2004 BECE English Questions – Comprehension

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

Once, in the world of animals, there was a great famine and the animals were dying. For about three months, Tortoise and his family had eaten very little. Tortoise’s body rattled in his empty shell as he walked. One day as he thought of a way to get food, his throat began to itch.

He would go to the next village where he had heard there was still some food. He would steal some for himself and his family. He took the bush path and arrived at the village after sunset. The people were preparing their meals and the smell made his mouth water.

How would he get this food? Not far away from him was the village playground where there was a big hollow log leaning against a tree. This log was the drum used to summon the villagers for very important announcements. When he reached the tree, he decided to climb it so that he could see the village better. Unfortunately, as he was climbing, he fell because he was very weak and hungry. His shell hit the drum, sending out a loud ‘kpom! kpom!’ noise.

When they heard this noise, the villagers ran to the playground, believing they had been called, thereby leaving the food cooking in their homes.

Very quickly, Tortoise disappeared into nearby bush and ran to the village. He filled his empty shell with as much food as he could carry and returned home.

1. There was famine means that……….

A. all the animals died
B. food was scarce
B. there were no farmers
C. food was not sold

2. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Tortoise had not eaten for three months.
B. The villagers gave food to tortoise
C. Tortoise got food from his own farm
D. Tortoise stole the villagers’ food

3. Tortoise arrived at the nearby village……….

A. at sunset
B. in the night
C. at dawn
D. in the afternoon

4. The villagers went to playground because……….

A. they wanted to find out who made the noise.
B. they wanted to hear an announcement
C. Tortoise had fallen
D. the drum had fallen

5. The villagers did not see Tortoise at the playground because he……….

A. ate fast
B. hid in the drum
C. stole their food
D. hid in the bush

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

In the centre of the town, the clock chimed two o’ clock. In an abandoned house on the outskirts of the town, an owl hooted as if to signal to Sergeant Abora and Abaidoo to wake up from slumber.

They had patrolled the town for hours and were heavy with sleep. The night was very dark and so cold that in spite of his overcoat, the Sergeant’s teeth were chattering. He was about to speak when he heard a faint sound down the road that road led the town.

Abaidoo also picked the sound. Both listened attentively and realized that a late traveler was coming up the road. They took cover behind two opposing trees. As he reached where Abaidoo was hiding, the traveler stumbled over what looked like the root of a tree.

Then constable Abaidoo quickly flashed his torchlight and bawled out, ‘Stop or I shoot!’ Abora’s gun was also held in readiness. The traveler who carried a heavy load on his left shoulder panicked, dropping his cutlass in the process.

‘Who are you? Where are you from?
What’s in your bag? Speak out or I shoot!
We’ve got you at last!’ Abora exclaimed.

Trembling with fear and stammering for words the traveler gave his name as Nsiah. He was returning from Fosa with a bag of plantain and cassava. But his cutlass and bag, both dripping with blood, gave him away. After a search, the police found a human head and triumphantly marched him to the police station.

6. Abora’s teeth chattered because……….

A. he had a toothache
B. the night was cold
C. he wore a clock
D. the owl hooted

7. From the beginning the police knew where the traveler was when……….

A. he made a noise
B. the blood dripped
C. he stammered
D. the torchlight flashed

8. Sergeant Abora and Corporal Abaidoo hid themselves in order to……….

A. keep warm
B. avoid being seen
C. load their guns
D. have some sleep

9. The police arrested the late traveler……….

A. behind the trees
B. near the police station
C. in the centre of the town
D. near the town

10. ‘…gave him away’ in the passage means……….

A. frightened him
B. warned him
C. exposed him
D. disgraced him

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‘Headteacher’ beats student’s wrists to a pulp in Dansoman, Accra.

2003 BECE English Questions – Comprehension

COMPREHENSION PASSAGE 1

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

The children rushed out of school that afternoon innocently singing the song they had just learned:

Rain, rain, go away.
Go and come another day.
Little children want to play.
Rain, rain, go away.

