BECE English Language 2017 Paper 1 Past Questions

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

Question 1
ENGLISH STUDIES 2017 PAPER 1 – QUESTIONS
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A – E (Nos. 1 – 10)
A country’s human population and grow beyond available resources such as food, water and shelter. This leads to problems such as overcrowding and starvation.
Many countries have found it essential to regulate their population so that they have population that they can cater for.
Catering for a human population does not involve only food and shelter but many other requirements such as education, medical services, employment and transportation.
A country’s regulates its population through family planning. Family planning means that parents voluntarily limit their children to the number they want.
An average girl is capable of becoming a mother at the age of about 15, and may continue bearing children until the age of 45. If she bears at the rate of one in two years, and all of them remain alive, she may have a total of 15 children. If most of the women in a particular generation did this, the country’s population may explode. Today, educated parents voluntarily limit the size of their families because they know that by so doing they can better provide for the children they choose to have.
Some people argue, especially on religious grounds, that family planning is wrong because it often involves termination of the life of a baby. But, in fact, there are several family planning methods and the emphasis in family is on the prevention of conception rather than the termination of life. One can therefore choose a method of birth control that agrees with one’s religious belief.
Culled from senior secondary Biology 2 by Ndu et al
According to the passage, family planning is ______________
  • A.catering for a human population in a country
  • B.consciously limiting the number of births
  • C.preventing conception
  • D.preventing overcrowding and starvation
  • E.termination of the lives of babies
Objective
Question 2
ENGLISH STUDIES 2017 PAPER 1 – QUESTIONS
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A – E (Nos. 1 – 10)
A country’s human population and grow beyond available resources such as food, water and shelter. This leads to problems such as overcrowding and starvation.
Many countries have found it essential to regulate their population so that they have population that they can cater for.
Catering for a human population does not involve only food and shelter but many other requirements such as education, medical services, employment and transportation.
A country’s regulates its population through family planning. Family planning means that parents voluntarily limit their children to the number they want.
An average girl is capable of becoming a mother at the age of about 15, and may continue bearing children until the age of 45. If she bears at the rate of one in two years, and all of them remain alive, she may have a total of 15 children. If most of the women in a particular generation did this, the country’s population may explode. Today, educated parents voluntarily limit the size of their families because they know that by so doing they can better provide for the children they choose to have.
Some people argue, especially on religious grounds, that family planning is wrong because it often involves termination of the life of a baby. But, in fact, there are several family planning methods and the emphasis in family is on the prevention of conception rather than the termination of life. One can therefore choose a method of birth control that agrees with one’s religious belief.
Culled from senior secondary Biology 2 by Ndu et al
The word “resources” as used in paragraph one means ___________
  • A.amenities
  • B.capacities
  • C.liabilities
  • D.attributes
  • E.features
Objective
Question 3
ENGLISH STUDIES 2017 PAPER 1 – QUESTIONS
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A – E (Nos. 1 – 10)
A country’s human population and grow beyond available resources such as food, water and shelter. This leads to problems such as overcrowding and starvation.
Many countries have found it essential to regulate their population so that they have population that they can cater for.
Catering for a human population does not involve only food and shelter but many other requirements such as education, medical services, employment and transportation.
A country’s regulates its population through family planning. Family planning means that parents voluntarily limit their children to the number they want.
An average girl is capable of becoming a mother at the age of about 15, and may continue bearing children until the age of 45. If she bears at the rate of one in two years, and all of them remain alive, she may have a total of 15 children. If most of the women in a particular generation did this, the country’s population may explode. Today, educated parents voluntarily limit the size of their families because they know that by so doing they can better provide for the children they choose to have.
Some people argue, especially on religious grounds, that family planning is wrong because it often involves termination of the life of a baby. But, in fact, there are several family planning methods and the emphasis in family is on the prevention of conception rather than the termination of life. One can therefore choose a method of birth control that agrees with one’s religious belief.
Culled from senior secondary Biology 2 by Ndu et al
The main focus of this passage is __________
  • A.methods of birth control
  • B.religious beliefs
  • C.terminating lives
  • D.the age limit of child birth
  • E.why countries regulate their human population
Objective
Question 4
ENGLISH STUDIES 2017 PAPER 1 – QUESTIONS
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A – E (Nos. 1 – 10)
A country’s human population and grow beyond available resources such as food, water and shelter. This leads to problems such as overcrowding and starvation.
Many countries have found it essential to regulate their population so that they have population that they can cater for.
