BECE English Language 2015 Paper 1 Past Questions

Practice each question, then open it to see the full details.

Question 1
Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A - E (Questions 1-10)
PASSAGE 1
The sun,the planets and their moons form the part of the solar system. But there are a number of smaller, minor bodies which also belong to it and travel,like the
planets, in orbit around the sun. These are the asteriods, meteors and comets. The sun and all these bodies travel through space as a unit or 'family' held together
by the sun's gravitational attraction.

The warmth and light of the sun are the most important things to us on earth, for without them there would be no life of any kind. The sky would always be inky black and the
emperature would be deadly cold. The fiery sun is a great globe of hot, glowing gases. We can call it our star, for that is what it is - just another star. As far as stars go, it is very ordinary, being neither particularly big nor particularly brighter but there are also many that are much smaller and dimmer.

What are the prospects of life elsewhere in the solar system, besides earth? Are there any Mercurions, Venusians, or Martians? From our present knowledge of the
conditions on other planets, can we say that it is most unlikely that there is any other life as we know it.

Life as we know it definetely could not exist on Mercury because it is too hot. And Jupiter and the outer planets are much too cold. The only planet where life as we know
it had been considered possible are Venus and Mars. But the available evidence from the latest Russian and American space probs makes the possibility remote.

What about life outside the solar system? The sun is but one of millions of millions of stars in the heavens. It would be incredible if there were no other stars with planetary
systems like ours. It is likely that there are within the universe planets on which conditions are much like those on earth. Why then should there not be other life elsewhere
similar to our own? Why not indeed? This ia a mystery which we might one day solve, when we learn more about how life began and when, if ever, we can travel to the stars.
Adapted from: The Children's Encyclopedia, ed Kenneth Bacley, Londonb
"What are the prospects of life elsewhere in the solar system, besides earth?" What figure of speech is used in the above expression?
  • A.Alitteration
  • B.Metaphor
  • C.Personification
  • D.Rhetorical question
  • E.Simile.
Objective
Question 2
Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A - E (Questions 1-10)
PASSAGE 1
The sun,the planets and their moons form the part of the solar system. But there are a number of smaller, minor bodies which also belong to it and travel,like the
planets, in orbit around the sun. These are the asteriods, meteors and comets. The sun and all these bodies travel through space as a unit or 'family' held together
by the sun's gravitational attraction.

The warmth and light of the sun are the most important things to us on earth, for without them there would be no life of any kind. The sky would always be inky black and the
emperature would be deadly cold. The fiery sun is a great globe of hot, glowing gases. We can call it our star, for that is what it is - just another star. As far as stars go, it is very ordinary, being neither particularly big nor particularly brighter but there are also many that are much smaller and dimmer.

What are the prospects of life elsewhere in the solar system, besides earth? Are there any Mercurions, Venusians, or Martians? From our present knowledge of the
conditions on other planets, can we say that it is most unlikely that there is any other life as we know it.

Life as we know it definetely could not exist on Mercury because it is too hot. And Jupiter and the outer planets are much too cold. The only planet where life as we know
it had been considered possible are Venus and Mars. But the available evidence from the latest Russian and American space probs makes the possibility remote.

What about life outside the solar system? The sun is but one of millions of millions of stars in the heavens. It would be incredible if there were no other stars with planetary
systems like ours. It is likely that there are within the universe planets on which conditions are much like those on earth. Why then should there not be other life elsewhere
similar to our own? Why not indeed? This ia a mystery which we might one day solve, when we learn more about how life began and when, if ever, we can travel to the stars.
Adapted from: The Children's Encyclopedia, ed Kenneth Bacley, Londonb
The following make up the solar system except
  • A.asteriods
  • B.gravitational attraction
  • C.moons
  • D.planets
  • E.sun
Objective
Question 3
Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A - E (Questions 1-10)
PASSAGE 1
The sun,the planets and their moons form the part of the solar system. But there are a number of smaller, minor bodies which also belong to it and travel,like the
planets, in orbit around the sun. These are the asteriods, meteors and comets. The sun and all these bodies travel through space as a unit or 'family' held together
by the sun's gravitational attraction.

The warmth and light of the sun are the most important things to us on earth, for without them there would be no life of any kind. The sky would always be inky black and the
emperature would be deadly cold. The fiery sun is a great globe of hot, glowing gases. We can call it our star, for that is what it is - just another star. As far as stars go, it is very ordinary, being neither particularly big nor particularly brighter but there are also many that are much smaller and dimmer.

