DEE
EVIDENCE DEE EVIDENCE college
BECE EXAMINATION
No 4, Campt., Davies Road, prince hotel along Bada, Ayobo, Ipaja Lagos state
SECTION A (OBJECTIVE) ENGLISH STUDIES
COMPREHENSION
INSTRUCTION: Road the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
He came from an unknown country, though not to the extent that the country was not
listed or recognized by others. Rather, a country that had not been known to produce aby
Olympic medalist before unlike America or China where gold medalists seem to be mass -
produced on a daily basis
Ngembele was poor. He came from a small village in one of the deepest jungles in
Africa but had made his way to civilization, mainly through his sheer curiosity and
determination. Ngembele started his journey out of his village by simply running. He ran away
from the comfort of his hut just to find out how it would feel like if he were to have no home.
He soon found out that he had got lost, and had to live on wild berries and rain water while
trying to avoid being preyed upon by larger animals. How he managed to survive those
sinister African jungle nights, no one knew, but he soon ran his way out of the jungle where he
was promptly taken in as an adopted child to a certain family named Akonkwo, who could not
resist the doe - eyed and chubby - cheeked boy of eight.
Ngembele was thankful, for he was an orphan to begin with and since no one in his
native village would miss him, he settled into the Akonkwo family. He soon found out that he
must outsmart, outlearn and outrun boys in his family.
They were full of mischief and the only way not to get mad was to get even. He soon
found himself always running from his brothers when they turned into bullies, to the dining
table to get his own share of the food, to his adopted parents for help when things get out of
hand.
Ngembele soon realized that it was easier for him to run than to walk. His physical self
was perfect for it, tall and lanky with strong muscular limbs. It saved his time too, thus he
stopped walking. In school, his natural talent for running attracted the attention of Mr. John
White, an athletics coach and he began running for the school's athletic team and ran his way
up to the national level.
Four years later, he found himself on a running track halfway across the world in a
foreign land. Still, when the gun was shot, he just ran. He ran to the finishing line and broke
the white ribbon. The stadium broke into thunderous cheer. Ngembele looked up and
frowned. He did not to do anything special, he had just run as fast as he could, like what he
always did. Nothing special, not even a certain giant company that sold fizzy drinks offered
him an endorsement deal worth millions of dollars.
Questions.
1. Why was Ngembele's country not recognized?
A. It had never produced any Olympic medalist before B. It was never listed formally
as a country C. It was not a big country to begin with D. It was not famous
2. It was easy for Ngembele to get adopted as
A. he was already an orphan B. he looked really cute
C. he Akonkwo family had no son D. no one from his native village would miss him
3. What made it easier for him to run than to walk?
A. He had run from the jungle B. He attracted the attention of the coach
C. He was physically suited for running D He had to run away from his siblings all the
time
4. Which phrase tells you that the Olympics was not held in Africa?
A. “Stadium broke into thunderous cheer” B. “fan his way up the national level”
C. “a pair of eyes would follow" D. “halfway across the world”
5. The stadium broke into thunderous applause when Ngembele came in
A. third B. second C. first D. last
COMPREHENSION
INSTRUCTION: Read the passage carefully and answer the question below it.
The post of the President is the most important office in an organization. He is more or
less like the prime Minister in a democratic government
The candidates for the post of the President are-supposed to possess a lot of good
qualities.
In the first place, the would-be President has to possess an admirable personality.
One could hardly expect the queens or girls to vote for a would-be President who is as
ugly as a scare crow, but just having handsome features is not enough. The candidate's social
and educational background is also important. Is he a wide traveller? Or, is he a just stay-at-
home village President? Is he alive to the national and international issues of the
contemporary life? Or, is he merely an expect of community gossip and folktales?
What about his speaking ability? Has he some Oratorical power? Is he eloquent? Is he
dynamic and persuasive? Or, is he merely a hesitant and nervous speaker?
There is also the important question of ethnic group. Of what ethnic group is the
candidate? Is he from the majority ethnic group? There are lots of ethnic discrimination,
ethnic groupings and regroupings.
The last but not the least quality the would-be president is supposed to possess is a
good financial stand. Can he afford to throw a lavish party for the members of his inner circle?
etc.
The importance of having a solid financial stand can hardly be over-emphasized. Thus,
no indigent person ever dreams of becoming a president in any social organization.