Catering for a human population does not involve only food and shelter but many other requirements such as education, medical services, employment and transportation.
A country’s regulates its population through family planning. Family planning means that parents voluntarily limit their children to the number they want.
An average girl is capable of becoming a mother at the age of about 15, and may continue bearing children until the age of 45. If she bears at the rate of one in two years, and all of them remain alive, she may have a total of 15 children. If most of the women in a particular generation did this, the country’s population may explode. Today, educated parents voluntarily limit the size of their families because they know that by so doing they can better provide for the children they choose to have.
Some people argue, especially on religious grounds, that family planning is wrong because it often involves termination of the life of a baby. But, in fact, there are several family planning methods and the emphasis in family is on the prevention of conception rather than the termination of life. One can therefore choose a method of birth control that agrees with one’s religious belief.
Culled from senior secondary Biology 2 by Ndu et al
According to the passage, countries regulate their population in order to
  • A.ascertain the number of people in the country
  • B.come up with proper family planning methods
  • C.create awareness of the number of children a woman should have
  • D.encourage population growth
  • E.have a population they can control
Objective
Question 5
ENGLISH STUDIES 2017 PAPER 1 – QUESTIONS
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate of the options lettered A – E (Nos. 1 – 10)
A country’s human population and grow beyond available resources such as food, water and shelter. This leads to problems such as overcrowding and starvation.
Many countries have found it essential to regulate their population so that they have population that they can cater for.
Catering for a human population does not involve only food and shelter but many other requirements such as education, medical services, employment and transportation.
A country’s regulates its population through family planning. Family planning means that parents voluntarily limit their children to the number they want.
An average girl is capable of becoming a mother at the age of about 15, and may continue bearing children until the age of 45. If she bears at the rate of one in two years, and all of them remain alive, she may have a total of 15 children. If most of the women in a particular generation did this, the country’s population may explode. Today, educated parents voluntarily limit the size of their families because they know that by so doing they can better provide for the children they choose to have.
Some people argue, especially on religious grounds, that family planning is wrong because it often involves termination of the life of a baby. But, in fact, there are several family planning methods and the emphasis in family is on the prevention of conception rather than the termination of life. One can therefore choose a method of birth control that agrees with one’s religious belief.
Culled from senior secondary Biology 2 by Ndu et al
Which of the following is a negative effect of over-population?
  • A.hunger and overcrowding
  • B.improper family planning methods
  • C.lack of disease control
  • D.limiting the size of families
  • E.negative religious practices
Objective
Question 6
Passage II
From the time of its birth, the newborn needs tender care, including gentle strokes and close skin contact. Some physicians believe that the first 12 hours after birth are crucial. They say that what mother and child require and want most right after the delivery is “not sleep nor food, but to stroke and snuggle and to look and listen to each other”.
Instinctively, parents reach out, cuddle, stroke and snuggle their baby. The baby in turn, becomes securely attached to its parents and responds to their attention. The power of this bond is so strong that parents will make sacrifices to care for the infant without letup.
On the other hand, without a loving parental bond, an infant may literally wilt and die. Therefore, some doctors believe it is important that a baby be given to its mother immediately after the delivery. They suggest that at least 30 to 60 minutes of early contact between parent and infant should be provided.
Despite the emphasis some put on bonding, early contact may be difficult, if not impossible in some hospitals. Often, newborns are separated from the mother because of the danger of transmission of infection to the child. Some evidence indicate, though that the rate of fatal infections may actually drop when newborns stay with the mothers. So more and more hospitals are open to early extended contact between the mother and the newborn.
Some mothers do not become emotionally attached to their baby the first time they see them. So they wonder, “will I have trouble bonding?” Admittedly, not all mothers fall in love with their baby at first sight. Yet, there is no need to be anxious.
Even when maternal affection for the baby is delayed, it can develop fully later. “There’s no one birth circumstance that makes or breaks your relationship with your child”, observes an experienced mother. Still, if you are expecting a baby and have concerns, it may be wise to have a discussion with your obstetrician in advance. Be clear about your wishes on when and how long you want to interact with your newborn.
Adapted from Awake
According to the passage, one of the following is not a way mothers establish parental bond with their newborn babies.
  • A.cuddling them
  • B.listening to them
  • C.lying down with them
  • D.rocking them
  • E.snuggling them
Objective
Question 7
Passage II
From the time of its birth, the newborn needs tender care, including gentle strokes and close skin contact. Some physicians believe that the first 12 hours after birth are crucial. They say that what mother and child require and want most right after the delivery is “not sleep nor food, but to stroke and snuggle and to look and listen to each other”.