What are the prospects of life elsewhere in the solar system, besides earth? Are there any Mercurions, Venusians, or Martians? From our present knowledge of the
conditions on other planets, can we say that it is most unlikely that there is any other life as we know it.

Life as we know it definetely could not exist on Mercury because it is too hot. And Jupiter and the outer planets are much too cold. The only planet where life as we know
it had been considered possible are Venus and Mars. But the available evidence from the latest Russian and American space probs makes the possibility remote.

What about life outside the solar system? The sun is but one of millions of millions of stars in the heavens. It would be incredible if there were no other stars with planetary
systems like ours. It is likely that there are within the universe planets on which conditions are much like those on earth. Why then should there not be other life elsewhere
similar to our own? Why not indeed? This ia a mystery which we might one day solve, when we learn more about how life began and when, if ever, we can travel to the stars.
Adapted from: The Children's Encyclopedia, ed Kenneth Bacley, Londonb
According to the passage, planetary bodies are held together by the
  • A.mercurions
  • B.meteors and comets
  • C.moon's gravitational attraction
  • D.sun's gravitational attraction
  • E.venusions.
Objective
Question 4
Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A - E (Questions 1-10)
PASSAGE 1
The sun,the planets and their moons form the part of the solar system. But there are a number of smaller, minor bodies which also belong to it and travel,like the
planets, in orbit around the sun. These are the asteriods, meteors and comets. The sun and all these bodies travel through space as a unit or 'family' held together
by the sun's gravitational attraction.

The warmth and light of the sun are the most important things to us on earth, for without them there would be no life of any kind. The sky would always be inky black and the
emperature would be deadly cold. The fiery sun is a great globe of hot, glowing gases. We can call it our star, for that is what it is - just another star. As far as stars go, it is very ordinary, being neither particularly big nor particularly brighter but there are also many that are much smaller and dimmer.

What are the prospects of life elsewhere in the solar system, besides earth? Are there any Mercurions, Venusians, or Martians? From our present knowledge of the
conditions on other planets, can we say that it is most unlikely that there is any other life as we know it.

Life as we know it definetely could not exist on Mercury because it is too hot. And Jupiter and the outer planets are much too cold. The only planet where life as we know
it had been considered possible are Venus and Mars. But the available evidence from the latest Russian and American space probs makes the possibility remote.

What about life outside the solar system? The sun is but one of millions of millions of stars in the heavens. It would be incredible if there were no other stars with planetary
systems like ours. It is likely that there are within the universe planets on which conditions are much like those on earth. Why then should there not be other life elsewhere
similar to our own? Why not indeed? This ia a mystery which we might one day solve, when we learn more about how life began and when, if ever, we can travel to the stars.
Adapted from: The Children's Encyclopedia, ed Kenneth Bacley, Londonb
From the passage, the only planet that has life is
  • A.Earth
  • B.Jupiter
  • C.Mars
  • D.Mercury
  • E.Venus.
Objective
Question 5
Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A - E (Questions 1-10)
PASSAGE 1
The sun,the planets and their moons form the part of the solar system. But there are a number of smaller, minor bodies which also belong to it and travel,like the
planets, in orbit around the sun. These are the asteriods, meteors and comets. The sun and all these bodies travel through space as a unit or 'family' held together
by the sun's gravitational attraction.

The warmth and light of the sun are the most important things to us on earth, for without them there would be no life of any kind. The sky would always be inky black and the
emperature would be deadly cold. The fiery sun is a great globe of hot, glowing gases. We can call it our star, for that is what it is - just another star. As far as stars go, it is very ordinary, being neither particularly big nor particularly brighter but there are also many that are much smaller and dimmer.

What are the prospects of life elsewhere in the solar system, besides earth? Are there any Mercurions, Venusians, or Martians? From our present knowledge of the
conditions on other planets, can we say that it is most unlikely that there is any other life as we know it.

Life as we know it definetely could not exist on Mercury because it is too hot. And Jupiter and the outer planets are much too cold. The only planet where life as we know
it had been considered possible are Venus and Mars. But the available evidence from the latest Russian and American space probs makes the possibility remote.

