BECE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRIALS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
PAPER 2
ESSAY
This paper consists of three parts: A, B, and C. Answer three questions in all; one question from Part A and all the
questions in Part B and Part C. Answer all the questions in your answer booklet.
PART A
ESSAY WRITING
[30 MARKS]
Answer one question only from this part.
Your composition should be about 250 words long.
Credit will be given for clarity of expression and orderly presentation of material.
1. Write an article for publication in your school’s magazine, on why you think corporal punishment should be retained only for the junior high department of your school.
2. You rushed your grandmother to the hospital after she was bitten by a snake in the farm; describe the incident to the doctors.
3. You had an accident and was sent to the hospital, your friend wrote to you anxiously asking how you are doing. Write a reply to him/her, explaining how the accident happened and how lucky you had escaped it with injuries that didn’t keep you in the hospital.
PART B
COMPREHENSION
[30 MARKS]
4. Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.
Among the Akan communities of Ghana, when one sneezes, people you have never met before say ‘life to you’-“Nkwa”.
The superstition is that, the soul escapes from the body when one sneezes. To say, ‘life to you’ is an earnest wish for the soul to be restored.
Examples abound to show that although we live in a technologically advanced age, superstition now is as widespread as it has ever been. Consider the following instances of superstition. Some people consult soothsayers or fetish priest before any undertaking. An athlete, although he has trained thoroughly, credits his victory to a charm. A particular T-shirt worn on the day of triumph becomes a charm thereafter. Such a piece of cloth is never to be washed for fear that some of the magical powers of the charm might be washed away. A student uses a certain pen for an examination and passes well. Thereafter he views the pen as a ‘luck’ object.
A superstitious mind believes that certain objects, places and animals bring luck. Some people will embark on trips only on certain dates and they being under the influence of superstition will act against their better judgment, instincts or decision. The case of the chain letter which is a letter sent to several persons with the request that each sends copies tomany others accordingly. The one who passes on such a letter is promised good luck, whereas the one who breaks the chain is supposed to experience ill-luck.
Is superstition really harmful? Some people might dismiss this question or deny the dangers associated with superstition. Nonetheless, it can lead to unpleasant consequences. Take for instance, the case of Mr. Otokunor who lived in a village where he sold chicken. His enterprise was lucrative. Believing that he could have his profit multiplied, he once took all his money to a fetish priest who it was believed had spirits which could do virtually anything for anybody. The priest put his money into a big envelope and asked him to leave it beside a black pot in his shrine.
Mr. Otokunor was asked to come back for his money after seven days. Arriving very early on his appointment day, he enthusiastically hurried to the shrine oblivious of the morning dew on the grass along the path. The priest handed a bag to him and instructed him to bury it in his shop for three days. He did exactly as he had been ordered. The three days which looked like a century eventually came. When he finally opened the envelope, he saw plain papers in it. With frenzy, he rushed to the shrine to complain about his discovery only to find out that the priest had disappeared.
(a) According to the passage, how will you describe Mr. Otokunor’s character?
(b) What does the story of Mr. Otokunor illustrate about superstition?
(c) How does superstition influence one’s conscience.
(d) What was Mr. Otokunor’s state of mind during his second visit to the shrine?
(e) What part of speech is the following?
i. ……never
ii. …...although
iii. ……. ill luck
(f) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same as used in the passage
i. triumph
ii. virtually
iii. oblivious
iv. eventually
v. frenzy
ANSWERS
GOOD LUCK
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