THE WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL GHANA

Basic Education Certificate Examination

English Language 2018

OBJECTIVE TEST

SECTION A

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

Question 1

Salifu was............ surprised that he could not talk.

Question 2

This amount is all............ I have on me.

Question 3

I am told he is a friend of............

Question 4

Rice and beans............ a good meal for children.

Question 5

Yaw is............ clever to be cheated.

Question 6

The two rivals are fond of insulting.............

Question 7

Of all the pupils in the class, Ekua is.............

Question 8

It is high time Adzo............. home.

Question 9

You should be............ more careful about what you say.

Question 10

Atsu is looking forward to............ his friends at the party.

Question 11

The harder you study,............ your chance of success.

Question 12

If you had asked me, I............ you.

Question 13

I don't really know what you want,.............. I?

Question 14

I will not walk to school with............ of the boys.

Question 15

Jane fell ill............ measles.

SECTION B

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

Question 16

Aminu's bushy eyebrows gave him a very __severe__ look.

Question 17

My father had the __benefit__ of good education.

Question 18

Kwame was too __scared__ to be left alone in the house.

Question 19

The new school is __ideal__ for Mr. Mensah's children.

Question 20

The internet is of __enormous__ benefit to education.

SECTION C

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.

Question 21

Akua celebrates her birthday today but I __cannot make it__. This means that the speaker...

Question 22

The interview was conducted to separate the __sheep from the goats__. This means that the interview aimed at...

Question 23

Being the eldest child of the family, Joojo claimed __the lion's share__ of the father's property. This means that Joojo had...

Question 24

The students __were all ears__ during the presentation. This means that the students...

Question 25

Dallies is the __pick of the bunch__. This means that Dallies...

SECTION D

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.

Question 26

The headteacher asked the pupils to __disperse.__

Question 27

The current is __slow downhill.__

Question 28

The bread is __stale.__

Question 29

Akos has nothing to be __boastful of.__

Question 30

The pupils are __confident of passing the examination.__

THEORY

THEORY QUESTIONS

This paper consists of three parts: A, B and C. Answer three questions in all;one question from Part A and all the questions in Part B and Part C. Answer all the questions in your answer booklet. Credit will be given for clarity of expression and orderly presentation of material.

Question 1

As a School Prefect, write a letter to your District or Municipal or Metropolitan Chief Executive requesting the maintenance of the building in your school

Question 2

Write arguments for or against the topic: _Life in the city is more dangerous than that in the village_

Question 3

Write a report to the Headteacher of your school about how a senior girl beat up a junior boy

Question 4

When Pozo adopted Abate and Ali, he __vowed__ to take great care of them. And he did his best. But Abate and Ali did exactly what they were told not to. Their greatest __passion__ was snail-hunting. As he left home for an important meeting one afternoon, Pozo told the boys that he would be particularly pleased if they did not join any snail-hunting group or go snail-hunting by themselves. He even promised surprise presents if they __abstained__ from snail-hunting for once. It was quite obvious to everyone that there would be snail-hunting there had been a heavy downpour that morning. __Pozo's meeting was marathon__. When he arrived home at 8:30 that night, neither of the boys was at home. He felt that something __grave__ might have happened. He stood still for some time confused. He switched on his radio and tuned in to his favorite station, Hiawa FM and the breaking news was: "Five snail-hunters __have been run over__ at Yaaboi by the early early evening in-coming Desuano-bound train." As the dreadful news hit him, Pozo winced. Pozo was so stupefied that he did not notice Ali enter the house, sweating and __breathless__ carrying a head-load of nails. But where was Abate? Furtively, the back door squeaked open.__ In stole the other boy__, also sweating and breathless under the weight of the head-load of snails. On seeing him, Pozo sighed relieved. He shook his head. "These boys will surely be the death of me", he murmured to himself. "When will they do exactly as they are told?

Question 5

Why was Pozo taking care of the boys?
Why do you think Pozo did not want the boys to go snail-hunting?

Question 6

State **two** reasons why Pozo was sure that the boys would go snail-hunting.

Question 7

What is the meaning of the sentence, "Pozo's meeting was a marathon"?

Question 8

Why was Pozo so worried when he returned from the meeting?
How did the news of the rail accident affect Pozo?

Question 9

Explain, in your own words, the following expressions as used in the passage:

have been run over;
in stole the other boy;
be the death of me

Question 10

For each of the following words, give another word or a phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage:

PART AESSAY WRITING

Answer one question only from this part. Your composition should be about 250 words long.

Questions for this section are in the printed paper.

PART BCOMPREHENSION [30 MARKS]

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

Questions for this section are in the printed paper.

LITERATURE

PART C LITERATURE [10 marks]

Answer all the questions in this part.

Question 1

CHARLES DICKENS: Oliver Twist "Oliver walked 70 miles to London. In such a big city, no one would ever find him! It was chilly and his feet but he was happy to leave his old, miserable life behind."

Question 2

What did they choose for a nest for Pepe?

Question 3

Which figure of speech is mainly used in the extract?

Question 4

Who is the speaker?

Question 5

What do the following expressions in the extract refer to?

"............ who are gone?"
"............ there".

Question 6

What does "Scribbler" refer to?

Question 7

What does "The dream in your" refer to?