There stood an enormous tree in the centre of the town. Its big branches and dense foliage gave shelter in all weathers and so it had become a natural meeting place. Benches had been placed round the base of its huge trunk so that the elders of the town might sit in comfort and gossip or talk about serious affairs of the town. This particular morning, three old men were resting on one of the benches. They had chosen the side which overlooks the road entering the town. From there they could see the market, the lorry park and the Main Street.

As they watched, a large bus drove into the lorry park. It was surrounded immediately by a jostling crowd. Those who whistled to travel hurried forward and food sellers rushed from all sides struggling to sell their wares. In the general uproar which followed, new passengers tried to get into the bus, whilst those who had reached their destination tried to alight. Others who were not willing to risk losing their seats stood blocking the doorway or leaned out of the bus windows so they bargained with the food sellers.

Question 1

According to the passage the elders sit under the tree to ......

A. travel outside.
B. buy and sell.
C. discuss matters.
D. drink palm wine.

Question 2

Which of the following could the old men not see from where they sat?

A. The benches
B. The market
C. The lorry
D. The main street

Question 3

Uproar in the passage means

A. fight.
B. movement.
C. selling.
D. confusion.

Question 4

Some people in the bus tried to alight because they wanted to ......

A. buy things.
B. gossip.
C. rest.
D. go home.

Question 5

Some of the passengers blocked the way because they ......

A. did not like the food sellers.
B. did not want to lose their seats.
C. wanted to stop the new passengers.
D. wanted to see the old men.

As I stood by a street in Accra that late afternoon watching people rushing home from work, I felt very safe. My sense of security came from the fact that Ghanaians are generally kind and hospital people, particularly to strangers. Although I had just arrived from my village, I was a Ghanaian and in my own capital I should not fear anything.

Just then, I felt a firm grip on my arm from behind. I did not feel threatened, rather I was relieved. I thought an old schoolmate must have spotted me, James Cuddle, and decided to play our old game on me. How welcome! The good old days are here again.

I turned to look at the fellow in the face but the more, I turned to my left the faster he moved to my right as he tightened his grip on my wrist watch. Suddenly he let go of my arm and bolted. I saw him vanish into the thick crowd. Certain, this was not how to welcome a friend. People of the city are surely very strange!

Totally confused, I made my way towards the lorry park to leave for my brother's house. In the gathering darkness, I tried to find out what time it was. To my utter surprise, I discovered that my wrist watch was gone.

The rascal had made away with it. It was hardly new, not even expensive, yet the rogue found it worth stealing.

Question 6

The writer thought he was safe in Accra because ......

A. he saw people rushing home from work.
B. he had just arrived from his village.
C. Ghanaians would welcome him.
D. Ghanaians are famous for their kindness.

Question 7

Spotted in the passage means

A. looked at.
B. recognized.
C. marked.
D. pointed at.

Question 8

The writer turned to his left because he wanted to ......

A. see the person behind.
B. keep his wrist watch safe.
C. welcome his old friend.
D. play with his schoolmate.

Question 9

According to the passage, the fellow grabbed Cudjoe's arm because ......

A. he wanted to embrace.
B. they were mates.
C. he wanted to steal the watch.
D. they stood together.

Question 10

Rogue in the passage refers to ......

A. a worker.
B. the schoolmate.
C. the thief.
D. a citizen.

Question 11

Which of the following is not true according to the passage?

A. People in Accra are strange.
B. People in Accra are classmates.
C. There are thieves in Accra.
D. Workers in Accra return home in the evening.

Question 12

The director was humiliated when the theft was detected in his ministry.

A. angered
B. cautioned
C. discouraged
D. disgraced

Question 13

Nortey was industrious so he was duly rewarded.

A. intelligent
B. hardworking
C. careful
D. courageous

Question 14

Born and bred in an affluent home, he never experienced any hardships in life.

A. respectable
B. religious
C. happy
D. rich

Question 15

Dazzled by the bright headlights of the approaching vehicle, our driver drove into the bush.

A. disturbed
B. worried
C. blinded
D. discouraged

Question 16

He gave a precise definition of the word.

A. learned
B. hasty
C. accurate
D. short

Question 17

After serving ten years in prison he returned home under a cloud.

A. in dull weather.
B. very depressed.
C. in disgrace.
D. very secretly.

Question 18

His father's death, which was a bolt from the blue, greatly affected his education.

A. a disastrous event.
B. a complete surprise.
C. a mournful affair.
D. a blessing in disguise.

Question 19

Kofi Mensah found it difficult to do away with his habits. This means that Kofi Mensah could not ...... his bad habits.

A. continue.
B. hide.
C. stop.
D. talk about.

Question 20

Many people dislike Abugri because he enjoys blowing his own trumpet. This means that Abugri is ......

A. boastful.
B. greedy.
C. disrespectful.
D. shameful.

Question 21

When Susan was caught stealing money, she shed crocodile tears.

A. pretended she was sorry.
B. was annoyed.
C. was embarrassed.
D. cried like a crocodile.

Question 22

The health officer advised the people not to contaminate the water any further.

A. fetch.
B. story.
C. purify.
D. use.

Question 23

Theresa wanted to know the time arrival of the plane.

A. scheme.
B. routine.
C. departure.
D. boarding.

Question 24

I must consent to this proposal.

A. ignore.
B. question.
C. disagree.
D. react to.

Question 25

Yesterday my cousin looked very depressed.

A. contented.
B. active.
C. surprised.
D. happy.

Question 26

The level of the river subsided after the floods.

A. outflow.
B. ascended.
C. enlarged.
D. rose.

Question 27

I suggest that they ...... the piano instead.

A. are playing.
B. play.
C. praying.
D. will play.

Question 28

...... frankly, I hate the idea.

A. Speak.
B. Spoken.
C. To speak.
D. For speaking.

Question 29

I think we ...... Kwesi's offer.

A. better taking.
B. had better taken.
C. had better take.
D. better to take.

Question 30

...... the arable land was under cultivation.

A. Most of.
B. Many of.
C. More of.
D. Much of.

Question 31

In attempting to control us, the headmaster gave ...... a great deal of trouble.

A. themselves.
B. himself.
C. ourselves.
D. yourself.

Question 32

Do you believe in witches?

A. Yes, I don't.
B. No I won't.
C. Yes I won't.
D. No, I don't.

Question 33

Aba insisted that Adjoa ...... to the party.

A. to have come.
B. has come.
C. to come.
D. should come.

Question 34

Esi: I felt rather tired yesterday. Efua: Yes ......

A. I did too.
B. so I did.
C. so did I.
D. I didn't.

Question 35

The students complained that there was ...... sugar in their tea.

A. plenty.
B. few.
C. little.
D. small.

Question 36

One of the duties of the police is to ...... traffic.

A. lead.
B. regulate.
C. direct.
D. move.

Question 37

He decided to ...... the entrance examination again.

A. have sat.
B. sit.
C. be sitting.
D. have been sitting.

Question 38

We won the school debate ......?

A. hadn't we.
B. isn't it.
C. couldn't we.
D. didn't we.

Question 39

The plumber turned the pipe so hard that it ......

A. will break.
B. breaks.
C. had broken.
D. broke.

Question 40

He was introduced ...... the directors by his co-worker.

A. by.
B. to.
C. through.
D. from.