(Culled and adapted from: “The Weeping Undergraduate” by S.M.OAka)
Questions
6. According to the passage, another word that can replace the word indigent is
A. poor B. lazy C. proud D. hardworking
7. One of the qualities a president must possess is…..
A. ugliness B. community gossiper
C. admirable personality D. dishonesty
8. A would-be Union president in an organization is more or less like a…..in a
democratic government
A. Vice-Chancellor B. Prime Minister C. Senator D. Professor
9. According to the passage, a president must be a/an
A. bad B. nervous C. hesitant D. eloquent
10. The word "eloquent' as used in the passage belongs to which word class?
A. Noun B. Adjective C. Verb D. Adverb
SUMMARY
INSTRUCTION: Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In the past, the giant octopus was associated with tales of horror. Stories were told of
how the giant octopus would attack boats and men. These animals would rise out of the sea
and terrorize passing ships, even causing them to sink. Yet in reality, octopuses are the exact
opposite. They are very shy creatures and also quite smart.
The octopus is actually a predator in the sea but not one that hunts for people. The
octopus feeds on a variety of sea creatures such as crabs. It gently drops down onto the sea
bed, trapping crabs. It hunts by shooting out a poison into the water to stun the crab and then
it uses its beak to crack the shell of the crab and eat the meat. Between its many tentacles
are pieces of skin called web and this is used by the octopus to carry as many as a dozen
crabs back to its den. Apart from crabs, octopuses also eat other types of shellfish like
abalone. Under some circumstances, like when it is in captivity and under a lot of stress, the
octopus even eats its own tentacles. When other predators like whales or sea lions hunt the
octopus, it sometimes escapes by breaking of its tentacles leaving them in the mouth of its
hunter while it makes its escape.
Octopuses are also shy creatures that seem to prefer being left alone. Due to the
popularity of scuba diving, scientists have been able to prove that everyone thought they
were in fact, for some divers, meeting an octopus has become a special moment in their dive
underwater, something to look forward to.
A relative of the squid, the octopus defends itself in the same way. Both squirt out
black ink to evade predators, it is believed that the octopus squirts ink to create a
smokescreen before it escapes. It is also believed that the ink that is squirted out floats lightly
and takes the shape of an octopus, thus 'perplexing' the predator and allowing time for the
octopus to make its escape.
Questions
11. When the octopus stuns an animal, it suggests that….
A. the animal becomes too startled to escape B the octopus is able to corner the animal
C. the animal becomes too confused and starts moving in all directions
D. the octopus in intelligent enough to play tricks on its prey
12. Contrary to popular belief, the octopus…
A. is smart enough never to get caught by men B. feeds on crabs only
C. does not shoot poison D. Is not fierce or aggressive in nature
13. An octopus escapes from its predators by…
A. shooting poison B. giving off smokes
C. shooting black ink D. breaking all its tentacles
14. Octopuses are far from "fierce monsters” The underlined word is a/an…
A. verb B. adjective C. adverb D. conjunction
15. The use “perplexing" (paragraph 4) suggests that the predator is
A. complicated B. surprised C. nervous D. confused
SUMMARY
INSTRUCTION: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Communication can be defined as the system of passing message across to one
another. Basically, the traditional system of transmitting messages made use of the town
criers who moved round the community to pass the king’s messages across to his subjects.
This he did by beating his gongs or drums. Leaves, pepper, honey and sticks were also used
to send messages of peace or war from town to town or person to person.
However, as human race advances, there is development of information technology.
Radio, television and newspapers were used to send information through paid
announcement or advertisement. Now, the development of computers and cell phones have
made transmitting of messages easier and faster. Messages can be transmitted to a large
number of people via e-mails and we are able to chat on the internet. This modern,
telecommunication system has brought improvement on the old system. The latter is faster
and has wider coverage than the former.
16. Information technology developed the use of…..to pass information.
A. cell phones B. town criers
C. drum set D. whistle blowers
17. Complete the following statement according to the passage. The use of ….. is a
traditional means" of transmitting messages
A. computer B. newspaper C. town crier D. television
18. The use of e-mail and internet are….. means of transmitting messages
A. archaic B. modern C. important D. traditional
19. We use…..to transmit messages to many people at the same time.
A. leaves B. gong C. drum D. email
20. Modern equipment for transmitting messages include the following EXCEPT...
A. gong B. television C. radio D. cell phone
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A - D choose one that correctly fills the numbered
gaps.