But they stopped abruptly when they looked up and saw dark clouds racing across the sky. These were signs of rain and the children were beside themselves with joy. Then they burst into yet another song:

The rains will soon come.
The sky will be bright.
And the guns will boom.

As they sang and danced, they were soon joined by their parents in their happiness. It was six months since it had rained and all that time the farmers prayed for rain that would not come. The result was famine in the country for the land became so dry that new crops could not be sown and cassava could not be uprooted. The streams and the wells had dried up and the people could find very little water for themselves and their livestock. Was it then strange that adults danced and sang like children in the hope that their troubles would soon be over? They were sure the fetish priest’s sacrifice would not be in vain.

But they woke up the next morning to find the land was still dry; there was not a drop of rain water anywhere.

Then they became angry and ran after the fetish priest. But he was gone before they could lynch him.

1. The children changed their song because

A. The guns would be fired.
B. It was going to rain.
C. Their parents had seen the fetish priest.
D. They did not like their teacher’s song

2. The parents also sang and danced because

A. They wanted to be happy.
B. The children were returning from school.
C. It started to rain.
D. They believed it would rain.

3. Which of the following is true?

A. The people beat the fetish priest.
B. It had rained for six months
C. There was little to drink
D. The children did not want the rain.

4. Abruptly in the passage means

A. soon.
B. totally
C. slowly
D. suddenly

5. The people wanted to lynch the fetish priest because

A. there was famine
B. the streams had dried up
C. he did not perform the sacrifices
D. he had deceived them

6. From the passage we learn that

A. The children were innocent.
B. Man cannot fully rely on nature.
C. Adults play like children.
D. It had not rained for several days.

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COMPREHENSION PASSAGE 2

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

Teacher Amu never lost the opportunity to give pep-talks to his children. “Variety is the spice of life”, he often began. Then he would tell them how life has opposites, like good and bad. He would talk about the variety of birds, the different kinds of fish and species of trees. His students could always tell when teacher Amu’s sermons were about to end. He would raise his voice and look up as he made his point: “God made them all and He said, ‘It is good”.

These words had lasting effect on the students. When class was over, they would go on reeling with laughter as they recited these words. Soon, it was not surprising when they began to call Teacher Amu ‘God made them all’ whenever his back was turned.

But one of them, Kofi Abre, did not consider Teacher Amu’s pep-talks funny at all. He was not amused that his classmates joked with his teacher’s words. Teacher Amu had said that the world was made up of different things, different people and different habits. So why did they bother when he, Abre, acted differently?

The other day, he shouted down a school mate who called him lazy. He almost bloodied a friend’s nose too when this friend scolded him for not doing his home work. Teacher Amu warned that he would punish Abre. It was an act of indiscipline. Kofi Abre shook his head. It was his friend who offended him yet Teacher Amu would punish him for being violent and different.

7. The expression, Variety is the spice of life means life

A. has its ups and downs.
B. is like a tasty food.
C. should be taken seriously.
D. is full of different and interesting things.

8. The students called Teacher Amu ‘God made them all’ because

A. it was his favourite saying.
B. he always looked up.
C. his pep-talks were funny.
D. he liked preaching

9. Kofi Abre did not like the jokes because he

A. hated his classmates.
B. was afraid of his teacher.
C. loved his teacher’s words.
D. was lazy

10. The word scolded in the passage means

A. reminded.
B. annoyed.
C. rebuked.
D. questioned.

11. Teacher Amu punished Kofi Abre because he

A. did not do his homework.
B. did not behave well.
C. did not like pep-talks.
D. shook his head

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2002 BECE English Questions – Comprehension

COMPREHENSION PASSAGE 1

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

Antobam’s first day in senior secondary school was the day he would never forget. That morning he got up earlier than usual ready for his father to take him to the new school. With the help of this father’s houseboy, his trunk and chop box were packed into his father’s car. At exactly eleven o’clock, the car sped off as Antobam happily waved goodbye to his brothers and sisters.

