Lexis is word choice. Structure is how the sentence is built. The objective paper tests both in short questions.
The idea
A lexis question asks which word fits. It may be a synonym, a word that means the same, or an antonym, a word that means the opposite. It may be an idiom, whose meaning is not the meaning of the separate words. "To pull someone's leg" is to tease them, not to injure them. Read the whole sentence. The right word is the one that fits the grammar and the sense, not the one you like in isolation.
A structure question asks how the sentence holds together. Subject and verb must agree. A singular subject takes a singular verb. Tense should not jump from past to present without a reason. Pronouns must match the noun they stand for. Prepositions are small and expensive: "interested in", not a near guess. When two options are both real words, say each sentence quietly and keep the one a careful speaker would use.
The English tips guide sets out lexis and structure beside the rest of the English paper. BECE English tips
What earns the marks
One letter is the whole mark on an objective item, so the explanation still has to say why the other options fail. For a written item, the mark is the correct form, not a description of the rule, unless the question asks for the rule. Spelling the answer wrongly loses a word that was otherwise right.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
3 marks
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
(a) The news _____ good yesterday. (is / are / was / were)
(b) She has been absent _____ Monday. (since / for / by / on)
(c) I prefer tea _____ coffee. (than / from / to / over)
(3 marks)
Model answer
(a) was
(b) since
(c) to
Mark scheme
was. "News" is singular, and "yesterday" needs the past1 mark
since. It marks the point when the absence began. "For" would need a length of time1 mark
to. The pattern is "prefer one thing to another"1 mark
2Question 2
2 marks
(a) Give a word opposite in meaning to "scarce". (1 mark)
(b) The sentence "Kofi pulled Ama's leg about her new shoes" means that Kofi did what? (1 mark)
Model answer
(a) plentiful, or abundant.
(b) He teased her. He did not hurt her leg.
Mark scheme
A correct opposite, such as plentiful, abundant or common1 mark
Teased her, or joked with her. A literal answer about the leg scores nothing1 mark
3Question 3
2 marks
Rewrite this sentence so that the verb agrees with the subject: "The list of names are on the table." (2 marks)
Model answer
The list of names is on the table.
Mark scheme
The verb is "is", agreeing with "list"1 mark
The rest of the sentence is unchanged and correct1 mark
Practise English Language with Kevin
More questions on this topic are inside GLearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
What is the difference between lexis and structure?+
Lexis is the words: meaning, opposites, idioms and the word that fits. Structure is the grammar: agreement, tense, pronouns and the shape of the sentence. Many items test both at once, because a word can be the right meaning and the wrong form.
Why is "news" followed by a singular verb?+
"News" looks like a plural but it is a singular noun. You say "the news is good", not "the news are good". The same care applies to words like "mathematics". All BECE English Language past questions