For effective work in the library ….21…. is essential. Return…22…. and books you are
using as soon as you through with them so that others may use them. The library
materials are the .... 23 .... of your school. You should handle them with care…24… will be
glad to help you whenever you need their.... 25….
A B C D
21. quietness hardwork laziness relaxation
22. dictionaries things articles magazine
23. investment property catchment purchase
24. librarians teachers liberians volunteers
25. support actions power services
INSTRUCTION: Choose from the alternatives lettered A-D, one which correctly fills the blank
spaces in the questions below.
26. The carriage was drawn by a….of six white horses.
A. flock B. team C. gang D. herd
27. There was a large congress of….at the ECOWAS summit in Abuja.
A. participants B. members C. delegates D. visitors
28. Mr. James would visit all his…..houses next week
A. sons-in-law B. son s-in-laws
C. son-in-law's D. son-in-laws
29. I will visit Ayodeji, …..are in the same class.
A. he and me B. him and I
C. him and me D. he and I
30. The boy was sorry and begged his mother….him
A. for forgiving B. to forgive
C. that she forgave D. if she would forgive
31. The teacher sent for you and Banke but neither of …. in
A. is B. were C. was D. are
32. All of them but Ahmed….absent from the last meeting
A. was B. is C. are D. were
33. The boy….that letter, but he had no time.
A. should had written B. should be writing
C. should write D. should have written
34. He slipped and….fell into the gutter.
A. soon B. almost C. already D. often
35. Our heroes fought….for the liberation of our country.
A. hastily B. strongly C. accidentally D. dauntlessly
36. Mother bought….bag from the store
A. an old brown leather B. a leather old brown
C. a brown leather old D. an old leather brown
37. Mr. Amodu’s house is a…..building.
A. three high stories B. high three storeys
C. three storeys high ……D. high storeys three
38. Food and drink are essential…..life.
A. in B. to C. with D. of
39. Tunji must avail himself…….the opportunity.
A. of B. with C. upon D. to
40. Mallam Shehu is generous ……he is poor
A. although B. besides C. because D. since
LEXIS AND STRUCTURE
41. The apprentice had no respect…….his master.
A. on B. to C. with D. for
42. ……of the players were late.
A. Much B. None C. Many D. No one
43. Kunle had no pencil, so Lekan offered to……him his own for some lime.
A. borrow B. present C. dash D. lend
44. Please, let Jenifer….with me
A. coming B. come C. comes D. to come
45. I looked up and ....the Oba's Palace a few meters ahead
A. was seeing B. saw C. have seen D. seen
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A - D, choose the word which is nearly opposite in
meaning to the underlined woods in these sentences below
46. Anthony likes to dwell on trivial issues.
A. popular B. frivolous C. weighty D. negligible
47. He has had an illustrious military career
A. notable B. obscure C. victorious D. prestigious
48. Open land is sparse around Lagos.
A. ample B. skimpy C. sparing D. meager
49. The beggar has many repulsive features.
A. abominable B. offensive C. alluring D. horrid
50. Bambo is slothful and irresponsible.
A. indolent B. idle C. diligent D. dormant
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A - D. choose the word which is opposite in
meaning to the underlined words in these sentences below.
51 This kitchen knife is blunt
A. thin B. old C. sharp D .new
52. He was a powerful king.
A. weak B strong C. miserable D. wretched
53. Yours is a modern house.
A. an old B. a respectable C. a beautiful D. a new
54. Shade received many presents on her birthday.
A. kept B. gave C. posted D. got
55. It could be dangerous to drive at night
A. risky B. exciting C. safe D. delightful
INSTRUCTION: Choose from the options lettered A - D. the one that is nearest in meaning
to the underlined words in the sentences below.
56. Peter heard the news with a astonished smile.
A. adequate B. abundant C. courageous D. amazed
57. The little girl was given an antidote for the poison
A. venom B. remedy C. toxin D. counsel
58. Mrs. Brown has an immaculate record of service
A. obscene B. indecent C. inadequate D. chaste
59. The boys are full of juvenile pranks
A. grown-up B. irresponsible C. adolescent D. matured
60. The teasing of the girls was spiteful.
A. cruel B. loving C. fair D. kind
61. He says we are going to have a bright day.
A. sunny B. raining C. dull D. cloudy
62. The teacher was annoyed with the class.
A. amused B. pleased C. angry D. confused
63 The man was of average height.
A. strange B. very small C. unusual D. medium
64 I used to see him frequently.
A. always B. generally C. sometimes D. quickly
65 Smith found a pen for Jane when he had lost hers.
A. bought B. sent C. provided D. sold
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A - D, choose one that gives the correct
Interpretation of the underlined expressions in the sentences below.