What about life outside the solar system? The sun is but one of millions of millions of stars in the heavens. It would be incredible if there were no other stars with planetary
systems like ours. It is likely that there are within the universe planets on which conditions are much like those on earth. Why then should there not be other life elsewhere
similar to our own? Why not indeed? This ia a mystery which we might one day solve, when we learn more about how life began and when, if ever, we can travel to the stars.
Adapted from: The Children's Encyclopedia, ed Kenneth Bacley, Londonb
According to the passage, the warmth and light of the sun are important because without them
  • A.darkness will cover the earth.
  • B.life will be difficult
  • C.space travel will become difficult
  • D.there will be no gravitational force
  • E.there will be no life.
Objective
Question 6
PASSAGE II
Piggery is another aspect of farming in Nigeria that gives smart investors huge money on daily basis. If you are into pig farming, you sure wouldn't lack money again for the rest of your life. The reason is because
pig meat (pork) is in high demand in Nigeria and sells very fast in the market. Another reason is that pig reproduces in large number and grows very fast.
A single pig gives birth to as many as 15 piglets at a time, making it one of the most producing mammals in the world. Baby pig is known as farrow or piglet. Male pigs are reffered to as the boar while the females are sows.
As a group, they are called a herd or dove.

Despite the huge profitability of piggery, many Nigerians are still overlooking this goldmine because of ignorance on how it works. While some don't just get the fact that it is a big business, many who engage in it
do it as part tim-time business. But if you can engage in this business fully, you are sure going to smile to the bank very soon.

A fully grown pig goes for as high as N30,000.00 depending on the weight. Now imagine for a year you are able to rear hundred to maturity, you will be making N3million from the sales. If you can take it higher - let's say like
2,000 pigs in a year, you will e talking of N60million here. Considering how fast pigs reproduce, it wouldn't be very much a big deal to come up with 100 pigs in a year.
Culled from Pig Rearing by Tony Umeano
One of these is not the reason why pig farming is considered a profitable business.
  • A.Pigs are eaten all over the world.
  • B.Pigs are sold at very high rate
  • C.Pigs grow very fast.
  • D.Pigs sell very fast in the market.
Objective
Question 7
PASSAGE II
Piggery is another aspect of farming in Nigeria that gives smart investors huge money on daily basis. If you are into pig farming, you sure wouldn't lack money again for the rest of your life. The reason is because
pig meat (pork) is in high demand in Nigeria and sells very fast in the market. Another reason is that pig reproduces in large number and grows very fast.
A single pig gives birth to as many as 15 piglets at a time, making it one of the most producing mammals in the world. Baby pig is known as farrow or piglet. Male pigs are reffered to as the boar while the females are sows.
As a group, they are called a herd or dove.

Despite the huge profitability of piggery, many Nigerians are still overlooking this goldmine because of ignorance on how it works. While some don't just get the fact that it is a big business, many who engage in it
do it as part tim-time business. But if you can engage in this business fully, you are sure going to smile to the bank very soon.

A fully grown pig goes for as high as N30,000.00 depending on the weight. Now imagine for a year you are able to rear hundred to maturity, you will be making N3million from the sales. If you can take it higher - let's say like
2,000 pigs in a year, you will e talking of N60million here. Considering how fast pigs reproduce, it wouldn't be very much a big deal to come up with 100 pigs in a year.
Culled from Pig Rearing by Tony Umeano
According to the passage, most Nigerians ignore pig farming because
  • A.It costs a lot to maintain pigs.
  • B.pigs are very dirty animals.
  • C.their religions forbid pig farming.
  • D.they are ignorant of the profit accruing from it.
  • E.they lack the capital to carry it out.
Objective
Question 8
PASSAGE II
Piggery is another aspect of farming in Nigeria that gives smart investors huge money on daily basis. If you are into pig farming, you sure wouldn't lack money again for the rest of your life. The reason is because
pig meat (pork) is in high demand in Nigeria and sells very fast in the market. Another reason is that pig reproduces in large number and grows very fast.
A single pig gives birth to as many as 15 piglets at a time, making it one of the most producing mammals in the world. Baby pig is known as farrow or piglet. Male pigs are reffered to as the boar while the females are sows.
As a group, they are called a herd or dove.

Despite the huge profitability of piggery, many Nigerians are still overlooking this goldmine because of ignorance on how it works. While some don't just get the fact that it is a big business, many who engage in it
do it as part tim-time business. But if you can engage in this business fully, you are sure going to smile to the bank very soon.

A fully grown pig goes for as high as N30,000.00 depending on the weight. Now imagine for a year you are able to rear hundred to maturity, you will be making N3million from the sales. If you can take it higher - let's say like
2,000 pigs in a year, you will e talking of N60million here. Considering how fast pigs reproduce, it wouldn't be very much a big deal to come up with 100 pigs in a year.
Culled from Pig Rearing by Tony Umeano
The pig is considered the most producing mammal in the world because it
  • A.gives birth to a large number in a single bbirth.
  • B.is cheaper to maintain.
  • C.is cheaper to maintain
  • D.is the fastest growing animal.
  • E.sells very fast in the market.
Objective
Question 9
PASSAGE II
Piggery is another aspect of farming in Nigeria that gives smart investors huge money on daily basis. If you are into pig farming, you sure wouldn't lack money again for the rest of your life. The reason is because
pig meat (pork) is in high demand in Nigeria and sells very fast in the market. Another reason is that pig reproduces in large number and grows very fast.
A single pig gives birth to as many as 15 piglets at a time, making it one of the most producing mammals in the world. Baby pig is known as farrow or piglet. Male pigs are reffered to as the boar while the females are sows.
As a group, they are called a herd or dove.

