BECEzone

THE WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
GHANA

Basic Education Certificate Examination

ENGLISH 2001

OBJECTIVE TEST

PART I
SECTION A
COMPREHENSION

Passage I

Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Mr. Kobi, the next speaker, said that although he left the school many years ago, he still remembered with thanks all that the headmaster had done to make sure that his pupils were well prepared for life. He was sorry that the headmaster had decided to retire at so early an age. This would deprive the pupils of his assistance long before it was necessary to do so. However, he wished the headmaster the best of luck in his retirement and offered him a silver tray as a sign of the high esteem in which his old pupils held him.

After the tray had been handed over, the retiring headmaster came forward to make his speech of thanks. He began by giving a brief summary of the time he had spent as headmaster of the school. He added that it had always been his aim to do his best for the pupils under his charge. He expressed his gratitude to the masters who had been on his staff for their hard work and sacrifice. Finally, he said how glad he was that he was being succeeded as headmaster by Mr. Smith, who had been teaching in the school for many years. He believed that Mr. Smith was generally admired and respected by all who knew him. He asked all his old pupils to take an interest in the school after he had gone, and promised that he would certainly do so himself.

Question 1

Mr. Kobi was sorry about the headmaster's early retirement because





Question 2

Which of the following is not true of the headmaster?





Question 3

Brief in the passage means





Question 4

According to the passage, Mr. Smith was





Question 5

The retiring headmaster said he would continue ...... the school.





Passage II

It is easy to see why television is so attractive to both children and adults. It is available in the home and we can watch it in comfort whenever we please. Besides, it provides entertainment after a day's work. Television also enables us to see places and people and their ways of life. Even people with little or no formal education can watch and enjoy the programmes.

Unfortunately, television takes up much of our time. To watch it we must sit in front of it, watch as long as a programme lasts, and do little else. This exclusive aspect of television, the fact that it prevents us from doing other things, poses more serious problems than is commonly realised. While television may provide an acceptable form of relaxation for adults after a day's work, it robs children of the time they must use to learn other things. In addition, not everything that television offers is good. Even when children's programmes are provided, we are not sure that these are the only ones they will watch. In fact, these days children watch more programmes meant for adults than for them.

One likely outcome of this is that children may learn about the adult world too soon, at a time when they can easily be influenced.

Question 6

People like to watch television because it





Question 7

The writer feels that children should





Question 8

Poses in the passage means





Question 9

According to the passage, which of the following is not true about television?





Question 10

From the passage, we realise that the writer ......





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 11

The Headmaster asked the school prefect to summon a meeting of the Students' Council.





Question 12

The attitude of the security officer was very hostile.





Question 13

After the hard day's work he returned home completely exhausted.





Question 14

The auditor's job was to go over the accounts carefully.





Question 15

The paint used for the outside of the building was durable.





SECTION C

In each of the following sentences a word or groups of word has been underlined. Choose from the alternatives lettered A to D the one that best explains the underlined group of words.

Question 16

Musa told his friend to mind his own business. This means that Musa's friend should ......





Question 17

Mother buys the best clothes for Patrick because he is the apple of her eye. This means that Patrick is ......





Question 18

It is difficult for most people to make ends meet these days. This means most people ......





Question 19

Esi was so good a leader that we were all encouraged to take a leaf out of her book. This means we were all encouraged to ......





Question 20

Before I left for the market, I asked my neighbour to keep an eye on my children. This means my neighbour should ......





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 21

My friend did everything to hinder my work.





Question 22

It is wise to preserve works of art for the future.





Question 23

The director engaged Mary as a sales woman.





Question 24

This soil is very fertile for the growing of vegetables.





Question 25

Formerly, we walked a very long distance to attend school.





SECTION D

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

Question 26

When the lights went off, I ...... my supper.





Question 27

The factory had to ...... many workers because of the fall in production.





Question 28

We ...... to play a return match last Friday.





Question 29

It was not obvious ...... he was pointing to.





Question 30

I have forgotten all ...... you told me.





Question 31

Selfish people always consider ...... first.





Question 32

...... the watch is old, it is still working.





Question 33

Teye asked me how ...... French I knew.





Question 34

Kwaku's evidence ...... to be checked.





Question 35

The headmistress said they could not postpone ...... the school any longer.





Question 36

You know very well that it was no fault of ......





Question 37

You are not hurt, ......?





Question 38

I don't mind ...... home early.





Question 39

All ...... is good health.





Question 40

If anyone greets you, it is polite to return ...... greeting.