66. The manager did not assign any job to the newcomer as he was wet behind the ears
A. stupid and slow-witted B. young and inexperienced
C. drenched in the rain D. unpunctual and lazy
67. I told the students to buckle down this term.
A. go for a vacation B. take it easy C. sit quietly D. work seriously
68. “One has to feather one's nest” The man told his son.
A. To enrich oneself when opportunity comes B. To mind one’s business
C. To get something in abundance easily D. To build one's house
69. The young man doesn't care for his family, he wanted to gather roses only
A. to paint a rosy picture of the past B. to obtain tame by hardwork
C. to seek all enjoyment of life D. to save money miserly
70. If Musa does not mind his ways, he is sure to go to the dogs
A. To fight B. To be ruined C. To be rough D. To be wicked
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A - D. choose one that correctly interprets the
expression.
71. Ngozi is found of picking quarrels with her friends. This means Ngozi is…..
A. friendly B. stubborn C. selfish D. hostile
72. More power to your elbow. This could be interpreted as
A. raise your elbow up B. keep the flag flying
C. adjust your elbow D. your elbow is powerful
73. Kehinde will neither eat rice nor beans tonight. This means Kehinde….
A. will not eat anything tonight B. will not eat rice but he will eat beans
C. will eat rice or he will eat beans D. He will not eat rice and he will not eat beans
74. Be patient, we shall soon round off the discussion in due course. This means the
discussion will soon be…..
A. concluded B. adopted C. moved D. shifted
75. The driver took to his heels before the police got to the scene of the accident. This
means the driver…
A. confessed B. knelt down C. began to jump D. ran away
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A - D. choose the word that has the same vowel
or consonant sounds as the one represented in the letters(s) underlined
76 Actor A. About B Lost C. Port D Chord
77. Bait A. Cake B. Bark C. Bath D. Cat
78. Caught A. Laugh B. Cut C. Loud D. Lord
79. Onion A. Cotton B. Ought C. Nurse D. Store
80. Bury A. Fury B. Head C. Burn D. Bulb
81. King A. Loan B. Manner C. Rinse D. Plank
82. Gnash A. Rogue B. Sing C. Student D. Gang
83. Future A. Show B. Catch C. Nation D. Tension
84. Sport A. Cot B. Bought C. Spoil D. Dog
85. Chair A. Shaw B. Lawyer C. Teacher D. Character
86. Mouth A. Thank B. This C. Father D. Though
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A- D, choose the word that rhymes with each of
the given words below
87. Heart A. Kate B. Cart C. Pack D. Kite
88. Base A. Bag B. Cow C. House D. Chase
89. Meat A. Might B. Height C. Myth D. Sight
INSTRUCTION: From the options lettered A - D. choose the one that correctly answers the
following questions.
90. The words, phrases and sentences used in any story to pass across the writer s
message is known as ….
A. mood B. theme C. diction D. point of view
91. The character that works against the hero/heroine in any story is called…..
A. protagonist B. minor character C. antagonist D. flat character
92. A practice where actors of a play are selected to play specific roles is called….
A. production B. audition C. projection D. submission
93. The first eight (8) lines of a sonnet is called …..
A. sestet B. couplet C. quatrain D. octave
94. A poem which tells a story Is referred to as…..poem
A. lyrical B. clergy C. narrative D. pastoral
95. A poem that deals with shepherds or rural life is called ….
A. dirge B. pastoral poem C. ballad D. couplet
96. “Even ten thousand oceans cannot wash away my guilt”. The figure of speech used
here is….
A. hyperbole B. personification C. assonance D. metaphor
97. Acting without speech in drama is known as…..
A. miming B. verse C. soliloquy D. conversation
98. Don't we all know that God exists? This is an example of ….. question.
A. direct B. indirect C. rhetorical D. yes or no
99. The old man kicked the bucket is an example of…..
A. irony B. euphemism C. hyperbole D. metaphor
100. The people that gather to watch a play are called….
A. audience B. spectators C. students D. congregators