Instinctively, parents reach out, cuddle, stroke and snuggle their baby. The baby in turn, becomes securely attached to its parents and responds to their attention. The power of this bond is so strong that parents will make sacrifices to care for the infant without letup.
On the other hand, without a loving parental bond, an infant may literally wilt and die. Therefore, some doctors believe it is important that a baby be given to its mother immediately after the delivery. They suggest that at least 30 to 60 minutes of early contact between parent and infant should be provided.
Despite the emphasis some put on bonding, early contact may be difficult, if not impossible in some hospitals. Often, newborns are separated from the mother because of the danger of transmission of infection to the child. Some evidence indicate, though that the rate of fatal infections may actually drop when newborns stay with the mothers. So more and more hospitals are open to early extended contact between the mother and the newborn.
Some mothers do not become emotionally attached to their baby the first time they see them. So they wonder, “will I have trouble bonding?” Admittedly, not all mothers fall in love with their baby at first sight. Yet, there is no need to be anxious.
Even when maternal affection for the baby is delayed, it can develop fully later. “There’s no one birth circumstance that makes or breaks your relationship with your child”, observes an experienced mother. Still, if you are expecting a baby and have concerns, it may be wise to have a discussion with your obstetrician in advance. Be clear about your wishes on when and how long you want to interact with your newborn.
Adapted from Awake
According to the passage, early contact between the mother and the newborn is important because it
  • A.creates a bond between them
  • B.makes the baby healthy
  • C.makes the baby sleep well
  • D.prevents infection
  • E.prevents the baby from death
Objective
Question 8
Passage II
From the time of its birth, the newborn needs tender care, including gentle strokes and close skin contact. Some physicians believe that the first 12 hours after birth are crucial. They say that what mother and child require and want most right after the delivery is “not sleep nor food, but to stroke and snuggle and to look and listen to each other”.
Instinctively, parents reach out, cuddle, stroke and snuggle their baby. The baby in turn, becomes securely attached to its parents and responds to their attention. The power of this bond is so strong that parents will make sacrifices to care for the infant without letup.
On the other hand, without a loving parental bond, an infant may literally wilt and die. Therefore, some doctors believe it is important that a baby be given to its mother immediately after the delivery. They suggest that at least 30 to 60 minutes of early contact between parent and infant should be provided.
Despite the emphasis some put on bonding, early contact may be difficult, if not impossible in some hospitals. Often, newborns are separated from the mother because of the danger of transmission of infection to the child. Some evidence indicate, though that the rate of fatal infections may actually drop when newborns stay with the mothers. So more and more hospitals are open to early extended contact between the mother and the newborn.
Some mothers do not become emotionally attached to their baby the first time they see them. So they wonder, “will I have trouble bonding?” Admittedly, not all mothers fall in love with their baby at first sight. Yet, there is no need to be anxious.
Even when maternal affection for the baby is delayed, it can develop fully later. “There’s no one birth circumstance that makes or breaks your relationship with your child”, observes an experienced mother. Still, if you are expecting a baby and have concerns, it may be wise to have a discussion with your obstetrician in advance. Be clear about your wishes on when and how long you want to interact with your newborn.
Adapted from Awake
Sometimes, the newborn is separated from its mother in order to
  • A.enable doctors take good care of it
  • B.enable the mother sleep well
  • C.give it fresh air
  • D.prevent disease transmission
  • E.prevent parental bond
Objective
Question 9
Passage II
From the time of its birth, the newborn needs tender care, including gentle strokes and close skin contact. Some physicians believe that the first 12 hours after birth are crucial. They say that what mother and child require and want most right after the delivery is “not sleep nor food, but to stroke and snuggle and to look and listen to each other”.
Instinctively, parents reach out, cuddle, stroke and snuggle their baby. The baby in turn, becomes securely attached to its parents and responds to their attention. The power of this bond is so strong that parents will make sacrifices to care for the infant without letup.
On the other hand, without a loving parental bond, an infant may literally wilt and die. Therefore, some doctors believe it is important that a baby be given to its mother immediately after the delivery. They suggest that at least 30 to 60 minutes of early contact between parent and infant should be provided.
Despite the emphasis some put on bonding, early contact may be difficult, if not impossible in some hospitals. Often, newborns are separated from the mother because of the danger of transmission of infection to the child. Some evidence indicate, though that the rate of fatal infections may actually drop when newborns stay with the mothers. So more and more hospitals are open to early extended contact between the mother and the newborn.
