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BECE English 1990 – Objectives

BECE: English 1990
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SECTION A: COMPREHENSION

Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions which follow

PASSAGE I

It was an English lesson and our classroom was quiet. The blackboard was covered with sentences on “if clauses” and we went through such different forms as:

1. If he comes, I shall be happy;

2. If you abused him, he would beat you;

3. Amo could have won the race if he had trained harder

We all found it difficult to understand the formula for each sentence. We had problems with the tenses but as our final examinations were so near we really had to master them. We were, however, interrupted by the noise of a bucket and heavy footsteps on the veranda. Then Mr Odumba’s big head came round the door.

Sorry to interrupt, he told our teacher. We all looked up, highly pleased at the welcomed interruption. Who knows, Mr Odumba might fall down again and what could be more pleasing than that in the middle of a difficult lesson.

“Can I have a word with you alone, please?‟ Mr Odumba asked our teacher who followed him to the veranda. Mr Odumba, looking uncomfortable, took a deep breath and said that some pawpaw he had marked in the morning had been stolen from his garden.

Finally, he asked our teacher, “Would you mind if I went round to find out which of your pupil’s hands
smell of pawpaw?

1. The classroom was quiet because the pupils …………..
Correct!
Incorrect
2. Mr Odumba came to the school ………..
Correct!
Incorrect
3. How did Mr Odumba‟s visit to the school affect the pupils?
Correct!
Incorrect
4. Which of the following statements is not true according to the passage?
Correct!
Incorrect
5. Mr Odumba‟s big head came round the door. This means Mr Odumba’s head
Correct!
Incorrect
6. The expression, Can I have a word with you? means, let me …….
Correct!
Incorrect

PASSAGE II

Have you ever watched two dogs fighting? The scene is both interesting and terrifying. I once watched two dogs, Whisky and Sandy fighting. Whisky was a brown dog with white hair round his eyes. This made him look very fearful. He was often running after lizards and barking at strange things and visitors. Sandy, on the other hand, was a black dog with white legs and face. He was gentle and friendly to both adults and children.

When the fight started, everybody thought Sandy would be no match for Whisky. Whisky was the first to attack. He jumped up with his fore-legs raised, mouth wide open and gripped the back of Sandy‟s neck with his sharp teeth. Sandy went down with Whisky on top of him. Sandy played it cool as if he did not feel any pain. The spectators believed the more aggressive Whisky had won the fight.

Suddenly, the tide turned. Sandy got hold of one of Whisky‟s hind legs and bit hard as if breaking a bone. Whisky felt the pain and as he opened his mouth to yelp, Sandy broke free.

As Whisky was about to attack again Sandy jumped on his back and held his throat. Down he went on his back. The crowd then cheered, Sandy! San-dy!! San-dy!!!

Feeling very proud, Sandy released Whisky and he ran away with his tail between his legs. Sandy had
won the fight.

7. According to the passage when one comes across two dogs fighting, one ………..
Correct!
Incorrect
8. The spectators thought Whisky had won the fight because he ………..
Correct!
Incorrect
9. Whisky was defeated because Sandy ………
Correct!
Incorrect
10. Sandy played it cool means that Sandy ……..
Correct!
Incorrect
11. The tide turned as used in the passage means ………
Correct!
Incorrect
SECTION B

From the list of words below, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word underlined in each sentence

12. The traders agreed to pay extra money to the council
Correct!
Incorrect
13. The boxer displayed a high degree of bravery in the fight.
Correct!
Incorrect
14. It is a fact that Zaibu often gives accurate answers to questions.
Correct!
Incorrect
15. The students rejected the prefect chosen by the staff
Correct!
Incorrect

SECTION C

In each of the following sentences a group of words has been underlined. Choose from the alternatives below the one that best explains the underlined words

16. At the end of the investigations the police said the hands of the accused were clean. This means ……..
Correct!
Incorrect
17. It’s only 2 o’clock, Martin. You needn’t go yet
Correct!
Incorrect
18. He feared that his father would ask where he had been. This means that …….
Correct!
Incorrect
19. I don’t like people who blow their own trumpet. This means I dislike people who ………..
Correct!
Incorrect
20. If Mantey had passed the examination his father would have bought him a present. This means Mantey …
Correct!
Incorrect
21. “Put this money aside against a rainy day, Kwesi. Kwesi is being told …………..
Correct!
Incorrect

SECTION D

From the alternatives below, choose the one which most suitably completes each sentence.

22. Eshun is a good singer, ………….?
Correct!
Incorrect
23. You shouldn’t work so late, ………?
Correct!
Incorrect
24. You’ll travel by train to Kumasi, …………?
Correct!
Incorrect
25. You are not afraid of snakes, …………..?
Correct!
Incorrect
26. I can go to bed now because I ………….my assignment
Correct!
Incorrect
27. No one can be expected to …………such bad behaviour
Correct!
Incorrect
28. I can‟t hear him; I wish he ………..louder
Correct!
Incorrect
29. If Sampson had spoken the truth the teacher ………….him
Correct!
Incorrect
30. The head teacher advised the students to ………….if they wanted to do well in their examination
Correct!
Incorrect
31. At these words, the students …………laughter
Correct!
Incorrect
32. My uncle will go on a short course before he …………his new job.
Correct!
Incorrect
33. The prefect made the boy …………the assembly hall
Correct!
Incorrect

SECTION E

Choose from the alternatives below the one which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or words as they are used in the sentence

34. It is not always good to believe all newspaper accounts.
Correct!
Incorrect
35. Everybody should have a goal in life
Correct!
Incorrect
36. Mr. Mensah was worn out after walking up the hill
Correct!
Incorrect
37. Elephants are becoming rare in some parts of Africa
Correct!
Incorrect
38. On the doctor‟s advice, Mr Smith cut out smoking altogether
Correct!
Incorrect
39. The old man told us a tall story about a soldier who fought a war with a spoon
Correct!
Incorrect
40. All my clothes are outmoded
Correct!
Incorrect
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