Despite the huge profitability of piggery, many Nigerians are still overlooking this goldmine because of ignorance on how it works. While some don't just get the fact that it is a big business, many who engage in it
do it as part tim-time business. But if you can engage in this business fully, you are sure going to smile to the bank very soon.

A fully grown pig goes for as high as N30,000.00 depending on the weight. Now imagine for a year you are able to rear hundred to maturity, you will be making N3million from the sales. If you can take it higher - let's say like
2,000 pigs in a year, you will e talking of N60million here. Considering how fast pigs reproduce, it wouldn't be very much a big deal to come up with 100 pigs in a year.
Culled from Pig Rearing by Tony Umeano
The price of a pig is determined by it's
  • A.age
  • B.productive capacity
  • C.sex
  • D.state of health
  • E.weight
Objective
Question 10
PASSAGE II
Piggery is another aspect of farming in Nigeria that gives smart investors huge money on daily basis. If you are into pig farming, you sure wouldn't lack money again for the rest of your life. The reason is because
pig meat (pork) is in high demand in Nigeria and sells very fast in the market. Another reason is that pig reproduces in large number and grows very fast.
A single pig gives birth to as many as 15 piglets at a time, making it one of the most producing mammals in the world. Baby pig is known as farrow or piglet. Male pigs are reffered to as the boar while the females are sows.
As a group, they are called a herd or dove.

Despite the huge profitability of piggery, many Nigerians are still overlooking this goldmine because of ignorance on how it works. While some don't just get the fact that it is a big business, many who engage in it
do it as part tim-time business. But if you can engage in this business fully, you are sure going to smile to the bank very soon.

A fully grown pig goes for as high as N30,000.00 depending on the weight. Now imagine for a year you are able to rear hundred to maturity, you will be making N3million from the sales. If you can take it higher - let's say like
2,000 pigs in a year, you will e talking of N60million here. Considering how fast pigs reproduce, it wouldn't be very much a big deal to come up with 100 pigs in a year.
Culled from Pig Rearing by Tony Umeano
What figure of speech is the word 'goldmine' in paragraph 3?
  • A.Euphemism
  • B.Hyperbole
  • C.Metaphor
  • D.Personification
  • E.Simile.
Objective
Question 26
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...26... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...33... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.flowers
  • B.herbs
  • C.leaves
  • D.plants
  • E.shrubs
Objective
Question 27
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...27... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.baking
  • B.colouring
  • C.cutting
  • D.decoration
  • E.mixing
Objective
Question 28
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...28... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.aesthetic
  • B.artistic
  • C.flavour
  • D.sweetness
  • E.taste
Objective
Question 29
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...29... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.aroma
  • B.fragrance
  • C.odour
  • D.scent
  • E.smell
Objective
Question 30
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...30... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.appearance
  • B.composition
  • C.quantity
  • D.structure
  • E.texture
Objective
Question 31
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...31... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.concealed
  • B.invisible
  • C.noticeable
  • D.observable
  • E.visual
Objective
Question 32
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...32... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.copies
  • B.ideas
  • C.issues
  • D.subjects
  • E.themes
Objective
Question 33
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...33... of the ...... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.admirable
  • B.disliked
  • C.pleasing
  • D.populty
  • E.unpopular
Objective
Question 34
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...34... flower in the ...... of cake decoration.
  • A.hibiscus
  • B.lavendar
  • C.lily
  • D.rose
  • E.tulip
Objective
Question 35
```In the passage below, the numbered gaps indicste missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A - E. Fill each numbered gaps with the most appropriate of the options (Nos. 26-35).``
Exotic ...... are employed in cake ...... to increase the ...... and decorative appeal of the cake, as well as to complement or improve the ...... and ...... of the cake. Designing cakes with flowers helps improve the ...... appeal of the cake. Natural ...... are also associated with peace and love, hence the ...... of the ...... flower in the ...35... of cake decoration.
  • A.art
  • B.craft
  • C.job
  • D.profession
  • E.task
Objective