired to run an errand for me.