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BECE English Language past questions and answers

Eight multiple choice and two written, marked as you go. Free, no account.

ObjectiveQ1 of 10

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:We could not buy many things ____ most shops were closed.

Grammar: Conjunctions

Answer: B. because

"Because" gives the reason why they could not buy many things — the shops were closed. It shows a cause-effect relationship.

ObjectiveQ2 of 10

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence:She wasted all the chances ____ laziness.

Grammar: Prepositions

Answer: A. due to

"Due to" means "because of" and fits this context: "She wasted all the chances due to laziness" — laziness was the cause.

ObjectiveQ3 of 10

The priest was in high spirits during the sermon.This means that he was:

Idioms and Phrases

Answer: D. cheerful

'In high spirits' is an idiom meaning very happy, lively, and cheerful. It describes a mood of joy and enthusiasm. Content means satisfied (calmer), confused means uncertain, and spiritual relates to religion — none match the energy of 'high spirits.'

ObjectiveQ4 of 10

Grace was taken aback on seeing a stranger in her room.This means Grace was very:

Idioms and Phrases

Answer: D. surprised

'Taken aback' is an idiom meaning shocked or surprised by something unexpected. Grace was surprised to find a stranger in her room. Angry, afraid, and confused describe different emotions — 'taken aback' specifically means caught off guard.

ObjectiveQ5 of 10

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence:It pays to be courteous rather than being ______.

Vocabulary: Antonyms

Answer: A. rude

Courteous means polite and well-mannered. The sentence uses 'rather than,' signaling a contrast, so the blank needs the opposite of courteous. Rude (impolite, bad-mannered) is the direct antonym. Wicked, disobedient, and boastful are negative traits but not direct opposites of courtesy.

ObjectiveQ6 of 10

Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:Affrakoma shouted ______ us to come in.

Grammar: Prepositions

Answer: A. to

The correct preposition is 'to' — you shout TO someone when calling them. 'Shout at' implies anger or scolding, while 'shout to' means calling out to get attention. 'Shout with' and 'shout into' don't fit this context.

ObjectiveQ7 of 10

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:Neither Mansah nor her children ______ here.

Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement

Answer: D. were

With "neither … nor", the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it (the proximity rule). Here the nearer subject is "her children", which is plural, so the verb must be plural: "were". The correct sentence is "Neither Mansah nor her children were here." "is", "has" and "was" are all singular and do not agree with the plural "children".

ObjectiveQ8 of 10

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to the word "care" to complete the sentence:Drivers who drive with care are sometimes charged with ______.

Vocabulary: Antonyms

Answer: C. recklessness

The opposite of "care" (carefulness) is "recklessness" — acting without thought for safety. "Speeding" and "drunkenness" are driving offences but not the direct opposite of care, and "disobedient" is an adjective that does not fit "charged with ___".

TheoryQ9 of 1030 marks

Write a letter to your friend describing to him/her, how you spent your long vacation.

Marking guide

Marking guide (30 marks): Content 10 (a clear, vivid and well-organised description of how the long vacation was spent); Organisation and format 5 (correct informal-letter layout: writer’s address and date, salutation, logical paragraphs, informal closing); Expression and accuracy 15 (lively, personal, descriptive language; correct grammar, spelling and punctuation).

Sample letter:

[Your House Address] [Town] [Date]

Dear [Friend's Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. I'm writing to you today to share how I spent my recent long vacation. It was a truly memorable time, filled with a mix of relaxation and exciting activities.

My vacation began with a visit to my grandparents in the village. It was wonderful to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful surroundings. I spent my days helping my grandmother in her garden, learning to cook some traditional dishes, and playing with my cousins. We went on long walks through the fields, explored the nearby forest, and even went fishing in the river. The evenings were spent listening to stories from my grandfather and stargazing, which was absolutely breathtaking.

After a week in the village, I returned home and decided to focus on some personal development. I enrolled in a short computer literacy course at a local centre, which was very beneficial. I learned new skills in using various software applications and improved my typing speed. I also dedicated a significant amount of time to reading. I managed to finish several interesting books, ranging from adventure novels to historical accounts, which broadened my knowledge and imagination.

Towards the end of the vacation, my family and I took a short trip to the beach. It was a fantastic experience! We swam in the ocean, built sandcastles, and enjoyed delicious seafood. The sound of the waves and the warm sun were incredibly relaxing. We also visited a nearby historical site, which was both educational and fascinating.

Overall, my long vacation was a perfect blend of family time, learning, and adventure. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the new academic term. I can't wait to hear about how you spent your vacation too!

Write back soon.

Your friend, [Your Name]

TheoryQ10 of 1020 marksBECE 2024

At one time or another, most of us have to share something with someone else. Tell your friends about one difficulty you faced when you had to share something you value with another person and how you solved the problem.

Marking guide

Marking guide (20 marks): • Content 7 — a relevant, well-developed account of one sharing difficulty + how it was solved. • Organisation 4 — clear beginning–middle–end and logical paragraphing. • Expression 9 — grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence variety and vocabulary.

Sample story:

One experience I will never forget is when I had to share my textbook with my classmate, Ama, for an entire term.

My parents had bought me a new Mathematics textbook at the beginning of the term. However, Ama could not afford one. Our teacher asked me to share mine with her.

At first, I was unhappy. I liked to study at home in the evenings, but Ama also needed the book. We often argued about who would take it home. Sometimes I could not do my homework because the book was with her.

To solve the problem, we created a timetable. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I kept the book. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends, Ama had it. During school hours, we sat together and shared.

This experience taught me that sharing requires sacrifice, but it builds friendship and understanding. Ama and I became close friends, and we both passed our Mathematics exam that term.

Topics on this page: Grammar: Conjunctions; Grammar: Prepositions; Idioms and Phrases; Vocabulary: Antonyms; Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement; Informal Letter Writing; Writing: Narrative Essay.

Revise a topic

Notes, practice questions and a mark scheme for topics on the syllabus.

  • Essay writing
  • Comprehension
  • Lexis and structure
  • Letter writing
  • Literature

More BECE past questions

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  • Religious and Moral Education
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Questions about BECE English Language on GLearn

Are these real BECE English Language past questions?+

Some are from past papers and show their year. The rest are written in the style of the BECE, and every one comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

Can I get my written answers marked?+

Yes, on this page: type your answer and the coach marks it with AI and shows you where the marks are, a few a day with no account. Inside GLearn, every answer you write.

Do I need an account for this page?+

No. You need one only to save your score and to keep going once the free marking for the day is used.

Will these exact questions come in my exam?+

Nobody can promise that. These test the same topics and the same kind of thinking the BECE does, which is what practice is for. There are thousands more across BECE and WASSCE inside GLearn; this page shows a small sample.

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