Some mothers do not become emotionally attached to their baby the first time they see them. So they wonder, “will I have trouble bonding?” Admittedly, not all mothers fall in love with their baby at first sight. Yet, there is no need to be anxious.
Even when maternal affection for the baby is delayed, it can develop fully later. “There’s no one birth circumstance that makes or breaks your relationship with your child”, observes an experienced mother. Still, if you are expecting a baby and have concerns, it may be wise to have a discussion with your obstetrician in advance. Be clear about your wishes on when and how long you want to interact with your newborn.
Adapted from Awake
The main aim of this passage is to
  • A.analyze
  • B.educate
  • C.persuade
  • D.criticize
  • E.entertain
Objective
Question 10
Passage II
From the time of its birth, the newborn needs tender care, including gentle strokes and close skin contact. Some physicians believe that the first 12 hours after birth are crucial. They say that what mother and child require and want most right after the delivery is “not sleep nor food, but to stroke and snuggle and to look and listen to each other”.
Instinctively, parents reach out, cuddle, stroke and snuggle their baby. The baby in turn, becomes securely attached to its parents and responds to their attention. The power of this bond is so strong that parents will make sacrifices to care for the infant without letup.
On the other hand, without a loving parental bond, an infant may literally wilt and die. Therefore, some doctors believe it is important that a baby be given to its mother immediately after the delivery. They suggest that at least 30 to 60 minutes of early contact between parent and infant should be provided.
Despite the emphasis some put on bonding, early contact may be difficult, if not impossible in some hospitals. Often, newborns are separated from the mother because of the danger of transmission of infection to the child. Some evidence indicate, though that the rate of fatal infections may actually drop when newborns stay with the mothers. So more and more hospitals are open to early extended contact between the mother and the newborn.
Some mothers do not become emotionally attached to their baby the first time they see them. So they wonder, “will I have trouble bonding?” Admittedly, not all mothers fall in love with their baby at first sight. Yet, there is no need to be anxious.
Even when maternal affection for the baby is delayed, it can develop fully later. “There’s no one birth circumstance that makes or breaks your relationship with your child”, observes an experienced mother. Still, if you are expecting a baby and have concerns, it may be wise to have a discussion with your obstetrician in advance. Be clear about your wishes on when and how long you want to interact with your newborn.
Adapted from Awake
The word ‘affection’ as used in the last paragraph can be replaced with __________
  • A.dislike
  • B.love
  • C.sentiment
  • D.joy
  • E.regard
Objective
Question 26
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest___26____ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.fluid
  • B.liquid
  • C.milk
  • D.secretion
  • E.water
Objective
Question 27
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course ____27_____. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.desert
  • B.dinner
  • C.food
  • D.lunch
  • E.meal
Objective
Question 28
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ___28_____ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.babysitter
  • B.maid
  • C.mother
  • D.nanny
  • E.nurse
Objective
Question 29
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ____29____ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.appearance
  • B.colour
  • C.complexion
  • D.form
  • E.nature
Objective
Question 30
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ____30____ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast ___1___ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.colostrum
  • B.concoction
  • C.mixture
  • D.nutrient
  • E.syrup
Objective
Question 31
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast ____31___ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.expression
  • B.feeding
  • C.sucking
  • D.surgery
  • E.treatment
Objective
Question 32
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more ____32___. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.condense
  • B.nutritious
  • C.solid
  • D.tasty
  • E.watery
Objective
Question 33
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest___26____ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for ____33___ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.babies
  • B.children
  • C.foetus
  • D.teens
  • E.toddler
Objective
Question 34
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in ___34____, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each __________ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.calorie
  • B.mineral
  • C.nutrition
  • D.protein
  • E.vitamin
Objective
Question 35
In the passage below, the number of gaps indicates missing words. Against each number in the list below the passage, five options are offered in columns lettered A – E. fill each numbered gap with the most appropriate of the option
The brest_______ has been described as a three course _________. The milk the ________ produces after delivery, which is yellowish in ________ is called ________ and should not be discarded as some women do.
The first milk during breast _______ is lighter which is more _______. This is the foremilk, the water provided for _______ in the breast is found here.
The latter milk from the same breast is thicker, the hind milk, higher in _______, high-energy portion of the milk – the main course of the breast “meal”. Mothers must feed babies long enough like ten to fifteen minutes in a breast each at each _____35_____ for the baby to get this main meal.
  • A.diet
  • B.feed
  • C.gulp
  • D.portion
  • E.ration
Objective