After about one and half hour’s drive, they arrived at the school. Antobam beamed with smiles as the car pulled up in front of the administration block. Some huge boys rushed to the car shouting “Hommo, welcome; hommo, welcome!” Antobam misunderstood this for a warm welcome, but he was soon proved wrong.

From the list of newcomers displayed on the notice board, Antobam‘s father saw his son’s name under House Two and wanted to take the luggage there. But one of the boys politely said, “Daddy, stop. We have a tradition here.” Before he knew what was happening, two of the boys had lifted his trunk and chop box and put them on Antobam’s head. He had never carried any load on his head before, but here he was with the arduous task of carrying two heavy boxes. Tears started flowing as his father looked on in disbelief. He later left the school very disturbed, wondering what was going to happen to his beloved son.

1. Antobam got up early that morning because he……….

A. was very happy
B. was anxious to go his new school
C. would never forget that day
D. was woken up by his father

2. Antobam arrived at his new school at half past……….

A. ten
B. eleven
C. twelve
D. two

3. The senior boys made Antobam carry his boxes because they……….

A. welcomed his father
B. were following tradition
C. thought he was strong
D. tried to seize his provisions

4. Arduous in the passage means

A. strange
B. new
C. additional
D. difficult

5. Antobam‘s father left the school

A. a happy man
B. crying for his son
C. a worried man
D. promising to come back

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COMPREHENSION PASSAGE 2

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

Every year, thousands of African school leavers from the rural areas rush to the urban areas to seek employment. Apart from leaving the countryside thinly populated, these youths cause overcrowding in the cities. They cannot get any house to live in so they are found sleeping in market places and on verandas.

Most of our youths regard agriculture as poor a man‘s business. They prefer white-collar jobs to farming and forget that one can gain fame or wealth through agriculture. Most of these youths are greatly disappointed in the townships. Lack of jobs and money force them to join bad companies, break into houses at night or snatch people’s bags at lorry parks or in the street during the day. They often wear dirty clothes and are seen in the streets trying to find something to eat.

One way of checking this movement is by setting up factories in the rural areas and establishing large farms where the school leavers can easily find work. Other ways are providing good means of transport and communication. Libraries, medical services and post offices are equally important amenities necessary in rural areas.

These facilities together with good drinking water and electricity will make these areas attractive enough for the youth to remain and help grow food and cash crops for the country. They can also produce raw materials for our industries.

6. School leavers migrate to the cities and d towns to……….

A. seek enjoyment
B. look for work
C. look for amenities
D. continue their education

7. One of the results of the movement of the youth in the rural areas is that the

A. towns are overcrowded
B. rural areas lack money
C. youth are greatly disappointed
D. rural areas lose their people

8. White-collar jobs as used in the passage means……….

A. working in the cities
B. working in offices
C. wearing white-collar shirts
D. working for white-men

9. The word snatch means……….

A. carry
B. steal
C. push
D. damage

10. When the youth come into the cities……….

A. there is over-population
B. amenities are provided
C. jobs are created
D. they become very happy

11. When the youth remain in the rural areas they can help produce……….

A. electricity
B. food
C. libraries
D. water

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2001 BECE English Questions – Comprehension

Comprehension Passage 1

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

There stood an enormous tree in the centre of the town. Its big branches and dense foliage gave shelter in all weather and so it had become a natural meeting place. Benches 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 wished 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 as they bargained with the food sellers.

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

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

3. Uproar in the passage means

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

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

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

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

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Comprehension Passage 2

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

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 hospitable 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 Cudjoe, 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 varnish into the thick crowd. Certainly, 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.

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.

7. Spotted in the passage means

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

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.

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

10. Rogue in the passage refers to……….

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

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

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

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